pollution mask

[Sudarshan Iyengar]

Hi,

I came across this company (www.chlorosoul.com) which makes pollution masks. I called them up and they said it costs 150/- and is available in bangalore at BOTS as of now.

Has anyone tried this? 

I plan to buy it soon, will post a review after using it for a couple of days.

Regards,

Sudarshan

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[Pradeep B V]

I got this from BOTS yesterday and have used it for my morning commute to office.

Initial impressions:

1. It does cut out the pollution caused by traffic significantly. Could feel the difference on heavy traffic roads like JC road. :-)

2. It fogs up my spectacles as the air that I exhale leaks out, so had to ride without my spectacles. :-(

Will use it for a couple of weeks and get back with a review.

- p

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[manasij ganguli]

I have used it for last 6 months and it cuts out the dust and the dreaded diesel fumes magnificently.
I know the guy who makes these in Delhi and he is using high quality activated carbon filters for best results.
For cutting out the fogging experience, use the nose clip to shape as per your nose's contours and the problem would be gone.
The best part is it is great value for money product (at Rs. 150) and it is washable making it a practical thing :-)
In fact, I saw the ultra marathoners use it in the world's highest ultra marathon in Ladakh this summer.

-Manasij

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[Pradeep Banavara]

A review will be helpful Sudarshan. Even I intend to buy a mask for
city rides.

-pradeep

[Chidambaran Subramanian]

I don't use one, but for 150 bucks would not mind trying it:)

Chiddu

[kawalje...@gmail.com]

Hi chiddu
Reproducing my exchange of mails with a gentleman from clorosul. Wanted to order there but didn't. Follow up. Would like to do so now
@rohan pls let know if possible to courier them
Thanks
Kawal

Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel

---

From: Chidambaran Subramanian <chi...@gmail.com>

Sender: bangalor...@googlegroups.com

Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2011 22:31:25 +0530

To: Pradeep Banavara<prad...@gmail.com>

Cc: Bangalore Bikers Club<bangalor...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: [BBC] Re: pollution mask

[Chlorosoul]

Hi all,

There is a introductory free shipping offer in Bangalore through BOTS.

Anyone interested can directly get in touch with Rohan.

Thx
Raghavendra

On Jan 4, 11:28 pm, kawaljeetdug...@gmail.com wrote:
> Hi chiddu
> Reproducing my exchange of mails with a gentleman from clorosul. Wanted to order there but didn't. Follow up. Would like to do so now
> @rohan pls let know if possible to courier them
> Thanks
> Kawal
> Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel
>

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chidambaran Subramanian <chi...@gmail.com>
>
> Sender: bangalor...@googlegroups.com
> Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2011 22:31:25

> To: Pradeep Banavara<pradee...@gmail.com>

> Cc: Bangalore Bikers Club<bangalor...@googlegroups.com>
> Subject: Re: [BBC] Re: pollution mask
>
> I don't use one, but for 150 bucks would not mind trying it:)
>
> Chiddu
>

> > Visitwww.bangalorebicyclechampionships.comfor more details

[Pradeep B V]

On Tue, Jan 4, 2011 at 3:34 PM, manasij ganguli <manasij...@gmail.com> wrote:

For cutting out the fogging experience, use the nose clip to shape as per your nose's contours and the problem would be gone.

Thanks this helped. Have been riding with the mask and the spectacles without much issues now.  

[Arvind]

Any idea how long do these filters last? Do they have replacable
filters or does the entire mask need to be replaced?
Trying to compare them with the Totobobo filters that last for about
3-4 weeks.

Best regards
Arvind

On Jan 6, 11:13 am, Pradeep B V <pradee...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Tue, Jan 4, 2011 at 3:34 PM, manasij ganguli

> <manasij.gang...@gmail.com>wrote:

[Arvind]

Alright, just saw this link (http://www.chlorosoul.com/Why-Respra.php)
which says that the filters can be made use for upto 4 months.
It would help if someone could compare the Totobobo masks with these.

Best regards
Arvind

> > without much issues now.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[alphazed1]

i bought these some 2 weeks back from BOTS and they are very good..
you can actually breathe with your full capacity without feeling the
pang of polluted fumes.. works very well.. really good..

[kawalje...@gmail.com]

Hello
Would like to order 2 pcs
How to go about payments?

[Chlorosoul]

Hi Arvind,

Respra masks are usable/washable uptill 4 months.

Testing showed the filter were able to capture pollutants even after
30-35 washes. We recommend you wash your Respra face wear once a week
depending on the exposure.

Respra facewear is tested by The Central Labour Institute, Gov of
India www.dgfasli.nic.in/welcome.html

Regards
Raghavendra

On Jan 6, 1:33 pm, Arvind <ramanarv...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Chlorosoul]

Hi Sumit,

Glad to know you like the product !!

Its an honest product with high quality filters which allows us to
protect our selves from toxic fumes in a cost effective manner. After
all air is the most widely used element by the body.

Protection against air pollution is not expensive just the awareness
needs to spread more.

Hope more people use & find Respra useful.

regards

Raghavendra

[Soumen Basak]

I have been regularly using the Respra masks for 5 months. Had
participated in the mask comparison (between totobobo and respra) that
Rohan had initiated. My feedback then is outlined below. After that I
have used only the Respra mask. After 5 months of use I feel it has
lost much of the Activated carbon adsorbtion capabilities. Need to
pick a new one up soon. Still it makes a lot of difference than not
using it.
_________________________________

My feedback to Rohan
_________________________________

Hi Rohan

I have not been able to use the masks extensively as I was very busy
with a release (staying back at office overnight) and I didnt commute
to work too much since we met. I have used the Respra mask for 4 days
(150kms) and Totobobo for 1 day (40kms). Some points I noted. With
either, it makes a huge difference and am certainly not riding without
masks in the city traffic.

Particle filtering:
- both seem on par with no particles being felt in breathing, even
though my eyes could visibly feel the pain at times. The totobobo
being white looks dirtier after use though not much

Gas filtering:
- The Respra one seems visibly better. I was able to smell the exhaust
gases in totobobo but it was almost non existent in the Respra. A big
thumbs up for it

Breathing efficiency:
- The Respra one offers more resistance though not significantly more.
As it tends to stick to the mouth while inhaling it picks up some
saliva and becomes wet under heavy breathing and that increases its
resistance. Certainly not usable for races or heavier workouts.
- The Respra one seemed better fitting as it sticks to you nose and
mouth while inhaling. Also the cloth takes the shape of your face
better.

Comfort:
- I felt more comfortable with the cotton cloth of Respra than the
plastic of totobobo, though not a big difference.
- Respra one is easier to put on and take off. The totobobo one has to
be adjusted every time one takes it off.
- While exhaling deeply the totobobo one expels air into ones eyes. I
tried to readjust to get rid of it but somehow couldn't. Maybe it fits
my face in a particular way.

Other factors
- Initial and running cost of Respra should be significantly less.
- The Totobobo one makes one look like an alien :)

As you would have figured I liked the Respra one more. Primarily
because of its ACC filter. Was really impressed that even when
smothered with a cloud of black bus exhaust (which is not uncommon) I
didn't smell anything almost all the times.

______________________________________

On Jan 6, 1:39 pm, Arvind <ramanarv...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Chlorosoul]

Dear Soumen,

Glad to know you like the product and thanks for posting the detailed
feedback.

Just to add one more point, which you would have already noticed:

Respra facewear is more economical than any other product available in
its category i.e with Activated Carbon Cloth and 99% filter-ability
dust filters.

Respra, priced at Rs150/usable till 4 months, effectively costs you a
little over Re 1 a day, when compared to Rs 800 for totobobo and every
week filter change.

regards

Raghavendra

[uday...@gmail.com]

Hi Raghavendra,

Where can I get the mask?

Thanks,
Uday

Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel

-----Original Message-----
From: Chlorosoul <raghu.s...@gmail.com>
Sender: bangalor...@googlegroups.com
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2011 04:03:17
To: Bangalore Bikers Club<bangalor...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [BBC] Re: pollution mask

[Harish G]

Hi All.

I have tried pollution masks like Respra(125 Rs), Novasoft (60rs) and
Johnson(60rs) from over 3 months, but found that they were not so
comfortable with respect to breathing. In Respra, breathing was
difficult after few minutes of the ride. In other brands, when I
exhale, it used to fog my spectacles/goggles and reduce the vision.

Last week, I got one pollution mask whose name is NeoMask which I
order through www.ebay.in and I paid 595Rs. This one seems to be too
good and of very good quality. All the problems which I faced earlier
in other masks (difficulty in breathing and fog formation on
spectacles) are resolved with this. This mask is really comfortable.
This is also washable and the filter lasts for 3 to 4 months. The
link for this is:

http://www.ebay.in/itm/NeoMask-Anti-Air-Pollution-Zorflex-Face-Mask-BLACK-/160679429153?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_203&hash=item25693d8421

If anyone had purchased this mask in bangalore for cheaper rates,
please let me know.

Regards,
harish.

> > participated in themaskcomparison (between totobobo and respra) that

> > Rohan had initiated. My feedback then is outlined below. After that I

> > have used only the Respramask. After 5 months of use I feel it has

> > lost much of the Activated carbon adsorbtion capabilities. Need to
> > pick a new one up soon. Still it makes a lot of difference than not
> > using it.
> >_________________________________
>
> > My feedback to Rohan
> >_________________________________
>
> > Hi Rohan
>
> > I have not been able to use the masks extensively as I was very busy
> > with a release (staying back at office overnight) and I didnt commute

> > to work too much since we met. I have used the Respramaskfor 4 days

> Visitwww.bangalorebicyclechampionships.comfor more details- Hide quoted text -

[Ravishankar Balasubramanya]

I have been using the Respra for couple of weeks now .Its
comfortable to wear and seems to works quite fine. Ordered it through
Huddle N Deal and received it through courier 3-4 days later . The
only issue i face is that it fogs my riding glasses but I will try to
adjust the nose clip to fit better.

Other Masks used : The one approved by IISc and the standard Green
Ones that Traffic Police Use. The IIsc mask[ I forgot the actual name
] was not very comfortable and the traffic police mask was not very
effective . The Respra is certainly better than both and it does not
cost too much either.

Buff Bandana , Reflective Clothing , Pollution Mask , Gloves ,Riding
Glasses , change of clothes in a Backpack, all these make me look like
a alien instead of a normal commuter. How I wish I could cycle
without any of these in just normal work clothes ... Once all the
flyovers are built and Metro work is complete I hope I can again go
back to commuting without looking like a alien .. wishful thinking ..

Ravi

> Visit www.bangalorebicyclechampionships.com for more details

--
Cheers,
Ravi

[Lochan Baratakke]

I've used three Respra masks for over a year now and I commute ~13Ks to work through some pretty thick traffic everyday. I recently made a switch to using a Repro Techno mask and I can safely vouch that they're both a world apart.

While the Respra masks are relatively cheap and fit great, I'm not sure they're really meant for an activity like cycling. I say this for a simple reason. Although these masks do a pretty good job of filtering particulate and dissolved matter, they do so at the cost of being hard to breathe through. It is probably best suited to a commuter on a motorized two-wheeler who doesn't (need to) breathe heavy. But breathing heavily is precisely what you do when you cycle (most of us do anyway) and there's no changing that. This not only makes your riding more difficult, but also leaves you getting your mask off occasionally to get a gulp of air when you run short of breath. 

If you cycle, you also know how sweaty you get. And the Respras, though they can be washed can get really stinky from the sweat that they absorb and need frequent washing.

Yes of course the Respras are easy on your wallet compared to the Totobobos and the Respros, but if you're okay with giving your lungs a hard time, okay with temporarily breathing through stench of your own making and cycling less efficiently - you could stick to the Respras.

So far (about a month), the Respro Techno has been great and worth the buck IMO. It doesn't pull on your ears like the Respra does and stays put with easy velcro fastening on your nape. I got it from a colleague returning from the UK at 2300 bucks including the filter. I haven't had the need to replace the filter yet or give it a wash - and it isn't stinky. A pairs of filters for the Techno are available at ~1700 bucks at BOTS, I think.