June 07, 2024

Learn more about Cambridge Mask Co

This article covers the following topics:

What is Cambridge Mask?

We currently have three different types of masks; PRO, NON-VALVE, and BASIC which are available in 5 sizes to fit children and adults.

Our Cambridge Mask™ PRO performed as follows:

99.6% filtration of viruses
99.77% filtration of bacteria

Cambridge Mask PRO

The Cambridge Mask PRO is a fashionable pollution mask that comes in a range of patterns and sizes. The masks have a wide range of uses and are often used by travelers, cyclists, urban residents, respiratory disease sufferers, and anyone wanting to reduce exposure to potentially harmful pollutants. Please note the whole mask itself is the filter.

Cambridge Masks Pro filter air through three different layers:

The Primary Filter Layer - This is the first layer of our pollution mask is designed to filter out larger particles such as dust and PM10. The material is printed in different patterns to make the smog masks fashion friendly. We use sublimation to print any logos or patterns, making them great for marketing and corporate branding.

Dye-sublimation printing uses digital technology that works with polyester and polymer-coated substrates. Our unique sublimation dyes are transferred to special paper via liquid gel ink through piezoelectric print heads. Using heat and pressure the dye is then transferred into the fabric. The end result fuses the dye to the textile on a molecular level, meaning it cannot be removed from washing. When the dye is only applied to the surface of the textile or material to be printed, it can be removed from wear or washing, which we avoid with this technique.
The Three-Ply Micro Particulate Layer - This is the second layer is designed to block particulate pollution such as PM2.5. It is tested to filter particles as small as PM0.3. The textile is a three-ply non-woven melt-blow polypropylene, a thermoplastic polymer used in a range of applications. The blow molding process begins with melting down the plastic and forming it into a “parison” – a ball of liquid. High-velocity air is then passed through to attenuate the filaments and create a fibrous web. The random fiber orientation this triggers is advantageous because it creates a better mesh to trap pollution. The textile is also created with a high surface area, meaning a greater percentage of particulates are captured as they pass through the filter.
Our Inner filter is made from a 100% pure activated carbon cloth, which was originally invented by the UK Ministry of Defence. It was then extensively developed and made into a product for use in chemical, biological, and nuclear warfare protection. All activated carbons - traditionally powders and granules - generate "Van der Waal" forces due to their porous structure. These forces give activated carbons their unique potential to adsorb gaseous molecules, including anions and cations into their internal pores.

Our filter material is comprised of a series of activated carbon filaments, each about 2,000 nanometers in diameter. Each filament is many times smaller than the typical grain size in standard carbon materials, making the rate of adsorption of pollutant gas much faster and therefore more powerful.

It also means that the bacteria and viruses are drawn to the filament surface much more efficiently because there is so much more available surface than in a granular carbon.

The high number of filaments - spun into a yarn and then woven into cloth - makes the speed of adsorption extremely fast in a material that is still easy to breathe through. The activated carbon cloth traps the bacteria and draws out the gel-like cytoplasm inside - killing it and preventing infection. Silver is added, which helps to enhance these anti-bacterial/viral properties.

Cambridge Mask Pro is therefore powerful respirator that not only clears the air of pollution via the particulate filter but also removes potentially harmful gases and pathogens with the additional carbon filter

The activated carbon cloth in our mask is not obtained from coal or coconut but from viscose rayon, mostly derived from wood pulp. Most carbons used in air purifiers and other filtration media are derivatives of something else, e.g. waste material from coconut husks is a common one. This is often then pressed into another material or turned into pellets.

PRO features:

Made by combining 3 unique layers; the outer printed layer, three-ply particulate filter, and activated carbon cloth.
Unique Lab tested British Military Filtration Technology filters almost 100% of pollution, gases, and 99.6% of viruses and 99.7% of bacteria.
Ideal for people at risk of respiratory diseases, living in or traveling to areas with high air pollution/smoke levels.
Protection against harmful gases, odors, all PM; PM2.5, PM0.3, pollen, smoke, allergens, and pathogens such as viruses and bacteria as well as gas-based pollution such as benzene and petrol/gasoline exhaust.
Treated with silver to protect the wearer against bacteria and viruses.
The world’s most trusted reusable anti-pollution mask now with adjustable straps, perfect for travel, especially to China or India.
Presented in eco-friendly for storage, fashion-friendly designs are available in 5 sizes suitable for the whole family!
Cambridge Mask NON-VALVE

The Cambridge Mask NON-VALVE is designed to comply with local mask regulations for air travel, crowded places & grocery shopping.

NON-VALVE features:

Unique Lab tested British Military Filtration Technology filters almost 100% of pollution, gases, allergens, smog, and pollen.
Lightweight, breathable material.
Filters 99.6% of all viruses and 99.7% of bacteria.
Filters PM10, PM2.5, PM0.3
Lasts up to 340 hours of active use (3 – 6 months).
Zero valves result in limited ventilation so not advised for high-intensity activities such as running, cycling, or other sport.
Adjustable ear loops with toggles for a secure snug fit.
Presented in eco-friendly packaging for storage.

Cambridge Mask BASIC

We believe in helping everyone get outside and enjoy life without having to worry about the air they breathe or the way they look. To complement our powerful PRO masks we created the BASIC range to allow even more people to gain access to clean air.

BASIC features:

New Lab tested filtration technology filters over 95% of pollution, gases, bacteria, and viruses up to 90 hours of use.
Trusted by people at risk of respiratory diseases, living in or traveling to areas with high air pollution levels
Protection against odors, all PM; PM2.5, PM0.3, pollen, smoke, and pathogens such as viruses and bacteria.
The world’s most trusted anti-pollution mask, perfect for travel, especially to China or India
Presented in a frustration-free ziplock bag for reuse, fashion-friendly designs are available in 5 sizes suitable for the whole family!

Where is Cambridge Mask from?

Until late 2016, all our masks were assembled in the U.K. however from 2017 we opened a Chinese facility to be closer to the majority of our customers and facilitate our rapid expansion. We now run with production in UK, Indonesia and China.

Rest assured our production meets the highest of international standards. Our filters are manufactured in the UK and the masks are assembled in Indonesia and China.

Our production facilities meet the following international standards:

ISO 9001:2008

ISO 13485:2003

Who is behind the Cambridge Mask story?

Cambridge Mask Co™ was founded by Christopher Dobbing, a graduate of Cambridge University. After finishing his degree, Christopher moved to China in 2012, where he worked as an education consultant and studied Mandarin. Sadly, many of the talented young people he was working with had developed serious respiratory illnesses. While in Beijing interviewing students for summer programme applications, he would ask “What do you think is the greatest challenge for China in the next decade?” the near universal answer was “air pollution”. Having grown up breathing the pure air of rural England, Christopher found it shocking that many of the children found it ‘normal’ to have a cough and carry an inhaler with them. He believes that no child should have to think like that.

After researching academic publications, health studies, news sources, and historical pollution data he began to realize the scale of the issue, a problem that was claiming the lives of literally millions of people around the world every year. Curiosity turned into a passion, which morphed into an obsession – better air.

From 2013 to 2015 Christopher worked as the China Director for Vogmask, an American brand of pollution mask that he launched and grew into a national brand. In 2015 he left to set up his own business, focusing on his Cambridge roots. Every component of the mask* has been carefully sourced, with quality being at the forefront of every product development decision.

Cambridge Mask Co has grown fast, and now has offices in the UK, Beijing, and Hong Kong and a client list including schools, hospitals, and embassies. In 2016 we gained investment from Y Combinator (YC) via their Fellowship Programme. YC is the incubator behind Dropbox, Airbnb, Stripe, Reddit, and many more. Together with the YC partners, the company is working on exciting technological developments that will change the way we think about clean air.

*there are 14 if you were curious.

When should I renew my Cambridge Mask PRO, NON-VALVE, and BASIC?

Cambridge Mask PRO, NON-VALVE, and BASIC‚ are non-disposable, meaning that the length of time they are suitable for depends on how polluted the environment is when you use it. Once the mask is past its useful life a new mask is needed.

Cambridge Mask PRO and NON-VALVE

You can use the PRO and NON-VALVE masks for potentially 340 hours of active use, or 6 months of daily use during a commute or other activity. A general guideline is that you can use the masks on a regular basis for 3-6 months before it needs replacing.

The table provided explains in more detail.

Cambridge Mask BASIC

You can use the Basic mask for potentially 90 hours of active use, or 3 months of daily use during a commute or other activity.

Why choose Cambridge Mask over other pollution masks?

Our Inner filter on Cambridge Mask Pro is made from a 100% pure activated carbon cloth, which was originally invented by the UK Ministry of Defence. It was then extensively developed and made into a product for use in chemical, biological, and nuclear warfare protection.

All activated carbons - traditionally powders and granules - generate "Van der Waal" forces due to their porous structure. These forces give activated carbons their unique potential to adsorb gaseous molecules, including anions and cations into their internal pores.

The filter material is comprised of a series of activated carbon filaments, each about 2,000 nanometers in diameter. Each filament is many times smaller than the typical grain size in standard carbon materials, making the rate of adsorption of pollutant gas much faster and therefore more powerful.

It also means that the bacteria and viruses are drawn to the filament surface much more efficiently because there is so much more available surface than in a granular carbon.