Commuting Gear: Pollution Mask

[Emett]

I always thought it was funny about masks outside in the "fresh" air.   But, sometimes, a little filter might be nice.  Maybe I'd like a little thing to keep in a pocket or bicycle pouch...

Don't breathe in toxic fumes, but a mask can help with known particulate caused risks to your health.  Bad city air might be pretty dang bad for you.  In the studies about smog particulates versus exercise, it turns out that starting exercising is good for you, but then how long you are in the bad air, the exposure time, will determine if that is true in the long run.  Worse air, less time before break even.  There's a bit of a gap between break-even and actually killing you, but in pollution like full-on worst-ever, you just should not breath it, especially extra  deep and hard due to exercise.  That study was just about particulates, the rest  of the world of pollutants and their health risks are , haha, up in the air. 

https://www.quora.com/How-do-people-in-Beijing-exercise-with-such-b... ?

Smart Air founder, Thomas Talhelm,

answered so fantastically!  I don't have any personal experiences to relate.    

His fact about masks are great.  Valves for exhaling would be recommend, if you need one.