N95 Masks for Lung Health While Golfing During Wildfire Season

A Pilot / Feasibility Study on Cardiorespiratory Health of Golfers During Wildfire Season

Lung health is negatively affected during wildfire season by increased smoke pollution. Wearing N95 masks protects lung health in the short-term. The purpose of our study is to assess whether wearing of N95 facemasks on days with moderate to high air pollution in people who go outside to golf on a regular basis (two or more times per week) for two months during the wildfire season projects lung health.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Bronchial Asthma
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: N95 mask

Detailed Description

Wildfire smoke negatively affects lung health. Across North American, millions of people are exposed to wildfire smoke most summers. The purpose of our study is to determine whether people who golf regularly (two or more times per week) can use N95 masks to protect their lungs from wildfire smoke. Forty regular golfers will be randomized to receive N95 masks or not to receive masks. All participants will be told to follow guidelines for outdoor activity based on Air Quality Health Index readings. Those randomized to wear N95 facemasks will be asked to wear these on days they golf where Air Quality Health Index indicates moderate risk or higher. The main outcome is compliance with wearing the N95 mask. Secondary outcomes include changes in lung function, blood pressure, and respiratory symptoms over two months.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Philip Chilibeck, PhD; Phone Number: 3062303849; Email: phil.chilibeck@usask.ca

Study Locations

• Canada
  • SK - Saskatchewan
    • Saskatoon, SK - Saskatchewan, Canada, S7N 5B2
      • Recruiting
      • University of Saskatchewan
      • Contact: Philip Chilibeck, PhD; Phone Number: 3062303849; Email: phil.chilibeck@usask.ca

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Golf on a regular basis (two or more times per week)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Smoker

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Quadruple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: N95 mask; N95 masks will be worn outdoors when Air Quality Health Index indicates moderate risk or higher (4 or higher)	Device: N95 mask; N95 mask to be worn outside when golfing when Air Quality Health Index reading indicates moderate risk or higher
No Intervention: No N95 mask; No N95 masks will be provided to participants

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in compliance with wearing of N95 masks (number of times divided by days with moderate or higher air pollution)	compliance with wearing the N95 masks	8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in forced expiratory volume in one second (L)	Force expiratory volume in one second measured with spirometry	8 weeks
Change in forced vital capacity (mL)	Forced vital capacity measured by spirometry	8 weeks
Change in forced expiratory flow at 25% to 75% of vital capacity (mL)	forced expiratory flow at 25% to 75% of vital capacity measured by spirometry	8 weeks
Change in respiratory symptoms (score out of 12)	Respiratory symptoms determined by the Dyspnoea-12 questionnaire	8 weeks
Change in systolic blood pressure (mmHg)	Systolic blood pressure measured by an automatic sphygmomanometer	8 weeks
Change in diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)	Diastolic blood pressure measured by an automatic sphygmomanometer	8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Saskatchewan
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Philip Chilibeck, PhD, University of Saskatchewan

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 26, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 26, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 26, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): June 2, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 2, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 26, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Immune System Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Lung Diseases; Bronchial Diseases; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Hypersensitivity; Asthma; Surgical Equipment; Equipment and Supplies; Manufactured Materials; Technology, Industry, and Agriculture; Protective Devices; Personal Protective Equipment; Surgical Attire; Equipment and Supplies, Hospital; Respiratory Protective Devices; N95 Respirators
• Other Study ID Numbers: 6402

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No