Pollution Masks

Does anyone use these and do they actually do anything?

Yes they do and no they don't.

the only purpose they serve is to make one look like a jeb-end

maybe try bikeradar?

i think that they do work a little bit. but then again, they dont work much better than a bandana. plus they make your face nasty and sweaty and aren't very comfortable imo.

Q&A - Could pollution affect blood cells?

By Nick Morgan, health journalist
          Q: I'm a regular commuter in London and have been for over a year. I do 50-to-60 miles a week, plus the occasional longer ride at weekends. My commute is mostly along busy roads.

I recently had a medial check-up as part of my employer's new health insurance policy. During the live blood analysis, the doctor pointed out that some of my red blood cells were spiky. Apparently this can be caused by exposure to high levels of atmospheric pollution, stress or illness.

As I hadn't been ill before the test, the doctor suggested that my commute was the most likely cause. I'd tend to agree, as my work hadn't been particularly stressful prior to the test.
There have been plenty of articles in the paper recently about the amount of pollution that cyclists are exposed to: basically, the levels are pretty high!

I'm very aware that there are a lot of buses and taxis on the road belching out diesel fumes, but what I'm not clear on is whether there's anything that I can do to protect myself from them. I know that face masks are available, but do they really help? In particular, I'm sceptical that they would help with diesel fumes, as these are composed of very fine particles. Have any studies been done which prove the relative effectiveness of the different types of masks available or are they all basically gimmicks?

Simon Robinson, email

A:There has been some recent research in this area, although the results are slightly inconclusive. First of although, you're right to be concerned; a recent study by a team at Imperial College London found that, contradictory to popular belief, air breathed by cyclists contains double the level of particulate matter (80,000 particles per cubic centimetre) of motorists (40,000pt/cm3), and significantly more than pedestrians (50,000/cm3).
So, do the masks work? Well, Respro, one of the leading mask manufacturers, claims to have conducted thorough research. This shows that good quality masks are 99 per cent effective against particles over 0.3 microns in size (that's the same as a third of one thousandth of a millimetre!)

The trouble, as you rightly point out, is that some of the nastiest particles, like those in diesel fumes, are smaller than 0.3 microns, and these are the ones that could pass through the mask filter, and also the mucous membranes in your throat and possibly on into the
Although there is much scholarly debate over exactly how much damage they do, it's reasonable to assume that they're not doing a whole lot of good. In 2002 the US Environmental Protection Agency concluded that Diesel exhaust is a "likely human carcinogen", and a "chronic respiratory hazard to humans, carrying possible carcinogenic chemicals into your blood stream."

Respro admits that the filtration of these really small particles, such as diesel, reduces at a linear rate (so, the smaller they are, the less the masks stop them). Saying that, it and other mask manufacturers have more expensive models with secondary charcoal filters. These are claimed to go some way to mopping up these residual nano-particles. If you're commuting in the city every day, it may well be worth spending the extra cash and investing in one of these.

The impartial experts remain unconvinced however: "I would very much doubt that masks would be very effective against particles like diesel," said Dr Zoran Ristovski of the International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health in Queensland, Australia. "They are just too small."

So, I guess the answer is that a mask certainly won't do you any harm and is likely to filter out some of the larger particle-sized rubbish that's out there. But it's not going to stop all of it, so it might be time to rethink your route to work - or get a new job of course!

BAN CARS!

Not exactly useful, I got more pollution in the Victoria Line than riding 11 miles to Clerkenwell.

If you want to find out how, pinch your nose when you finished your journey in the Victoria Line and you´ll notice you have black mucus from the dust.

BAN CARS!

oh do grow up you little codswallop.

But is dust/that kind of dirt, as harmful as diesel? No.

The question is, is there diesel fumes in the underground.

Not exactly useful, I got more pollution in the Victoria Line than riding 11 miles to Clerkenwell.

If you want to find out how, pinch your nose when you finished your journey in the Victoria Line and you´ll notice you have black mucus from the dust.

+1 Ed - spot on.

Riding to work - clean snot.
Northern line to work - black snot.

There's my research. Imperial college can kiss my arse.

you're just being silly. (+1 PaulMichael)

http://www.surplusandadventure.com/shopscr296.html

£69.95, bargain.

See..
http://www.bikebiz.com/news/21937/Mask-maker-slams-Sunday-Times-coverage-of-cycling-is-bad-for-the-heart-story

and..

Smog/Pollution Mask Revisited... - RoadBikeReview Forums

and..

Cycling Masks - Good/Bad

But is dust/that kind of dirt, as harmful as diesel? No.

The question is, is there diesel fumes in the underground.

If youve ever been in a dusty dry busy city like places in asia in winter, youd know dust is absolutley everywhere. And the dust contains vehicle, factory, pesticide, sewage & refuse pollution. Aswell as viruses.

In a busy asian city I think the most basic dust mask can have a world of benefit.

Not sure about london though, probably just restrict your breathing.

Ride in the buff

I've got three of these (1 fleece, 1 merino, 1 thin polyester).

having not actually worn one, ive always imagined it restricted breathing and would get really hot on my face.

the other night i paced behind a bus for a couple of miles, i got very light headed in a manner which i dont normally asscociate with normal exhaustion. i think the fumes were starting to get to me.

I can't wait until paul-michael-jarre or whatever his name is, gets on to red light jumping and helmets

Snot picking up dust yes,

Snot showing up harmful emmissions i doubt it.

Long term effects other than of black snot..... i imagine so.

I can't wait until paul-michael-jarre or whatever hisname is, gets on to red light jumping and helmets

Don't encourage him ya great benny!

I used one years and years ago for a while, awful rubbish... Don't think it made any difference all... Very uncomfortable, totally screws up your breathing and makes you very hot and sweaty so you get nappy-rash on your neck...

Bloody top banana!

^ remember those mask books, awesome.

I used one years and years ago for a while, awful rubbish... Don't think it made any difference all... Very uncomfortable, totally screws up your breathing and makes you very hot and sweaty so you get nappy-rash on your neck...

Don't blame the mask, you were clearly rubbing soiled nappies on your neck. Admit it!

They also give you a bit of a paranoid / OCD look

having not actually worn one, ive always imagined it restricted breathing and would get really hot on my face.

that pretty much what happen really, it like wearing glasses, stopped for a moment, a mere millisecond and it´ll get steamed up more than Kate Winslet in Titanic