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Posted

Hello there

I will soon be going to visit China for several months, and I would appreciate some advice about...

I have been to the cities in China and my lungs didn't fair too well in the pollution, which was three years ago now. There has been recent news reports on the currently air quality level in Beijing and other major cities, which has become very hazardous.

With these two things in mind, what do people suggest in terms of masks to filter out the polluted air?

Is it common for people to wear them in China (I don't mind about looking stupid though).

Can you suggest any brands, links of the best ones to buy etc as I'm not sure. I've had a look but the ones I have found so far seem to be for industrial/manufacturing use. I would prefer something for daily use, that is good quality and filters out the bad stuff but that is not too heavyweight. Any suggestions?

Posted

I just had a discussion with some friends from Beijing, apparently a lot people are wearing masks because the pollution levels have reached a historical high. Plain surgical masks will not be enough. The most popular one seems to be 3M 9010, which can easily be purchased online. It is also intended for industrial/manufacturing use, but for a place as polluted as Beijing protections of any lower grade are as good as no protection at all.

Posted

This is the one that I have http://www.amazon.com/Respro-Techno-Contour-Face-Mask/dp/B000OYJUUS and I've been very grateful for it over the last couple of days in Beijing.

It has proper filters in it, so is much better than the disposable ones that most of the locals wear. It's comfortable and you can buy replacement filters for it out here in China.

While you are out in China check out the World Health Store http://www.worldhealthstore.com.cn/ where you can buy the masks and filters, and be assured that they are genuine. Bit expensive though.

More and more people are wearing masks, so you will blend right in!

  • Like 1
Posted

The air pollution in Beijing has been pretty grim of late, Saturday was a low point.

I did some research a while back as well – My Health Beijing was pretty useful (http://www.myhealthbeijing.com/2010/09/pollution-masks-which-are-best/). I ended up getting a Totobobo mask. Not the cheapest, and looks pretty odd in my opinion – but does seem to work.

I have also used a Respro like the poster above – seemed alright and good for when cycling, jogging etc.

  • Like 1
Posted
I did some research a while back as well – My Health Beijing was pretty useful (http://www.myhealthbeijing.com/2010/09/pollution-masks-which-are-best/). I ended up getting a Totobobo mask. Not the cheapest, and looks pretty odd in my opinion – but does seem to work.

C

I have also used a Respro like the poster above – seemed alright and good for when cycling, jogging etc.

I am also using a Totobobo mask and while it's not the cheapest, it's pretty comfotable to wear and I am willing to pay a little bit extra for that comfort. It has replaceable filters and is easy to wash (just a bit of water in the sink will do), which is more of a concern during the summer when you are sweating. While I like the Darth Vaderish look of Respro Techno mask *evil grin* it has a bit of a disadvantage in this regard...

I have also tried quite a few disposable masks from 3M and I like 9322 model the most - comfortable to wear and you will appreciate the exhale valve, especially if you are wearing glasses (hot air goes out mostly through the valve which prevents fogging of the glasses). It is compliant to European FFP2 standard, which is roughly equivalent to the US N95, i.e. should filter out some 95% of all the schmutz if worn properly. Once it gets dirty (depends, but usually after 7-10 days of daily usage, about 2 hours every day), you just toss it and get a new one...

Posted

Thanks for the great responses guys, I have been considering the Totobobo mask.

As an aside, who daily commutes in Beijing? I cycle 10 miles a day into work here, but that is on nice quiet cycle paths with no traffic. I can't imagine cycling around to work in Beijing! Is it safe?

Posted

Touchstone - I've not been brave enough yet to cycle in Beijing, but I'm not a regular cyclist at home. I'm sure you will be fine. There are many cycle paths in Beijing so depending on your route you might have a very safe journey. It can get a bit hairy due to the sheer number of bikes on the road as well as electric bikes and mopeds, and I often see bike collisions (nothing serious) when people aren't paying attention to where they are going.

You might get cars and other vehicles using the cycle paths too - but they will honk (repeatedly) so you will know when they are coming.

Stay alert and you will be fine!!

Posted
You might get cars and other vehicles using the cycle paths too - but they will honk (repeatedly) so you will know when they are coming.

Except for the odd driver, who doesn't honk and you, not aware of him coming from behind, get knocked off your bike, which turns into pile of scrap metal in the process (okay, a bit of exaggeration here, but the rear part was damaged pretty badly). Back in days, this is what happened to me, personally, while riding on a cycle path in Xi'an. Luckily, he wasn't going very fast and I fell to the side away from the car and, apart from a bruise or two, was unhurt. I am not the type to insist on going to hospital because of every minor scratch (like some of the locals would surely do in my place, to get some money out of it), maybe I was in shock and didn't quite realize what just happened... or could have happened (I wasn't wearing a helmet at that time). Heck, we didn't even call the police, he offered to get my bike repaired and I believed him... and after some two days he delivered on his promise.

I don't mean to scaremonger, but accidents happen, just so you know. Last year in Beijing, I rode for more than a thousand kilometers in total (biking to and from work, some 15 km daily... I got my bike kinda late and was only using it for 3-4 months), all without any major accident - only a few minor collisions with fellow bikers and pedestrians... who, by the way, absolutely love strolling on the cycle paths, even when (or "especially when") there is a sidewalk available nearby. So, you should learn to always mind your surroundings (to paraphrase Ra's al Ghul from Batman Begins).

  • Like 1
Posted

Oh crikey Sarevok! Sounds nasty. And I'm amazed to hear of a car in China that isn't constantly honking.

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