June 07, 2024

Learn more about Cambridge Mask Co

This article covers the following topics:

What is Cambridge Mask?

Cambridge Mask Co. offers three different types of masks which are the PRO, Non-valve, and BASIC. The masks are available in 5 different sizes to fit everyone in the family (children to adults).

Our PRO and Non-valve masks offer the below filtration efficiency:

99.6% filtration of viruses
99.77% filtration of bacteria

Cambridge Mask PRO

The Cambridge Mask PRO is a stylish pollution mask available in various patterns and sizes. These masks serve multiple purposes and are popular among travelers, cyclists, city dwellers, individuals with respiratory conditions, and anyone looking to minimize exposure to harmful pollutants. It's important to note that the entire mask functions as the filter.

Below are details of the Cambridge Mask PRO's filtration layers:

The Primary Filter Layer

The first layer of our pollution mask works by filtering out larger particles like dust and PM10. To make the smog masks fashion-friendly, we print various patterns on this layer using sublimation, making them ideal for marketing and corporate branding.

Dye-Sublimation Printing: This digital technology works with polyester and polymer-coated materials. Our unique sublimation dyes are transferred to special paper via liquid gel ink through piezoelectric print heads. Heat and pressure then transfer the dye into the fabric, fusing it to the textile on a molecular level. This ensures the print remains permanent and won't wash off or wear out, unlike surface-applied dyes.
The Three-Ply Micro Particulate Layer

The second layer of our mask is specifically designed to block particulate pollution, including PM2.5, and is tested to filter particles as small as PM0.3. This layer is made from three-ply non-woven melt-blown polypropylene, a versatile thermoplastic polymer used in various applications.

Blow Molding Process: The process starts by melting the plastic and forming it into a "parison" – a ball of liquid. High-velocity air is then used to create a fibrous web by attenuating the filaments. The random orientation of these fibers enhances the mesh's effectiveness in trapping pollution. Additionally, the high surface area of this textile increases the capture rate of particulates as they pass through the filter.
Inner Filter Layer

Our inner filter is crafted from 100% pure activated carbon cloth, originally invented by the UK Ministry of Defence. This material was extensively developed for use in chemical, biological, and nuclear warfare protection.

Activated Carbon Properties: Activated carbon, typically available in powders and granules, generates "Van der Waals" forces due to its porous structure. These forces enable activated carbon to adsorb gaseous molecules, including anions and cations, into its internal pores. This unique adsorption capability makes our inner filter highly effective at trapping harmful substances.

Advanced Filtration Technology

Our filter material is composed of activated carbon filaments, each approximately 2,000 nanometers in diameter. These filaments are significantly smaller than the typical grain size found in standard carbon materials, resulting in a much faster and more powerful adsorption rate for pollutant gases.

Enhanced Adsorption and Efficiency: The small diameter of the filaments provides a greater surface area, allowing bacteria and viruses to be attracted to the filament surface more efficiently compared to granular carbon. The high density of filaments, spun into yarn and woven into cloth, ensures rapid adsorption while maintaining breathability.

Antibacterial and Antiviral Properties: The activated carbon cloth in our masks traps bacteria and viruses, drawing out their gel-like cytoplasm and effectively killing them to prevent infection. Additionally, silver is incorporated to enhance these antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Comprehensive Protection: The Cambridge Mask Pro functions as a powerful respirator, effectively filtering out particulate pollution and removing harmful gases and pathogens through the activated carbon layer.

Sustainable Material: Unlike many carbons used in air purifiers and filtration media, which are often derived from coal or coconut husks, our activated carbon cloth is made from viscose rayon, primarily sourced from wood pulp. This provides a sustainable alternative while maintaining high filtration performance.

PRO features:

Made by combining 3 unique layers; the outer printed layer, three-ply particulate filter, and activated carbon cloth.
Unique Lab tested British Military Filtration Technology filters almost 100% of pollution, gases, and 99.6% of viruses and 99.7% of bacteria.
Ideal for people at risk of respiratory diseases, living in or traveling to areas with high air pollution/smoke levels.
Protection against harmful gases, odors, all PM; PM2.5, PM0.3, pollen, smoke, allergens, and pathogens such as viruses and bacteria as well as gas-based pollution such as benzene and petrol/gasoline exhaust.
Treated with silver to protect the wearer against bacteria and viruses.
The world’s most trusted reusable anti-pollution mask now with adjustable straps, perfect for travel, especially to China or India.
Presented in eco-friendly for storage, fashion-friendly designs are available in 5 sizes suitable for the whole family!
Cambridge Mask NON-VALVE

The Cambridge Mask NON-VALVE is specifically designed to meet local mask regulations, making it ideal for air travel, crowded areas, and grocery shopping. The Non-valve masks are equipped with the same filtration layers and technology and therefore, have the same filtration efficiency as the PRO masks.

NON-VALVE features:

Unique Lab tested British Military Filtration Technology filters almost 100% of pollution, gases, allergens, smog, and pollen.
Lightweight, breathable material.
Filters 99.6% of all viruses and 99.7% of bacteria.
Filters PM10, PM2.5, PM0.3
Lasts up to 340 hours of active use (3 – 6 months).
Zero valves result in limited ventilation so not advised for high-intensity activities such as running, cycling, or other sport.
Adjustable ear loops with toggles for a secure snug fit.
Presented in eco-friendly packaging for storage.

Cambridge Mask BASIC

We aim to help everyone enjoy outdoor activities without concerns about air quality or appearance. To complement our effective PRO masks, we developed the BASIC range, making clean air accessible to even more people.

BASIC features:

New Lab tested filtration technology filters over 95% of pollution, gases, bacteria, and viruses up to 90 hours of use.
Trusted by people at risk of respiratory diseases, living in or traveling to areas with high air pollution levels
Protection against odors, all PM; PM2.5, PM0.3, pollen, smoke, and pathogens such as viruses and bacteria.
The world’s most trusted anti-pollution mask, perfect for travel, especially to China or India
Presented in a frustration-free ziplock bag for reuse, fashion-friendly designs are available in 5 sizes suitable for the whole family!

Where is Cambridge Mask from?

Until late 2016, all our masks were assembled in the U.K. However, starting in 2017, we opened a facility in China to better serve our customers and support our rapid expansion. We now have production facilities in both the UK and China.

Rest assured, our production adheres to the highest international standards. Our filters are manufactured in the UK, while the masks are assembled in China and Indonesia.

Our production facilities meet the following international standards:

ISO 9001:2008

ISO 13485:2003

Who is behind the Cambridge Mask story?

Cambridge Mask Co™ was founded by Christopher Dobbing, a Cambridge University graduate. Christopher moved to China in 2012 after completing his degree to work as an education consultant and study Mandarin. During his time in China, he noticed that many of the bright young students he worked with were suffering from serious respiratory illnesses. While interviewing students in Beijing for summer programs, he often asked, "What do you think is the greatest challenge for China in the next decade?" The nearly unanimous response was "air pollution."

Having grown up in rural England with clean air, Christopher was shocked to learn that many children in China considered it normal to have a persistent cough and carry an inhaler. He strongly believed that no child should have to accept this as normal.

Christopher's research into academic publications, health studies, news sources, and historical pollution data revealed the staggering scale of the problem—air pollution was claiming millions of lives worldwide every year. This realization turned his curiosity into a passion and ultimately an obsession for better air quality.

From 2013 to 2015, Christopher worked as the China Director for Vogmask, an American pollution mask brand, which he successfully launched and expanded into a national brand. In 2015, he decided to start his own venture, leveraging his Cambridge roots. Every component of the Cambridge Mask™ has been meticulously sourced with a strong emphasis on quality.

Cambridge Mask Co has rapidly grown, now boasting offices in the UK, Beijing, and Hong Kong, and serving a diverse client base that includes schools, hospitals, and embassies. In 2016, the company received investment from Y Combinator (YC) through their Fellowship Programme. YC, the incubator behind successful startups like Dropbox, Airbnb, Stripe, and Reddit, is partnering with us to develop groundbreaking technologies that will revolutionize our approach to clean air.

Curious about our masks? They consist of 14 carefully sourced components.

When should I renew my Cambridge Mask PRO, NON-VALVE, and BASIC?

The Cambridge Mask PRO, NON-VALVE, and BASIC are designed to be reusable, which means their effectiveness duration depends on the level of pollution (AQI) in the environment during use. When the mask reaches the end of its effective lifespan, it should be replaced with a new one.

Cambridge Mask PRO and NON-VALVE

You can wear the PRO and NON-VALVE masks for approximately 340 hours of active use, or for 6 months if used daily during commutes or other activities. Typically, these masks can be used regularly for 3-6 months before needing replacement. The table below explains in more detail:

Cambridge Mask BASIC

The BASIC mask has a lifetime of approximately 90 hours of active use, or for 3 months if used daily during commutes or other activities.

Why choose Cambridge Mask over other pollution masks?

The Inner filter of the Cambridge Mask Pro utilizes a 100% pure activated carbon cloth originally developed by the UK Ministry of Defense for chemical, biological, and nuclear warfare protection. This advanced material is engineered with a porous structure that generates "Van der Waal" forces, enabling it to effectively adsorb gaseous molecules, including anions and cations, into its internal pores.

The filter material consists of activated carbon filaments, each approximately 2,000 nanometers in diameter. These filaments are significantly smaller than those found in standard carbon materials, enhancing the speed and potency of pollutant gas adsorption.

Moreover, the abundance of filaments, spun into yarn and woven into cloth, accelerates the adsorption process while maintaining breathability. The activated carbon cloth efficiently traps bacteria and viruses, drawing out their gel-like cytoplasm and deactivating them to prevent infection. Additionally, silver is incorporated into the cloth to further enhance its antibacterial and antiviral properties.