{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,13]],"date-time":"2026-03-13T17:31:31Z","timestamp":1773423091345,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":31,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"11","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2020,6,2]],"date-time":"2020-06-02T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1591056000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["IJERPH"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Air pollution is a major health problem and children are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects. Facemasks are one form of protection but, to be effective, they need to filter out airborne pollutants, fit the face well and be wearable. In this pilot study, we assess the perceived wearability of three facemasks (Vogmask, TuHao and ReSpimask) marketed in the UK as being designed to protect children against exposure to air pollution. Twenty-four primary school children wore each facemask during a standardised walking and running activity. After each activity, the children were asked to rate facemask wearability in terms of parameters, such as perceived comfort, hotness, breathability and fit. At the end of the trial, the children compared and identified their preferred facemask. The main complaint about the facemasks was the children\u2019s faces being too hot. The ReSpimask was most frequently reported as being perceived to be the hardest to breathe through. The TuHao facemask was the only adjustable strap mask assessed but was reported to be difficult to adjust. Facemasks with a nose clip were frequently rated highest for fit (TuHao and Vogmask). The patterned, cloth fabric Vogmask had significantly higher ratings for appearance and perceived fit. The results show children\u2019s perceptions of facemasks are highly affected by the facemask\u2019s design, hotness and perceived breathability. By making children\u2019s facemasks more appealing, breathable, cooler and improving their fit, wearability may be improved.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph17113935","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2020,6,3]],"date-time":"2020-06-03T04:12:09Z","timestamp":1591157529000},"page":"3935","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":35,"title":["Assessment of the Wearability of Facemasks against Air Pollution in Primary School-Aged Children in London"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Naomi R","family":"Smart","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Bristol Medical School, First Floor, 5 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1UD, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0148-6933","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Claire J","family":"Horwell","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Hazard, Risk &amp; Resilience, Department of Earth Sciences, Durham University, Lower Mountjoy, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Trevor S","family":"Smart","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"UCB Pharma, Statistical Sciences and Innovation, Slough SL1 3WE, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Karen S","family":"Galea","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), Research Avenue North, Riccarton, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2020,6,2]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"8","DOI":"10.7861\/clinmedicine.17-1-8","article-title":"\u2018Every breath we take: The lifelong impact of air pollution\u2019\u2014A call for action","volume":"17","author":"Holgate","year":"2017","journal-title":"Clin. 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