Pollution Mask | Customisable | Totobobo

Update: Test report of PRO filter demonstrating N99 level protection

In Totobobo, user’s feedback keep inspiring us to improve. This time we turn our attention at runners.
Running is a physically demanding activity. Training in high level of air pollution can damage the lungs and increase the chances of heart attack and stroke. Running athletes breathe in extra large volume of air and therefore it is necessary to increase the effective filter area in order to capture the large amount of pollutants passing through. However simply increasing the filter and the filter carrier is not an acceptable solution. An early prototype indicates that the weight of the mask will be at least doubled (48 grams). Since we take pride being the lightest reusable mask in the market, doubling the weight is definitely not acceptable.

But how can we increase the filter area without adding weight substantially?

Let’s look at the final result first.

Miraculously the new Totobobo filter called PRO-filter, is five times larger but it adds only 6.7 grams to the mask. More specifically from 20.1 grams to 26.7 grams, an acceptable small increases for a significant gain in filter power!

The secret is in the new, patent pending, PRO frame construction. The PRO frame sits entirely inside and the PRO filter wraps around the frame. Now the effective filtering area is not only the top surface, but also the sides and the bottom. We had the assembled filters tested in certified laboratory. The result was exciting – above 99% filtration efficiency for both salt (dry) and oil particles, with very low air resistance.

While developing product improvements we are careful to minimize the environmental impact as well as protecting our loyal user’s investment in Totobobo products. Previously users can keep using the same filters (F96, F94 F92) during the last two upgrades of mask body. This time existing Totobobo mask (since 2014 version) users will be happy to know that they can upgrade to PRO by simply changing out the old filter.

This means you can keep running, enjoy using your very own customised Totobobo mask, while sizing up your protection against air pollution even in the most demanding days.

Furthermore, this upgrade is reversible, you can switch back to old filters during the less demanding days. Don’t throw away the old filter covers and the small rubber rings, they will be useful when you want to change back.

Totobobo Mask Pro-filter upgrade from totobobo on Vimeo.

Are you suffering from hayfever, especially during the summer period?  Dr. Anil (London, U.K.), a loyal user of Totobobo mask since 2013, he just sent in the following recommendation for hayfever sufferers:

During the summer months from June to August I quite often suffer from hayfever. This is due to the pollen in the air from grasses or ragweed. I find it effective in blocking out pollen and this improves my hayfever symptoms (runny nose, itchy nose etc). The good thing with the masks is they are washable so you can wash it regularly (like every two days) to get the pollen off the mask.

Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is a type of inflammation in the nose which occurs when the immune system overreacts to allergens in the air. Signs and symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, red, itchy, and watery eyes, and swelling around the eyes.

I have been commuting to work for about 10 years now. As you might be aware, Jakarta’s traffic and air pollution are among the worst in the world. Although wearing a mask is necessary, I have tried not wearing one for a few days and got a very heavy cough emanating from my chest/lung.
I have tried a few masks, but the main problem with most of them was hard to breathe until I found Totobobo, and I never looked back. Totobobo might look fragile, but looks can deceiving. The mask can last for a long time if you use it properly.

Having been in Bangkok now for several years, I felt the need for some protection shortly after arriving. The street level pollution is quite bad particularly in the city center with the traffic jams and exhaust from cars and decrepit buses, motorbikes and tuk tuks in particular. I’ve noticed more Thais wearing the cheap masks since I first arrived. In this sense the Totobobo mask is a godsend. My observations are that the condensation builds quickly given the hot weather here, however, for my purposes I don’t wear the mask for extended periods (to and from work, short motorbike taxi rides or walks), but if the mask was in the form a mesh system with an insertable filter, that would be worth looking into for future versions. Also the straps are a sore point, I find they snap in my experience and I end up retying them. But all in all, I really can’t complain as my lungs are most grateful. Big thanks to Carrie for being a great supplier!
–Daniel

I have been using Totobobo masks for 4 years now while living in Hanoi, Vietnam. The air pollution on the roads and in the winter is quite bad here, but Totobobo masks work great to cut down my exposure while riding my motorbike around the city and on longer trips. I prefer the “supercool” style of Totobobo mask because it really is cooler in the summer. Also, I have a big nose which can be tricky to get a good fit with any mask, but I don’t have to worry about that at all with the SuperCool design.  I also am an environmental consultant, so I pay careful attention to environmental health related problems and solutions. I researched many masks, but still feel Totobobo is the best mask I can get.

Thanks Totobobo!

Doug Snyder

Hanoi, Vietnam

Totobobo mask was sent to CTI (Center Testing International) in China for lab tests because some of our customers want to find out if the mask contains any harmful material.

The samples went through extensive tests, against the ROHS group (24 items), Halogen group (4 items) and BPA. The results shown that there were no harmful material detected from any of these tests.

As the designer of Totobobo mask, I always enjoy reading feedback from Totobobo mask users. Positive message enhances our confident of the direction we’ve chosen, and criticism keep us on our toes and often opens up new possibilities for improvements.
Thanks to Kevin for allowing us to share his Facebook post here:

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By Kevin Tanumihardja, 5 May, 2017
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It all actually started with Google 😁
I found out about Totobobo when I was browsing for the best anti pollution mask as I caught sore throat and flu very often when I began to commute to my work.

However, that was all in 2012!! Yes, I have been using this mask since then.

The mask is very comfortable, strangely has no odour despite my laziness to clean it daily, and most importantly I can breathe normal in the highly polluted city of Jakarta.

The little downside is just the strap and its two little retainers. I mean, the strap is very comfortable, but it snapped at least once or twice a year. The retainers can be replaced with dental floss or rubber-band easily, but I cant seems to find a good comfortable replacement other than what Totobobo have (I even tried a transparent bra-strap 😂).

It seems that Totobobo have a new design that may seems to fix this strap problem, but I don’t know.
Well, I have been waiting for the mask to split into half just to try the new design, but it has been more than 5 friggin years with constant daily use!!!

All in all, a fantastic mask. Can’t live without it ever since I came back from the Netherlands to Jakarta.
More people in my country needs to know this stuff so they don’t have to stare with curious look on myself wearing the mask, and sometimes brave themselves to ask me to show them where they can have it from.
looking at the blacked filters is enough warning to your fellow citizens.

Related posts:

http://totobobo.com/blog/2016/11/letter-from-dr-anil-simhadri-a-loyal-user-of-totobobo-mask-since-2010/

http://totobobo.com/blog/2012/08/why-do-you-choose-totobobo-mask-2/

最近不少关心 Totobobo 的用户提到“有调”的口罩测试，其中 Totobobo 的滤片过滤效率只有 54%，并不理想。

我们认真阅读了这一个测试，觉得“有调”也是认真地在做事，值得重视。仔细看下去，按照“有调”的综合报表，事实上 Totobobo 总的效果并不差，在三个不同测试者脸上，分别达到颇高“密封度”：113（高鼻梁）、90（亚洲女性），以及 166（亚洲男性）。

• 29号口罩Totobobo 在三个不同测试者脸上，分别达到颇高“密封度”：113（高鼻梁）、90（亚洲女性），以及 166（亚洲男性）

以最保守的亚洲女性为例，“密封度”90，表示周边每 90 粒微粒只有 1 粒能够进入口罩内。相信若测试时用更适合女性的萌款，效果会更好。

事实上，在 40 个口罩里 Totobobo 是8个(12,16,17,18,26,27,28,29)最好的口罩之一，同时也是唯一可以多次使用的口罩。

• 在 40 个口罩里，Totobobo 是八个最好的口罩之一
• Totobobo是表现最好的可重复使用口罩

理论上，过滤效率低下的滤片是不可能达到高密封度的。这一点在整份报表中是显而易见的。其中只有 Totobobo 的结果嚴重有违常理。因此我觉得目前“有调”对 Totobobo 的评价有点矛盾，值得进一步探讨。

• 过滤效率低下的滤片是不可能达到高密封度的，其中只有 Totobobo 的结果有违常理。

因此，我们也使用同一款 TSI DustTrak II 检测仪对 Totobobo F96 滤片进行了测试。测试气流流速会随着进气口的大小而改变，得到结论如下：

• 当进气口大时，通过滤片气流接近一般呼吸流速，滤片过滤效率比较高；
• 当进气口小时，通过滤片气流比一般呼吸流速快十倍，滤片过滤效率比较低。

测试过程请见如下视频：

使用 TSI DustTrak II 检测仪对 Totobobo F96 滤片进行测试

使用 TSI DustTrak II 检测仪 对 Totobobo F96 滤片 进行测试，测试时间持续 60 秒。

Introduction
Dr. Anil Simhadri, a daily cycle commuter in London, has been using the Totobobo mask for several years to manage his asthma and allergies. He first shared his experience with us in 2010, describing how the mask enabled him to continue cycling in London despite traffic smog and respiratory challenges.

Recently, I contacted Dr. Simhadri again to learn more about his long-term experience with Totobobo. I’m very grateful to receive his detailed letter, which highlights how the mask continues to serve him in a variety of everyday situations—offering valuable insight for new users. My sincere thanks to Dr. Simhadri for giving permission to publish his update.
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Real-Life Story: Cyclist Dr. Anil Simhadri Shares His Experience using a reusable mask

London, U.K. – November 4, 2016

Dear Francis,

My situation is somewhat unique because my lungs have always been weak. I suffered from whooping cough as a child, which damaged the tiny hairs (cilia) lining my airways. This makes it difficult for me to clear mucus, leaving me more vulnerable to respiratory infections such as flu or bronchitis. As a child, I would come down with a chest infection every winter, and I have also struggled with hay fever and asthma throughout my life.

When I first came across your Totobobo mask in 2009, I immediately recognized its potential. Having already tried many other masks, I could tell right away that yours was different—and more effective.

Over the years, I have found the Totobobo mask especially helpful in several situations:

1. During flu season: In the UK, crowded conditions on the Underground create a perfect environment for flu transmission. During rush hour, people are often pressed together in close quarters. Wearing the Totobobo mask helps me avoid catching infections from others coughing or sneezing nearby. Your website notes that even the F92 filters effectively block aerosol droplets, which aligns with my personal experience. Of course, cycling instead of commuting underground is even better—it avoids both crowd exposure and improves aerobic health.
2. During hay fever season: When pollen levels rise in summer, I often suffer from allergic sinusitis or rhinitis. Wearing the mask keeps symptoms under control and reduces discomfort.
3. Preventing transmission to others: When I catch a cold, I wear the Totobobo mask around my six‑month‑old son to minimize the risk of passing it on. This helps protect my family from infection.
4. Household cleaning: During spring cleaning, airborne dust can aggravate my asthma. Using the Totobobo mask significantly reduces symptoms triggered by dust mites.
5. Cycling through polluted areas: The mask shields me from air pollution that might otherwise trigger asthma attacks.

Overall, the Totobobo mask has become indispensable for me. My whooping cough history left my lungs vulnerable, and with my combination of allergies, asthma, and dust sensitivity, I constantly need reliable respiratory protection. From my experience over the last five or six years, the Totobobo mask is highly effective at preventing flu infections, reducing hay fever symptoms, and stopping dust from triggering asthma.

For example, when exposed to dust for about 20 minutes, I begin to wheeze audibly. If I then wear the Totobobo mask and remain in the same environment for another 30 minutes, my wheezing subsides by roughly 70%. Clinically, that’s a measurable improvement in breathing comfort.

When I visit India, the benefits are even more obvious—pollution levels in cities like Mumbai and Delhi can be five times higher than in London. In such conditions, the Totobobo mask truly feels like a lifesaver.

Thank you for developing this product and for your continued support.

Warm regards,
Dr. Anil Simhadri
London, U.K.

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FAQ

Q1: Where can I buy the Totobobo Mask?
You can order securely from the official Totobobo website for worldwide shipping. For group or institutional purchases, contact totobobomask (at) gmail.com.

Q2: How often should I replace the filters?
Replace the Totobobo filters after approximately 2 weeks of daily use, or sooner if they turn visibly darker from pollution exposure.

Q3: Can this mask help with pollen and allergies?
Yes. The Totobobo mask effectively blocks pollen and dust particles, reducing hay fever and allergic rhinitis symptoms.

Q4: Is the mask suitable for people with asthma?
Absolutely. Many users with asthma find Totobobo reduces wheezing episodes by filtering out triggers such as dust and exhaust particles.

Q5: Can I adjust the mask to fit my face?
Yes. First, the straps can be steplessly adjusted. Next, the transparent body can be ReShaped / trimmed to custom-fit smaller faces, making it ideal for women, teens, or anyone needing a snug, leak-free seal.

Is the Totobobo mask certified?
The Totobobo mask is not N95 certified, but it has been extensively tested in clinical conditions and proven to perform similarly to an N95 mask.