June 07, 2024

What are Air Pollutants?

Please note that Cambridge Mask is not intended for use in industrial settings and should not be used to filter chemicals or solvents in a workplace. Please consult a personal protective equipment specialist for information on the workplace use of masks.

Cambridge Mask PRO is independently tested by Nelson Labs, USA. Please find our test results here.

Attached are the usage guidelines which give the recommended number of hours of use before the mask would need replacing. These guidelines are based on the use of the mask to protect against pollution. The AQI (air quality index) in Blackpool tends to be in the good or moderately unhealthy range and hence the mask should be replaced after it has been worn for 340 hours. You can find the AQI in your local area by doing a simple internet search.

This article covers the following topics:

Fumes - Burning tires & Oil Fumes

There is no discernible smell when wearing a Cambridge Mask. Any fumes that can be detected whilst wearing it would indicate that the seal around the mask was not close enough to your face, or that the chemicals in the atmosphere are smaller than can be blocked by the mask.

Oils can be made from a wide range of different chemicals, some more toxic than others. Most smoke will be made of a mix of gasses and solids. The masks filter solid particulates down to a size of PM0.3, meaning most emissions from diesel, forest fire, and other smokes will be filtered.

Gas-based pollution such as VOCs is produced from petrol/gasoline burning, some factory emissions, and other burning processes. The carbon absorbs gasses, making the masks effective for cyclists and other people exposed to road-based pollution.

Cigarette Smoke

Cigarette smoke has  nanoparticles in the range of 0.1 to 1.0 micron (average diameter). The total deposition fraction for the entire respiratory tract was 0.613 for the mainstream cigarette smoke. In tests, the Cambridge mask was shown to block >99% of particles of size 0.3 microns and up. Based on this the Cambridge Mask is likely to block your exposure to cigarette smoke.

In addition, oils can be made from a wide range of different chemicals, some more toxic than others. Most smoke will be made of a mix of gasses and solids. The masks filter solid particulates down to a size of PM0.3, meaning most emissions from diesel, forest fire, and other smokes will be filtered.

VOCs

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands.

Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products. Paints, varnishes, and wax all contain organic solvents, as do many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing, and hobby products. Fuels are made up of organic chemicals. All of these products can release organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are stored (source https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality)

The viruses, bacteria, and gas pollution such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Ozone, Benzathine, and Formaldehyde will be filtered by Cambridge Masks. However, the user must ensure a proper fit to ensure correct filtration

Paint

Although emissions from paints and coatings are highest during and immediately after application, they release low levels of toxic emissions into the air for years after application. Some paint-related activities can dramatically increase indoor air concentrations of VOCs. A basic science lesson: paint consists of a resin (or binder), a carrier, and pigments that give the paint its color. Once the paint is applied to a surface, the carrier evaporates, leaving behind the solid coating. The carrier is usually a VOC. (source http://www.thesmartmama.com/cleaning-up-indoor-air-quality-vocs-paint/)

As from our blog information, wearing goggles and a mask is very important to prevent paint particles from ending up in your eyes and lungs. Many standard professional-grade spray paints contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in acetone, xylene, and toluene, which can seriously affect your health. The activated carbon filter we use in the mask allows almost 100% of bacteria, viruses, and gases such as VOCs and formaldehyde to be removed.

The viruses, bacteria, and gas pollution such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Ozone, Benzathine, and Formaldehyde will be filtered by Cambridge Masks. However, the user must ensure a proper fit to ensure correct filtration

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring organic compound. It is mainly used in the production of industrial resins, e.g., for particleboard and coatings, and other more common materials such as fiberboard, plywood, cigarette smoke, fuel-burning appliances, and kerosene space heaters

In view of its widespread use, toxicity, and volatility, formaldehyde poses a significant danger to human health. In 2011, the US National Toxicology Program described formaldehyde as ‘known to be a human carcinogen’. Exposure to elevated levels of this substance should be avoided whenever possible as exposures to high levels of formaldehyde can trigger respiratory irritation such as asthma attacks and general difficulty in breathing.

Wildfire Smoke

Wildfire smoke is composed of carbon dioxide, water vapor, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and other organic chemicals. One of the most harmful components is a particulate matter which ranges in size from 0.4 - 0.7 microns. This is small enough to penetrate the human bloodstream via the lungs and leads to an increased risk of heart disease or strokes which are the leading cause of death from air pollution. There are other harmful gases such as formaldehyde and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) within the smoke.

The Cambridge Mask Pro filters almost 100% of particulate matter down to 0.3 microns in size. Furthermore, the unique filter we use in the mask allows almost 100% of bacteria, viruses, and gases such as VOCs and formaldehyde to be removed.

Please note that Cambridge Masks are not firefighting equipment and should not be used to enter/leave burning buildings or when extinguishing fires. Please seek advice from your local fire department for information about emergency escape masks.

For the general public, the most prominent sources of NO2 are internal combustion engines burning fossil fuels. I believe you are aware that outdoors, NO2 can be a result of traffic from motor vehicles. Indoors, exposure arises from cigarette smoke, butane, and kerosene heaters and stoves.

NO2

Nitrogen dioxide poisoning is an illness resulting from the toxic effect of nitrogen dioxide (NO2). It usually occurs after the inhalation of the gas beyond the threshold limit value.

Nitrogen dioxide is an irritant of the mucous membrane linked with another air pollutant that causes pulmonary diseases such as Obstructive Lung Disease, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

All activated carbons – traditionally powders and granules – have an internal pore structure called micropores. There is a huge surface area on the inside of these pores, which allows a large volume of gas and vapor to be held onto the surface by an attractive force called “Van der Waal” forces. That is why activated carbons are so good for removing noxious gases and vapors such as those found in atmospheric pollution.

Our activated carbon cloth is very special because the filter material is comprised of a series of activated carbon filaments, each about 2,000 nanometers in diameter.

This means that the distance from the outside surface of the filament to those all-important micropores is tiny compared to that of traditional activated carbon granules or powders, meaning that the speed of removal of the noxious gases is much, much faster than in the traditional materials. That means we can have a very thin layer of activated carbon cloth in our masks instead of having to have a thick bed of granular material and still remove the same amount of noxious gas.

We also have another trick up our sleeves, because we coat the activated charcoal cloth with tiny particles of silver, which is a powerful killer of bacteria and viruses so that if any bacteria or virus particles do get through the first two filtering layers, they will be trapped and killed by the activated charcoal cloth, preventing infection.

CO

Carbon Monoxide is emitted from incomplete combustion – for example, faulty gas water boilers in the home. CO may be emitted from vehicle exhaust. CO can be extremely dangerous in confined spaces and has no smell or taste.

The symptoms of over-exposure include dizziness, redness in the face, nausea, and shortness of breath. Cambridge Masks would absorb a limited amount of CO until the filters become saturated, it is best used for cyclists or pedestrians in urban environments to filter emissions from vehicle exhaust.

Buildings with extremely high CO levels should be evacuated and only entered by persons with specialist oxygen masks. Contact your local fire department for information on CO alarms and the symptoms of CO poisoning.

NO

The mask filters Nitrogen Oxide to a certain extent. Nitrogen Oxide is very reactive and bonds to the first thing it gets onto so the mask will be quite effective for small volumes. There should be no situations in which the level of Nitrogen Oxide around you exceeds the level that is being filtered (say from a badly burned home boiler).

Ethyl methacrylate

Poly(ethyl methacrylate) has  nanoparticles in the range of 35-45 μm particle size (average diameter), this is equivalent to 0.035 microns.

In tests, the Cambridge mask was shown to block >99% of particles of size 0.3 microns and up. Unfortunately, based on this the Cambridge Mask is unlikely to block your exposure to ethyl methacrylate.

Proper ventilation is necessary to ensure levels don't exceed air quality standards which will be set nationally. This may include a special ventilation system or ventilation fan. Workers should wear respirators when they are working in areas where ethyl methacrylate concentrations exceed recommended air quality standards and these respirators need to meet the standards set nationally.

Planes - Aerotoxic/Uniform Toxic

We have received feedback from a number of customers who use their Cambridge Mask for air travel and are endorsed by the Aerotoxic Association.

We work with Aerotoxic Team who gives specialist advice to people worried about air flight and exposure. You can find more information on their blog, here http://www.aerotoxicsyndrombook.com/blog

With regard to exactly which pollutants are filtered by the carbon cloth, a general rule of thumb is that chemicals that boil above 65 deg C are easily removed by un-impregnated carbon. Organophosphates are easily removed by filter technology. Silver acts as a catalyst for removing arisen and phosphine as well as filtering viruses and bacteria that may be spread around by fellow passengers on flights.

You may want to consider wearing a #pollutionmask while #flying Dr. Harriet Leyland explains why in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4UvpEF2s6c

For long-haul flights, we would also recommend staying well hydrated with a bottle of water at your side. While this is an important issue, please note the overwhelming majority of flights are considered safe - our CEO fly himself a great deal. He wears the mask a lot on board, although mainly because he doesn't want to catch bugs from the people coughing and sneezing around him! 

Volcanic ash

Volcanic ash is a relatively big particle when compared with fine particles in common air pollution. The Cambridge Mask will provide protection for almost 100% of particulates greater than 0.3 microns in size if sealed correctly. It is best if areas of intense volcanic ash and sulfur dioxides emissions are avoided.

However, I believe you are aware that sulfur particles which could cause diseases, were the main powder of smog. And activated carbon had very adsorption characteristics. It provided that activated carbon could remove sulfur particles from smog air to restrain many anaphylactic diseases.

The activated carbon adsorption method is simple, has no secondary pollution can be very good for adsorption of sulfide in the air (Lin et al. 2015; Peng et al., 2014b, Peng et al., 2015, Sun et al., 2014, Wang et al., 2009) that was beneficial for people’s health.

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

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.

Sawdust/Wood Dust

The Cambridge Mask blocks particles down to size PM0.3 and provides the benefit of blocking most smoke particulates, although these can be of variable size. As such, a well-fitting Cambridge Mask should provide a barrier to protect from inhalation of sawdust.

As a point of reference, we will use human hair which is typically 70 microns (0.07 mm) in diameter. Wood dust covers the range from millimeters down to less than 0.1 microns. The labels PM in the diagram refer to Particulate Matter, so PM10 means particles smaller than 10 microns. (source: http://www.fwwa.org.au/Art005_WoodDust_c1.pdf)

Wood dust particles could cause diseases. However, rest assured as activated carbon has the adsorption characteristics and at the same time can make a high dispersed catalyst load system, and as a reducing agent to participate in the reaction, reduces the reaction temperature (Wang et al., 2009). It could remove wood dust particles from smog air to restrain many anaphylactic diseases (Zhang et al., 2010).

Cambridge Mask 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.

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.

Turpentine

There are likely to be requirements for your national occupational health and safety board around exposure and measures that you must adhere to protect your staff.  

 The Cambridge Mask works by using a three-layer filtration system to block the entry of particulate into the respiratory tract, in addition, it also blocks the entry of bacteria and viruses. It was designed to block particulate pollution.

Proper ventilation is necessary to ensure levels don't exceed air quality standards which will be set nationally. This may include a special ventilation system or ventilation fan. Workers should wear respirators when they are working in areas where turpentine concentrations exceed recommended air quality standards and these respirators need to meet the standards set nationally. Workers should also wear protective clothing, gloves, and safety goggles when working with turpentine.

Glass Particles

The Cambridge Mask filters particulates down to 0.3 microns. Whilst we have no test results for glass particles in particular and cannot guarantee 100% protection.

Glass particles are relatively large particles when compared with some forms of particulate pollution and we are confident the Cambridge Mask will offer good protection against this.

Silica Gel

The size of silica particles retained in the human lung is remarkably constant, with median diameters ranging from 0.5 to 0.7 micron. Respirable silica dust may be invisible to the naked eye and is so light that it can remain airborne for a long time. It can thus travel long distances in the air and so affect populations not otherwise considered to be at risk.

The Cambridge Mask works by using a three-layer filtration system to block the entry of particulate into the respiratory tract, in addition, it also blocks the entry of bacteria and viruses.

Cyanoacrylate Based Adhesive/Superglue

Cyanoacrylate has nanoparticles in the range of 100–200 nm (average diameter), this is equivalent to 0.1 microns. The health concerns around exposure to cyanoacrylate include eye and respiratory tract irritation. The inhalation of vapor may cause asthmatic reactions. in addition, it sticks very well to the skin. 

In tests, the Cambridge mask was shown to block >99% of particles of size 0.3 microns and up. Based on this the Cambridge Mask is unlikely to block your exposure to cyanoacrylate. In addition, simple measures can be used to reduce the risk of exposure, these include maintaining higher levels of humidity, optimizing room ventilation, and using special air conditioning filters in the working environment. Only use glues and solvents in a well-ventilated area.

Acetone

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), also known as idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEI), is a disputed chronic condition characterized by symptoms that, I believe you are aware the affected person attributes to low-level exposures to commonly used chemicals.

Common chemical triggers in MCS:

Personal Care Products & Cosmetics - which equally important contributors to indoor air pollution are the many personal cares and cosmetic products that fill bathroom cabinets etc. The added danger with many of these, such as hairspray and deodorant, is that we carry the chemicals around with us all day on our bodies. Some of the common chemicals found in such products include cocamide DEA (detergent in most shampoos, moisturizers, and more), propylene glycol (in deodorant, shampoos, shaving gels, moisturizers, and more), sodium lauryl sulfate (detergents- in shampoos, toothpaste, more), acetone (nail varnish remover) and benzaldehyde (hairspray, deodorant, shaving foam, shampoo, bar soap and more).
Even new carpet - as most new carpets contain a cocktail of volatile organic compounds (VOC's) as ingredients in glues, backing materials, flame retardants, dyes, etc. These include many of the chemicals we are now familiar with, such as acetone, toluene, xylene, formaldehyde, and benzene derivatives. When the carpet is new these chemicals are "off-gas" over a period of around 6 months to 2 years, polluting the air in the home.

Symptoms are typically vague and non-specific. MCS is a complex condition and is not currently well understood. What is currently recognized as MCS may be a variety of different problems with different underlying causes. Cambridge Masks work by virtue of trapping small particles. This trapping occurs by size (it has been shown to block >99% of particles of size 0.3 microns and up), and also by the chemical charge. Depending on which chemicals are causing sensitivity problems a mask may block them and reduce the associated symptoms, without specific information it is difficult to be more definite than this. If you check our Amazon reviews there are many comments from MCS sufferers saying how much the mask has helped them

“Use this for chemical sensitivities due to a chronic illness. I've tested it a few times and it really seems to work. I don't get the symptoms I did without it.”

“These masks work for my chemical sensitivities 99% of the time. I'm very grateful.”

Chlorine

Cambridge mask does filter chlorine. It should be noted that our masks are a consumer product, suitable for protecting against sensitivity to chlorine, and for small projects. They are not for industrial use or for working with chlorine on a full-time basis, or in a lab setting.

Have more questions? Please contact us by email at info@cambridgemask.com or Chat button on our sites to connect with our Customer Service Team.