Anti-Pollution masks for a toddler - any suggestions?

Moomat

Hi,

I travel to the centre of Dublin everyday with my 3 year old on the bike. There's lots of congestion, especially from Conygham Road to College Green.

I'm considering getting an anti-pollution mask for both of us as we both had quite a few spells of nasty coughs last winter. Plenty for adults but not a great selection for kids.

Anybody used one on a child or have any suggestions?

magicbastarder

i've never seen (mind you, never looked for) what you're seeking - but i wouldn't sweat it too much; your kid would probably be exposed to a higher level of pollutants sitting in a car.

Moomat

magicbastarder wrote: »

i've never seen (mind you, never looked for) what you're seeking - but i wouldn't sweat it too much; your kid would probably be exposed to a higher level of pollutants sitting in a car.

I know, but I'd still like to reduce his exposure as much as possible.

His mouth is generally in the catching flies position! ðŸ˜

Neck warmer maybe? some are designed to be pulled up and worn over the mouth too but no Idea how effective they'd be vs a proper pollution mask

Be easier to source one of them for a child perhaps.

irishrover99

How about a medical mask from the Pharmacy.My Wife uses one in her Job(she's a Chef) and she gets lots of sinus issues due to the aircon above her head and things like flour and just other ingredients that she uses.
Having also travelled a lot around Asia, i seen that this is what they use to combat pollution.
Easily available as well.

Tabnabs

This kind of thing?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/200064234/washable-medical-face-masks-adult-child

PaddyFagan

Deleted User wrote: »

Neck warmer maybe? some are designed to be pulled up and worn over the mouth too but no Idea how effective they'd be vs a proper pollution mask

Something like this: http://www.buffwear.com/buff-kids-collection ?

noby

I use face masks occasionally at work, but I think I might be hesitant to put something on my 3y/o that has straps around the head. Maybe I'm being over-cautious. Maybe a snood/neck warmer type thing might do the job?

Moomat

Thanks for all the suggestions! As he is only (just turned) 3, the best way to get him to keep it on is novelty value. While some of the neck warmers etc are useful and appealing, they would only keep the flies out and not smaller particles.

The best I have found seem to be these >> https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B072FR373Z/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwcambridgem-21&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B072PVHSYQ&linkId=aed38607e6d4ebe843e89308a1a335d3&th=1 good reviews but they don't have a replaceable filter.

If I do get one, I'll post my thoughts on it!

noby wrote: »

I use face masks occasionally at work, but I think I might be hesitant to put something on my 3y/o that has straps around the head. Maybe I'm being over-cautious. Maybe a snood/neck warmer type thing might do the job?

I know what you mean but I'm sure it will be fine. He usually has a thick knitted neck warmer on anyway.

davo2001

You say you want to reduce your childs risk however you take them on a busy cycle route everyday through dublin city centre? And they are 3 yrs old?

I'd say that they have a greater risk of being injured in an accident (god forbid) then any particles they might pick up.

Moomat

davo2001 wrote: »

You say you want to reduce your childs risk however you take them on a busy cycle route everyday through dublin city centre? And they are 3 yrs old?

I'd say that they have a greater risk of being injured in an accident (god forbid) then any particles they might pick up.

I'm not sure why you feel it is appropriate to question how I treat my son. However, you have, and I will tell you this - he is at no more risk than as if we were walking on the pavement while I hold his hand. We have made this journey for quite some time and never even had a close call. This is not by luck.

Lumen

Putting aside who this is for (to avoid triggering)...

The pollution risk is lower on a bicycle than in a car or walking, for a passenger (for the rider it might be higher because you're breathing in more air).

So it's irrational to use a mask on a bicycle if you don't also wear one in the car and when walking.

Moomat

Lumen wrote: »

Putting aside who this is for (to avoid triggering)...

The pollution risk is lower on a bicycle than in a car or walking, for a passenger (for the rider it might be higher because you're breathing in more air).

So it's irrational to use a mask on a bicycle if you don't also wear one in the car and when walking.

I have heard this argument before and perhaps it is true.

In my case, I have a 3 year old who tends to travel on the bike with his mouth open. In some instances, we are closer to exhaust fumes than being in a vehicle or walking. Maybe that's irrational, like so many of our decisions.

cdaly_

Can you use a quieter route? Apparently pollution levels are much lower in the quieter side streets of a city than the main commuting routes.

minikin

I wonder are there any kids cycle helmets with filtered and vented masks?
Might make them feel like a super hero? 😀

Lusk_Doyle

Face him backwards!

TheChizler

You breathe the same amount whether your mouth is open or not?

Sam Hain

If you are so concerned for your child's welfare, why bring them on a daily commute?

Moomat

cdaly_ wrote: »

Can you use a quieter route? Apparently pollution levels are much lower in the quieter side streets of a city than the main commuting routes.

Yes, I believe proximity makes a huge difference. We do take the scenic route by the Phoenix Park for this very reason but much of the quays are unavoidable, unless I follow the Luas track to Hueston.

minikin wrote: »

I wonder are there any kids cycle helmets with filtered and vented masks?
Might make them feel like a super hero? 😀

Super hero style would definitely work for him!

Lusk_Doyle wrote: »

Face him backwards!

Then I'd have nobody to enthusiastically slap my back as I try to get up the hill in Chapelizod!

TheChizler wrote: »

You breathe the same amount whether your mouth is open or not?

My concern is that he is breathing through his mouth, not the amount.

Moomat

Sam Hain wrote: »

If you are so concerned for your child's welfare, why bring them on a daily commute?

Are you suggesting I'm not concerned for my child's welfare? If so - why?

TheChizler

Moomat wrote: »

My concern is that he is breathing through his mouth, not the amount.

But typical vehicle pollutants are too small to be filtered out by nasal cilia so unless your route is very dusty it's not going to make much of a difference surely?

Unless you're worried about him literally catching flies

Grassey

http://www.buycostumes.com/p/808954/halo-master-chief-full-helmet-for-kids

Sorted!

Moomat

TheChizler wrote: »

But typical vehicle pollutants are too small to be filtered out by nasal cilia so unless your route is very dusty it's not going to make much of a difference surely?

Unless you're worried about him literally catching flies

Yes, literally flies! but that won't be an issue to spring I suppose. It's all the general nastiness that is in the air that I would be concerned about, including dust.

Moomat

Grassey wrote: »

http://www.buycostumes.com/p/808954/halo-master-chief-full-helmet-for-kids

Sorted!

Deadly! I hope they come in both sizes!

TheChizler

Moomat wrote: »

Yes, literally flies! but that won't be an issue to spring I suppose. It's all the general nastiness that is in the air that I would be concerned about, including dust.

Right

I suppose my point is besides the point, any mask you get is going to cover the mouth and nose anyway!

Sam Hain

Moomat wrote: »

Are you suggesting I'm not concerned for my child's welfare? If so - why?

You bring the child on a daily commute that you believe could be detrimental to their health and have done so for quite a while. And rather than make alternative plans regarding the mode of transport or not bring the child at all, you are searching for a mask. I'm sure you are concerned about your child but why not look at other alternatives, surely a city bike commute is dangerous regardless of air pollutants.

BloodBath

Lumen wrote: »

Putting aside who this is for (to avoid triggering)...

The pollution risk is lower on a bicycle than in a car or walking, for a passenger (for the rider it might be higher because you're breathing in more air).

So it's irrational to use a mask on a bicycle if you don't also wear one in the car and when walking.

Nonsense. Cyclists in cities are definitely the ones breathing in the most particles.

Air in a vehicle cabin is already filtered by a far superior filter than a cheap face mask, that stops almost nothing, and you are breathing normally.

Lumen

BloodBath wrote: »

Nonsense. Cyclists in cities are definitely the ones breathing in the most particles.

Correct. However, this is not the case for bicycle passengers.

CramCycle

Sam Hain wrote: »

You bring the child on a daily commute that you believe could be detrimental to their health and have done so for quite a while. And rather than make alternative plans regarding the mode of transport or not bring the child at all, you are searching for a mask. I'm sure you are concerned about your child but why not look at other alternatives, surely a city bike commute is dangerous regardless of air pollutants.

MOD VOICE: Lets just nip this in the bud right here and now before it drags the thread way off point. There is nothing dangerous or illegal in the OPs actions, certainly not in comparison to other forms of transport. We can go into a long line of why this is the case but I am telling you here and now, it won't be in this thread. If you wish to discuss, please PM me. If you really think it is an issue, start a separate thread. Do not respond in thread