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The anti-smog running mask is a useful gadget among people who actively play sports, e.g. run, and at the same time care about their he alth. The anti-smog mask prevents inhalation of air pollutants during training. A running mask in winter is especially essential as smog worsens at this time of year due to the heating of houses and frequent windless weather. Check what else the anti-smog mask offers, what elements it is made of and how to choose the best one.

Anti-smog mask for runningis one of the gadgets that enthusiasts of this physical activity should stock up on, especially if they run in winter. There are many benefits to having a mask, especially the he alth ones.

The anti-smog running mask is actually a half-mask that covers the nose, mouth and chin. It was created as a response to the progress of civilization and the fact that people produce more and more pollutants that end up in the atmosphere. Smog is formed from them. If it persists for a long time in a given area, it can lead to serious respiratory diseases.

The most exposed to smog are pregnant women, children, the elderly, allergy sufferers, asthmatics, as well as people practicing outdoor sports. During physical exertion, oxygen uptake is increased, so more harmful substances enter the lungs of runners, cyclists and people who practice Nordic walking.

In 2016, WHO published a study, the results of which may be worrying - out of the 50 most polluted cities in the European Union as many as 33 of them are located in our country.

The undesirable effects of smog include :

  • shortness of breath
  • tearing
  • headaches
  • skin irritations
  • lung failure
  • cancer
  • Zawały
  • wylewy

These symptoms can be prevented - the running mask stops up to 99% of inhaling dust, exhaust gases, microplastics (PM) and some toxic gases during training. Such masks also stop inhalation allergens and pathogenic microorganisms.

You can check the air quality in Poland on the government website of the Chief Inspectorate for Environmental Protection gios.gov.pl

Running mask - what is it made of?

An anti-smog mask may havea classic form that covers only the mouth and nose. It can also be extended around the neck to additionally protect the throat from low temperatures, e.g. in winter.

What elements to consider when choosing a running mask?

  • Size- the mask will do its job, only it will fit well. It's best to try the mask on before you buy it and check that it does not stick out anywhere and does not slip off when you move your head. You'll finally be using it on the move.
  • External material- is the most important issue when choosing an anti-smog mask. It has to be flexible to easily fit your face. An example of the material used in the production of anti-smog masks is neoprene. It is relatively thick and durable. Stretch is slightly less durable, but because it is thinner, it is easier to breathe through. When buying an anti-smog mask, it is worth paying attention to the so-called flat mask seams. The material combined by pressing will avoid abrasions and irritation in the case of sensitive skin.
  • Air openings- their specification varies depending on the model and brand that produces dust masks. However, they should always fulfill the same function - to ensure free air flow during training.
  • Regulator, the so-called nose- this is an element that is located around the nose and is mounted so that the mask is 100% tight, especially around the nostrils, where its perfect profiling is significantly difficult even despite the selection of the right size. The toe can be either rigid (metal) or flexible (plastic). The former must be manually bent so that the mask can fit tightly, and the latter adjusts itself.
  • Velcro- to fasten the mask around the head, allowing you to adjust its tension and adjust it to different sizes of heads.
  • Shell, the so-called shell.This is a deliberately profiled part. It should fit the runner's mouth and face. Its dimensions depend on the individual size of the mask, which is selected on the basis of weight and height.
  • Inspiration opening- its primary function is to allow air to be drawn in while removing water vapor, carbon dioxide and heat to ensure even more comfort during training.
  • Filter- this one may consist of e.g. a particulate filter and an activated carbon coating. It is a blockade against inhaling mites, dust, pollutants in the form of smog and many other allergens and harmful substances.
  • Reflection- this is an element that affects more aesthetics and safety thancomfort of use. It is often overlooked when buying, even though it is quite essential. Especially the running mask in winter, when it gets dark very quickly outside, should be equipped with a reflector. First of all, it improves the visibility of a running person in the street and reduces the risk of accidents. This detail may significantly affect our safety.
Anti-smog mask - what do the abbreviations on the packaging mean?

CE - the product meets the technical and legal requirements (do not buy masks without this marking!) FFP1 / FFP2? FFP3 - filter class (see below: Smog mask filters - types) R / NR - disposable half mask to be used for a maximum of 8 hours D - dust mask (this will work, for example, during renovation at home)

Filters in the anti-smog mask - types

The usefulness of the mask mainly depends on the filters. What are the types of filters:

  • carbon- stops 99.9% of pollutants with a size of 0.1 μm and larger, and therefore filters PM10 and PM2.5 dusts present in smog, retains exhaust gases and tobacco smoke.
  • HEPA- absorbs pollutants with a size of 0.3 μm to 2.5 μm, which means that it captures up to 97% of PM10 and PM2.5 dust. Compared to coal dust, up to 40% more air passes through it, which facilitates breathing, but does not absorb gases.

There are also 2-in-1 filters that combine both. Both types of filters also trap allergens and germs, but carbon filters work better here (e.g. wearing a charcoal mask can lower the risk of catching the flu by around 80%).

When buying an anti-smog mask, it is worth having an adequate supply of filters.

The action of filters in the mask has a certain duration. The manufacturers of anti-smog masks most often recommend replacing the filters after 50 hours of use. It happens that the recommendation is for 30 or 60 days. However, this is a very individual matter, because it should first of all depend on how often a particular person runs using a mask and how polluted the air is in the place where the given physical activity is performed.

The filter in anti-smog masks should be replaced first of all when you notice that the amount of air that is passed during training has decreased, and thus you clearly feel an increase in breathing resistance during exercise. Filters also often change their color from white to light gray, and sometimes even black. This one can also be a signal for the user that it is time to replace the filter in the anti-smog mask.

Worth knowing

Smogis a wordcoming from the English language, which is a combination of two words: smoke and fog. It is an unnatural atmospheric phenomenon that manifests itself visibly with polluted air as a result of human activity, e.g. increased driving in a given area (SO2, NO2) or by heating houses in winter (CO2). This pollution is similar to tobacco smoke. Fog and windless weather contribute to the visibility of smog. Its composition consists of various types of dust (PM 2.5 and PM 10) and chemical compounds, incl. benzoapiren, nitrogen dioxide, tropospheric ozone, etc.

The most polluted cities in Poland are: Żywiec, Opoczno, Godów, Kraków, Skawina, Gliwice, Pszczyna, Zabrze, Wodzisław Śląski, Sucha Beskidzka, Rybnik, Nowy Sącz, Zakopane, Katowice.

READ MORE ABOUT SMOG

Anti-smog mask - certificates

European Union standards divide masks into classes. This division results from the following parameters: permeability of impurities, breathing resistance, degree of leakage (air leakage caused by incomplete adhesion of the mask).

FFP1 - filtration from 80% volatile particles FFP2 - filtration from 94% volatile particles FFP3 filtration from 99% volatile particles Masks of American manufacturers are marked: N for anti-smog and P for anti-dust. N95 - stops from 95% volatile particles N99 - from 99% N100 - from 99.95%

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Prices for running masks

There are many different types of running masks on the market and, as you can read in their descriptions, they are created for specific activities. There are masks for endurance training in the field, walking, but also special ones - e.g. for sprint runs.

The price range of anti-smog masks is very large. The cheapest model can be purchased for around PLN 15. However, often masks from the low price category do not have the option of replacing the filters or it is difficult to find suitable replacement models for them. You can also buy anti-smog masks for about PLN 50. The most expensive models are the equivalent of about PLN 300 and for the latter, the manufacturer usually offers a several-year warranty and provides information on where you can easily buy replacement filters. Such masks are solidly made and are mainly used by people who train regularly. They are also suitable for personal training.

Disadvantages of the anti-smog mask

The running mask has a few disadvantages that should be kept in mind. There is a group of people who may be disturbed by the heat in their face while running, which is the result of close contact with the material of the running mask. Even the most expensive models are not able to eliminate this feeling one hundred percent. If we useat the same time, winter running masks and corrective glasses or goggles, it may happen that the lenses fog up, obstructing visibility.

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