Norwalk Hospital pulmonologist gives mask advice during air advisory

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Paul Vinett, of Norwalk, said has been wearing a mask because of the air quality when outside. He was photographed in Norwalk, Conn, on Thursday, June 8, 2023.

Paul Vinett, of Norwalk, walks his dog Reba in SoNo. Vinett said he has been wearing a mask because of the poor air quality outside in Norwalk, Conn, on Thursday, June 8, 2023.

Paul Vinett, of Norwalk, walks his dog Reba in SoNo. Vinett said he has been wearing a mask because of the air quality when outside in Norwalk, Conn., on Thursday, June 8, 2023.

NORWALK — When it comes to wearing a mask outside during an air quality advisory, any mask is better than none, Norwalk Hospital pulmonologist Dr. Robyn Scatena said.

The most effective measure would be respirators with filters, Scatena said, although they have close effectiveness to an N95 mask. She also said the KN95 mask is comparable.

"KN95 is almost as good," Scatena said. "The fit is almost as tight as an N95 and the level of filtration is the same. So it's a really good alternative."

Many residents across the region have wondered about wearing masks after the spike in bad air quality in the Northeast in recent days due to out-of-control wildfires burning in Canada. The smoke from the fires has caused hazy skies, a red sun and what some describe as foul-smelling air, even in Connecticut, which is hundreds of miles from the fires, and forcing many to stay indoors.

In recent days, air quality monitoring sites across Connecticut reported unhealthy levels of fine particles, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Fire and Smoke Map.

The air pollution caused by the fires is from fine particles in the air referred to as "PM 2.5," which can get into the body's lower respiratory system, where they cause irritation.

The pulmonologist said residents can also wear surgical masks for protection, though they are less effective at filtering the small particles in the smoky air in two ways.

"It's less-efficient filtration of the air, but really the bigger difference than that is that it doesn't fit as tight and it allows a good amount of air to go through the gaps between where the mask and the face is," Scatena said.

By Kalleen Rose Ozanic

For those that go outside without a mask, "be really careful," she said.

"Try to minimize time [outside] and also minimize exertion," she said. "We breathe in more air when we're physically active than we do when we're just still."

Paul Vinett, a Norwalk resident, was wearing a mask Thursday when he walked his dog Reba in SoNo. Vinett said he took that step because of the poor air quality when he is outside.