• Rosa Alessia Battista, Milena Ferraro, Lucia Oriella Piccioni, Giulia Elvira Malzanni, and Mario Bussi.
• Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (Dr Battista, Dr Malzanni, Dr Bussi); Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, (Dr Battista, Dr Ferraro, Dr Piccioni, Dr Malzanni, Dr Bussi), Milan, Italy.
• J. Occup. Environ. Med. 2021 Feb 1; 63 (2): e80-e85.

ObjectivesTo assess prevalence of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)-related symptoms and adverse reactions during Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemics.MethodsWe conducted an observational study among people exposed to various degree of infectious risk. Data were collected with a self-administered online questionnaire.ResultsThe entire cohort complained about a wide range of adverse reactions: respiratory symptoms affected 80.3% of respondents, 68.5% referred pressure-related skin lesions, fewer manifested a dermatosis of different grade or ocular symptoms. Most of the affected individuals belonged to healthcare staff and manifestations were predicted by wearing time (more than 6 h/d). Moreover, symptoms were higher in the healthcare staff wearing N95/FFP2 respirator mask.ConclusionsGiven the crucial role of PPE to contain the pandemic infection, more attention has to be paid to exposed categories, establishing preventive measure of side effects to ensure total safety.Copyright © 2020 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

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