
After loving the Urban Air 1.0 mask earlier this year, Airinum sent me their latest model, the Urban Air 2.0 for me to review. I loved the Urban Air 1.0’s filtering capabilities but it was a bit hot on the face even in cooler weather.
I’m so very excited to have this lovely new mask to try out.
My main reason for using a mask is to help me avoid breathing in car exhaust, cigarette smoke, and light fragrances. I also use a mask when dusting and vacuuming. Like many people with Vasomotor Rhinitis, Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, and Toxicant Induced Loss of Tolerance, I try to avoid exposing myself to chemicals and pollution because these exposures can cause disabling reactions.
The Urban Air. 2.0 is definitely in a class of its own. It’s the Cadillac of masks and feels really, really great on the face. According to the Airinum website, the Urban Air 2.0 was tested in a Swedish laboratory and results show a 98% filtering efficiency against particles down to 0.3μm in size.
“The Urban Air Mask 2.0 is tested and certified for standards that are similar to the American N95 (Test: GB2626 & Certification: KN95). The mask filters the following particles in the air you breathe:
• PM 0.3-10, dust and other air pollutants
• Pollen and other allergens
• Bacteria and other germs
• UPF 50+ UV protection
Reusable, washable, and available in 4 sizes.” Source
Each mask comes neatly packed in a box and contains 1 mask skin, 2 filters, 2 air valves, 1 head strap, and one travel pouch.
**2020 Update** Check out a video I took last year that shows the unboxing and assembling of the mask. I wasn’t able to upload it at the time the article was published.
The Urban Air 2.0 is lightweight, has a sleek and modern design, and doesn’t heat up my face like other masks do. I tried it out both in warm and cold climates and did have a build-up of sweat on my face while in 90-degree weather outdoors. Needless to say, the mask worked pretty well to filter out things as we were walking around on a hot summer day. In 45 degree weather, it worked really well and since I wasn’t sweating I didn’t have to move the mask to wipe down my face. Unlike the Urban Air 1.0. this newer model has slimmer filters which really help keep the face cooler. What I love about these masks is that you can replace the filters once they are no longer doing their job. Gone are the days of throwing away entire masks. Yay!
For the chemically sensitive, I’ve worn this mask to church (while sitting at a far distance from others) and to a few outings including doctor appointments and I found that it works well to filter out someone wearing perfume seven or more feet away. It also works to avoid breathing in street pollution and the smell of gasoline while my husband pumps gas and I’m sitting in the car.
If you have low chemical intolerances or you need to avoid pollution, you may find this mask helpful. If you have mild to moderate chemical intolerances this mask may not work for you. It won’t work to filter out air fresheners in bathrooms that are pumped out several times per hour, for that I recommend a disposable P100. That is what I use when I need to go into heavily fragranced areas for a short period of time.
If you are interested in this mask I would recommend having two masks on hand so that you can swap them out quickly if one soaks up odors and needs to be washed. I would also recommend that you keep your mask inside of the pouch it comes in and also place the pouch inside of a sealed zippered plastic bag when not in use. Lastly, make sure you wash the mask skin, pouch and valves with fragrance-free soap before using it. You can also soak them in a teaspoon of baking soda and rinse well before using it.
Do you have any questions or need help finding chemical-free solutions or removing chemicals from your environment?
Contact me here to schedule a phone consultation.
Blessings to you and yours!
Chemical Free Gal
The problem with this mask is there is no publicly available documentation from Airinum showing results of any of the testing done on the masks. There is no way to verify what it does or, more importantly, does not filter.