this post was submitted on 17 Nov 2024
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I've seen this idea in leeward areas of California wildfire smoke, and while it should work, the caution I would give is to either find a mask which has little air resistance when breathing through it, or to be mindful of that restriction and not try to go all-in on exercise. Masks are breathable and effective at intercepting particulate matter, but I don't think they're tested for the sort of heavy, rapid breathing from exercising. And the longevity of the filters under such heavy loads is unclear.
But it's certainly worth a shot. Just make sure the mask is still snug, since a loose mask will diminish effectiveness.
A proper fitting is essential. You should test every time by blocking the intake to see if there are leaks. Facial hair will prevent a proper seal.
I use 3M 2097 filters. They're good for particulate and organic vapours. Very breathable in highly physical environments in my experience. Extremely lightweight.
https://www.3mcanada.ca/3M/en_CA/p/d/v000075275/