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: aerial 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 mask is effective for cyclist.
Nagaraj, a cycling enthusiast from Bangalore, India, compared the TOTOBOBO mask with the Respro mask 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:
Respro mask ……………………………………………….. TOTOBOBO mask
.
.
.
.
.
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 with the mask on 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.
In evaluating either mask, Nagaraj arrived at the conlcusion that TOTOBOBO and Respro are both top-grade products. The Respro mask filters carbon monoxide and other 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 ……………………….…….…….……………. Reusable gas mask
.
.
.
A cyclist’s cost-benefit analysis indicates that the ideal balanced solution is the TOTOBOBO mask. Below are features of the TOTOBOBO that make it ideal for cyclists and motorcyclists:
Ultra flexible strap 3 times as tough as rubber
Electrolet filter- This European design 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 following chart sums up the benefits for cyclists in wearing a TOTOBOBO mask:
What other concerns might need addressing as a cyclist? Let us know!
Related:
Totobobo new SuperCool mask for cyclist sucks?
Protect your lungs when riding in the city
More advanced features of TOTOBOBO mask
How to customize TOTOBOBO mask to fit your face?
12 useful features for cyclist
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
what is price of totobobo mask. Can i get it from Jamshedpur(Jharkhand).
I have pollution problem due to patrol & deasal.Can i use this mask ?
Kindly, reply as soon as possible.
thanks,
Chandan Kumar
Jamshedpur.
you can get Totobobo mask from http://blog.bumsonthesaddle.com/2008/12/9/totobobo-masks or http://totobobo.com/blog/buy-totobobo-mask/
{ 5 trackbacks }