Selecting the Best Smog Mask for China

Tired of filling your lungs with dust and chemicals? Get a mask that will handle both of these pollutants and keep you safe.

The recent blanket of haze that has covered Shanghai in early November 2013 has been a great (though very unpleasant) reminder that the air in many parts of China is nearly unbreathable for at least part of the year. This pollution also sent locals and seasoned expats alike on a mad search for a dust or particulate mask, known locally as a koutao, in an effort to filter out dust and grime before allowing that air into our lungs.

The  fact that the smog came rolling in right at the beginning of cold season didn’t help either, as it made everyone’s immune system work overtime with very little oxygen, and has left most of us a watery-eyed, hacking, scratchy-throated mess. But, for those of us who have called China our home away from home for several years now, at least we know that Shanghai should be back to its (reasonably) clean self soon. All we need is some good wind and a couple of rainy days.

Still, the recent pollution left this longtime expat and somewhat experienced Sino-phile wondering, “Why don’t I wear a mask when the air quality particulate index is in the hundreds?” Surely my past experience both living in Asia and having worked in hazardous and dirty environments in the years prior should make me both aware of (and more than just a little susceptible to) the effects of letting volatile organic compounds into one’s lungs.

What Is Smog?

Smog is not dust. The word “smog” is defined as smoke mixed with fog (linguistically it’s a portmanteau, combining half of each word to form a new word; very useful for trivia night). But in reality this is an inaccurate definition because the brown, grey, white or yellow-ish haze that hangs over most cities is actually a mixture of chemicals and compounds (most of them toxic, by the way) that are found in manufacturing and automobile exhausts, and there are lots of compounds that are invisible in there, too. Most of these pollutants are what are known as hydrocarbons or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). And while the exact mix varies for every city and season, the only thing the average person needs to know is that the less of them you breathe in the better.

So, What Kind of Mask Should You Buy?

Anyone who has ever done any woodworking often thinks of the old white paper dust mask with the elastic string that goes around the back of the head to keep the dust out of their nose. For the occasional user doing a little home repair these masks are better than nothing…barely. But remember these are only for non-toxic dust particles, not chemicals, and therefore are not for smog protection use.

Since the first SARS scare back in 1995, paper or cotton-gauze face masks have been widely available in drug stores, pharmacies, department stores and corner shops throughout China, and basically they look like surgical masks common in the movies. These are not for filtering smog, but instead are sold to be worn by cold sufferers to protect others from their germs.

The reason why they are not for smog is simple: other than filtering out some dust particles, which is slightly useful, they do not contain any active charcoal that absorbs the harmful chemicals before they can be breathed in.

Active Charcoal Is Crucial

Active charcoal is the most common desiccate used for absorbing VOCs and hydrocarbons, and is the industry standard for industrial workers and firefighters who are exposed to huge amounts of air-borne toxins. In household use it is often sold in small tubs to absorb foul odors in shoe closets, and it is non-toxic and completely safe. Active charcoal can even to be eaten, though it is not very tasty.

This is not to say that the average person needs to buy a full-face charcoal cartridge-style respirator just to walk down the street, but simply wearing a paper or cloth face mask may actually be doing more harm than good. Here’s why.

For starters, paper masks only filter out dust but allow the smaller chemical compounds to enter the lungs relatively freely. Then, when the wearer exhales a portion of the VOC-laden air stays in front of the nose and mouth and gets re-breathed back in again with the next breath.

This can happen over and over, building up a very high concentration of toxins directly in front of the wearer’s face, lungs, and blood stream. Eventually, the wearer will get fatigued or headachy and remove the mask for a few breaths of fresh air, but in reality they would be better off not wearing a non-charcoal filtering mask.

Charcoal Filter Masks 

Brands such as 3M and Honeycomb make affordable, activated charcoal filter masks that can be worn relatively comfortably when the smog level is high. Just remember: they are for your health, not fashion.

In China, these types of products can be purchased at home repair centers such as B&Q which stock international products, or they can be found on Taobao. Just be sure to thoroughly look the product over for any signs that it may be a fake, such as misspelled words on the packaging or poor manufacturing, since fake products likely won’t contain real active charcoal crystals.

Otherwise, many expats pick up active charcoal masks when they return home for a visit or travel abroad - again,  just to be sure you are getting genuine, quality merchandise.

Keep It Working Longer

The thing to remember about activated charcoal is that as long as it is exposed to air it will keep absorbing chemicals, even when the mask is not being worn. So to get the most life out of a mask, it should be stored in an air-tight container, such as a plastic food storage box or zip-top style plastic sandwich bag. This means you will get the maximum number of hours of use before the mask needs to be replaced.

With these tips, the next time we face a big smog alert you will be able to breathe easily with your trusty charcoal smog mask.

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