| If you live in or near a city centre you will find that | | | | There are a number of different approaches to the |
| there is a growing trend towards getting to work on a | | | | problem though and it doesn't necessarily pay to just |
| bicycle. One of the biggest reasons for this is likely to | | | | go for the cheapest mask you can find as it may not |
| be cost. It costs you nothing to cycle to work and | | | | really be that effective. There are some cheaper |
| when you compare this to the cost of congestion | | | | masks you can buy that are designed to be |
| charges in London and the increasing costs of taxis, | | | | disposable and they will offer you varying degrees of |
| buses and trains it seems to be a no-brainer. | | | | protection but you need to take into account how |
| Another reason for wanting to ride to work on your | | | | often you are likely to use them. If you find that you will |
| bike is combatting congestion. Our major city centres | | | | be using them every day, or if you are cycling to and |
| can become gridlocked very easily during rush hour. | | | | from work, twice per day then the relatively smaller |
| You can beat this congestion on your bike because | | | | cost of these masks become insignificant as you will |
| you can go places that cars and buses can't. | | | | be using too many to see the benefit. |
| Herein lies one of the risks of cycling to work though, | | | | Respro's ranges of face masks with removable and |
| and that is the risk to your health caused by all the | | | | replaceable filters may be the way to go as replacing |
| fumes emitted by that congested traffic. The very | | | | the filters will be less expensive than continually |
| fact that you are cycling means that you are likely to | | | | replacing the mask. They too offer varying levels of |
| be breathing heavier than you normally would and this | | | | protection from pollution and dirt. |
| increases the risk to your health even more. Breathing | | | | I say varying because some masks perform better |
| in all those fumes as you cycle along can lead to | | | | than others in different situations so you need to be |
| breathing and asthma related problems. | | | | sure that what you are buying will do the job. My |
| To try and overcome this problem, companies such as | | | | advice would be to read up on each of the products |
| Respro have come out with a number of products to | | | | you are thinking of buying very carefully so that you |
| help you protect yourself from the harm caused by | | | | can be assured of buying something that will actually |
| traffic fumes. | | | | work well in your particular situation. |