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Pollution Masks – advice please…

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  • December 1, 2018 at 3:52 pm #29176
    foreignfruit@

    With the general media hype around toxic air, not to mention the lung-full I get sat at the lights on my commute through London I’m exploring which option to go for.

    Can anyone share any preferences? Previous experiences with them? General positives / negatives?

    Ta,
    Jack

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Viewing 7 replies - 16 through 22 (of 22 total)
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  • December 2, 2018 at 7:11 pm #932247
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    foreignfruit@

    Thanks all, very helpful.

    Thanks all, very helpful. Albeit disheartening to hear that none of the masks on the market are actually very effective. My frame of mind is that surely using one is better than not using it but the comfort problem I can completely see

    December 2, 2018 at 5:19 pm #932245
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    Canyon48

    As far as I know, none of the

    As far as I know, none of the commercially available masks actually filter out the dangerous particles from exhausts that will do damage to you – they only filter out the larger dust particles.

    To filter the nasty pollutants from exhaust fumes, you’ll need a proper chemical mask – which isn’t very practical.

    Unfortunately, you (we) are exposed to harmful pollutants even whilst we’re sat in our homes (if you live by a road), or whilst sat in a car in traffic… 

    December 2, 2018 at 5:07 pm #932243
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    Anonymous

    There’s an interesting

    There’s an interesting article here about cycling and pollution exposure:

    https://www.cyclinguk.org/article/fuming-air-pollution-and-cycling

    Way back in the early 90s I bought a Respro mask for my commute, but stopped using it after a few days because it was so unpleasant and uncomfortable, and because at about that time something was published which suggested that even without a mask you were still better off cycling than being in a car, bus or tube.

    Ban polluting vehicles is the real answer, but that may take some time.

     

    December 2, 2018 at 5:02 pm #932241
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    Nat Jas Moe

    Being asthamatic I find that

    Being asthamatic I find that these masks agrivate my asthama, which may be counter intuative but there you are. I agree with Welshboy, most filters will not filter out the particulants that people say we need to avoid as these particles are just too small, and as far as gases as concerned well the’re gases so again will pass through most filters. 

    My advice is to make sure your well away from buses, lorries and black cabs, as I have observed that these often belch black smoke, particulantes. 

    December 2, 2018 at 3:31 pm #932239
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    ktache

    I got me a Respro City

    I got me a Respro City reflect just after the Buncefield fire, had to cycle to the train station hard, that night after, the smoke had dropped and I could not breathe.  Chipped the next day off, got the mask on my way into work the next day.  It was very hot and sweaty and I couldn’t drink or spit, it also rubbed my nose raw and it makes breathing difficult.

    Upgraded to the techno filter and valves at some point, and on hearing Carol the weather woman tell us it was a big polluting day, I wore it to work.  Still had all of the bad things.  Haven’t used it since.  Probably does’t work with facial hair, as I know that PPE masks at work don’t.  If I was proper filthy city cycling I might go and find it and occasionally shave, but I doubt it.

    December 2, 2018 at 1:36 pm #932237
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    Spangly Shiny

    One of these should suffice:

    One of these should suffice:

     

    December 2, 2018 at 8:52 am #932235
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    Welsh boy

    First of all find out what

    First of all find out what you are trying to protect yourself from eg NOx, pm2.5 etc.  Then read the manufacturers specification for each mask and make sure that it can filter out exactly what it is you are trying to keep out of your body.  When you are satisfied that a mask can protect you from whatever it is you are concerned about, see if that mask fits you comfortaly, if it does, buy it.

    However, dont be taken i by marketing bulshit, make sure you fully understand what you are trying to keep out of your lungs.  If it is NOx, SOx, O3 etc, then I dont think that a filter mask will do you any good, try looking for a Hazmat suit instead.

    I am glad that you acknowledge that a lot of the exposure is “publicity hype” so please do your own research and dont rely on articles from sources whose sole purpose is to make money.

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