The massive mask industry spurred by the Covid-19 pandemic prompted the appetite for integrating smart technology into face coverings for practical applications. Most recently, scientists have developed masks that can monitor respiratory conditions by measuring nitrite in a person’s exhalation—a metric that correlates with airway inflammation in patients with asthma or COPD. Whereas traditional care for these conditions typically requires patients to visit a clinic–followed by a waiting period for lab results—the new innovation enables healthcare providers to monitor patients over time and remotely for real-time feedback; the patients themselves are able to gain better awareness of their own health conditions. Given the widespread prevalence of respiratory conditions globally, these masks could have massive impact, especially in remote or underserved areas where access to in-person care is limited.
