An effective air filter mask is what every cyclist will need, or even better, to stay away from the busy roads. That’s the conclusion I got when studying the animated 3D ‘Pollution Map’ video of London, by Kings College. The orange and yellow markings, mainly covering the main roads, indicates a high level of pollutants, whereas the blue markings indicates that the air is in a safe and healthy level. Air pollutant levels are bound to be higher on the main roads when compared to places that stray away from the bigger roads, but who would have imagined the difference to be this big!
The short video below shows that the highest concentration of air pollutants exists along the main roads and peaks at the junctions, mainly due to the slow moving or stagnant vehicles stuck in traffic. Areas that are further away from the main roads are clearly better.
According to WHO (World Health Organization), the negative health effects of different pollutants are different. Ultrafine Particles, such as the 0.1-0.3Microns, can travel deep into our lungs and reside there longer than their older brothers, the PM10, >10microns and PM2.5microns.
Some 3.7 million premature deaths annually are attributed to outdoor air pollution. About 80% of those deaths are due to heart disease and stroke, while another 20% are from respiratory illnesses and cancers related to exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), the most health-harmful air pollutant.
It has been proven long ago that ultra fine particles reduces the health benefits of physical exercises. Increased evidences have showed that these ultra fine particles are the culprits of respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. According to UCLA, the smaller the particles, the more toxic chemicals they are able to carry. These ultra fine particles are capable of traveling deep into our lungs, they stick to our lungs and releases the chemicals they have brought along with them which damages our blood vessels and causes our blood to solidify, forming blood plaques. Places such as traffic junction and busy roads have the worst exposure to these pollutants. Therefore, it isn’t a silly idea to be wearing a filter mask while cycling through the busy traffic. However, you’ll have to make sure that the mask you own forms a good seal on your face and that the filters are able to filtrate the ultra fine particles (0.1micron and PM2.5).
Air pollution has been living alongside out since a long time ago. We have been trying to battle it out but it takes time to completely eliminate this problem. Which is why, for the time being, it is better to protect ourselves while fighting the air pollution. As much as it is important to protect yourselves, it is also important to know what you’re protecting yourself from in order to further enhance your protection.
Here we have, compiled a list of information and studies that are related with air pollution. It is a little wordy but definitely worth your time to read!Â
“Inhalation of smoke of firecrackers is very harmful not just to the asthmatic and the elderly but also to health human beings and can cause cough, fever and can also cause acute eosinophillic pneumonia.”
“However, that doesn’t mean we are that much better off indoors. In fact, the air in our homes can be far more polluted than the air outside, even in a major city.”
“Cycling to work may seem the healthy option, but a study has shown that people riding in cities inhale tens of millions of toxic nanoparticles with every breath, at least five times more than drivers or pedestrians.”
“While riding a bicycle is a healthier alternative to driving a car or sitting on a bus because of the physical activity it entails, poor air quality in urban setting counteracts those benefits.”
“Unfortunately, most buses are powered by diesel engines that actually pollute the air inside the bus. Studies show the pollution gets trapped inside the bus, where kids breathe it in.”
Enough of the tedious information, now lets have a look at how some of our users have enjoyed using our Totobobo Mask and how it has helped them battle air pollution!
“Whatever is on the filters, glad that stuff is not in my lungs!â€
John from London, U.K.”
“From my personal experience of using a mask over the last five or six years I would say is particularly effective at preventing infections such as flu and is very good at hayfever prevention and preventing dust from triggering my asthma.”
“Wearing a good mask has played its role in sustaining my interest in commuting over the years — so I buy a mask if it seems interesting to me and give it a spin. “
“I’ve been using it for 2 months and I like my job again. It cuts out the general air pollution around but if you’re right behind a truck or similar you still breathe in some gas but if you know how to avoid and dodge that while your riding then this mask really helps.”
“My experience using the mask has generally been excellent, and I have recommended it to many people. Using the mask is very easy. Once it’s on, it is very comfortable and I tend to forget about it.”
We hope the information provided above has helped you have a deeper understanding into air pollution and how Totobobo Masks are able to fight together with you!
Before making an important purchase, nothing is more valuable than hearing from people who’ve already used the product. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve gathered genuine feedback from real users and independent reviewers. Explore the honest testimonials and media features below to see what others are saying about their experience with the Totobobo Mask.
“The filters show up an astonishing amount of dirt after just a few cycles, which really hits home how dirty the air we breathe in is. It’s easy to attach and I can move my face when wearing it – a bonus.”
“There was a visible change in the colour of the filters, and I was more aware of the visible dust being kicked up by trucks and was grateful I wasn’t inhaling this. I suffer from hay fever and could imagine the mask would be a huge benefit in reducing the symptoms. ” — Chris Lima, a member ofIoD Oxfordshire
“We have started using our Totobobo masks, and changed the filters for the first time after 7 days of usage in Malaysia, plagued by the haze coming from Indonesia. So far we are satisfied, it works well and the filters are getting grey as expected!” Davide Vadalà and Oti from Nomad Travellers
“Totobobo mask has a good feature where you can customize the mask (and the ear loop) by reshaping it with hot water/hair dryer. This is a very crucial feature, a mask that does not fit your face is not an effective mask at all.”
“Given how dirty the pads get, I can only assume this mask is blocking out plenty of pollution. The mask itself is soft and doesn’t rub, even when sweaty.”
“Totobobo mask is also comfortable to wear and easy to breathe with. So it is commonly used by cyclists, motorcyclists and artists when navigating around in polluted environments.” Pris Chew, runner blogger
“Aside from an amazing name, this mask is interesting for its design – it gets moulded to your face (using warm water) for a good fit, and when worn, is transparent where it’s in contact with your skin, and translucent otherwise. This means that you can just stand in front of the mirror and ensure that you’ve gotten a good seal on the mask.”
“In other masks, there is no way to find out if it is tightly fitted on the face. Totobobo has solved this problem using an innovative “water-mark” technique in which the frosted surface of the mask becomes transparent where there is good skin contact and remains translucent where there is a leakage.”
“The mask itself is more environmentally friendly. You only throw the filters away – not the entire mask. “
“This is the only mask I’ve been able to get used to. “
“As soon as I take it off, I’m aware of how much pastel is on and around me by just breathing (it’s scary to think I was breathing all that dust before!)”
The basic principle of any mask is very simple: Isolation (Proper Seal) and Filtering. The function of the mask is to force all the air entering the breathing zone through the air filters. This can only be achieved if the mask form a good seal with the face.
Good protection is built on two factors: a good filter and a good seal.
Surgical Masks are not good enough for airborne contamination
Surgical masks were designed to reduce the spread of germs from a patient, it is not designed to prevent air-borne contamination from entering the bodies. There are numerous gaps between the mask and the user’s face, allowing viruses or pollutants to pass through easily.
Surgical masks were designed to protect nurses and surgeons from blood contamination during an operation. In Japan, it’s common use was to reduce the risk of passing the Flu virus around by the wearers.
N95 mask effectiveness: Fit Testing is a problem.
Respirators, on the other hand, were designed to protect the wearer from airborne viruses. This is possible if the respirator provides a good seal on your face, making sure that the air you breathe, will only pass through the filter(s) before entering your respiratory system. A proper fit test can be conducted by a trained specialist with proper equipment, which is usually inaccessible for the public.
Some manufacturers suggest a “User Seal Checkâ€, which is performed by blocking the filter(s) while blowing into the mask to feel if any air is leaking from the sides of the mask. Such practice is questioned by a study from the Price of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong. The study showed a 25% failure rate when trained users applied the “User Seal Checkâ€. This technique recommended by most manufacturers is too ambiguous and unreliable. “It’s usefulness as a pre-use test must be questioned.â€, the study concluded.
While looking for a respirator to protect his children, Francis Chu, the inventor of Totobobo Mask, encountered the same frustration as all the other parents. He became aware of the many difficulties that parents faced and determined to come up with a solution for everyone. He applied his expertise in product designing and experimented with hundreds of prototypes, before coming up with an ergonomic design that fits most users and more importantly, customisable and children friendly. He understands that apart from good seal and filtering, other factors like comfort, cleaning, reusing and portability are also important points to be considered before the product can be considered “Child Friendlyâ€.
Following is a summary of how Totobobo Mask solves the common issues relate to mask wearing:
3 Reasons why Totobobo mask are superior!
Problem 1: Difficult to check for a good seal | Totobobo solution: Watermark visual Check makes it easy
Totobobo mask is transparent, for a good reason. Most masks are made of opaque material, it is not easy to determine if there is small leaks between the face and the mask. Totobobo mask solve this issue with a simple method to visualise the seal and the leaks. Through the transparent mask, the user can easily check the seal with a bit of watermark. First the user wet the face with a dampen cotton wool. Where the mask touches the skin, the frosted surface turns into transparent, immediately indicating a good seal.
Problem 2: Reusing dirty mask | Totobobo solution: Anti-virus, easy to wash, clean and dry
Disposable N95 masks and cloth based mask gets reuse for some times. The contamination and germs accumulated on the mask after each use can be a thread to health. Disposable mask cannot be wash, and cloth based masks are not easy to dry after wash. Totobobo mask is made of a soft plastic with embedded anti-virus silver ion. The Silver ion agent stop the grow of germs and the mask is easy to wash clean and dry for immediate reuse.
Problem 4: Different facial sizes | Totobobo solution: Trim to fit smaller faces
Childhood is a fast growing period, their face size change rapidly and extends a wide range. To address this size range, most manufacturer come up with different sizes, such as S,M and L. However, it is not easy to determine which size before you open the package and try the mask on your kid’s face. Most shop don’t accept returned product due to personal hygiene consideration. The unique solution that Totobobo mask offer is to allow the use to trim the mask according to the size of the face. You can even download a “Totobobo mask simulator” to construct a paper model of the mask to test the cut and the sizing before you purchase.
Parents and school teachers from different parts of the globe have discovered this new solution for their children and students. If you are looking for an effective Respirator to protect your children, Totobobo Mask is exactly what you are looking for!
A true example:
After Chemo, Kayla’s Immune System is still compromised. This mask is our safety net that has proven its workability.
“When Kayla did not have the mask and went to school, she ended up in the hospital for two weeks, every month, for three months, a total of 45 days. With the mask, she had no sickness, no hospitalizations, no colds, nothing.
Your mask is far superior to any other mask on the market. Period!”
Debbie, the mother of Kayla, knew that she needed proper respiratory protection if she wanted to play with other children. She had her tried all sorts of masks, Surgical Masks, N95 Masks, but none of them worked. Due to her weakened immune system after the Chemotherapy, Kayla would fall sick easily after she mingled around with other kids. Determined, Debbie continued to search for a solution. One day, a Google search led her to Totobobo mask. After studying the website, she decided to give it a shot. To her surprise, the Totobobo mask worked!
renowned photographer Steven Chow and his wife, Lin Hui Yi (Economist) are long-time users of Totobobo mask since they moved to Beijing. Under the title “Chow and Lin”, they produced many interesting and meaningful works, including the exhibition “Poverty line”, a collection of photos showing “What Eating At The Poverty Line Is Like Around The World.
Living in Beijing, Mrs Chow often goes about her daily life and brings her kids around on a bicycle. For protection from air-pollution, she loves the practicality of Totobobo mask and has been using it since 2011. However, she could not find a mask that can fit her kids properly. After hearing her concern, I offer to customise two Totobobo masks for the “little Chows”. I follow Steven’s facebook and was delighted to to know the little Chows like their customised Totobobo mask! Thanks to Stefen for the permission to republish his post here:
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Stefen Chow
12 May at 12:07 · Beijing, China ·
Beijing Air is crappy at 270 today, but screw this. We are still going out to play.
We do feel protected – Totobobo Mask sent us specially customized masks for our toddlers. Thank you Uncle Francis!
Thank you Uncle Francis Chu from Totobobo Mask for customizing face masks for our Little Chows!
Stefen Chow
12 May at 10:42 · Beijing, China ·
It has been a slightly dreadful day where the air quality is about 270.
Not ideal, and seem crazy to some of our friends, but at least we are properly protected.
“I have been using totobobo for years now. I think I first purchased it in 2014! Here in Qatar the weather can be extremely hot, so a lot of other masks are useless.
Generally, the difference what makes totobobo better than other is the silicone material. It doesn’t get soaking wet with sweat and ambient humidity. I can just clear the excess water from inside by wiping it clean at red lights. Also, the seal around a freshly shaved face is exceptional.
I used neoprene mask with activated charcoal filter and different FFP2 and 3 masks from 3M but Totobobo turned out to be the most convenient.”
Frequent flyers, have you ever wondered why it seems easier to catch a cold or flu after flying? Totobobo Mask can help!
Little personal Air space in a fully booked flight.
What is Airplane Cold?
Have you ever wondered why colds and flu seem more prevalent after flying than usual?
A well-designed survey (*1) discovered that 1 out of 5 airline passengers have reported that they were developing symptoms of cold or flu within 5-7 days after the flight. This is 5-113 times more than the typical transmission rate at ground level! (depending on how it is measured)
The Journal Of Environmental Health Research Study (*2) examines potential causes of transmission within the cabin, for example, Enclosed spaces, Concentrated levels of pathogens, Proximity between passengers, etc. But none of these factors is as significant as the weakening of the immune system due to extremely low cabin humidity.
During my earlier career, I used to travel a lot for work. There were times when I was sick for 1-2 days after flying… headache, weakness, fatigue, nausea and other symptoms of a cold. It turns out that this is not unusual. It is a well-known phenomenon call Airplane Cold or post-flight sickness.
“The natural human defence system against colds is known as the Mucocilliary Clearance System, which consists of a layer of thin mucus that is kept in motion by beating cilia. This protective system traps viruses and bacteria and moves them from the nose and throat to destruction by acids in the stomach. However, when the air is dry, the mucus becomes too thick to be effectively moved by the cilia. This leaves more viruses and bacteria to cause upper respiratory tract infections. The typical relative humidity in aircraft cabins for flights over an hour is below 10% for most of the journey, often dropping to less than 5% on longer flights. It has been shown experimentally, using saccharin, that under these conditions the Mucociliary Clearance System either slows dramatically or stops. This would suggest that it is the low relative humidity in aircraft cabins that increases susceptibility to colds rather than a higher viral load in the air.”
Most commercial airlines fly in an elevation range of 30,000 to 35,000 feet, where humidity typically runs at 10 percent or lower. At very low levels of humidity, the “natural defence system†of mucus in our noses and throats dries up and is crippled, creating a much more favourable environment for bacteria and germs to infect us.
From dry winter to the dry cabin
The dry air problem reminds me of my experience with the Totobobo mask during a dry winter in Beijing several years ago. The air was so dry and cold that I have to keep the mask on for most of the time, not only for air pollution but mostly to regulate the moisture level in my breathing. That experience inspired me to try wearing the mask on my flight back, it was a pleasant surprise. I no longer needed to drink a lot of water (and lesser toilet visits), I felt a lot more comfortable during the flight and no longer have that familiar throat irritation after sleep. No more flu-like symptoms afterwards!
Since then Totobobo mask becomes part of my flying kit and I also recommended to my friends.
Other useful tips
Apart from keeping the mask on, try not to use your hand to touch your eyes, nose or mouth. The tray, armrest and the back pocket are hotbeds for bacteria and viruses. Drink more water to keep your body hydrated. Avoid alcohol and coffee too. If you have nasal congestion, you can take sips of water, chewing gum, forcing yourself to yawn to relieve ear pressure. For long haul flights, get up and stretch your body every few hours. Rest well and get some sleep.
Reference:
*1 Zitter J (2002) Upper Respiratory Tract Infections Among Airline Passengers. Journal of the American Medical Association 288 (23), 2972-2973.
*2 Common cold transmission in commercial aircraft: Industry and passenger implications
https://www.cieh.org/library/Knowledge/Public_health/JEHR/JEHRVol3Iss1-CommonColdAircraft.pdf
What Causes Airplane Colds: Low Cabin Humidity
https://www.smartertravel.com/2017/06/19/avoiding-airplane-cold-dont-get-sick-flying/
disruption to a person’s circadian rhythm can compromise their immune system
http://www.businessinsider.sg/why-airplanes-make-you-sick-2017-10/?r=US&IR=T
Testing Totobobo mask on flight. Victor Law, Head of Finance, CFP Finance LTD, Foshan, PRC.
Victor is my good friend for more than 30 years. He is currently the Head of Finance from a PRC Finance Company and frequently flying within and outside of China. During a recent visit I introduced Totobobo mask for air travellers to him. Below is what he said after trying it during his trip from Singapore back to China, including flying and a coach ride.
“I enjoy breathing with moisture and feel isolated from the dirt in the coach compartment.
The mask fits my face very well and I can breath without any difficulty. I never liked to wear a mask before, because it was either suffocating or useless. Now I know there is an exception.
I feel the Totobobo mask can be part of my standard equipment when I travel, especially in dry environment. It is not just for keeping out hygienic bacteria but also for regulating the moisture, breathing warm air with suitable humidity. It protects my lips as well.â€
Ross cycling commute in Los Angeles, California wearing SuperCool mask with PRO filter.
Long time user and Biking attorney,Ross, sent in his first impression about the PRO filter with his customised SuperCool mask:
(Thanks to Ross for permission to share)
Took the PRO filter on its initial bike ride this morning. Very impressed! The new SuperCool mask fit great right out of the box, and breathing with the new PRO filter was great, too. It’s not in any way heavy or restrictive to breathe through. Of course there was a slight resistance, but I actually found that reassuring to know that air was, in fact, going through the filter medium. Just a note to say thanks, and nice job!
I’ll do a more detailed user experience review –and of course send some updated pictures of me wearing it on my commute through downtown Los Angeles, California.
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