The recent H1N1 flu triggered a sudden sales increase for face masks and Totobobo, the first customizable face mask is now hitting 25 countries across the world. The reusable mask is more reliable than N95 masks in determining face seal and this feature is greatly appreciated by parents traveling with young children during this holiday season.
Singapore, Singapore June 24, 2009 -- The current H1N1 flu triggered a sudden increase in sales of face masks and Totobobo, the first customizable face mask, is now hitting 25 countries across the world. This is a new milestone for the company, Dream Lab One, the producer of the Totobobo mask.
Travelers, cyclists, wood-turners and artists alike have found this reusable mask highly effective in blocking out polluted air and various irritants. Sales of this reusable mask has increased significantly and it has received rave reviews from users around the world.
Teenage girl wearing Totobobo mask
"This mask may have saved my life. First, the mask is made out of a rubbery material, so it sticks naturally to your skin. After I found the perfect position on my face for my mask, I no longer have any problems with breathing...at all...period. My nose has cleared up, my eyes are no longer irritated, I don't cough or sneeze at all anymore. It's comfortable and it doesn't fog my glasses! I hardly know I'm wearing it!" said Paula Ford, a satisfied Totobobo user and a pastel artist residing in Tennessee, United States.
Money can buy high quality filters, but a good seal has been a hit-or-miss affairThe Visual-Seal-Check, or VSC, is much more reliable than the seal check found in other N95 masks. This study shows that face-seal can be determined simply by checking the seal through the transparent mask Individuals who rely a lot on respiratory masks tend to live in environments that contain either polluted air or airborne disease pathogens. An effective mask helps to filter out polluted air and airborne virus. There are two conditions that determine whether a respiratory mask is effective. First, it needs to seal the wearer's nose and mouth snugly. Second, the filter material must be able to filter out the smallest of particles.
"Money can buy high quality filters, but a good seal has been a hit-or-miss affair," said Francis Chu, the designer of the revolutionary mask. His design provides a simple and intuitive solution call VSC (Visual-Seal-Check) for the user to check the face-seal.
Easy Visual-Seal-Check (VSC):
To ensure good respiratory seal, normal N95 mask users can only rely on their ability to feel the air-leak around their face. Such method is not reliable and sometimes it gives a fault sense of security. Francis believes his transparent mask allows users to check the seal intuitively and to ensure minimal seepage of polluted air.
To verify this, he sent the mask to a hospital and compared the Visual-Seal-Check (VSC) with the gold standard respirator fit-test, a high-end quantitative system called PortaCount from TSI Incorporated. The result showed strong correlation (90%) between the prediction of the Visual-Seal-Check (VSC) method and the result of the gold standard fit-test proving his intuitive method effective.
"The Visual-Seal-Check, or VSC, is much more reliable than the seal check found in other N95 masks. This study shows that face-seal can be determined simply by checking the seal through the transparent mask," says Francis.
Over half of the recent orders are coming from parents traveling with children. They appreciate the possibility to customize the mask to fit their young children. With the VSC they are more reassured that their children are getting the optimal protection.
About Totobobo:
Totobobo is the world's first customizable respiratory mask designed to fit all face shapes. The highly effective mask uses an advanced material technology that ensures a good face-seal, offering users guaranteed protection from pollutants. Tipping the scales at 20 grams, Totobobo is by far the lightest reusable respiratory mask on the market. The mask is made from FDA approved material, using a custom engineered 'TotoSoft' plastic formula which makes it remarkably comfortable. It comes in one universal size but can be trimmed to fit anyone, whether adult or child. Launched in 2008, the Totobobo mask has recently hit sales in 25 countries.
Totobobo is a registered trade mark. Totobobo mask is patented in Singapore and is worldwide patent pending.
