Respro Allergy Face Mask
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List Price: Our Price: $49.72 You Save: $0.27 (1%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Respro Allergy Face Mask
Customer Review: large not big enough
Summary: 3 Stars
I ordered the large size Respro Aero and it is too small for my face. I'm an average to large sized male, 6 feet tall weighing 175 pounds. Inquiries with the manufacturer turned up the fact that there is no larger size Aero mask. They do make an FB-1 mask in extra-large. After I complained awhile, Harry Cole of Respro, the manufacturer, sent me out a sample extra-large FB-1 mask to try. I'm happy to report the FB-1 does cover my chin and I can now use the mask to work in my attic. However, I believe the Respro masks are severely overpriced.
The FB-1 mask is definitely better than the ubiquitous paper masks that can be had for a few dollars, but the FB-1 on Respro's website is £32.99 - $68 at end of 2007 exchange rates. Respro is in the UK - maybe European buyers could find more reasonable prices.
As for replacement filters, I had bought two large replacement filters for the Aero mask from an Amazon seller, so I took apart the FB-1 mask to see if the Aero filters could work in the FB-1 mask. It appears the holes are too close together. You could put the Aero filters in the FB-1 mask, but that may make the mask fit smaller. On Respro's website it is not obvious how to order replacement FB-1 filters. The only place I've found replacement FB-1 filters is a website in Canada. They currently run $26.25 apiece! (Canadian and U.S. dollars are at parity as I write this.)
I'm a little taken aback by the prices because the Aero and FB-1 filters don't appear a whole lot more sophisticated than the paper face masks I mentioned earlier. Don't get me wrong - the FB-1 mask fits much more comfortably than the paper masks - it is made of neoprene and has a relatively better fitting nose piece for my high nose bridge and comfortable Velcro closure as opposed to an elastic band on the paper masks. But unless there is some magic, the Respro filters in the Aero and the FB-1 face masks are just multi-layer non-woven fabric filters similar to the "paper" filter masks you can find at any paint store.
First, the Aero mask is not going to fit many men my size very well. Second, if Respro cut their prices by half I'd give them five stars. They are filling a niche no one else is.
Customer Review: Work on the fit
Summary: 1 Stars
i believe the medium is the right size (small female) but attaching the back is impossible to create a good fit. if i attach the back around the top the neck, the nose is tight and the chin area is loose. in fact just trying to attach the back anywhere, the fit is too tight or too loose on different areas. And if you're chemically sensitive, the smell of the mask isn't pleasant. They should try for an elastic behind the ear fit like other masks. it was disappointing because I need masks for allergies, etc.Customer Review: Mold protection mask
Summary: 4 Stars
The mask fits my face well (I'm a female) but it doesn't stay on well if I'm actually active. I've had to construct a strap that goes from the sides of the mask and over the top of my head to maintain its placement so it doesn't slide down, then it will stay on somewhat longer.
The mask does allow me to work in moldy locations with having an asthma attack or allergy symptoms because it protects down to 0.03 microns - the size of the mold spores.