The Mask Factor: Breathing Easy for Cheap

Marilyn Mai | Jan 16, 2013 4:00 pm | 3 comments | 10871 reads

Before you choke down another lungful of particulate-smattered air, let’s run through the facts: 1) You can’t bring yourself to drop thousands of kuai on an air purifier, and 2) even if you could, you wouldn’t want to lug one of those gigantors home with you when you finally left Beijing. Masks are a cheaper, much more portable way to protect ourselves from Beijing’s “fog,” whether you bike, walk, bus or subway to work and play.

* if using one mask every five days
** three-year mask-life, filters replaced every two weeks as recommended
*** five-year mask-life, filters replaced every two months as recommended

With the exception of the cotton one, all masks listed here are at least 94% effective at filtering PM2.5 particles, though improper fit and air leakage can bring that percentage down in real-world situations.

This article originally appeared on page 42 in the July issue of the Beijinger.

Photo: thetimes.co.uk

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suomib's picture suomib Submitted by Guest on Fri, 03/08/2013 - 19:58

I love the idea of using a cotton face mask over the dental hygienist one! But, unfortunately some of us, unlike the writer of this article have glasses and the regular masks that cover the whole mouth and nose leave you with foggy lenses. Especially dangerous when cycling!:)

I have a slight problem with awkwardness when I see kids playing outside with their mums in 400+ with nothing while I'm waring a gas mask. So I tend to go for the more attractive option at least.

admin's picture admin Submitted by Guest on Wed, 01/16/2013 - 17:38

^ that having been said, I upgraded from the 8210 to the 8511 mask (below)

... they are more expensive but slightly more durable, and have several factors that make me like them better:

1. the shape is more cupped so that the filter isn't pressed directly against your face all the time;

2. exhalation valve alleviates the buildup of humidity from your breath

3. the soft metal bar over the bridge of the nose allows you to bend the mask to the contours of your face, allowing for a better fit (less unfiltered air coming in over the top of the mask)

4. the straps are more durable (the point of failure is usually where they are attached (glued/stapled) to the mask -- these are stapled

Books by current and former Beijinger staffers

http://astore.amazon.com/truerunmedia-20

admin's picture admin Submitted by Guest on Wed, 01/16/2013 - 16:42

if you need any evidence that a N95 mask does anything, I offer you my experience from a few years back:

Post-use dissection of dust filter. I used it for two mornings, walking outside. 4 hours total usage time.

I bought these filters for 16 kuai each at Beijing United. They can, for sure, be found cheaper elsewhere and if you buy in bulk.

1. At left: 3M™ Particulate Respirator 8210, N95, New. At Right: 3M™ Particulate Respirator 8210, N95, after I used it for a total of four hours over two consecutive days in Beijing.

2. Filter cut in half.

3. First outer gauze layer peeled away, exposing main exterior filter.

4. Main exterior filter cut away, showing second layer.

5. Second layer peeled away to show inner layer. Thankfully, looks clean -- so at least the major shmutz didn't make it to my lungs.

CONCLUSION: WEAR A F*ING MASK

Books by current and former Beijinger staffers

http://astore.amazon.com/truerunmedia-20

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