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People ask if I Can Breathe! masks have been tested. See results of a fit test measuring size of particles which enter each mask. Masks have not been tested nor approved by NIOSH or OSHA for occupational wear. See Disclaimer. People find each mask effective for its purpose. I Can Breathe! does not make N95 masks. For an N95 respirator, click here.
The I Can Breathe! Cold Weather Ski Mask is recommeded by a doctor who is sensitive to cold and is a competitive skier:
Dr. Eric Heiligenstein, M.D., Quality Management and Outcomes Research, University of Wisconsin, wrote to I Can Breathe! Inc.: "Compared to all other masks I have tried, your cold weather mask has numerous advantages to an athlete. The inhalation resistance was minimal even at a high level of exertion (90% maximum heart rate) and did little to impair performance. The silk/fleece combination makes your mask the only one I have used that does not become rapidly saturated with moisture from exhalation. It seems like the moisture was ‘wicked’ from the silk into the fleece allowing inhaled air to be humidified but keeping the mask dry against your face. One thing I have distinctly noticed is the warming effect of wearing the mask. I require less clothing as a result. During the recent cold period I was able to ski without problems at zero degrees or below. The cold weather mask reduces the cumulative effects of being exposed to cold air."The masks are worn by me, Adrien Bledstein, president and designer of quality I Can Breathe! masks. In 1994, I woke up wheezing and was diagnosed with a chronic lung disorder. I noticed all kinds of smells that I never paid attention to in the past now made me cough and gasp for breath. To reduce exposure to irritants, I designed and wear each I Can Breathe! Mask in response to a challenging environment. People who have tried many types of other masks then tried I Can Breathe! Masks for their circumstances have joined customers who buy repeatedly.
The fabrics chosen for each mask pass rigorous evaluation by me: Can I breathe? Does the fabric filter effectively? Does the mask seal well so that offending irritants don't seep in around the edges? Is it washable? Is it comfortable? Does the combination of materials hold up over time? Does the fabric look good for the design and purpose of the mask? Is it compatible with my eye glasses? Do I mind being seen in public wearing this mask? Do I have room to breathe without fabric in my mouth or nose?
Cold Weather Ski Mask: I first devised a mask and matching scarf for myself out of some Vellux from a blanket. The fabric is soft but sturdy, washable and cozy. However, when I dried the blanket in a dryer, a handful of fiber came out. Loose fibers are not appropriate for a mask. Try again. After discovering the wonder of natural silk as a filter, I added a silk lining to filter the fiber, but changed to a polyester fleece which is more supple and comfortable under eye glasses. After trying every polyester fleece on the market, I found a brand that breathes, warms, washes beautifully--and in combination with silk doesn't fog my eye glasses. Every morning I walk with my dog Skete to Promontory Point, a small peninsula on Lake Michigan. The north wind brings clean, fresh air with wind chills to -40 F. For three winters I wore mask after mask until I had the fabrics and design that make it a pleasure to walk briskly, head on into the coldest wind. Customers Say...
Silk Comfort Mask: Living with my scholar husband and my dog in an apartment lined with books that hold dust, I needed a comfortable mask to filter dust and dander. After trying disposable masks, I realized that filtering the indoor air made a huge difference in my energy and creativity. In spring and fall, when mold is in the morning air outside, I needed something to filter the mold that caused me to cough and slowed my pace on my morning walk--the silk mask frees me to walk. The static electricity of natural silk may enhance its filtering capacity. At home, I wear a silk mask all the time, including for sleeping. If pollution in Chicago requires something that filters fumes and finer particles, I go to the next level.
Honeycomb (Mesh) or Lace Mask with Activated Carbon Filter:
The carbon filter in the Honeycomb Mask is NOT an N95 respirator recommended by the Center for Disease Control.
Living with hyper sensitive lungs in any city is a challenge. Chicago, a hub for trucks and airplanes, is especially taxing if the north wind isn't blowing. As spring turned to summer, I found myself coughing at fumes from passing vehicles, especially busses and trucks, but also cars, depending on the humidity. Fabric softener from neighbors' dryer vents, varnish and paint from home improvements, heavy perfume from women walking by, cigarette smoke, heated tar for street repair--all added to the mix. Silk just didn't cut it. Cotton helped, but not enough. I needed a carbon filter, so tried a well known dust/mist mask. Great filter, but not comfortable, especially under eye glasses. I tried everything I could find on the market. Guys who motorcycle cut through fumes with a neoprene mask that held a carbon filter. I bought the filters to put in my silk mask. Nice. Much better. However, when I pumped gas for my car, I could smell the fumes. The seal wasn't adequate. I worked on the seal. With a good seal, I couldn't breathe through the filter and the silk. I made a porous frame contoured to seal the filter. Now I could breathe, was comfortable, and felt so good that I went outside wearing it. When folks looked, I smiled and said, "Read my eyes!" With this mask I can go to an airport and fly. Customers Say...
I am amazed at what customers tell me. Brett Rosen reported that he and his wife tried the silk mask and the cotton mask while grinding cayenne pepper. Each works! Carolyn McVeigh, who needs oxygen, wears the Honeycomb Mask with activated carbon filter over her oxygen nose tubes. She cleans her apartment with Pine Sol which usually knocks her out--with the mask she feels fine. Gerard Queenan exercised in frigid weather. He could breathe, was warm, and his glasses didn't fog until he stopped (body heat would account for that).
For a Passover seder I grated fresh horseradish. The next night my daughter-in-law grated more. "Whew," she complained, "what a job!" Her eyes were tearing. I had worn a silk mask and had no problem.
If you have an interesting report--or a problem--with an I Can Breathe! Mask, please let me know.
Best regards, Adrien For information call toll free in the USA: 1-888-313-0123, 9a-5p, CST, Mon-Fri. International call: 001-773-643-1062. Or click here for E-mail.
This page was last updated on 02/21/08. I Can Breathe! Inc. 1999-2006