by info on April 26, 2010
Adrian, Willett & Mark of Viva La Bike recently post a review of Totobobo mask from Shenzhen, China.
Mark
Adrian
Dustin
After wearing the Totobobo mask, I honestly feel a discernible difference between the Totobobo and other lesser masks I have worn. In short, the bottom line is the way I felt during and after the ride, as well as the before and after shots of the filter. While we do not have access to technology that assesses filter effectiveness on a chemical/molecular level, the mask seemed to perform as it was intended to perform. Overall, the performance was solid, and is an excellent choice for those concerned about air quality.
Pros
Good Seal
Small Shape
Good Fit
Super lite and thin
Thin but very strong strap
Feels durable
Cons
Condensation>Wetness
Intake airflow produces a suction affect on mask
Review Testing Conditions
Air temp 25C, 70-80% humidity
Medium level of pollution report by Hong Kong Air Quality center
Ride-Streets, bike paths and sidewalks of Shenzhen
Observation:
Overall product performance was positive. Wearing the mask was fairly comfortable. The fit was good and it provided a solid seal when sufficient tension was placed on the strap. Inhalation(intake) provided a bit of a challenge as a suction affect occurs. However, during regular riding which requires normal inspiration/expiration, the suction effect is minimal. Exhalation(breathing out) was not an issue at all. Air flow outward tends to flow up through/by the eyes, which has the potential to fog glasses. Condensation within the mask tends to make the seal where the mask contacts the face, a bit sweaty. The positive benefits of the mask, perhaps outweigh a few of the minor nuances associated with wearing a mask that is of higher quality that of the N95 variety. Strictly going off of feeling and smell, when riding the bike while wearing the mask, intake of air simply felt improved. Riding my bike at least twice a day, I can really tell the difference between the way I feel post-ride as well as during. After wearing the Totobobo mask, I honestly feel a discernible difference between the Totobobo and other lesser masks I have worn. In short, the bottom line is the way I felt during and after the ride, as well as the before and after shots of the filter. While we do not have access to technology that assesses filter effectiveness on a chemical/molecular level, the mask seemed to perform as it was intended to perform. Overall, the performance was solid, and is an excellent choice for those concerned about air quality.
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Tagged as:
air pollution,
China,
cyclist,
filters,
pollution,
review,
Shenzhen
by info on December 16, 2009
http://sepedaku.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24274
Indonesia cyclist testing the street pollution by checking the Totobobo filter after riding in the traffic
Translation by Google:
———————————–
In connection with the many discussions about air quality in Jakarta, moved their hearts to know how the hell the air quality in Jakarta this.
One day I bought a mask totobobo, and idly opened its website. In the website there totobobo blog written by two French people who travel around the world by bike, in every country where they singgahi mereke meberi lecture on air quality.
In the blog they will, they also compared the experience of cycling in the cities they pass by comparing how dirty totobobo filter masks they wore. Filter masks are compared after they were cycling for at least 6 hours in the cities they will be. In each city, they use a new mask filter, and so on. This reference links to his http://totobobo.com/blog/cyclist/ In this blog can be compared to a mask filter impurities used in India, Bangkok and China.
Inspired by the blog above, I conducted personally kecil2an test.
His tests conducted by:
-cycling and wear a mask for a month totobobo
-In the month is used as much as 4 times (3 times a day week, Saturday 1 times)
Cycling-Line: Tarogong – Jl Metro Pondok Indah – Jl. Margaguna – Jl Radio Dalam – Jalan Metro – Road sudirman – Jalan Thamrin – Monas – Thamrin Turn back again – so as to Tarogong again.
-Range biking: At 7 am left Jam – Best Jam Tarogong late until 9:30 in the morning. Every time Gowes time approximately 1 hour to 1.5 hours.
Well this is the result. Figure below shows the level of dirtiness of his two filter masks
dirty filters from Indonesia
Figure below shows a comparison between the new filter and that was used
clean vs dirty filter
The next image shows the inner defilements tinggkat filter (the filter is located inside the mask)
the inside of the filter
That is a personal test that I do. I’m not going to make any conclusions from the results they will be because I am not an expert on air quality. I leave assessment to friends as well
Disclaimer:
-Test is done by not using standard scientific methods you know about the air testing, therefore the results can not be used as a standard for judging that the test subject.
-This test is a personal test, not a formal test.
Cheers
Tagged as:
6 hour filter test,
filters,
Indonesia,
Jalan Sudirman,
pollution
by info on August 8, 2009
Haze in Singapore
The haze is back in Singapore, fuelled by raging fires in Sumatra. Thursday’s PSI was the highest recorded here in almost two years. Experts here said on Thursday the haze might linger over Singapore for a while, due to the prevailing south-west monsoon season conditions, which typically last till late October. If the situation worsen, put on a mask when you go out may be a good way to protect yourselves. Do take note if you do use a mask:
If a mask can not seal your face, it can not protect you from the haze.
Haze is an atmospheric phenomenon when airborn particles such as dust, smoke and other particles obscure the clarity of the sky. The haze particle are very fine and easily get breathe into your lung by following the air flow.
Buoyant haze particle follow the “passage of least resistance”. The working principle of a mask is to seal off the breathing zone such that the least resistant path through the mask is the filter. Air must go through the filters before it can reach the breathing zone. The particle is trapped on the filters and therefore the air is cleaned before entering your mouth or nose.
Regular surgical mask or even N95 mask won’t help if there is gaps between the mask and your face. A gap between the face and the mask is an alternative passage with less resistance than the filter. Air and the particle will leak through the gap rather than going through the filter. One of the key concern when using a regular mask is how can one decide if the mask is truly fitting and sealing the breathing zone?
Here in Totobobo mask we provide the possibility for you to check the fit through the transparent mask. You can adjust the position, the tension of the strap, or even cut the mask to make it better fit to your face. Although we can not guarantee it will fit everyone, yet the chances of fitting is much higher than a regular mask.
In addition, judging by the colour change you will be able to tell when the filter has done it’s job and should be replaced.
For demonstration, here is a pair of filter kindly provided by Kenneth Koh of Advanturenomad. He use the Totobobo mask during his cycling trip in Vietnam. The colour collected on the mask is the result of nearly 30 hours of cycling in Vietnam from Hanoi to Dalat.
Used filter after 28 hours of cycling in Vietnam
Tagged as:
filters,
haze,
Kenneth,
n95 mask,
seal and fit,
Singapore,
sumatra,
surgical mask
by info on December 24, 2008
We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas….
And a Happy New Year..
The Christmas tree is obtained by cleaning out the pollutants from the used filter from Bangalore, India. Thanks to Anoop who sent me the filters.
Tagged as:
Christmas greeting,
filters,
Happy New year.,
the pollution mask
