Spring Air and Pollution Masks...

[punkedmonkey]

I have noticed of late - with the arrival of the spring and summer cyclists - the re-emergence of pollution masks (I thought they had fallen out of fashion), of which I have seen very little of over the winter... Is there something I am missing here?

And I don't know what the opinion of pollution masks are (I guess not many people here wear them because it impedes the ability to shout at wayward motorists

), but the only time I would consider wearing them is if I was ever to move to Africa where trucks like this are common place (I was in Kampala, Uganda last month and sometimes even being sat inside a car made you feel sick there are so many fumes!) -

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

At least some cases may be to do with pollen and hay fever perhaps.

 

[I like Skol]

I have been considering some kind of face mask recently to keep flies and midges out of my mouth and nose now the warm weather is back (was back? ). Nothing worse than a fly up your nostril or down the back of your throat while bobbing along breathing hard on a hot sunny afternoon. Perhaps I am not the only one to consider face masks for this reason?

 

[fossyant]

Don't use them - too much restriction on air flow.

Moisture build up/lack of cleaning could be a massive health issue. (think about it).

Don't worry about the particles, worry about the car/van drivers.... sheesh........

Have fun !

 

[Bicycle]

There was an increase in the number of cyclists in London with the advent of the MTB.

I recall them being very fashionable at the time.

I could never wear one.

I was rather hoping they'd died out.....

 

[benb]

I think they're pointless, as they must make you breath harder than without, so you probably end up breathing in more pollutants. I might be wrong though.

 

[Davidc]

If you search on this forum you'll find links to some well conducted and rigorous research some years ago.

I remember that the conclusions were that cyclists breathe in less of the most dangerous M10 particulate pollution than car passengers and drivers, but that anti-pollution masks cause those that are inhaled to go deeper into the lungs where they are most likely to cause disease.

MrHappyCyclist may be right - there are pollen filter masks around for hay fever sufferers, and it could well be those you're seeing.

 

[Banzaibuddy]

No need for a mask. Hay fever pill + change your route to a better one with less traffic.

 

[twozeronine]

Funny, I was thinking about these the other day. I used to have one when I first started commuting, because they seemed to be the "in" thing (and it made me feel like a ninja), but I haven't seen anyone wearing them for ages, so I thought they'd gone out of fashion too.

Didn't like using it really. It restricted my breathing too much, and I ended up with a face covered in sweat and moisture from my breath.

 

[ianrauk]

A buff is your answer. Warm for the winter. Cool for the summer. Far better then any facemask.

 

[punkedmonkey]

Interesting comment about the 'ninja' look... I have to say they do look a bit aggressive... almost hannibal lecter like

 

[twozeronine]

Interesting comment about the 'ninja' look... I have to say they do look a bit aggressive... almost hannibal lecter like

Hehe, yeah, I remember a little kid looking a bit scared by me.

 

[cyberknight]

might stop close overtakes if you went for the full look though..