best n99 pollution mask for 99% gas/solid particulates | ultra quiet HEPA filters

last year october, when the smoke from 170 separate fires that mysteriously broke out on a cool october night in a drought-ending vegetation-drenched 166% precipitation year for santa rosa, three of you asked me about masks and hepa filters, so i wrote this up.   it came up again in last few days incl a buddy (male) who now uses breezometer (tested it in hawaii to measure toxicity of volcanic fumes/air released from the fissures, which convinced him it works), now headed to seattle for 4 days and can see they are breathing a far more pure poison concoction than most at 25% baqi.  

it is now urgent again, so here is an update to last year's incl the mask i use, and a runner up based on reading user feedback.  the one i got by cambridge is a good benchmark to beat (see below).  there are now 5-10 in the field which i can send in a day or two to not overwhelm the inbox today.

the trick with masks is to get n99, comfort, air-tight fit, breathability during sport, child-sizes, mine is a good benchmark, its cambridge and uses mil spec materials, has adjustable strap and nose piece.  its good for 250-350 hours (depending on pollution intensity/density), so i use it only if working outside when breezo dips under 55%.  

pollution masks  

the best masks after researching customer testimonials and feedback/ratings etc.

• Choosing The Best Pollution Mask For The Whole Family | Respirator China | N99 Military Grade Technology
  https://cambridgemask.com   (pick a designer style you and/or the kids will actually have fun wearing) 
  
  
• UK made military grade pro-athlete pollution masks battle-tested in beijing marathons by runners/cyclists
• 1 of the 3 layers of filtration is military grade carbon developed by UK Ministry of Defense for military forces 
• filters 99% harmful gas pollution and solid particulates such as PM 2.5 and even PM 0.3 incl construction dust, pollen.
• filters 99% of everything incl mold and poisons, residual VOCs, exhaust fumes, and other gases 
• treated with silver to absorb and kill bacteria and viruses
  
• n99 mask rated up to 350 hours, depending on density of pollution, see chart https://cambridgemask.com/faqs  (below)
  
• available in 15 different designs and 5 different sizes for the whole family, masks small enough to fit kids (which is rare)
  
  
• Premiere Filtering Face Mask - N99 Filter - First Ever Stylish Face Mask
  https://www.vogmask.com   (pick a designer style you and/or the kids will actually have fun wearing) 
• some serious comparison shopper chose vogmask as his second choice, the difference is in the details i.e. the airtight seal, the valve, etc.
  
• not a perfect comparison, but is a fashionable n99 mask, so similar/close in scope

CAMBRIDGE 
What does the mask filter?

• Almost 100% of Particulate Matter (PM) including PM10, PM2.5 and PM0.3. These are the sort of particles you find in coal dust from power stations, diesel exhaust fumes, factory emissions and from construction works. 
• Almost 100% of gas based air pollution, including odours such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Ozone, Benzathine, and Formaldehyde. These particulates you can find in petrol fumes, chemical emissions and from many industrial processes.  
• Almost 100% of harmful pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. 
• Other airborne irritants or allergens such as Dust, mould spores, some odours, pet allergens and pollen.

 

How long can the mask be used for?

Cambridge Masks™ are non-disposable and can be used up to 340 hours. The length of time they are suitable for depends on how polluted the environment is when you use it. A table is provided below. The mask can be hand washed with Soap and hot water, however this will not extend the life of the filters as the pollution will be locked into them. The mask will need replacing after extended use to ensure proper filtration.

Pollution Level	Air Quality Conditions  (AQI)	Description	Replace After
Good	Below 50	Clear visibility to horizon	6 months from opening
Moderate/Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	51-150	Cannot see pollution with the naked eye, slight haze on horizon	340 hours
Unhealthy/Very Unhealthy	151-300	Haze at 2-3 km visibility	220 hours
Hazardous	301-500	Clouds of pollution, visibility around 1km.	180 hours
Beyond Index	Over 500	Visibility below 600 meters. Fog-like clouds of pollution clearly visible even in bright sunlight.	90 hours

*using straight fed figures, today, a hazy bad air day (under 55% breezo) read 109 at 9a and the mask would last 340 hours if most hour were at this density

HEPA filters

a buddy (male) in this circle last year didn't blink and picked up a $250 cadillac HEPA filter.  in my view, any help filter is a good investment for yourself, the home, the kids and community.  ideally, we all have one in each bedroom, the play room etc.. the best kind are quiet so you can run them all night.  below i list a few under $150 from lowest to highest price (i have not tested any of these or read reviews).   i have owned 2-3 under $60 honeywells over the years and have been happy with them (found at many stores: best buy to home depot, if you need one, go snag one before others grab them all up, so they're not listed here).

$43  Hamilton Beach TrueAir Allergen-Reducing Ultra Quiet Air Cleaner Purifier with Permanent HEPA Filter (04386A): 

• https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-Allergen-Reducing-Permanent-04386A/dp/B00EIDFSE8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1514776332&sr=8-3&keywords=hepa%2Bquiet%2Bfilter&th=1
  

$40  hOmeLabs 3 in 1 Ionic Air Purifier with HEPA Filter - Portable Quiet Mini Air Purifier Ionizer to Reduce Mold Odor Smoke for Desktop Small Room up to 50 Sq Ft - Travel Air Purifiers for Allergies:  

• https://www.amazon.com/hOmeLabs-Ionic-Purifier-HEPA-Filter/dp/B0725X333J/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1514776332&sr=8-13&keywords=hepa+quiet+filter
  

$79  LEVOIT LV-H132 Air Purifier True Hepa Filter, Odor Allergies Eliminator Smokers, Smoke, Dust, Mold, Home Pets, Air Cleaner Night Light, US-120V

• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071D58ZY5/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_10?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

$80  Ivation Medium Size 3-in-1 True HEPA Air Purifier Sanitizer and Deodorizer with UV Light – True HEPA Filter, Active Carbon Filter and UV Light Cleaner for Home or Office – 323 Sq/Ft Coverage:  

• https://www.amazon.com/Ivation-Medium-Purifier-Sanitizer-Deodorizer/dp/B071NB3D1W/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1514776332&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=hepa+quiet+filter&psc=1
  

$99  PureZone 3-in-1 True HEPA Air Purifier – 3 Speeds Plus UV-C Air Sanitizer – Eliminates Dust, Pollen, Pet Dander, Smoke, Mold Spores, & Household Odors – with Whisper-Quiet Operation & Auto Off Timer:  

• https://www.amazon.com/PureZone-True-HEPA-Purifier-Whisper-Quiet/dp/B01JKDAN2M/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1514776332&sr=8-10&keywords=hepa+quiet+filter

$118  VAVA Air Purifier with 4-In-1 True HEPA Filter, with Real Time Air Quality Indicator (Home Air Filtration Removes Dust Mold, Pet Fur, Silent Operation, and Auto-Wind Mode, for Large Room 322 sq. ft)  

• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DJB48JD/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_5?smid=A2KUZVNQ9LP7N9&psc=1

* while we rather not swap one pollutant for another, there's no way to find out prior to purchasing anything how low the EMF from an appliance is, so assume most of them are low EMF until an RF meter proves otherwise (beware of smart/wireless appliances).   i have an RF meter so can swing by to confirm it is not introducing high levels of EMF.

On Sun, Dec 31, 2017 at 9:16 PM, wolf <wolf@amplifyroi.com> wrote: