Will wearing a face mask protect you?
The easiest way to avoid pollution is to keep away from busy roads, says Alastair Lewis, a professor of atmospheric chemistry at the University of York. But what else may help protect you? We asked the experts.
RESPRO CITY MASK £29.99, respro.com
THIS moulded mask blocks airborne particles (or particulates) as small as 10 micrometres (PM10), such as those linked with vehicle exhaust emissions.
EXPERT VERDICT: ‘Good masks can stop us inhaling pollutants,’ says Roy Harrison, a professor of environmental health at the University of Birmingham. ‘This mask will filter out many harmful particles, such as diesel particles, efficiently.
‘However, it wouldn’t block all harmful gases in vehicle emissions such as nitrogen dioxide, as these can pass through the weave. The only way to keep them out is through an activated carbon filter, similar to those in World War II gas masks.
‘A mask must not leak air from the sides, which can occur if you have a beard. This mask is a good tight fit.’ 8/10
CLARINS UV+ ANTIPOLLUTION CREAM 30ml, £32, Boots
THIS contains cantaloupe melon extract, which has antioxidant properties; blackcurrant extract to limit inflammation; and an anti-pollution complex with white tea and succory to neutralise free radicals.
EXPERT VERDICT: ‘Pollution can damage the skin barrier, leaving it vulnerable to inflammation and irritation,’ says Justine Hextall, a consultant dermatologist at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. ‘Damaged cells release free radicals that raise levels of the enzyme MMP-1, which breaks down collagen and elastin, our skin’s scaffolding.
‘While there may be some, albeit limited, evidence for blackcurrant and white tea to protect cells from free radical damage, this is a topical application and it is unclear how much you would absorb.’ 4/10
HEALTH PLUS DETOX PACK SUPPLEMENT 28 sachets, £15.45, healthplus.co.uk
THIS ‘advanced anti-pollutant formula’, with antioxidants such as glutathione, helps remove ‘toxins and heavy metals’ from the body. EXPERT VERDICT: ‘The theory is that “oxidant” molecules and free radicals released in the body as a result of pollution are associated with inflammation and a range of diseases,’ says Professor Harrison. ‘In response, your body produces antioxidants — and this product helps to supplement these. But I know of no trials showing that antioxidants in supplement form help protect you from diseases or pollution.’ Glutathione is a strong antioxidant ‘but it’s broken down in the digestive tract and may not get to the cells, where it is needed,’ adds Dr Hextall. 3/10
DYSON PURE COOL LINK TOWER FILTER £449.99, John Lewis
AIR is drawn into a filter that traps particles as small as 0.1 micrometre (PM 0.1). It has pollution sensors to monitor and adjust the airflow.
EXPERT VERDICT: ‘The use of a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter means it will catch a range of particles and sizes,’ says Professor Harrison. ‘The filter may need replacing after a time. Gases such as nitrogen dioxide — released when diesel is burnt — are so small, they may pass through the filter.’ 9/10
LONDON AIR APP Free for iPhone and Android, see londonair.org.uk
THIS displays the latest air pollution levels in your area of London. EXPERT VERDICT: ‘The information is reliable,’ says Professor Harrison, ‘and there is explicit health advice for people with illnesses such as asthma.’ Some local authorities around the country are developing similar apps, but you can also access this information at uk-air.defra.gov.uk. 9/10
AWAIR DEVICE £179.99, getawair.co.uk
THIS tracks volatile organic compounds (chemicals released by cleaning products, burning fuel and cooking), dust and carbon dioxide. It sends this data via an app to your smartphone.
EXPERT VERDICT: ‘This claims to measure five key factors of air quality but how it can sense all the known pollutants at once I don’t know,’ says Professor Harrison. ‘To do this reliably I would expect it to be much more expensive.’ 4/10
REN FLASH DEFENCE ANTI-POLLUTION MIST 60ml, £24, escentual.com
A MIST that forms a barrier against ‘free radicals and pollution’, with quercetin.
EXPERT VERDICT: ‘How can this claim to shield the skin from external free radicals when free radicals, by definition, come from within the skin?’ says Dr Hextall. ‘Whether quercetin has any antioxidant effect in spray form is unknown.’ 2/10 JINAN HARB