Masking the capital's air pollution

Earlier this month, a new film by photography artist Faisal Abdu'Allah reminded London of its problems with air pollution.

The film, Double Pendulum, showed how pollution was shortening the lives of those living near the Olympic Park.

London's dirty air results in 4,200 premature deaths every year, at a cost of £2billion. The dangers of air pollution include the respiratory irritation caused by the nitrogen oxides produced by vehicles and heart and lung conditions from long-term exposure to particulate matter (especially PM2.5).

It's something cyclists, who often sit in chugging traffic for more than an hour each day, are acutely aware of. An increasingly popular solution is the cycle mask, which manufacturers claim filters the air before it reaches the cyclist's mouth and nose.

James Grugeon, CEO of Environmental Protection UK, told the Standard that consumers should be careful about relying on masks. "The quality varies. Some will filter out particulate matter, one of the worst forms of pollution. But you've also got nitrous oxides, and I'm not sure how many masks cope with those."

According to Grugeon: "The best way to protect yourself against pollution is to avoid hotspots such as Marylebone Road, Euston Road and Upper Thames Street rather than adopt a sticking plaster solution like masks."

Mike Cavenett from the London Cycling Campaign highlights the problem of ill-fitting masks. "We understand that to get the best out of them they have to be custom-fitted. We're talking about tiny airborne particles. If you have a beard, the particles can get through the gaps in your facial hair, for example. For us, the solution to the pollution problem isn't clothing that protects against it but reducing pollution."

Here are three of the best masks:

Respro City Mask
cyclesurgery.com, £25.99
To compensate for making you look like Darth Vader, Respro claims it will screen out dusts and odours. Its "contoured design" means that it will form a "seal" on your face. Two exhalation valves are designed to allow heat, carbon dioxide and water vapours out.

Cyclists say: "A great product which does what it says it does. There is a little condensation behind the mask while riding but it's worth it not to breath in polluted air every day."
rhwobust on evanscycles.com

Giordana Face Mask
ribblecycles.co.uk, £19.95
It offers three layers of protection, the middle of which acts as a temperature regulator, stopping the wind and "maintaining the microclimate between the skin and fabric".

Cyclists say: "Excellent for those cold winter commutes. Breathable membrane means it doesn't turn into a wet dish cloth after 10 minutes of brisk riding. Had mine for two winters and kept its shape perfectly."
Steve Jones from thebikefactory.co.uk

Totobobo Original Mask
totobobo.com, £13.95
This see-through mask holds two anti-pollution filters, and you can choose if you want 94 per cent or 96 per cent protection. One blogger in Beijing claims the mask "reduced particles 135-fold".

Cyclists say: "When I checked the filters I was amazed to see that after just 30 minutes pristine white had turned to sludgy grey. The thin straps fit behind your ears and afford a surprisingly secure fit. There's a alternative strap that fits both masks but is more complicated than just fitting it around your ears."
Claire on londoncyclist.co.uk