Air pollution is a huge cause of concern in China. The country suffers the world's heaviest PM2.5 pollution, which is the direct result of its reliance on fossil fuels and inadequate environmental regulation. China is the world's largest carbon emitter and energy consumer and burns nearly as much as the rest of the world combined.

You have probably heard the term PM2.5—particles that are less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (around 1/30 the average width of human hair). These particles are so fine that they can enter the bloodstream and cause all sorts of health complications. Research has shown that exposure to PM2.5 particles increases the likelihood of cancer, strokes, foetal damage and causes many respiratory illnesses.

Particulate respirators, or ‘facemasks’, are a great way of protecting yourself from the harmful effects of air pollution. These masks filter out pollutants in the air including contaminants such as dust, fumes, and microbial agents such as tuberculosis, bacteria and the flu virus. Don't be tempted to simply cover your mouth with scarves, handkerchiefs, surgical masks, or tissues as these will not protect your lungs from PM2.5 particles.

Photo: Esparta Palma

Understanding the filter classifications

Nelson Labs, an independent testing center in the USA, has created three classifications of filter standards for facemasks: N95, N99 and N100. N95 masks are certified to filter greater than or equal to 95% of all challenged particles free of oil and greater than 0.3 microns in size. N99 respirators filter greater than or equal to 99%, and N100 respirators filter greater than or equal to 99.97%. Bearing in mind that harmful effects are caused by particles 2.5 microns and smaller, this should give some peace of mind that these masks really do protect against the effects of air pollution.

It's important to know how to correctly put a mask on so make sure to follow the instructions of your mask. Hipsters and hobos take note: masks often fit best on clean shaven skin. When putting on a mask, it is important to ensure that it forms a seal around the face so that the air breathed in has to go through the filter and not through gaps between the mask and the wearer's face.

It is often more difficult to breathe through a mask, so encourage children to take breaks when playing outside. If your child ever complains of feeling dizzy or nauseated when wearing the mask, take them inside, remove their mask and seek medical help. If your child has a heart or lung condition, consult your doctor before using a mask.

Choosing which facemask to buy

When choosing a mask, make sure that it is a “particulate respirator” and has received accreditation from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) or meets the N95, N99 or N100 classifications. Facemasks can be purchased in pharmacies, department stores or online. However, vendors on Taobao have been known to sell fake masks, so be sure to fully question the authenticity before making your purchase. 

Originally developed for industrial applications, 3M produce very reliable single-use masks that cost around 230 RMB for a box of 10. They are also one of the only brands on the Chinese market to be officially certified by NIOSH and are approved to last for a whole day. However, the cost of these soon racks up and disposable masks aren’t exactly environmentally friendly.

Alternatively, there is a range of washable, reusable masks that vary in style and filtering ability. Some fabric masks incorporate the filter, which means that the entire mask needs replacing once the filter has reached the end of its life. Only once it becomes hard to breathe through do you need to buy another, or if the mask becomes distorted in shape and no longer forms a seal.

When shopping for masks, you are bound to come across many claiming to be incredibly effective, filtering over 99% of air pollution. This may be true but these are often determined by a particle challenge test in which microscopic chemicals such as latex are pushed through a sample of the mask's fabric and record what percentage makes it to the other side. However, this is not representative of how effective the mask is when worn. The Singaporean company Totobobo carry out their own 'Fit Tests' in which an actual human being is wearing the mask, and special sensors are attached that measure the filter's efficiency. Totobobo's masks cost around $30 and filters cost $19-28, depending on the filtration standard. The lifespan of the filters varies with the level of contamination, humidity, temperature and your breathing rate. Totobobo have the added advantage of being able to fit children as young as five.

Many companies such as Respro and Vogmask are marketing fashionable facemasks that come in a variety of colours and designs. Until we see significant improvements in the air quality here, these consumer-friendly masks are an essential stop-gap.

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Keywords: Airpocolypse facemasks in China