hi there~ i am going to HongKong next month..
and i am really worry about the SARS disease..
i saw the "electronics mask" on TV news...
it is about the size of a small cigarette box..
and can be wear around the neck or chest..
this device can generate a virus-free air around our body..
the news said many HongKong celebrities wear this kind of electronics mask now..
but where can i buy it and how much is it cost?..
thanx~
ps/ i am in Australia.

Hello e_rick_wu-ga,

At the outset, I should emphasize the disclaimer at the bottom of this
page, which notes that answers and comments on Google Answers are
general information, and not substitutes for professional medical
advice.  I do not know personally whether personal air purifiers are
effective at protecting against SARS.  If you are concerned about
SARS, you may wish to consult with a medical professional before
travelling.

It appears that you are referring to the Air Supply, which has been
described as "'the world's first wearable air purifier'", and which is
mentioned in a Hong Kong resident's weblog.

"Net is incubator for SARS info", by Laura Bly (04/23/2003)
USATODAY.com
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/road/bly.htm

"Ultra-Mini Air Supply"
Magellan's
http://magellans.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?ruleID=4&iMainCat=9&iProductID=645&itemType=PRODUCT&iSubCat=41&itemID=645

"Personal air purifier" (April 21, 2003)
Kingsley's Weblog
http://homepage.mac.com/kwong/archives.html#note_208

There are a few different models of the Air Supply:

"Air Supply"
Wein Products, Inc.
http://www.weinproducts.com/airsupplypage.htm

The following Australian site offers two of these models:

"Catalogue > Air Filtration > Personal"
Healthy Dwelling
http://www.healthydwelling.com.au/productsummary.php?type_id=5&cat_id=14

I hope that this information is helpful.

- justaskscott-ga


I used the following search terms, individually and in combinations,
on Google:

sars
"hong kong"
"air purifier"
"air purifiers"
"air supply"
mini
site:au

Note: I live and work in Hong Kong.  I do not work for google.

In my personal opinion, that type of product sounds like hype and
total garbage to me. Keep in mind that the google researcher has a
duty to help find what you asked for, but that doesn't mean it works.

As someone living in Hong Kong I can point out:

(1) You can buy masks in grocery stores, airport, etc... but they are
expensive

(2) a good general use mask is the 3M model 8210 N95 mask  These are
made by 3M in the USA.  On my box of 3M masks, there are some phone
numbers for 3M: 1-800-243-4630 and in canada 1-800-265-1840.

This is a common industrial mask that blocks droplets, fibers, dust,
etc... and is recommended where I work in HK.

SARS spread might be possible by droplet, touching contaiminated
surface, and exposure to feces of infected people. If you are under
age 30, your risk of death, once infected, is not very high.  30-50 is
moderate, over 50 quite high.

If you use the mask and die anyway, it is not my fault.