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I am a cyclist and long distance runner.

The amount of cars on the road is getting overwhelming. No matter what city in the usa you live in the amount of cars on the road is almost to the point of giving up my sport. Its sad that nobody walks anymore. I am starting to develop lung issues due to air pollution from cars. I am considering buying a respirator mask to prevent any more damage to my lungs. My question is twofold. Is wearing a mask a little too weird? I am already self conscious. I just dont want to end up with serious lung disease from pollution. My second question is does anyone else wear a mask and do they really help for athletes? You dont have to answer both questions . If you could answer one that would be fine. Thank you

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Since writing this post Anonymous may have helped people, but has not within the last four (4) days.
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question, answer, cars, pollution, mask
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Littenick
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Why not use a painter's mask on your mouth and nose? That's what I do when I go out running. Some people think me weird but I don't care. I'm protecting my health.

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Does it work l.n.

Littenick
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It reduces the pollution that you breathe in.

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I just got back from Wal-Mart and saw a FAMILY shop wearing high-end resperators! For what reason, I don't know because air pollution in my state really isn't an issue unless you live in downtown Anchorage.
I'm far from there.

As for the automobile, it has changed the way mankind walks in general.
Once (and it will never happen) we get ufo technology it should end the need for roads and highways. Parking lots will give way to parking "trees," and this will allow us to reclaim the land and return it to nature.

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Awesome 4 star answer. God I love you big al

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Anonymous wrote:
Awesome 4 star answer. God I love you big al

Peace and a Happy New Year.

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I really question the effectiveness of anything short of a respirator with, at the very least HEPA/charcoal filters. I think many masks just filter out the chunky bits and are more a psychological crutch.

Help me with:

How can I post a picture in a message/post?

Sherlock by olga tereshenko d9qdidc
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A good respirator mask that SEALS well can keep out dust and other particulate matter, but will NOT filter out carbon monoxide and other pollutant gases. Painters' masks do not seal all that well.

The New York Times wrote: "A 2014 report issued by the New York City Health Department said that particulates in the air cause more than 2,000 premature deaths and 6,000 emergency room visits and hospitalizations each year. And while the city has rapidly expanded its bike lanes and other bike-friendly infrastructure during the past decade, most of the planning to date has focused on traffic safety concerns, not pollution."

And: "But just as important as the level of pollution in an area is the effort exerted by a bicyclist to pedal through it. “We know that just walking we are breathing in two to three times the air as we are when we are sitting,” Dr. Chillrud explained. Cycling and other strenuous activities like jogging and playing basketball boost the volume of air — and therefore the particulates — that we are inhaling. Dr. Jack, for example, breathes in roughly eight liters of air per minute when he is resting; when he cycles that volume soars to 70 liters. Biking hard, uphill or fast increases one’s pollution intake still further." https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/06/well/move/on...

Personally, I would NOT cycle in heavy traffic, such as that in Toronto. I would find a place, like a park, in which to cycle. Better yet--use your car to transport your bicycle to some country lanes where traffic and pollution is at a minimum.

So, yes, use a good, well-sealing mask like Big Willy recommended--but try to find a better place to cycle and run!

Sherlock by olga tereshenko d9qdidc
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AND from the University of British Columbia, as reported by the Sun newspaper:

They reckon cyclists should ride between 7.5mph (12kph) and 12.4mph (20kph) on city roads, while pedestrians should walk at between 1.2mph (2kph) and 3.7mph (6kph).

The University of British Colombia's guide depends on age, with older people being advised to take it more slowly – and women shouldn't attempt to keep up with blokes.

Assistant Professor Dr Alex Bigazzi said: "The faster you move, the harder you breathe and the more pollution you could potentially inhale, but you also are exposed to traffic for a shorter period of time.

"This analysis shows where the sweet spot is." https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/2070106/cyclist...

Sherlock by olga tereshenko d9qdidc
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But according to Cycling Weekly, cyclists come out ahead of drivers and pedestrians where breathing in air pollution is concerned:

"Those who travel by car can experience five times higher pollution levels than those who cycle, and three and a half times more than those walking, according to an experiment by academics and campaigners.

"In a video, shown on the Guardian website, by the Healthy Air Campaign, Kings College London, and Camden Council, air pollution detectors were fitted to one person driving a car, one on a bus, one on foot and one on a bike on a busy route across central London. One person also cycled and another walked on a quieter parallel route away from busy roads."

And: "The reason those travelling in cars experience much greater fumes is the exhaust from other vehicles enters from in front and behind and, once there, doesn’t disperse.

In the experiment the cyclist’s journey was not only quickest, they were exposed to much lower pollution levels than all other journeys, as fumes were able to disperse as they rode along. The pedestrian’s levels were higher as their journey took longer.

"The driver was also exposed to two and a half times higher pollution levels than those on a bus, which had the second highest exposure, proving that being inside a vehicle does not protect passengers from traffic fumes." http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/c...

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Thank sherlock. I dont own a car so my bike is my primary transportation. I thank you for your response.

Sherlock by olga tereshenko d9qdidc
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Anonymous wrote:
Thank sherlock. I dont own a car so my bike is my primary transportation. I thank you for your response.

You are quite welcome. Just watch those car doors when you're cycling!

6ac6ec97 7651 45c5 b346 63c4b75d6c66
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You wear an Helmet to protect yourself from serious injury,so why not wear a mask to protect your lungs. I've never seen anyone wearing anything like that here in Britain,but if pollution is that bad then I wouldn't think twice about protecting myself.

Dr. ralph club zps9ornptsl
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I never wear the masks and I work with dust and crap in the air. They seem like the inhibit the amount of air I can take in and they make me sweat. If I wear a mask and safety goggles the mask makes the goggles fog up and I can barely see, multiplying the chances that I will accidentally cut my hand off with one of the power tools I always have in my hand... yeah they are worthless in my opinion.

If it makes you feel any better I have been cutting out windows with a sawzall and breathing the lead paint dust for over 30 years and I am the healthiest 57 year old man I know. I think exercise is the key and yeah there's lots of pollutants out there for you to breathe but I've never tried a mask I could keep on for more than five minutes. Good luck with that.

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...

6ac6ec97 7651 45c5 b346 63c4b75d6c66
Evansent
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^^

Harsh very harsh.😯

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Guys I don't think this is the place to try to belittle one another...

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I just read in the paper that for elderly people, a 2 hour walk in a polluted area is worse for you than the health benefits is good for you.

I never ride my bike in built up areas.

I get that you don't have a car to take your bike somewhere better, but if you rode to a good spot and cycled there then your getting only the travelling times worth of pollution.

I've occasionally seen people wearing a breathing mask in the gym or out running to assist with the training, so there's no real reason you can't wear one when your out.

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