Scientists have actually randomized people to wear N95 or regular surgical masks, then tracked how many people got infected with colds and flus similar to the coronavirus. This data can tell us whether N95 or surgical masks are more effective at preventing transmission of viruses. The results surprised me. Coronavirus & Mask Livestream Wondering whether […]
Category: Masks
Masks are an effective way to protect yourself from airborne pollutants such as PM2.5, viruses, bacteria and allergens. In general, there are 2 common types of masks: surgical masks and respirators like N95 and N99 masks. DIY masks are also a popular option for when surgical masks and respirators are not available. Read more to learn if masks actually work, how long masks can be used, how to wash them, and how to DIY your own mask.
Recent Masks Articles:
Can Masks Capture Coronavirus Particles?
With the outbreak of the coronavirus, many people are wondering if masks capture coronavirus particles. It’s a lot to ask billions of people around the world to become mask experts overnight. There is a lot of conflicting information. Do surgical masks capture coronavirus particles? Media outlets like US National Public Radio have claimed they don’t. Fortunately, […]
Can Japanese Pitta Masks Protect Against Coronavirus?
With the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus, interest has surged in Japanese Pitta masks. Smart Air has received a flood of questions about how well they filter the coronavirus and other viruses. The Japanese Pitta masks are sleek and incredibly popular, but there’s little information available on how well they filter out tiny […]
How Long Do N95 Masks Last? New Data
Scientific tests have found that simple pollution masks are incredibly effective, but how long do masks last? Most tests are done with brand new masks, so there’s very little data on used ones. And in that data vacuum, people have wildly different ideas about how masks remain effective. I’ve seen several people say they only […]
How Effective Are Kid’s Masks at Filtering Air Pollution?
As cities like Delhi, Beijing and Manila face toxic levels of air pollution, people are rushing to find effective pollution masks, particularly kid’s masks. But there’s a problem. Children’s faces are different from adults’. Add to that, children are constantly growing, meaning that the mask that fit last year might not fit this year. Kid’s […]
Are Japanese Pitta Masks Effective Against Air Pollution? Review
In recent months, the Japanese Pitta masks have seen a surge in popularity in Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai, as well as in India, the US and South Korea. They look sleek, but I wanted to review whether the Pitta masks actually work, and how effective is the Pitta Mask at filtering PM2.5, […]
Hong Kong’s Air Quality Might Not Be as Good as You Think
Hong Kong doesn’t come to mind when people think of air pollution. However, the data tells a different story–one that has important implications for Hong Kongers’ health. Hong Kong’s Air Pollution in Numbers I just analyzed data on Hong Kong’s pollution data and found that PM2.5 averaged 30 micrograms in 2018. Here’s how that compares to […]
This One Region in China Saw a Pollution Miracle in 2018
New analysis from Smart Air shows that China is making progress on its “war on air pollution.” PM2.5 air pollution was down in 14 out of China’s 15 largest cities. Yet one region saw far more progress than the rest. South Sees Modest Air Quality Gains In southern China, from Shanghai to Shenzhen, […]
Did Beijing’s Air Get Better in 2018?
Analyzing new air quality data, Smart Air found that Beijing’s PM2.5 dropped 14% in 2018 compared to the year before. Despite the improvement, Beijing still averages nearly five times the World Health Organization’s annual limit. Improvement Came Mostly from Winter Enforcement By breaking down the data month by month, analysis shows that Beijing’s air quality […]
How Do People in Beijing Exercise With Such Bad Air Pollution?
I’m in Beijing right now, and I’m going to exercise today. So what can I do when the world outside my window looks like this? Would exercise do more harm than good? 1. The point where exercise becomes harmful Researchers at Cambridge analyzed studies on the benefits of exercise and the harms of air […]
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