HOW TO CHOOSE A FACE MASK FOR TRAVEL
As COVID-19 restrictions around the world begin to ease, whether or not you wear a mask becomes an individual choice. While many airports and airlines have scrapped the mask mandate, that doesn’t mean COVID-19 and other airborne bugs aren’t still a health risk. Those of you who still intend on wearing a mask while traveling should invest in a mask that will be comfortable and protective for the duration of your journey.
FEATURES TO LOOK FOR IN A FACE MASK FOR TRAVEL
Fit and comfort are essential when choosing a face mask for long-term use. Even if your flight is relatively short, you may still choose to wear the mask in the busy airport - which could mean several hours of mask-wearing altogether.
Disposable masks, of which surgical masks are an example, might feel comfortable but don’t create a tight enough sealing to provide adequate protection. On the other hand, a reusable cloth mask might feel fitted, and so you’d assume it offers good protection; however, most often, they do not include filters and as a result offer barely any protection.
Airinum masks are designed to fit all face shapes and include adjustable functions, so you can shape the mask to suit you. The masks are equipped with 3D memory foam on the nose and a shapeable nose clip to create a snug sealing and prevent air leakage. A detachable and adjustable head clip relieves pressure from the ears during travel, ensuring maximum comfort on even longer flights.
Face masks are only as good as their testing and certification. Certification verifies that a product is effective and compliant with specific regulations. Certified masks are tested for their filtration efficiency - in other words, their ability to catch and filter airborne hazards such as viruses and bacteria, air pollution, and allergens.
Both the Urban Air Mask 2.0 and the Lite Air Mask have been rigorously tested at the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) and are KN95 certified, similar to the US’s N95 certification or the European FFP2 certification.
Some airlines recommend taking a couple of masks to wear on the journey for hygiene purposes. Disposable masks are behind the growing issue of mask litter, and so, while they may feel like the most hygienic option, they are far from the most sustainable.
Airinum masks are treated with Polygiene®, a treatment that reduces microbes (virus, bacteria and fungi) in two hours. You can even wear them comfortably in warmer temperatures thanks to the ultra-breathable mask skin. They are also washable, so you can hand wash and reuse the mask once you reach your destination.
HOW DIFFERENT WEATHER CONDITIONS AFFECT AIR POLLUTION
The weather has a considerable impact on air quality and can significantly affect the amount of pollution in the air. This is due to different aspects of the weather affecting the amounts of ozone and particulates that are present in a specific area. The biggest problems are caused by sunshine, high temperatures, high pressure, and wind.
WHY IS THE THEME ‘ONLY ONE EARTH’ PARTICULARLY RELEVANT TO THE WORLD WE LIVE IN TODAY?
Sunshine can cause some pollutants to undergo chemical reactions resulting in smog. Photochemical smog as it’s known negatively affects the environment, people’s health, and even various materials. Unlike some forms of air pollution, it’s possible to see this brown haze hanging in the air above many cities. When inhaled, smog irritates our airways and increases the risk of serious heart and lung diseases. Long-term exposure can also damage other organs like the brain, kidneys and liver.
HEATWAVES: A MAJOR HEALTH HAZARD
Higher temperatures, heatwaves especially, can speed up chemical reactions and lead to poor air quality. The extreme heat and stagnant air increase the amount of ozone and particulate pollution. High temperatures and respiratory problems are linked, partly because the heat contributes to the build-up of harmful air pollutants. Heatwaves also increase the likelihood of wildfires, which can release massive amounts of pollution into the atmosphere. Read more about the health hazards of smoke and wildfires.
WHAT MAKES SWEDEN WELL SUITED TO HOSTING THIS YEAR’S WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY?
2022 is a historic milestone for the global environmental community. Fifty years ago Sweden hosted the landmark 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment. Since then, Sweden has made significant strides when it comes to both protecting the environment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The country has set ambitious goals to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045, and has embraced renewable energy. It is among the frontrunners for greening its economy and is rapidly transforming to low-carbon and renewable infrastructures and technologies, from subsidizing solar cells, electric vehicles and charging points to supporting private sector and municipal investments reducing climate impact. In early June 2022, the high-level Stockholm+50 international meeting will be held in Sweden, a few days before World Environment Day on 5th June.
WIND: PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR POLLUTANTS
Wind is one of the biggest influences on air pollution. Pollutants tend to pile up in calm conditions where there is little or no wind, especially near their source, such as in towns or industrial sites. When wind speeds pick up, the contaminants are dispersed more widely and can even spread from one continent to another.
HIGH PRESSURE COLLECTS POLLUTANTS
Air tends to be more still in areas with high pressure, allowing greater concentrations of air pollutants to build up. This is more likely in the winter when air can stagnate, causing poor air to increase and linger longer than it would in the warmer seasons. Winter is also when we are most likely to use our cars and consequently release more emissions by burning fossil fuels.
RAIN: A SURPRISING SAVIOR
Rain reduces air pollution and enhances the air quality of a place. Each raindrop can attract tens to hundreds of tiny aerosol particles to its surface before hitting the ground. This process is known as coagulation and is a natural process that can clear the air of the most common atmospheric pollutants, including soot and smog.