It is soon going to be that time of the year again. Sob sob…
Singapore has been affected by severe smoke haze due to forest fires in the region periodically, which increases in effect as dry season approaches, typically in the month of June – August. Haze brings terrible degrees of smoke and pollution with it. The intensity of the haze is measured in terms of PSI and PM2.5. While PSI (Pollution Standards Index) is a scale to interpret overall hazy conditions, PM2.5 indicates the Particulate Matter that is tiny in size 2.5 micrometers in diameter. This particulate matter consists of dust, soot, dirt etc.
In 2013, PSI had reached at 401. Fortunately, that time I was on vacation in India so didn’t really “experienced” it..But it came back again with the same intensity in 2015..Remember it reached hazardous levels of 300-350 and even caused school closures. Singapore endured an unhealthy PSI reading of over 150 that lasted over a month. While we are unable to avoid the haze, we are certainly able to reduce our risk of exposure to air pollutants as such.
The short-term effects of haze includes:
• Irritation or inflammation to eyes, nose and throat.
• Headache and dizziness.
• Decreased lung function, depressed respiratory immune defenses, chest pain.
But how about outdoors? or should we just lock ourselves and remain indoors?
We can of course wear masks when we have to go outdoors for office, for school and for other errands. Which mask to wear?
Now here is the hiccup! I or rather many of us happily use surgical masks and go outdoors in haze. Is this a correct way to combat haze? No, not really…
Then N95 mask? yes, good…but the N95 variety that I tried last year was tight and uncomfortable. Also, for kids small faces, it didn’t suit well…
I discovered this and many other interesting facts about haze and what type of mask I really should wear when I attended AIR+ SMART Mask Blogger’s Family Workshop @ Mint Museum last month.
Mint Museum is an amazing place to be and please wait for my dedicated post on it to know more. 🙂 🙂
It is soon going to be that time of the year again. No more sobbing!!!
What is AIR+ SMART MASK?
The Smart Mask is ergonomically designed with three mask sizes (Small, Medium, Large), nose cushions, and adjustable head straps to achieve a close facial fit for well-sealed protection and maximized comfort. Tested on Asian facial profiles, the Smart Mask can also fit the smaller faces of children as young as 7 years old.
Additionally, our Smart Valve is fitted on the inside of the Smart Mask. The exhalation jets directly open the valve, keeping it open for a longer period than normal valves, for maximum exhalation relief.
The AIR⁺ Smart Mask is tested in accordance to the EN 149:2001+A1:2009 (European) and the N95 NIOSH-approved (American) standards. Under both test standards, the Smart Mask achieved at least 95% filtration efficiency against non-oil based particles, including PM2.5.
This means every AIR⁺ Smart Mask you buy, regardless of size, is a N95 mask.
Which size is suitable for my loved ones and me?
AIR+ Smart Mask is available in 3 sizes – S, M and L
|
Sizes |
Small | Medium | Large |
| Recommended for |
Children from 7 years and older |
Children from 7 years and older |
For Adults |
| Certification | EN149:2001+A1:2009 | EN149:2001+A1:2009 | EN149:2001+A1:2009 |
| Usage duration | Up to 8 hours continuously or intermittently over several days.
Discard when filter medium becomes difficult to breathe through. |
Up to 8 hours continuously or intermittently over several days.
Discard when filter medium becomes difficult to breathe through. |
Up to 8 hours continuously or intermittently over several days. Discard when filter medium becomes difficult to breathe through. |
How to use AIR+ SMART MASK?
What is AIR+ Micro Ventilator?
Now I like this feature a lot because of its uniqueness and due to the benefits it offers. It’s an add-on to the AIR+ Smart Mask.
As you exhale, most respiratory masks trap heat, moisture, and carbon dioxide, and it causes discomfort and breathing difficulties. The increased CO2 levels may also cause altered visual performance, headaches and dizziness, decreased alertness, irritability, and shortness of breath.
The AIR+ Micro Ventilator enhances breathability by expelling the moisture and carbon dioxide build-up within the mask rapidly as you exhale, thus reducing the heat and increased CO2 levels for a cooler comfort.
Designed for daily use, the AIR⁺ Micro Ventilator is rechargeable easily via micro USB.
Big Thank You to AIR+ SMART MASK Blogger’s Family Workshop for giving me so many insights for protecting my loved ones from haze.
In the workshop, Product Engineers demonstrated the mask and answered our queries. There were fun quizzes for kids…My daughter won small prize :D…and later workshop @ Mint Museum for kiddos. Very nicely organized event and very informative!! Here are some fun pics of the workshop exclusively for our readers to view:
[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”12″ gal_title=”AIR Smart Mask”]
So this haze season, my choice is going to be AIR+ SMART MASK for these reasons –
- It filters at least 95% of all non-oil based airborne particles, including harmful air pollution such as PM2.5 particles, haze, volcanic ash and viruses.
- Its design is ergonomic.
- It comes with an add-on in the form of AIR+ Micro Ventilator which makes the mask more breathable and comfortable
How about you?
Been looking for mask options and came across this post. A friend is planning to travel to Beijing and I told her to get masks, based on my own experience. These would suit her fine.
We have already hit a hazy season in the UK with a freak heatwave of the past month. Some of my family struggle so much but they take medication. These masks aren’t really seen in the UK but I guess they are good protection.
Here’s praying that it won’t get so bad this year!! But if so, these masks will definitely be handy 🙂
Ai @ Sakura Haruka
My daughter used the AIR mask during the haze period last year during the haze period and she called the mirco ventilator her mask fan. Innovative design that is definitely more comfortable especially for young kids.
Yeah…hate it when the time of the year is back again with haze. This is definitely a good heads up on getting ourselves prepared before all masks go out of stock 😉
Hope the haze will not fly in so soon this year. Really enjoying my runs and walks nowadays (even when it is hot).
cheers, Andy
(SengkangBabies.com)
This seems like a better option than the typical N95 that we have. Will probably grab some before the haze season hits (again)! Thanks for sharing, Shub 🙂
I still have a stash of N95 masks in my storeroom.. Haha.. When I’ve finished using those, I shall stock my storeroom with these instead!
I hope the haze isn’t as bad again this year. I’ve tried the mask, it’s good that it fits snuggly on my face. However, my kids didn’t like it. The tight straps leave a mark on their faces too.
I am hoping this holiday the haze will not come 🙂 Saw the masks and heard many good reviews about them.. My son got asthma and I think this may be good for him. Keeping my fingers cross for the haze though. 🙂
It is indeed a good mask especially the micro ventilator, i have used it last year and was quite good.
interesting. ive seen people in hong kong wearing surgical masks but this is next level stuff
I think I need that for myself for my allergies. I’m so always congested in the spring and would love to filter out the pollen in the air. 🙂
It’s so great to see people taking precautions against the haze season. The mask will surely come handy and useful to our health. I’d like to suggest the intake of Aloe Vera Gel; which helps to detoxify the body system from all sorts of air pollution from car exhaust fumes, dusty air or wind, etc. Good health should be ensured by all.
The mask is really important especially once air quality dwindles. It can really help filter the air and protect as from contaminants.
What have we come to. First we polluted the water and ended up paying for it. Soon we might end up paying for clean air.
Air pollution, caused by different factors, are really getting worse year in and year out. I’m glad I moved from Manila, where traffic and pollution are often unbearable, to the province where there are fresh air and a slower pace of life. I experienced haze many years back when I was living in Indonesia for a time and forest fires were also frequent. It is good to wear masks and take extra precautions. Better to be safe than sorry.
It is so so pity that the period seems a dangerous health period. The line that got me feel sorry for the people is ‘We can of course wear masks when we have to go outdoors for office, for school and for other errands. Which mask to wear?’
It’s so saddening that you guys get to experience that annually but glad that with this air smart mask, no more problem in facing too much haze. I hope this issue will find its solution in the near future.
Air+Smart Mask looks great! Its ergonomical design provides maximum protection against haze. I am not sure if we have this now in the Philippines. We could use something like this too.
I have not been to Singapore yet since this haze hit. I did not know it was still there up to now. I can imagine the difficulty of those with allergic rhinitis there.
This is definitely alarming especially for parents. I am glad that you found the perfect solution to help protect your kids during this time of the year. I have never experienced something like this before, it’s good to be prepared.
Haha, you are forecasting our hazy season? Haha, this is a good warning before everyone start rushin to buy mask again!