N95 masks capable of reducing PM 2.5 intake

[mokhi6]

Hi guys,
Its the time of smog season AGAIN., and I hate the feeling of smog over all. SO was thinking of getting a good N95 mask with filters for workout outdoors mainly for running etc. Abit confused looking at google, N95 and PM 2.5 masks are same?

My main question is What type of mask will be perfect for Smog and air pollution in hong kong. Any leads to online and walk ins appreciated.

[JAherbert]

[HK_Katherine]

I've been using a Cambridge Mask (I got it in Wanchai computer centre of all places) but it's actually designed for dust filtration. It's excellent. I would not want to run in it (but that's because of heat/sweat) but otherwise very comfortable and easy to breathe. You may need to order online these days though.

https://cambridgemask.com/

It's got some kind of special layer.

[Sage]

My main question is What type of mask will be perfect for Smog and air pollution in hong kong. Any leads to online and walk ins appreciated.

Perfect? Nothing is perfect. The fundamental relationship in air filtration between a filter membrane and particulate is differential pressure.

What this means in simple terms is that the more effective a filter is at removing particulate, the bigger the difference in pressure between the front and back - i.e. the air flow. In very simple terms the more you filter, the less you breathe.

Every filter has this trade off.

Maybe other people can chime in and recommend products, but you should understand what you will sacrifice to reduce particulate (and/or gasses).

So if you think this through, that also means that where you use this also factors - roadside represents different types of filtration concentrations to mountain top.

[East_coast]

Perhaps HK should have some of these mounted at pollution black spots and fire them off after each rush hour. Or every KMB bus should have a mini misting device

https://www.scmp.com/sites/default/f...b6b868d3ac.jpg

[cubberla]

Love the filtration size graphic! As a side question, is it correct the Covid virus doesn’t float around in isolation but has to be attached to something, such as a moisture droplet? If that’s correct then does N95 offer protection even though the virus itself is smaller than the filter capabilities?

[aw451]

Hi guys,
Its the time of smog season AGAIN., and I hate the feeling of smog over all. SO was thinking of getting a good N95 mask with filters for workout outdoors mainly for running etc. Abit confused looking at google, N95 and PM 2.5 masks are same?

My main question is What type of mask will be perfect for Smog and air pollution in hong kong. Any leads to online and walk ins appreciated.

"N95" (also known as FFP2) refers to the fact that the filter removes 95% of PM2.5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter) and should generally be good enough in most scenarios.

So, to answer your question PM2.5 is the particulate matter, "N95" is a measurement of filtering efficiency.

I use a Vogmask but it may not be so good for exercise since the filter is not replaceable. Some of them come with two valves which should help reduce the amount of stale air in the mask.

https://www.vogmask.com/

[jgl]

Hi guys,
Its the time of smog season AGAIN., and I hate the feeling of smog over all. SO was thinking of getting a good N95 mask with filters for workout outdoors mainly for running etc. Abit confused looking at google, N95 and PM 2.5 masks are same?

My main question is What type of mask will be perfect for Smog and air pollution in hong kong. Any leads to online and walk ins appreciated.

Firstly- just don't work out during high pollution days.

Secondly, all masks are a compromise. If you are serious about exercise, serious about mitigating the shit air quality, and don't care what you look like, a 3M half face respirator with P100 filters is the most practically effective and comfortable option. The massive increase in filter area makes them easy to breathe through, and the properly sized exhalation valve makes them easy to breathe out of. I wore one recently moving a fairly serious amount of weight around HK in the heat and was fine with it.Any of the less dorky looking, 'normal' masks will be a huge step down.

These things are still available last time I checked, wander around the little hardware stores on Shangha St between Yaumatei and Mongkok. Last I checked they had vanished from the good online sources (e.g. RS).

If you do plan to go ahead and wear a 'normal' mask, you're probably best off getting something that can handle loads of sweat and is generally fairly rugged. I've used Respros in the distant past. They were okay. The more delicate masks just got wrecked fairly quickly.

[Jackie1]

This 3m respirator you mention sounds like what I'd like to buy for other situations (not exercising). when i look online, there are many half face respirators from 3M with various replacement parts. Do you have any specific recommendations? https://www.3m.com.hk/3M/en_HK/compa...93746353&rt=r3

[Deep77]

Hit me up if you want 3M N95 respirators. I have just resorted to using the normal blue masks and don’t use the N95s anymore.