[vrkelley]

After watching some detective show about fibers that were left behind at a 5-minute crime scene. I got to thinking that the poly balaclava that I wear over the face for 4mo. out of the year may be the cause of nasal congestion while biking.

Some of those fibers are probably going into the lungs. No I'ain say'n my lungs are 'full of it' but just wondering if a wool balclava would be healthier.

Any thoughts?

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[gregam]

I've always worn a silk one. At least if you inhale some it's organic. :D

[vrkelley]

I was unable to find anything about inhaling fibers from polypropene except in a factory settings. They make people wear respirators for that.

The poly gaiter is pretty worn after a few years of use. Ibex has a sale on wool gaiters. $20 maybe I'll try that instead.

[mike]

After watching some detective show about fibers that were left behind at a 5-minute crime scene. I got to thinking that the poly balaclava that I wear over the face for 4mo. out of the year may be the cause of nasal congestion while biking.

Some of those fibers are probably going into the lungs. No I'ain say'n my lungs are 'full of it' but just wondering if a wool balclava would be healthier.

Any thoughts?

Technically, you body can't break down pure protein like wool either, so it is probably a wash between poly or wool insider your lungs.

The solution might be to take up smoking so that you can start hacking and coughing and maybe expound the poly fibers from your lungs.

[Machka]

I don't wear a balaclava, or anything, over my nose when I ride, and rarely over my mouth.

They fog up my glasses.

[Condorita]

So wool or silk would be better because they're "natural" and "organic," unlike poly, which is manmade? Asbestos is "natural" and "organic," too.

[charly17201]

So wool or silk would be better because they're "natural" and "organic," unlike poly, which is manmade? Asbestos is "natural" and "organic," too.

Don't confuse the terms 'natural' and 'organic'. Natural is mostly an uncontrolled term generally meaning that something hasn't gone through any 'unnecessary' processing. Organic, however, is a term controlled by the gov't. Controlling what can and cannot be used in growing/raising/processing/preparing the whatever.

I don't buy 'natural' products. I buy organic.

While asbestos may occur naturally in nature, what ends up in products (past or present) was never 'organic'.

[Jarery]

I cant wear anything over my nose/mouth when i ride. Thankfully I live in BC and not one of the more eastern/frozen provinces :)