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Health Risks and Mask ApplicationsFace masks are often used for protection from:
Studies have shown that man made ("anthropogenic") air pollutants have caused serious health problems. In most cases, there are no noticeable day to day symptoms, but it builds up in the body. Very small particulate matter causes degradation in the brain. "You are your brain." This can affect the very core of your existence, and that of the people you love. Of course, some people exhibit overt symptoms right away, such as allergies and respiratory ailments. However, we are all getting the same influx in the same environment. Most effects are not obvious immediately, but these particles are entering our bodies and affecting us all to some extent, and adding up over time. Particle sizes within PM 2.5 have been shown to eventually cause problems with the heart, blood circulatory system, lungs, and other organs, thereby degrading health and reducing life expectance and quality of life. Effects include increasing plaque build up in veins, heart and circulatory ailments (cardiovascular), cancers, and organ failures. Lower birth weights have been shown statistically, and some effects may last for a lifetime. Smaller particles are able to cross the blood brain barrier, and interfere with the functioning of the brain. Particles can also apparently travel from the nose and sinuses to the brain via the olfactory (smelling) nerve. Everybody is affected, but the old and the very young are affected even more. The effects on the brain are so serious that we have an entirely separate section on that. Particles of size 100 nanometers = 0.1 micron, PM 0.1, and smaller can pass through cell membranes and do the most damage. Diesel engines create huge numbers of particles around 100 nanometers in size. Current government emission standards are very inadequate at addressing health effects, but there is no solution except banning diesel engines, which is unlikely to happen. It has often been pointed out that the amount of pollution has been measured in terms of mass (weight). However, just one PM 10 radius particle is equal to a million 100 nanometer radius particles (of the same density and if spherical). A better measure should be the number of particles emitted in each range, not the mass quantity. It is clear enough to experts that governments are not adequately addressing the health issues of man made (anthropogenic) particulate pollution, but in today's economy and with all the money politics and revolving doors in the regulatory systems, it may not be politically good for some bureaucrats to push the issue, and a lot of the general consuming public will not care or will choose not to believe some things. As is often the case, you must protect yourself by being informed and not just following the herd mentality. Many studies focus on the increased number of deaths from pollution. Those are not so big. However, there are many levels of degradation of the body which are far short of death but which significantly reduce quality of life, which are more difficult to quantify and report on scientifically. Generally, for the best quality of life, well into old age, you should minimize your exposure to manmade particles, and do so persistently, day to day, month to month, and year to year. This is why we have striven to create the most comfortable face mask, which people are most likely to actually use day after day, and try to provide good quality replaceable filters for them. Studies have shown that man made (anthropogenic) air pollutants "is consistently and independently related to the most serious effects, including lung cancer[9] and other cardiopulmonary mortality."[67] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Particulates#cite_note-67 Cohen, A. J.; Anderson, Ross H.; Ostro, B; Pandey, K. D.; Krzyzanowski, M; Künzli, N; Gutschmidt, K; Pope, A; Romieu, I; Samet, J. M.; Smith, K (2005). "The global burden of disease due to outdoor air pollution". J. Toxicol. Environ. Health Part A. 68 (13-14): 1301-7. doi:10.1080/15287390590936166. PMID 16024504. https://doi.org/10.1080%2F15287390590936166 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PubMed_Identifier https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16024504 Face masks come in various types with various names, such as:
Our emphasis is on "pollution masks". Nonetheless, pollution masks against ultrafine particles also capture larger dust and pathogens.
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