traffic pollution

Jean-Francois Monin riding with totobobo mask in Beijing

Jean-Francois Monin lives in Beijing who bikes a lot and has been using a Totobobo mask since 2010. After one year, the strap was broken too many times and he needs to order replacement. “My earloop is broken in at least 4 places — I should have ordered earlier in fact. It seems that the duration of an earloop is roughly a year.” Said Jean-Francois. He used a Classic Totobobo at the beginning and afterwards changed to Earloop version because he found that it fits better. We took the opportunity to interview him about his experience of using Totobobo mask for cycling in Beijing. Here is the full interview:

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1) Why do you like to cycle in Beijing?
I like to cycle in Beijing because it is the most eco-friendly and most predictable transportation mode. It is the fastest for short distances (< 4km)

Compared to other mode of transportation, bicycle is as fast as the subway and cars, and faster than bus on longer distances (up to 15 – 20 km).
By experience, I was often faster than people using other transportation means. I think that electric bikes (very common in Beijing) are faster, but they are a bit more expensive; and then you are more incline to use roads with heavy traffic where air pollution is worst.

The problems of other transportation modes are the following:
- Buses suffer from waiting time and depend on traffic.
- Subway is not very frequent and waiting time can be very long in some situations.
- Cars? parking issues and traffic is unpredictable, and sensibly more expensive.
- Taxis? You may have to wait, and traffic is unpredictable.

However cycling has a couple of drawbacks: namely road danger and air pollution. You need to understand the local traffic culture, which is very different from France for instance. To cut down the pollution I use a Totobobo mask.

2) Is there any reason that makes you feel needing a pollution mask?
Before (having a mask): I discussed with friends and became aware of pollution issues.
Now (having used a mask for 1 year): the change of color makes it clear that it is actually useful!

Totobobo filters after one week of cycling in Beijing

3) Have you tried other mask before?
No

4) What do you like about the Totobobo mask?
Efficient, light, easy to wash and change filters.

5) How often do you use the mask?
Every day, at least twice, often 4 times

6) Where would you like to see improvement of Totobobo mask?
Sometimes I have to remove the mask from nose and mouth for a few minutes, I’d like to do it conveniently, without stopping (I often use my 2 hands in this operation or the converse one — installing the mask on my face again, hence have to cycle without hands, which may a little bit dangerous).
Another suggestion is for the Totobobo website: it says very few about matrix filters. I tried to find independent information about zeolite and decided to test matrix. More precise explanations and evidence about the efficiency of this product would really be welcome on your website.

7) Will you recommend Totobobo mask to others?
Yes

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We like to thank Jean-Francois Monin for sharing his experience and ideas so generously.

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Tagged as: Beijing, cycling, Jean-Francois Monin, traffic pollution, transport mode

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Coolest pollution mask for city cyclist

Cycling is the greenest and healthiest mode of transportation, and its popularity in urban environments is growing. But cyclists face a major problem in cities: air pollution. In order to safely cycle without taking in a lungful of smog, soot, and who knows what else, a filtration mask is the solution. Cyclists worldwide would greatly benefit from the development of a rider-friendly respiratory mask.

Commuters riding through heavy motor vehicle traffic could wear protective masks to reduce harmful inhalation, but it is hard to decide which one is effective for cyclist.

Nagaraj, a cycling enthusiast from Bangalore, India, compared the TOTOBOBO with the Respro as a means of quality evaluation. His review is detail and comprehensive. In summary the following criterion serve as a useful reference tool for all cyclists:

Fit & Seal

The mask ought to form a seal against the wearer’s face so that airflow is limited to the filter intake.

Filter
Capable of keeping microscopic particles as well as noxious gases out.

Comfort
Breathing through the filters should be unlabored, condensation formation on the inside of the mask should be limited. The mask should be lightweight to minimize wearer discomfort.

Ease of use
Attachment, cleaning, and carrying should all be simple tasks involving a minimum of hassle.

Cost
Cost of the mask, and replacement filters, should be reasonable.

Availability
For ease of acquisition and replacement, masks and filters should be readily available.

Respro maskVS TOTOBOBO mask

: Respro mask VS Totobobo mask

In evaluating both products, Nagaraj arrived at the conlcusion that TOTOBOBO and Respro are both top-grade products. The Respro mask filters some harmful gases through its Dynamically Activated Charcoal Cloth (DACC), and its velcro strap permits easy and secure attachment. On the other hand, the TOTOBOBO mask allows more comfortable breathing, is significantly lighter, and is a fraction of the cost.

Totobobo mask is very effective. It seals your nose and mouth completely. With the pollution levels in Bangalore, within 45 minutes of its usage, the filters turned black for me.- Nagaraj, India

There are other pollution-reducing masks on the market, but each has its drawbacks. Although the disposable N95 is lightweight and cost-effective, purchase for daily use runs up a considerable tab. Industrial gas masks seal to the face the best and may be the most economical, but who wants wear a heavy duty mask in public? They are unattractive and excessive for ordinary daily use. Moreover, unless a gas mask is professionally fit-tested, particulates will easily enter nonetheless.

N95 mask VS Reusable gas mask

N95 mask vs Reusable Gas mask

Totobobo, the best cyclist mask in the market

Weighing the various parameters including cost, usability, comfort, portability and protection, TOTOBOBO mask is probably the best out in the market. Below are features of the TOTOBOBO that make it ideal for cyclists and motorcyclists:

Cyclist wearing Totobobo mask in Bangkok

Electrolet filter
The powerful filters the finest of airborne particulates— as small as .3 microns— since suspended particulate matter (SPM) is most concerning. Very fine pollution is known to damage the lungs and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Ultra-flexible strap
Although the invisible strap looks delicate, it lasts three times longer than rubber and can be stretched four times its length more than five thousand times without breaking. Additionally, removing the mask while riding the bike is made especially simple with this feature. Easy removal of the TOTOBOBO mask while riding allows greater user comfort and control.

Mask Flexibility
The mask’s unique, flexible material permits adaptability for a variety of workout regimens. The following breathing technique will assist those seeking an invigorating workout or simply a cruise on a bike:
- inhale through the mouth: stretching the mask up and down will tighten the seal for ideal filtration
- exhale through the nose: this will break the seal for ease in exhaling.
In hot weather, this technique will reduce heat and moisture in the mask. TOTOBOBO might be the coolest mask on the market, but every trick to reduce heat helps. I admit that wearing any mask, even the TOTOBOBO, is never as comfortable as no mask at all.

Adaptive to a range of face sizes
One mask fits all. Shopkeepers and customers benefit from the simplicity of a single size that can be fitted. No need to stock multiple sizes.

Easy to clean
Washing and wiping down in a hurry is easy, and the mask dries instantly.

Anti-viral
You never know what you might catch on the road, so the TOTOBOBO mask is made with a silver ion anti-viral material that will prevent any viruses from growing on the mask.

The benefits for cyclists in wearing a TOTOBOBO mask (chart):

Update: 2010-09-01
Based on the feedback from many cyclists, the original Totobobo mask has been further improved. The latest SuperCool model captured the strengths of the original design, such as lightweight, reuse, easily clean, fold-flat, anti-virus, customization and further improve on the comfort and fit. The SuperCool makes heavy breathing easier through the mouth, completely eliminated the glasses fogging problem while improving the fit and face seal. Early adopters like Ross from California, Maurice from Thailand and Erika from New Zealand has given their seals of approval.