[Satishtv]

Hello All,

I have been travelling on a motorbike to office in Bangalore for the past 10 years. I observe that over the last 2 years the air pollution and the fine dirt particles in the air have significantly increased. I have also started falling ill (with cold / cough / fever) increasingly over this period.

I need your advise in this regard.

1) Which is the anti pollution mask recommended for bikers?
2) Can such a mask completely fight the pollution?
3) Can you comfortably wear such a mask inside a helmet?
4) And, are such masks waterproof?

There are a lot of masks available on online retail websites. But I am looking for help from the members who have used such masks.

[aargee]

Please consult a doctor or switch to driving instead of riding. There's no mask that can help you, especially when you've started falling sick due to pollution.

[Satishtv]

Originally Posted by aargee

Please consult a doctor or switch to driving instead of riding. There's no mask that can help you, especially when you've started falling sick due to pollution.

What I mean is the instances of falling sick have increased. This is not just me but a trend in the city as well. There was recently an article as well in the press about the increased air pollutants which can make people sick.

I only travel ~16 kilometres a day to and fro at peak traffic timings in South bangalore, on a bike itself I spend about 1.5 hours in traffic. traveling in a car will significantly increase this time

[Happysmiles]

I have started travelling on a Vespa scooter and am presently using a disposable medical mask. Commuting in a car and then parking in Pune is frustrating.

Pollution levels are very high and with Diwali and winter round the corner am planning to order this
http://www.amazon.in/Imported-Qualit...dp/B00SCCDLN6#

[mvadg]

Interesting, and I've thought of it many times!

That greenish medical mask will do no good, except maybe have a placebo effect.

The 3M masks hypoallergenic or other with filters will require quite a bit of effort to breath through. I 've seen ads for some nasal filters (like pieces of chalk that you stuff into your nostrils) - you can imagine how uncomfortable that'd be.

Maybe we need an oxygen cylinder supplying into the helmet like astronauts.

GIYF:

http://respro.com/pollution-masks - expensive though.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r4/respro-sportsta-review/

[outofthebox]

Q1) Which is the anti pollution mask recommended for bikers?
Ans: Try the Safetykart website. They specialise in this area and have several good ones.

Q2) Can such a mask completely fight the pollution?
Ans: No. It's partial defence. See the rest of my reply.

Q3) Can you comfortably wear such a mask inside a helmet?
Ans: It varies. I find that the masks which can filter up to PM2.5 are very hard to breathe in. Try getting a mask with some sort of a valve mechanism. They are a bit more comfy. Bottomline - all masks takes a bit of getting used to - they are uncomfortable initially.

Q4) And, are such masks waterproof?
Ans: No.


A long term strategy to combat ill-effects of urban air pollution is to consider the entire 24 hour cycle:

1)Include breathing based yoga exercises in your daily routine.

2)Consider placing anti-pollution indoor plants to wherever you spend the most time in a day. There are several varieties available.

3)Consider sleeping in a room with a good quality indoor air filter.

Last but not the least, try to head out of the city to cleaner environs for at least 24-48 hours as often as possible.

[mvadg]

It'll have to be a "supplied air" respiration system. It should generate a positive pressure inside the helmet with the cleaned up air to keep the polluted air out. Such systems exist for welders, painters, etc in toxic environments.

Hopefully the Chinese will come out with an accessory for 2-wheelers with such a system.


Check this out:

http://motherboard.vice.com/read/this-cyberpunks

http://gizmodo.com/5983202/breathing...us-beijing-air

"Breathing Bike"

[djpeesh]

I have this: Neomask Anti-air pollution mask. It does work, although you land up looking like Bane (from the Dark Knight series). Picked it up on ebay.in

[mvadg]

Originally Posted by djpeesh

Attachment 1426050

I have this: Neomask Anti-air pollution mask. It does work, although you land up looking like Bane (from the Dark Knight series). Picked it up on ebay.in

How much? and how comfortable is it - effort required to breathe and does it end up fogging your visor? And how is it in hot weather?

More information please.

[djpeesh]

Originally Posted by mvadg

How much? and how comfortable is it - effort required to breathe and does it end up fogging your visor? And how is it in hot weather?

More information please.

It cost 895 rupees (including shipping) on eBay in April. I haven't worn it with my full face helmet so far (only half face/modular) for rides around the city. It's comfortable although it does get hot. Its neoprene so you land up with sweaty nose. But yes, it does what it's meant to do.

Here's a link (as always, no stake/personal interest/pecuniary benefits): http://www.ebay.in/itm/161825101392

[theredliner]

Originally Posted by mvadg

How much? and how comfortable is it - effort required to breathe and does it end up fogging your visor? And how is it in hot weather?

More information please.

I too have the mask posted by djpeesh.
With a full face helmet it is difficult to use the mask. The helmet (while wearing) usually pushes the mask out of its place. Also, in my case, the full face helmet pushes the mask hard which results in the mask squeezing my nose, making it difficult to breathe. It may also be because of my big nose

Due to the above reason, I have found a workaround:

Once the visor is closed, most of the air that we breathe enters through the opening at the chin area. I wear the mask so that it completely covers the chin area. Any air entering the helmet should enter through the mask. I have been wearing it this way. Restriction in breathing is negligible in this case.

Is the workaround effective? I think so, because, I rarely get the smell of petrol or diesel fumes inside the helmet (but I do get other smells like dead rats etc. in full intensity ) and if I move the mask out of its place, I start getting plenty of it.

[bivin]

I use these .. they're called carbon filters. They're a lot more effecctive for filtering out dust etc.. Not ergonomic imo, but does the job. I'm someone with a very sensitive respiratory system. They are cheap and disposable. I use 1 for about a week depending on usage.

[Satishtv]

Bivin, where did you buy these and how much did they cost. I guess this one will not pose a problem inside a full face helmet.

I was wondering if there are helmets available with pollution masks included. That would be a great idea if the helmet itself can prevent the pollution.

[mvadg]

Originally Posted by Satishtv

Bivin, where did you buy these and how much did they cost. I guess this one will not pose a problem inside a full face helmet.

I was wondering if there are helmets available with pollution masks included. That would be a great idea if the helmet itself can prevent the pollution.

@Bivin - would like your source and price too!

Thanks Satishtv for bringing up this topic!
And great deal of good knowledge within TBHP!

Again GIYF

Amazon.in Rs 250/- for 50 pcs.
Filtra Disposable Air Pollution Face Mask with Activated Carbon 50 Pcs (TT-4BEM-AC)

Will be buying them soon!

[gthang]

Originally Posted by Satishtv

Hello All,
There are a lot of masks available on online retail websites. But I am looking for help from the members who have used such masks.

Avoid using cheap masks available online.

Please go through the following link for a suitable mask for your purpose:

http://solutions.3mindia.co.in/wps/p...94857442&rt=r3

Visit your nearest hardware store selling Safety equipment, and if they don't have in stock, you can order by 3M part number.

Cheers