jago25_98

I really want to see what John says about those masks... they're over 2x more expensive than industrial masks.

jago25_98

my experiences:

been using just a slightly uprated dust mask on the bike around town. seems to make a big difference and its only filtering the bigger particles. doesnt inhibit breathing in anyway. may now upgrade that to a better particulate filter, seems worth it.

also been trying out a full on strumtregger (or whatever the make is called) mask with general combination gas filter. Ive only had the balls to wear it in my car at night in heavy traffic!! It really makes a difference. Basically its the difference between getting out the car tired and not being tired. However, it inhibits breathing quite a lot.

It seems gasses on the bike is less of a problem in that they are more intermittent, easily blown away (where to). This is backed by the fact that a simple dust mask does make a difference. Id like to confirm that by using the full on gas mask but I haven{t the balls to wear it on the bike. Besides the proper gas mask does inhibit breathing a lot, noticeable even sitting in a car.

I really recommend wearing a full mask if commuting in a car everyday. I dare say it could change your life.

On a bike... not so clear. The traffic has to be something along the lines of rush hour and busses etc to really feel its needed. I still had a whiff of benzene (blue smell?) on the bike with the dust mask but that was rare, mostly only from busses which seemed avoidable.


update 11th March 2012:

Wearing the stumsteiner whatever mask makes a big difference. Diesel is the problem though, those small particulates. It's a massive mask though so I'm going to get something smaller; a totobobomask with the matrix filter

Pollution in Buenos Aires is so bad on the avenues after 10 mins of walking I feel physically sick so it's definitely a must