Should I wear a SMOG mask?

[chap]

As I am taking commuting evermore seriously, I have become increasingly aware of the unpleasant noxious fumes one is exposed to from the vehicles. Whilst it is more noticeable from the myriads of Chelsea Wagons, Vans, Buses and HGV's from smell alone, the sad fact is that cars probably generate similar amounts and are very much omnipresent.

Thus the questions I am meandering to are:

1. Should I wear an anti-pollution mask for cycle commuting?
2. Are there any recommended makes / standards?
3. Does anybody on this forum wear these masks

The chances are that I am going to buy one of these masks, why risk health for fashion (even if I am the most dapper-dressed cyclist in Town)

 

[lazyfatgit]

After years of sitting in a tin box, i don't bother with a mask. they're hot, sweaty and probably need filters changed at a horrrendous rate to be effictive.

you suck in less polution on the bike than you do inside a vehicle.

 

[gavintc]

, why risk health for fashion

I had always presumed that they were a fashion statement as I do not believe that they provide any other function. Do a little bit of googling on the matter - they are pretty ineffective.

 

[hackbike 666]

I used a mask last winter after having some sort of health problem causing me to cough my guts up when cycling and I just about coped with cycling in this bad period.

Generally I don't use them but I don't see the problem if you want to use them.I do find them hard to breath through though but they did stop too much cold air getting to my chest last November.

 

[Alan Whicker]

I used to wear a Respro one in a previous cycling life, but I found it more trouble that in was worth. It kept slipping down, it was too hot and gave me spots. It did seem to work a bit, but I've never found the car pollution that bad (on my commute anyway), unless I'm following something with a knackered engine.

 

[purplepolly]

Thre was a study that showed that motorists inside an enclosed car get more pollution than cyclists or adult pedestrians so unless there's any contributing health problem I can't really see the point, especially as it's certainly outweighed by the health benefits. I commute along heavily congested roads and in the last year my lung capacity has increased so much that's it's off the chart as 'normal' for a woman and is roughly what's expected of a man of my age and height so I it's not causing any problems for me.

 

[Grendel]

I bought one and found it very difficult to breathe through. Now I just wear a buff, especially if it's cold.

 

[skrx]

I hardly ever go in cars (I don't own one). Every few months I'm a passenger in my dad's car, and I notice the pollution smell much more than I ever do on a bike. I don't know if this is a problem with his car (although the rest of the family doesn't complain) or "normal".

I'm quite sensitive to engine pollution; I feel ill if I'm waiting in a station and a diesel freight train chugs through, or walking alongside a congested dual-carriageway. Being in my dad's car isn't that bad, but about the only time I approach this on a commute is if I unexpectedly end up right behind a bus.

 

[swee'pea99]

No
No
No

...was there anything else?

 

[tdr1nka]

As a cyclist you exhale harder than you inhale so you get rid of more nasty stuff when riding a bike.

 

[Tollers]

I wear a respro during my commute mon-fri, but not at weekends when traffic is lighter. For me, its not health reasons, but i just loathe getting fumes in my face from buses and those damn scooters. Tragically, i still love my cigarette smoke though.

 

[BentMikey]

I wear a respro during my commute mon-fri, but not at weekends when traffic is lighter. For me, its not health reasons, but i just loathe getting fumes in my face from buses and those damn scooters. Tragically, i still love my cigarette smoke though.

Aaaahahahahahaha!!!

 

[hackbike 666]

I bought one and found it very difficult to breathe through. Now I just wear a buff, especially if it's cold.

I will try that next winter if i have probs again.