With the outbreak of the coronavirus in China in early 2020, millions of people have to become experts masks overnight. Yet masks are complicated. Which masks can protect me from viruses? Do surgical masks filter the coronavirus? Do I have to use an N95 mask to protect me from viruses like the coronavirus? Fortunately, scientists […]
Category: Reviews
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, […]
Top Air Purifiers in Shanghai Consumer Protection Bureau Tests
Using actual air purifiers test data on is the best way to cut through the misleading marketing claims purifier companies make to try to get us to pay more money for clean air. For that reason, I’m always on the look out for good test data. Data is power. One source I like […]
Do masks really work in India’s air pollution?
Every year when winter rolls around, a billion people in India are left breathing toxic, polluted air when on the streets. Be it in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or Hyderabad, everyone is forced to become experts in a complicated scientific question to cope with the pollution: Do air pollution masks work? I’ve heard doubts from smart, […]
IQAir Atem Review – Is this portable air purifier effective?
The IQAir Atem is a personal, portable air purifier that’s new on the scene. Recently, we were asked by Vincent to review the IQAir Atem – which IQAir calls “the most effective personal air purifier.” Here was Vincent’s question: Being the data nerds that we are, we decided to get some data to help us answer […]
This Data Explains Why You Should Never Use Your Purifier’s Auto Mode
Lots of things in our life are becoming smart. Our phones are smart. Our cars are getting smarter. Purifiers seem like a great candidate for “an education,” but test data shows smart purifiers routinely fail, leaving users with dangerous air. The idea behind smart purifiers’ auto mode is simple. The purifier has a small […]
This Data Explains Why You Should Never Use Your Purifier’s Auto Mode – Supplemental Data
Data and Test Details Test Methods: These tests were identical to my previously published tests, details of which can befound here, here, and here. Original Data: The original data for all 13 tests is available as an Excel file here Average Outdoor PM2.5 During Tests It’s important to note the average outdoor PM2.5 during tests because purifiers achieve smaller percentage […]
Xi’an unveils smog-fighting purifier tower, but does it work?
One group of scientists on the south side of Xi’an are fighting back against Xi’an’s rising PM2.5, and they did so in true China style — by building something big, a huge air purifier tower to be precise. But locals are left to wonder, does it actually work? The air filtering tower might be coming […]
Which Gym in Beijing has the Safest Air?
Even though PM2.5 levels are falling, years of bad air pollution across China has led to many people installing air purifiers in their homes. Most of us are now breathing cleaner air at home, but what about when we are in public spaces? What’s the air like in that gym we go to, or in […]
Do Pollution Masks Really Work?
When a billion people in China (and quite a few expats) woke up to the severe air pollution in almost every city in China, it forced a billion people to become experts in a complicated scientific question: Do masks work? Since then, I’ve given talks with hundreds of people all around China about how to protect […]
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