Gerard Hughes
Gerard Hughes
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Can this special portable air purifier make clean air just for you?
Testing the AIRfanta 4Lite to see if it can make you safer where and when you can't wear a mask, or if it can make you safer *in addition* to wearing one. It is battery powered and portable, and meant to output a smooth laminar flow of purified air. The idea is for it to create a localized area of clean air in front of the unit, just for you.
Does it work? Is it practical? I ran tests to test if the AIRfanta 4Lite can be a useful layer of protection.
Spoiler: It depends on context, on what level of protection are coming from.
If you come from no mask, such as if you a patient at a dental visit, or as a HCW eating indoors in a communal break room at a hospital, it's all upside, with the 4Lite giving you maybe 2 to 15x cleaner air, if you position it just right (see the video for details). If you come from wearing a well fitted, high quality mask, like a 3M Aura N95, and decide to voluntarily take it of somewhere you normally wouldn't because you have this air purifier, you may be going from a mask that is ~100x cleaner air inside the mask down to an air purifier that outputs ~2-15x cleaner air right in front of the unit, if you use it just right. In that case, you would be loosing protection that you would have had otherwise.
(Mask fit is individual, so the amount of protection a mask gives you will vary from person to person and mask to mask.)
So before you can decide if this can help you stay safer, you need to consider what level of protection you are coming from. I'd say your best advantage is in using this in situations you were already going to be doing that don't involve taking on additional risk you wouldn't have otherwise, and not taking on additional risk..
00;00;00 Intro to the Intro
00;03;02 PortaCount real-time bench test
00;10;14 Testing on me at the desk
00;11;55 AeroTrak optical bench test
00;14;30 Fog machine visualization
00;15;55 Line laser fog visualization
00;16;26 Outro Comment
The test units were sent to me by Adam Wong, creator of AIRfanta, for review x.com/Engineer_Wong
---
Testing notes:
I used a TSI PortaCount 8038 for the first series of tests. It measures the concentration of sub-micron particles from .02 to 1 micron in the ambient air and divides that by the concentration of the air being tested.
The second testing machine is a TSI AeroTrack it measures particles from .3 microns to 10 microns. I've only used .3 to 5 microns in the test shown.
The test on a human (well, me, pretty human) was not at the ideal, short distance (30 cm) because I can't get that short a distance with the unit on the table. It would need to be elevated to get that close to my face. But I was still within the 50cm distance in the instruction manual. This is the same issue people may have when using the air purifier as a portable device, depending on their height and where they are using it. i hope to do a more idealized test in a future video.
Переглядів: 1 033

Відео

Nose-only Mask Hack Passes Full OSHA Fit Test - Mask for dental and other medical appointments.
Переглядів 1,7 тис.7 місяців тому
Stay safer at your dentist's office when you can't wear an N95 over your mouth with this nose-only N95 ReadiMask hack by Lisa Foreman. It is a way to reduce exposure to airborne contaminants during dental and other medical appointments with a genuine NIOSH approved N95 that uses adhesive to stick to your face instead of straps. And it really does work, with some caveats. The good: I tried this ...
Can a respirator made out of origami folds really protect you? Testing the Airgami mask.
Переглядів 1 тис.11 місяців тому
A lot of people are tired of wearing masks, so fun alternative masks like the Airgami are an attractive alternative. It looks cool, comes in different colors and designs, and features an innovative, origami-based design. But does it work well to protect you? I used a PortaCount mask fit testing machine to find out. 00:00 Start 04:42 Airgami Medium N95 Mode Test 06:10 Airgami Large N95 Mode Test...
Do Vocal Particles Ruin Mask Fit Tests?
Переглядів 494Рік тому
You give off particles when you talk. Does that mess up mask fit testing? To see if your N95 fits you well the best test is a particle counter that compares the concentration of particles out side the mask to the concentration inside the mask, which tells us how much cleaner the air is inside. But what about all the particles *you* give off? Isn’t that the whole reason for two-way masking? Won’...
A battery operated respirator? Is it better? Testing the 3M Powerflow powered respirator.
Переглядів 6 тис.Рік тому
Does a battery powered blower really make respirators work better? I finally got chance to test a powered respirator thanks to Flan, who supplied a 3M 6800 Powerflow Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) for testing. Putting a blower on a respirator not only means you no longer have to work hard to suck air through the filters, the positive air pressure from the blower also helps reduce leaks...
The Secret Respirator Test Data That NIOSH Doesn’t Want You To Know
Переглядів 1,1 тис.Рік тому
It is literally true that NIOSH is hiding test data about currently approved respirators - you’d think it was an exaggeration, but it’s not. And I have the censored documents from my Freedom of Information Act request to prove it. NIOSH wants you to think that all approved respirators are the same as others in their class, but that is just not true. They are not all identical. They have widely ...
Which elastomeric respirator is the easiest to talk through? 5 Respirators Compared
Переглядів 2,7 тис.Рік тому
I tested 5 respirators to see which is the easiest to talk through and I’ve posted the audio samples in this video, without any audio processing or adjustment. All of the respirators are currently available NIOSH approved source control elastomeric respirators with N95 or P100 filters. Give them a listen and decide for yourself which sounds the best. Please let me know in the comments which you...
BreatheTeq Tri-fold KN95 with "Super Premium Nose Wire" - Tested!
Переглядів 2,1 тис.Рік тому
Is the BreatheTeq Tri-fold KN95's with “Super Premium Nose Wire” the Goldilocks Mask? I put it to the test on a TSI PortaCount mask fit testing machine. BreatheTeq posted that their tri-fold has a "super premium" nose wire. That caught my attention. Most tri-fold respirators other than the 3M Aura leak on me at the nose bridge, largely because they have a weak nose wire made out of thin wires c...
The Most Breathable N95 Respirator? ElastoMaskPro Review Part 1
Переглядів 1,6 тис.Рік тому
The ElastoMaskPro is the most breathable N95 I've tested that also filters well above the minimum N95 standard. The ElastoMaskPro is an innovative mask that is made entirely out of a single piece of silicone, even the straps. It's meant to be as simple to use as an N95 filtering facepiece respirator, but have the great seal and lasting reusability of an elastomeric respirator. Unlike a lot of s...
Has the 3M Aura finally met its match? German made Hard FFP2 earloop mask tested every possible way.
Переглядів 1,8 тис.Рік тому
There is lots of buzz around the German made Hard FFP2 masks being a worthy replacement for 3M Auras, but with convenient earloops and nice colors. I tested one against a 3M Aura, then to see if I could improve the Hard earloop FFP2 I installed different parts from the Aura one at a time and tested the Hard FFP2 again, and again. Here are the results: 00:53 Hard Earloop FFP2 - 10 Fit Factor | 1...
Fun KF94s for 16 Cents? Can masks this cheap be any good? - PortaCount Test Results
Переглядів 550Рік тому
These fun, colorful 16 cent masks are from China. Are they really KF94s? And are they any good? I used a PortaCount Mask Fit tester to find out if these masks I got for free from Amazon's Vine program are any good.. 00:34 Monyus "KF94" 02:24 Monyus "KF94" with Mask Tape 03:07 Monyus "KF94" with Mask Tape Fix the Mask 03:51 3M Aura N95 Spoiler: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betteridge's_law_of_headlines...
Subscriber Mask Fit Testing Submissions: 3M KF94 - Champak - Dräger - Vitacore
Переглядів 1,2 тис.Рік тому
Redditor grw110 sent me an amazing collection of masks to test. This video features 4 really promising ones from Korea, Taiwan, Germany/USA and Canada. And one of them I really liked - it’s too small for me, but it’s a really neat mask. Big thanks to grw110 for the masks. Fit is very individual. I have a medium sized face and a high nose bridge. You may get a very different fit than I do, which...
Gaskets in N95s. Great or Gimmick? PortaCount Tester Gives Surprising Results
Переглядів 691Рік тому
Some masks have a foam gasket inside the mask to make them fit better, but do the gaskets really work? Or do they just cost you extra money and make the mask bulkier for no reason? I used a PortaCount Mask Fit tester to find out. Fit is very individual, so your results may be very different than mine. Thanks to Arachnomancer for the FFP masks to test. And to Protectly for the N95. 00:39 3M 8212...
Functional or Fake? Mask Fit Test of Generic Copy of 3M Respirator
Переглядів 3,6 тис.Рік тому
Are the generic copies of 3M 6200 respirators you can buy on Amazon safe? They look just like the 3M originals, but do they actually work? I put one I got free from the Vine program to the test using a mask fit testing machine. The copies you can buy on Amazon are part for part replicas of the 3M originals - so faithful they appear to be molded directly off of 3M masks. But appearances can be d...
Amazon UV Safety Glasses - Massive Fail
Переглядів 591Рік тому
I got these "Upgraded UV Glasses for UV Light Protection CE OD4 " for free as part of the Amazon Vine program. I was shocked to find that they don't remotely do the one thing they are supposed do, block UV light. TL;DR: Don't buy no name safety gear - you can't trust it. Check out the quick test I did that shows a UV flashlight shines right through the fake UV safety glasses, but ordinary presc...
Is it safe to stick a hole in your mask so you can take a drink? Testing the SIP drinking valve
Переглядів 7 тис.Рік тому
Is it safe to stick a hole in your mask so you can take a drink? Testing the SIP drinking valve
Armbrust Mask Sampler Kit Unboxing - The Kind of Kit Every Respirator Company Should Offer
Переглядів 252Рік тому
Armbrust Mask Sampler Kit Unboxing - The Kind of Kit Every Respirator Company Should Offer
Dentec Respirator Users: Check Your Elastics! - Worn Out Elastics Mean Bad Fit
Переглядів 3222 роки тому
Dentec Respirator Users: Check Your Elastics! - Worn Out Elastics Mean Bad Fit
FFP3 vs N95 - SAVEWO 3DMASK Extreme Pro vs. 3M Aura 9205+
Переглядів 1,3 тис.2 роки тому
FFP3 vs N95 - SAVEWO 3DMASK Extreme Pro vs. 3M Aura 9205
Can You Wear Glasses Under a Full Face 3M Respirator? NO!! | Test Shows How Bad It Is.
Переглядів 10 тис.2 роки тому
Can You Wear Glasses Under a Full Face 3M Respirator? NO!! | Test Shows How Bad It Is.
Broken 3M Aura Strap - How SOL Are You?
Переглядів 9062 роки тому
Broken 3M Aura Strap - How SOL Are You?
Double Masked 3M 8210s vs. 3M Aura - Are 2 Better Than 1?
Переглядів 9252 роки тому
Double Masked 3M 8210s vs. 3M Aura - Are 2 Better Than 1?
KF94, FFP2, KN95 and N95 Tri-folds! Which was 100x Better According to Science?
Переглядів 3,1 тис.2 роки тому
KF94, FFP2, KN95 and N95 Tri-folds! Which was 100x Better According to Science?
Beard Stubble vs. Respirator - Shocking Results | Could 3 Days of Stubble Kill You?
Переглядів 3 тис.2 роки тому
Beard Stubble vs. Respirator - Shocking Results | Could 3 Days of Stubble Kill You?
Cleanwell Style Mask vs. Evergreen Cleantop - KF94 Fit Test Battle
Переглядів 8162 роки тому
Cleanwell Style Mask vs. Evergreen Cleantop - KF94 Fit Test Battle
Does Double Masking Surgicals and N95s Work? PortaCount Testing Tells All
Переглядів 1,1 тис.2 роки тому
Does Double Masking Surgicals and N95s Work? PortaCount Testing Tells All
BNX H95B Black N95: Disappointing Portacount Fit Test Results - YMMV
Переглядів 5832 роки тому
BNX H95B Black N95: Disappointing Portacount Fit Test Results - YMMV
3M Aura Earloop Hack - Dangerous or Awesome? Insane Fit Test Results
Переглядів 4,5 тис.2 роки тому
3M Aura Earloop Hack - Dangerous or Awesome? Insane Fit Test Results
Fit Testing the ReadiMask Nose-only Hack - Does it really work?
Переглядів 6 тис.2 роки тому
Fit Testing the ReadiMask Nose-only Hack - Does it really work?
Fit Test Battle of the N95 Tri-folds: 3M Aura 9205+ vs. Black BNX F95B
Переглядів 2,6 тис.2 роки тому
Fit Test Battle of the N95 Tri-folds: 3M Aura 9205 vs. Black BNX F95B

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @cassmacdonald-perfectlyimp2486
    @cassmacdonald-perfectlyimp2486 14 годин тому

    This is really good. I do note from the packaging that there are fairly specific instructions on how to drink (while using the straw) to prevent the risk of breathing contaminated air during use. I think they suggest you keep the straw cleaning edge clean and put the straw into the drink then breathe out, forcing any air in the straw into the drink before then drinking. I imagine this is a complicated technique to adapt to! I also consider that the drinking edge of the straw needs to be kept clean before using it every time. This is reassuring though. Thank you

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes 14 годин тому

      @@cassmacdonald-perfectlyimp2486 Thanks. This video has been out for a while, and they have since updated their instructions with best practices advice.

  • @gf2e
    @gf2e 4 дні тому

    Normal people won't pull out an anvil to straighten out the wire? Of course not! An anvil seems like the wrong tool for that. I'd probably start with my eyeglass frame adjustment pliers. Flat on one side, small radius on the other. I suppose that those aren't a common tool, though. I knew that the Aura was considered very good in terms of fitting lots of people, but I didn't realize how much better it was. Not sure I'm going to bother looking for alternatives.

  • @stillcrass
    @stillcrass 5 днів тому

    Many thanks.

  • @naturesmoments1297
    @naturesmoments1297 5 днів тому

    Hello Gerard, enjoy your content which has been helpful in my own case selecting a new mask for myself. One of your videos mentioned a GVS mask with no exhale valve (source control) reminded me of a question I sent to suppliers. It related to how quickly the valve closed (due to negative air flow, breathing in) and if the change over from open to close permitted any particle entry, the answer from one manufacture was yes, it did but only small amounts. This surprised me hence my interest in the non valve option, I would be interested to hear if there is any data on this topic, thanks

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes 5 днів тому

      I don't have any data on how quickly the valves move, but we know that they work because exhalation valve leakage would show up in PortaCount fit test as a reduction in Fit Factor. NIOSH tests exhalation valves using a static pressure test which requires the valve leak less than 30ml of air per minute under a prescribed vacuum pressure. So, engineers and regulators didn't for get to check to make sure valves work at protecting you. However, that being said, valves are a potential point of failure. In high dust environments, lots of build up can cause exhalation valve leakage if not properly maintained and cleaned as needed. And I've had some valves in knockoffs of 3M masks leak significantly - which was revealed in the fit test. It's on my Twitter but I can't link to it because UA-cam will flag this comment as spam if I do. So, a valveless "source control" respirator reduces one possible point of failure.

    • @naturesmoments1297
      @naturesmoments1297 5 днів тому

      Thanks for the reply Gerard, yes, I thought after writing that comment that any ingress of unfiltered air would be reflected in your machine, this appears not to be the case which is reassuring. On reflection, my main issue has been poor fit very similar to your experience with GVS mask, the Stealth P3 (UK) has a similar profile around the chin. Not sure if these are available across the pond, but JSP Force 8 half mask I found to be very good, soft seal which goes under the chin proving a reliable seal, one for future tests perhaps, cheers

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes 5 днів тому

      @@naturesmoments1297 I've had the same experience wit the Trend Stealth, which for reasons that I can't figure, has a very narrow shape like the GVS. The narrow shape is a bit baffling for a mask meant for a wide range of people. I'm not sure if the JSP Force 8 might be available in the US, perhaps under a different name. We do get the JSP Powercap Active, but I've not seen the half masks.

  • @CovidCautiousCutie
    @CovidCautiousCutie 7 днів тому

    Another great video! Been watching for over two years, and this winter jumped from QLFT to portacount 8020a + n95 companion for fit testing myself and family and friends. You single handedly got me into this level of fit testing, so thank you so much!! You really are an amazing and very appreciated community member ❤ I recently “sealed” as best I could a smarter air qt3 to serve similar function of laminar flow for dental (one of many, many other layers of protection) / unmasking at DMV for photo, after some particle count testing i saw on twitter. this video is great and has inspired me to do similar testing to see relative fit factors of the qt3.

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes 5 днів тому

      Neat :-) I'll be interested to hear how the unit works.

  • @Leticia-ui6zs
    @Leticia-ui6zs 11 днів тому

    thank you for this! could you do more tests with other types of portable air purifiers? for example for the ones that are not laminar flow how close does it have to be to a person's face to offer some protection

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes 10 днів тому

      Hi, thanks for the question. I do plan on testing some more air purifiers. However, I have a backlog of different things to test, and limited access to multiple models of air purifier. So I'll will test what I can. This video was made possible by engineer and manufacturer Adam Wong, who made the unsolicited offer to send me a test unit, without any conditions whatsoever. There is always a bit of a risk of bias when reviewing items sent by manufacturers, which is one of the reasons I think disclosure is important.

  • @RogerRamjetLips
    @RogerRamjetLips 13 днів тому

    Great video Gerard, how can I send you some masks to test?

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes 10 днів тому

      Hi, what do you have in mind? I enjoy getting a chance to test masks I've not tried before, but I always try to give the caveat that my tests primarily show how they fit me, though the testing can give some general insight in to the qualities and performance of individual makes and models of mask.

  • @gillianneimark8891
    @gillianneimark8891 13 днів тому

    Thanks, Gerard! I now have 2 so I hope you'll test that a little further with the laser. This was so very helpful to me. In terms of centering on the face, it would be nice if he could put a little red light, like a laser beam you could switch on and off, and make sure it was on your mouth or nose.

  • @victoriaa3621
    @victoriaa3621 22 дні тому

    Thank you! I just got one :) Do you know why it's recommended to be lower when you're closer at 30 cm?

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes 21 день тому

      They don't specify why in the instructions but it is possible that higher airflows cause more turbulence, drawing in more outside air. I've not had a chance to test all 3 air speeds at all 3 distances, so I'm not sure why.

    • @victoriaa3621
      @victoriaa3621 21 день тому

      @@gerardhughes thanks! maybe I will ask them and see if I get a reply!

  • @Robert-sq7bp
    @Robert-sq7bp 24 дні тому

    Excellent resource, thanks!

  • @merelymayhem
    @merelymayhem 27 днів тому

    great video, thanks

  • @jenniferkmulcahy
    @jenniferkmulcahy 27 днів тому

    You’re back!!! I miss your videos ❤

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes 27 днів тому

      Thank you so much :-) I didn't realize it had been over 220 days since I last posted on :-O

  • @NaomiDelightSpirit
    @NaomiDelightSpirit 27 днів тому

    ​ @elliotrauchwerger8556 Yeah that Aura foam, large, soft, all the way across! Feels like it could even seal out some air. What do you think, @gerardhuges?

  • @NaomiDelightSpirit
    @NaomiDelightSpirit 27 днів тому

    Thank you SO MUCH! I so yearn for black or colors, but safety first 🙂

  • @SarahEZiegler
    @SarahEZiegler 27 днів тому

    Great video! The intro part was especially helpful for me! Thank you for doing this work!

  • @swes2934
    @swes2934 27 днів тому

    Excellent video! Please post in my group. LaughterinLight had expressed some concern about people pointing air purifiers at their face. She did not elaborate on it. I presumed it was what could be blown into eyes or something.

  • @dreamof_me
    @dreamof_me 28 днів тому

    Someone posted this review on twitter, thanks for this review!

  • @kayleechristine9568
    @kayleechristine9568 28 днів тому

    💖💖💖

  • @gf2e
    @gf2e 28 днів тому

    I had a directional audio microphone that had an LED that was recessed a certain distance. You could only see the LED if you were within the right angle. Might be able to figure out something with two of those, separated by the right distance. Have to figure out the trigonometry for that. But, the fit factor values you're saying - yeah, I'm gonna stick with my elastomeric.

  • @inuaineko
    @inuaineko 28 днів тому

    THIS IS AMAZING! My partner and I need to go to a dentist and we were at a loss. THANK YOU!

  • @ProfessorNerdbert
    @ProfessorNerdbert 28 днів тому

    A sailboat tell-tale would work well for directionality and could be used for distance, too. However, it’d have to be checked to ensure any tell-tale movements did not disturb the flow.

  • @SilencedMi5
    @SilencedMi5 28 днів тому

    Great video! Thanks for putting in the time, effort, and funds towards testing this and other devices to give us a better idea of what protection they actually provide. Keep up the great work!

  • @gasdive
    @gasdive 28 днів тому

    I worked at a place that did oxygen cleaning. We had a laminar flow workbench. It was the size of a queen mattress on its side. The filter was as thick as a mattress. The "clean" workspace was a tiny single desk. The idea is sound but the scale is completely wrong.

  • @booksinbed
    @booksinbed 29 днів тому

    I have a dental visit coming up; would y'all say this is the best air purifier we know of for that use? (I am also going to try the Readimask over the nose with it.)

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes 29 днів тому

      This is the first I've tested, so I don't have similar test data for any other models yet. I think the ReadiMask mask nose only hack is your best bang for the buck. Especially if you practice ahead of time on how to breathe just through your nose. Although I am naturally a nose breather, I find that I do subconsciously inhale through my mouth when talking, so that I can talk without long pauses. It takes conscious thought on my part to avoid doing that to breathe only through my nose when talking.

  • @cnafyi
    @cnafyi 29 днів тому

    Thanks for this detailed testing!

  • @hoggif
    @hoggif 29 днів тому

    Lovely demonstration with fog. That is exactly the problem with venturi effect that I saw in a tiny air cleaner I tested. I tested one after a debate with person telling "but I can feel the air flow". Needed some data in addition to fit test spray test to indicate that the problem is no flow but that it is mixed flow of clean and dirty air.

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes 29 днів тому

      That is definitely an issue that I want to highlight with this air purifier. I can feel the flow on my face, but I know from testing, with real-time feedback that the actual zone of purified air is just a narrow section within that wider airflow. It's a bit counterintuitive if you don't have a way to visualize it or test it. I would not have known without these experiments.

    • @hoggif
      @hoggif 28 днів тому

      @@gerardhughes I never thought of air mixing and venturi effect to be an issue before I tested one. After testing, its so obvious. Put a fan blowing next to a pile of flower and you'll get a white face. Even if it is a purifier, the pressure difference is still there.

  • @ianwilliamrobertson
    @ianwilliamrobertson 29 днів тому

    i remember my old nokia had a prism to align onesself to the selfie camera without a second screen ... some sort of luneberg lens / retroreflector maybe?

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes 29 днів тому

      Yeah I think something optical would be a great idea. The spacing on this is so critical, that one would even have to take parallax into account. Aligning your right eye or left eye to the center of the device could put your mouth off axis.

  • @valdir7426
    @valdir7426 29 днів тому

    so there's no increase in ff if you get the fan on high for close distances? this probably need some kind of telescopic stand to go with it. (that would certainly end up awkward). Wondering if someone could work on a sort of wearable solution that you'd put around your chest and under your chin

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes 29 днів тому

      I tested using the recommended fan speeds, but did not do comparative tests to see what difference speeds make on axis or off-axis. So I don't have an answer for that question just yet. Higher airspeeds can increase turbulence, so I'm assuming there was good reason for the recommended airspeeds. More testing would be needed to double check that. I think the device could benefit from a tripod mounting socket. I plan on testing this in the most idealized manner possible in a future video. But it's going to be tricky because it's not easy to position them exactly where they need to be. Respiray make a small neck worn air purifier that provides about 50% reduction in particles in the breathing zone. It's compact and light and sold for allergy symptom reduction. 50% reduction is likely more useful for allergies, where there may be a linear improvement in symptoms based on reducing the amount of pollen by half. But it's less effective for reducing the chance of contracting an airborne disease, where a 50% reduction is helpful but likely to be insufficient. Some hobbyists have worked at creating more robust neck-worn devices. If eating in a contaminated environment is the goal, then the best solution may involve more enclosure to better prevent the mixture unfiltered ambient air in with the purified air. It may be possible to use a powered air purifying respirator hood with the chin portion removed to allow access for eating, perhaps using one of the "CAPR" PAPRs sold for healthcare use.

    • @valdir7426
      @valdir7426 29 днів тому

      ​@@gerardhughes thanks for the answer and the test; yep the best solution would be a collective one. I can see this maybe as risk reduction for a space that has already decent air renewal and is not already high risk

    • @AdamWongAirFanta
      @AdamWongAirFanta 29 днів тому

      Yes, I think the future of the laminar flow air purifier is the wearable device. It moves together with your body, so don't have an issue with off axis. and it can be very close to the nose. I already worked for half year on that.

    • @valdir7426
      @valdir7426 29 днів тому

      @@AdamWongAirFanta ok thanks for the update! will definitely follow this

    • @SarahEZiegler
      @SarahEZiegler 27 днів тому

      @@AdamWongAirFanta Interesting, thanks for sharing this.

  • @1337FLINT.
    @1337FLINT. Місяць тому

    Hello, i wanna ask something. I see the left one have no code on the mouth area, on my local store they claim they sell original mask, it have code written on the mouth area. Is that original? it don't have the chinese LA sticker on the front side. Thanks in advance

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes Місяць тому

      The genuine 3M elastomeric respirators have "3M" molded on to the front of the mask. The copy, not genuine, I showed removed the 3M logo. No 3M logo means it's not genuine. However, it is also possible for companies that make copies to put the 3M logo back on. So just because it has 3M on it does not guarantee that it is genuine. But not having the 3M logo on it guarantees that it is not genuine. At least that is the case in the US with 3M respirators. It is possible that there may be differences in other countries.

    • @1337FLINT.
      @1337FLINT. Місяць тому

      @@gerardhughes It have 3m embossed logo, number code on the mouth side i think it's imported from europe market, also have a little embossed number code on the side of the front strap

  • @ocluke80
    @ocluke80 Місяць тому

    Can you share the link to the knock off you tested? It seems like important information given that you did not test all knock off brands. You texted a specific knock off brand.

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes Місяць тому

      These companies change frequently, and none of them have NIOSH approval or quality control, so there's really not a need to mention the specific company because this is something that is common to a wide range of these knockoff respirators. None of the ones I have tried, none of them, have tested as well as the real article. So, even though some of the companies have a chance of being higher quality, from my sampling, I believe the vast majority of them are lower quality. I think by listing the seller name, which is not the same as the manufacturer, people might get a false sense of safety by avoiding just that seller. The same exact product is sold by many sellers under different brands. The way to be safer is by buying the genuine 3M respirator through a trusted sales channel rather than avoiding a single seller with a disposable name.

    • @ocluke80
      @ocluke80 Місяць тому

      @@gerardhughes it appeared from the video that you were following a scientific methodology. With a normal testing procedure you would provide the brand and model number of the product you tested. You can't assume all non-3M brands will test similarly (or all 3M models and samples will test similarly); you can only say that a specific number of samples from a specific model from a brand tested in a specific way.

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes Місяць тому

      @@ocluke80 You are correct, I do not have a scientific random sampling. My videos based on general scientific methodology and principles, but, to a degree, have something in common with anecdotes when it comes to science. As with mythbusters, I lack the time and budget to do the requisite number of trials to meet statistical significance, hence why I made a video instead submitting my findings to a scientific journal. It would be nice if I could afford to randomly select 20 different knockoff respirators and do the necessary number of trials on each one for a study with high confidence levels. But that's just not in the cards for me. I should add, though, but it is quite common in peer-reviewed published respirator studies for the make and model of the various respirators in the study to be blinded. So it is perfectly within the bounds of normal scientific practices for me to not mention a specific brand or model. So, I am speculating as to the quantity of knockoff respirators that do not meet standards based on my limited testing. However, I am following the cautionary principle when it comes to respiratory protective equipment. I believe it's reasonable and appropriate based on that principle to avoid knockoff copies based on the uncertainty alone. Stick to NIOSH approved respirators, or those approved by other countries with rigorous testing and approval standards, if you would like to have confidence in your respirator but don't have the resources to do individual PortaCount testing on it. If you look at the number of search results for respirator on Amazon, the results are overwhelmingly knockoffs of 3M respirators by companies with random letter names. Again, I don't believe that there is any real value in naming any one of those disposable brands because that would give the false impression that the exact same generics sold by different sellers with different branding are somehow safe. My considerations would be different if this was a limited market, and there was one or just a few bad actors that could be easily identified and avoided. But that is not the case when it comes to respirators on Amazon.

    • @ocluke80
      @ocluke80 Місяць тому

      @@gerardhughes I did not imply that you should have followed a scientific journal-worthy, statistically significant experiment. You can still follow best practices, which is to provide the information on the product you were testing. _"Again, I don't believe that there is any real value in naming any one of those disposable brands because that would give the false impression that the exact same generics sold by different sellers with different branding are somehow safe."_ I do not follow that logic. Why would this be the case? You can only make a claim about the product you tested, not other products sold by similar looking brands. It might very well be the case that another product tests similarly, but only the one you tested has any data behind it.

  • @lucienekarlo7234
    @lucienekarlo7234 Місяць тому

    for the nose:I worn ready mask (95% protection)at dentist office and hold it with "fix the mask" silicon ( to assure keep the adjustment and allow the dentist to work) bracket and also behind that "first defense nasal screen"(77% protection) and behind that spray with ingredient iota-carrageenan (like that almost for sure covid wu=ill not have chance through the nose)...For the mouth: I make gargles whit PVP-I (to start fighting wiy=th the virus in case), then sprayed with the throat with iota- carrageenan (to make a coat of seal)...And then I pray for these stpds dentist take care about what they putting inside my mouth (my appointments are on monday morning the first patient) Then afer when i left the office continuos with PVP-I or Paxovid or any other to reduce the viral load (in case)...Then tested for coronavirus and if positive start immediately with paxovid or any other therapy...Almoust all the previous protocol could be avoided IF the dentist were more emphatic!...I have seen that they dont care!

    • @lucienekarlo7234
      @lucienekarlo7234 Місяць тому

      The dentist office must to use PPEs, purifier, and why not ozone to sterilize the place and enforce mask to the customers and test for obvious infected and also the most important TAKE CARE WHAT THEY PUT INSIDE OUR MOUTHS!

  • @michaelhall3485
    @michaelhall3485 Місяць тому

    Interesting review. My company has been at work on a PAPR that's simpler (all in one design monocoque manifold). Our aim is a PAPR that's more accessible to the DIY crowd. When we have certification, would you be willing to give it a try to compare? Its called MicroClimate Air3.

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes Місяць тому

      Sure, I would love to get a chance to test out the Air 3 when it becomes available. I've been following your development of the Microclimate with interest. I've been impressed that you decided to go the extra mile and transition from making a consumer PAPR that was distinctive, protective and fairly priced for what It was to engineering and manufacturing one that will meet the newer NIOSH PAPR class performance requirements and expand your market to include OSHA compliant workplace use, while still at the same time, better serving what seems like it was your original target market of individuals.

  • @idontno0
    @idontno0 Місяць тому

    If you google Amazon respirators reddit, you can find a guy who tested a few against the originals. They failed... But they have 4.5 starts because people think they work.

  • @jenniferkmulcahy
    @jenniferkmulcahy Місяць тому

    I watch this every time I need to go to the dentist! I love your videos..

  • @edwardtank2843
    @edwardtank2843 2 місяці тому

    I have a klein model of the GVS. This has me worried now that I'm not getting a proper fit. The problem is that I can't afford a fit test machine like this. What should I do?

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes 21 день тому

      It is possible to do a home fit test with a nebulizer or ultrasonic mister and some fit test solution.

  • @Maryamrockify
    @Maryamrockify 3 місяці тому

    gold

  • @adalberto6460
    @adalberto6460 3 місяці тому

    @gerardhughes Please make a video on fake 3M 6800

  • @melissaellsworth7943
    @melissaellsworth7943 4 місяці тому

    I have trouble with the earloops pulling my ears down, I think because the straps are too close together. Has anyone had this issue and found a hack for it?

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes 4 місяці тому

      Are you asking about this specific hack, or ear loop respirators in general? A number of people have made various hacks to make ear loop respirators more comfortable. Including hooks to grab the straps behind your head, buttons on the sides of hats or caps to hold the ear loops, cushions for people's ears, etc. However, I generally only wear an earloop respirator if I'm getting a haircut, specifically this hack, so those options don't work for me because the reason I'm using ear loops is to keep the elastics off of my hair out of the way of a barber or hairdresser. Your application may be different, so perhaps those solutions could work for you.

  • @CherryBerry383
    @CherryBerry383 4 місяці тому

    This video is very helpful!!

  • @user-kp8ww4je8m
    @user-kp8ww4je8m 4 місяці тому

    I am impressed by your lack of remorse for just shaving off a 10-year mustache! I have a dentist appointment next week, and I have a mustache I've had since before I was married. It's not going to be an easy discussion with her!

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes 4 місяці тому

      Good luck! I had to do it again for the second video on this hack (still got good results). 😬

  • @IntersectionalResistance
    @IntersectionalResistance 5 місяців тому

    I really enjoy how informative your videos are. I do have a suggestion on the edit/format. In the fast-forwarding through the testing, the high-pitched sound makes it pretty inaccessible for me to watch the video comfortably because of my sensory sensitivities. Is there an easy way to fix that so I can keep watching? Thanks for reading and making videos!

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes 4 місяці тому

      Thank you for your feedback. I will keep this in mind going forward. I'm unable to make any changes to the current video, however. UA-cam does not allow videos to be edited once posted.

  • @hokko274
    @hokko274 5 місяців тому

    Thank you for your videos!

  • @swes2934
    @swes2934 5 місяців тому

    I wonder if the leak beside the nose bridge with the ReadiMask is because you have it over top of your tear trough. It may be better if it is below the tear trough. Also perhaps washing oil one’s face to ensure there is no oil would make a difference.

  • @swes2934
    @swes2934 5 місяців тому

    Thanks Gerard! Awesome video! Sharon Soleil

  • @swes2934
    @swes2934 5 місяців тому

    If someone is prone to allergies they should use 3M Bitter Solution for a fit test NOT Sweet N Low. Saccharin is a sulfonide compound which can cause allergic reactions in people who can’t tolerate sulfa drugs. As a result using Sweet n Low for a fit test could cause breathing difficulties, headaches, etc if one reacts to it. So anyone who is prone to allergies should use 3M Bitter Solution instead.

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes 21 день тому

      I don't know the likelihoods for each, but I have read a case study where a person who is allergic to quaternary disinfectants had a reaction to fit test Bitrex. So allergies are possible with either.

  • @johnyoung1601
    @johnyoung1601 5 місяців тому

    This is an awesome video, and thank you for creating it! This is the kind of demonstration that the supposed good governments should have been doing for the last four years. Further, we have known for 104 years that masks offer protection and are direly needed in some cases, and that some are better than others, yet no such demonstrations existed by the CDC, et. al. You have given me answers which I have search for from my government and found utterly missing. To wit, for my face, all KN95 masks I've ever donned are worse than useless; they pop down below my nose the second I open my mouth to speak. Late in 2020, I was happy to get some cone-shaped 3M respirators, but these sorely dug into the bridge of my nose, and dug so badly, that there was a sizable gap just below my eyes. So, how were either of these two types of ANY use to me? Both were far inferior to a tightly fitting surgical mask. A KF94 mask works fairly well, but there is still a gap sometimes. After a lot of looking and trial and error, I found the Aura and loved it. A video like yours would have saved me a lot of time. My one wish is that when I need to wear a mask (I work in an indoor, highly infectious environment), I wish I could get this in some other color than white. Why 3M is the only maker of the Aura model (or why they don't even issue it in teal) is beyond me. Thank you again for this. Very informative, very intelligent.

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes 5 місяців тому

      I really hope someday 3M will listen to the chorus of voices asking for a black 3M aura :-) They are aware of the interest. It remains to be seen whether or not they will actually do anything about it. They already make a denim blue aura for the Brazilian market for some reason. So it's not a technological reason, it's strictly whether or not they want to spend the money making and marketing them. I think they would sell well. I would buy a bunch, and I would give them away to friends and family as well as promote them.

  • @IreneFriederike
    @IreneFriederike 6 місяців тому

    Thank You for your videos! They are super-informative and I appreciate your evaluations / experimentation with modifications. I just wanted to add a small comment / gripe: The "traditional" PPE manufacturers are (now in the 5th year of this pandemic!) still not producing respirators for children; a large demographic that world-wide has the least amount of autonomy in deciding where and for how long they spend time with others indoors, i.e. exposing themselves to SARS for hours almost every day in classrooms they have little to now power to influence or modify. Hard is one of the few manufacturers that are easily and affordably available to me (in Europe) that make an FFP2 certified respirator in a size my 9yo can wear without extensive modifications. It is extremely frustrating. Thank You again for your videos (also on elastomerics).

  • @JohnSmith-gf6jt
    @JohnSmith-gf6jt 6 місяців тому

    How have you been able to do quantitative fit testing on the Dentec? Do you have to sacrifice one to punch through with an N95 adapter?

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes 6 місяців тому

      I have a couple of dentec NxMD masks, so I wound up punching a hole in one of the masks and porting it in the breathing zone between my nose and mouth. Fortunately, I was able to get a number of dentech NXMDs cheaply back when they were first released, and even now they aren't as expensive as boutique respirators like the ElastoMask Pro or AirBoss 100, which I also had to probe by attaching an N95 probe to the mask body. The N95 filter cartridges are so weak in terms of holding the filter into the pinch seal at the edges, that I wouldn't trust trying to port one of the N95 filters. And you can't plead a pleated filter such as the p100 cartridges. Plus, when you port a filter cartridge, it's best practice is to then run an additional tube from the filter cartridge into the mask body into the breathing zone between the nose and the mouth. So it's not necessarily quite as simple as just punching a hole in the filter and using a TSI probe made for N95s. Probing the filter in the cartridge is potentially doable since it's not a valved mask. But it can give you an artificially good fit factor because it's right next to the filter. There are fit test adapters that can fit between the NXMD and the filter cartridges, however, there are a lot more expensive than the actual masks, so for my personal testing it was cheaper just to port a mask than to buy the fit test adapter.

    • @JohnSmith-gf6jt
      @JohnSmith-gf6jt 6 місяців тому

      @@gerardhughes Thank you! That's what I figured - looking for a fit adapter for the Dentec turns up one >$500 kit which doesn't make sense (for me) when the respirator itself is $36.

  • @pokabrows
    @pokabrows 6 місяців тому

    Thank you! I like the look and sound of the GVS Ellipse and MSA Advantage 900! This is super helpful!

  • @jellyfish2b
    @jellyfish2b 6 місяців тому

    Can you recommend any air filtration product that does not have anything blocking the view ( like a nose “cone”), allows glasses to be worn, has a seal around the entire face, and is light weight? The seal does not have to be airtight around the neck. Lots of requirements. When wood carving, I have to bend way over to see past the nose cone on half face respirators. Most respirators do not allow a comfortable fit for glasses. No matter what glasses I wear, wood particles, float up behind them, or around them or over the top of them and get into my eyes. Goggles do not allow for glasses to fit under them. Any ideas?

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes 6 місяців тому

      A "loose fitting" PAPR will do all of that. Full face protection from particles and debris - including impact protection. You can wear your glasses normally without leaks. No fogging or humidity build up.. No breathing effort needed. I've seen more and more wood workers wearing them for all day protection and comfort. A 3M TR 300 with a M 206 hard top is one of the best options if you need just particulate filtration. If you need chemical filtration (for painting or other VOCs) you'd need a TR 600. (Some of the hard tops cost more for features you may or may not need. The M207 is heat resistant, that M307 has a rated hard had for working construction) The 3M TR 300 is sometimes under $500 on Amazon, but only with the soft top. The hard top can be bought separately, but is always >$250. The MSRP for the 3M PAPRs is really high, though. I've also seen some woodworkers wearing cheaper alternative PAPRs that put the blower and battery on your head that are less comfortable and not NIOSH approved, such as the Powercap and Trend Airshield Pro, but I haven't used either of those and can't vouch for them.

    • @jellyfish2b
      @jellyfish2b 6 місяців тому

      @@gerardhughes would I need so buy the tube and belt unit for the TR 300?

    • @gerardhughes
      @gerardhughes 6 місяців тому

      @@jellyfish2b Yes, with the VersaFlow PAPRs, it's a system. You need the belt pack with the blower and battery and filter, the connecting hose, plus the head top of your choice. Having a hose and a belt mounted blower makes it seem cumbersome. However, It makes the head top much lighter than if you have to wear the blower and battery and filter on your head as in some of those other units I mentioned. Another advantage of having the belt mounted blower is that it helps keep your filter cleaner. It's not right above your work piece, it's behind you typically, so you're going to get less sawdust into it.