Funding for Better Pollution Masks Reaches Halfway Mark UPDATED

UPDATE MAR 18, 2014: On his blog on March 16, Dr Richard Saint Cyr announced that he has suspended efforts to raise funds for this independent study. Dr Saint Cyr writes:

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But since starting this campaign a few weeks ago, I’ve had many discussions with my colleagues in medicine and in public health, and they generally agree that while my intentions are noble, and while this information truly is relevant and important, some of the specific details of my project may not make the final report as scientifically rigorous and as useful as I would have hoped. A truly influential and useful report ideally would be initially vetted by a team of researchers and doctors, using independent funds and getting published in a peer-reviewed journal.

At the end of February we highlighted an effort by Dr. Richard Saint Cyr to raise USD 10,000 in order to fully study which anti-pollution masks are most effective. As he stated then:

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A company in California, called Fast Response On-Site Testing (FROST), will perform the NIOSH-certified quantitative fit tests. I will buy all of the masks and mail to them for testing on adults and children. The quantitative fit test is the gold standard of mask testing. Each tester also will fill out a questionnaire asking whether or not they like the mask and would recommend it to family and friends.

Just about a week later, the fundraising effort has reached the halfway mark, with USD 5,000 in pledges. All interested parties can contribute to this cause at Rally.org or on Alipay 支付宝 in which funds should be transferred to the account for myhealthbeijing@gmail.

In the meantime, get outside and enjoy the rest of this blue-sky day! As of 3pm, the AQI was 46, considered good! And for you pessimists, well, here is a selection of stylish masks to help you prepare for the next less-than-blue-sky day.

Photo: Dr. Richard Saint Cyr