The air pollution mask that can create smart maps of cities and even check your health

A new breathing mask that filters out air-pollution has been developed by a New York based startup. The clear, plastic mask allows people to see the wearers face, and can be reused. The mask is even able to record air quality data and collect it for analysis, which could help researchers develop ways to better protect people from air pollution. The company behind the mask, O2O2 facewear, is part of a Urban- X, a business accelerator in Brooklyn which is focused on ' shaping the future of cities through technology and design.'

Air pollution is linked to seven million deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization. The founder said: "We looked at the existing options on the market and were horrified. Facemasks and respirators are effectively repurposed 1960s technology that is fundamentally flawed. We created a modern hi-tech solution that makes clean air available to everybody." The mask is about the size of a camera and is lighter than headsets such as the Oculus Rift. In contrast to standard rubber face masks that can become smelly because of nose and mouth moisture, the O2O2 mask circulates air around the face with two fans on either side. Filters in the fans clean the air before it blows, and they need to be changed every 40 hours depending on how high pollution levels are. The fans also clear up any fog that forms on the clear plastic, evaporating it away. The mask doesn't need to be airtight to block out air pollution because it's designed in such a way that the air circulating inside it keeps chemicals away from the nose and mouth. One of the most interesting aspects of the mask is that it can create a large air contamination database from all over a city, potentially leading to air pollution maps. (© Daily Mail, London)