All StyleSEAL filters are independently tested at Nelson Labs, Salt Lake City, UT, USA in compliance with US-FDA regulations 21 CFR Parts 210, 211 and 280 at a particle size of 0.3 microns.
StyleSEAL filters are replaceable, which makes them very different from disposable surgical masks or respirators. These other masks use disposable filters that are thrown away after use. Replaceable filters have many advantages:
- Costs less in the long term
- You can change filter strength
- No risk of damaging the filters during washing
- Easy to know when it’s time to change the filter
- Environmentally friendly
Pollution masks made from cloth only don’t work
Cloth only masks should not be used since cloth alone is not a filter. Fabric is designed to be breathable and so cannot filter PM10 and PM2.5 particles. Therefore, cloth alone does not filter the small particles that will hurt you! Cloth masks merely keep the bugs out of your nose.
Filter Levels
Choose a filter that matches the highest pollution level you may encounter during your daily routine. StyleSEAL has various filter levels to match your current level of pollution. The filters have a ring colored to match to the Air Quality Index (AQI). The higher filter levels are thicker and more efficient, but also more costly and harder to breathe through.
Below is the Air Quality Index (AQI) scale and our recommended filter chart:
Carbon Absorbs Gasses and Odors
Carbon can absorb gas pollutants in the air. StyleSEAL 80+ and 90+ filters both contain carbon layers. The major gas pollutants include:
- Sulfur dioxide (SO2),
- Carbon monoxide (CO),
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- Ozone (O3).
- VOC’s – Volatile Organic Compounds
The primary source of gases is the burning of fossil fuels in power plants, industrial processes, and motor vehicles. These pollutants, in their gas form, cause harm to our health and the environment. If you are near car exhaust or work with chemicals (e.g. nail/hairstylist) you should use carbon filters.
Carbon filtering
This method of filtering uses activated carbon to remove pollutants. Each particle of carbon has a very large surface area, allowing it to absorb a high amount of pollutants. Carbon is highly effective in absorbing gaseous pollutants and odors.
Nano-Silver Can Kill Germs
Nano-silver can transform protein expression and generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). This damages the DNA of germs and kills them. Nano-silver can kill a wide range of germs. Both the 95S and 99S level filters include the nano-silver additive.
Easily Replaceable
Our filters are easily installed by attaching the loop side of the filter to the hook side in the air mask, as shown below:
How do I find the Air Quality Index for my city?
On the World’s Air Pollution website, you can find the Air Quality Index (AQI) for every city in the world. Another tool we recommend is the AirVisual air quality app. You can install this app on our smartphone to keep track of the AQI readings in your area or city.
Read more about how to keep track of air quality on our tracking air quality page.