by info on April 27, 2010
“I’m traveling to London with my girl and I’d like to be prepared for any volcanic ash needs.”
Murray Kohlhaas is planning a week long trip to Europe and doesn’t want to take any chance with her asthmatic daughter.
Clear mask allows parent to check the face for child seal easily
The volcanic dust can cause acute asthma attack if the concentration is high. In addition to the inhaler and medicine Murray purchased a transparent mask called TOTOBOBO for her daughter. She stumbled on this mask when she was reading a website call free help for cancer.
“This mask is recommended by the parents of cancer patient, and cyclists in most polluted cities use it. I can count on it to protect my girl.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised travelers suffering from asthma and other respiratory disorders to wear masks or stay indoors to avoid potential hazards caused by the recent volcanic ash from Iceland. The effects will begin to sink in when the ash descends and falls on countries across Europe. Analysis of the ash estimated that about 25% of the particles are less than 10 microns in size, which is more dangerous because they can penetrate deeper into the lungs, according to Dr Maria Neira, Director of Public Health and Environment Department at WHO.
Eyjafjallajokull volcano plume in Iceland
Travelers with condition of asthma or other respiratory disorders should seek advice from doctors and observe the following precautionary measure:
- Avoid unnecessary exposure to ash or pollution.
- Wear a mask if need to go outside. The mask should form a good seal on your face.
- Keep inhalers and medications at hand.
- Wear goggles or glasses. Avoid using contact lens.
- Keep a record of allergens in case of emergency.
Tagged as:
ash,
travel,
volcano,
volcano ash,
World Health Organisation
by info on October 26, 2008
“It’s the best mask I’ve tried so far.”
Allan Hansen – Califonia, USA
Allan Hansen, CA, USA
Allen travel a lot and want to protect himself when he is in cities with heavy air pollution. He tried the TOTOBOBO mask and it appears to be the best mask he has tried so far. He ordered a bunch for his family because TOTOBOBO mask can fit the small faces of his children too.
As a traveler, pollution can exit in the most unexpected place. If it is not because of my previous research for a post (Say no to to pollution in school bus). I wouldn’t suspect there can be polluted air circulating inside a deluxe, aircond tourist coach.
Two weeks ago I took a SVIP coach from Singapore to Cameron Highlands. The seats inside this coach are large and the back can be lowered to almost flat- just nice for a good night sleep. The soft velvet feels comfy but I was curious to find out the air quality inside the bus.
I put on my mask during the overnight trip. We were required to get off the bus when crossing the border, and there were a couple of pee-stops during the night. I took off my mask when I need to get out of the bus and put it back on when I am getting back in.
After 6 hours of use
When we reach Cameron Highland it was 7am in the morning, I was shocked to discover the gray patch collected on the filters- a clear indication of air pollution inside the coach, most likely from it’s own engine! The air quality along the route up Cameron Highlands at that time should be very clean.
To make sure I was not making this up, I decided to compare the result on a plane trip. I put on the mask with a clean set of filters on a business trip to Frankfurt. When I reach there after 12 hours, I can not see any noticeable sign of dirt. To be very sure about this, I put the same mask on during my flight back. Now it accumulated a total 24 hours of use in the plane. Judging from the color of the filter it is still very clean.
My conclusion? The air inside that coach is MUCH worst than the air inside the plane. It seems the air filter on plane is much more effective than those on buses, if the buses have any air filter at all.
24 hours of use in a plane
Read more:
TOTOBOBO, the fitting mask for children
How to customize TOTOBOBO mask?
Advanced features of TOTOBOBO mask
Tagged as:
bus,
coach,
filters,
in cabin pollution,
plane,
travel
