Comments on: Anti-viral/allergen nostril filters http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:20:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: andygates http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1079813 andygates Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1079813 I'd have called "April fool!" were it not for the First Defense roster of snake-oil and gullible consumers. The "market exists for it" because there's one born every minute. I’d have called “April fool!” were it not for the First Defense roster of snake-oil and gullible consumers. The “market exists for it” because there’s one born every minute.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1078802 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078802 I'm interested by this as I have rhinitis but honestly I'd prefer tubes that suck the mucus from the airwaves (not too much force you understand, just enough to not worry about a runny nose) I’m interested by this as I have rhinitis but honestly I’d prefer tubes that suck the mucus from the airwaves (not too much force you understand, just enough to not worry about a runny nose)

]]> By: boomer0127 http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1079350 boomer0127 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1079350 Unless these things are HEPA filters, they are unlikely to stop much but particulates floating in the air. Even a .2µM filter doesn't stop rhinoviruses (common cold) which are around 30nm in diameter. Methinks if this is a HEPA filter, it's gonna clog up pretty fast with airborne crap and then you are going to breathe out of your mouth. And really - 99%? That is nothing. 1 out of 100 when there are tens of thousands of viruses in a sneeze? I suppose dose does have some effect on whether or not the virus "takes", but still. Even EPA has higher stringency than that. Unless these things are HEPA filters, they are unlikely to stop much but particulates floating in the air. Even a .2µM filter doesn’t stop rhinoviruses (common cold) which are around 30nm in diameter. Methinks if this is a HEPA filter, it’s gonna clog up pretty fast with airborne crap and then you are going to breathe out of your mouth.

And really – 99%? That is nothing. 1 out of 100 when there are tens of thousands of viruses in a sneeze? I suppose dose does have some effect on whether or not the virus “takes”, but still. Even EPA has higher stringency than that.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1080381 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1080381 A face mask has over 100 times as much surface area, and it still makes breaking labored, especially if you are doing anything aerobic. There is no way these would let you breathe worth a damn. A face mask has over 100 times as much surface area, and it still makes breaking labored, especially if you are doing anything aerobic. There is no way these would let you breathe worth a damn.

]]> By: jphilby http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1079375 jphilby Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1079375 Chlorpheniramine Maleate looks less dorky. Chlorpheniramine Maleate looks less dorky.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1078866 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078866 Boing Boing already posted a solution for this: http://boingboing.net/2009/05/26/is-crohns-disease-on.html These same organisms seem to be also effective against allergies: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/health/01iht-01prof.14122951.html Boing Boing already posted a solution for this:
http://boingboing.net/2009/05/26/is-crohns-disease-on.html

These same organisms seem to be also effective against allergies:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/health/01iht-01prof.14122951.html

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1078620 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078620 Asimov's Spacers? Asimov’s Spacers?

]]> By: Stonewalker http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1078621 Stonewalker Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078621 99% effective? That's a lot right?? I'll take em! 99% effective? That’s a lot right?? I’ll take em!

]]> By: Berk http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1078622 Berk Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078622 What about the whole, mouth thing? What about the whole, mouth thing?

]]> By: Grey Devil http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1078626 Grey Devil Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078626 Interesting, but i would rather see a consumer's review of this than what seemingly seems like an advert for a product. Interesting, but i would rather see a consumer’s review of this than what seemingly seems like an advert for a product.

]]> By: Alvis http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1078628 Alvis Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078628 But how effective are nose hairs and mucus at filtering air? I need a figure to compare these against. But how effective are nose hairs and mucus at filtering air? I need a figure to compare these against.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1078636 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078636 Guy that invented this was on Shark Tank. He said stuff coming in the mouth didn't cause you to get sick or something. Guy that invented this was on Shark Tank. He said stuff coming in the mouth didn’t cause you to get sick or something.

]]> By: Kieran O'Neill http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1078638 Kieran O'Neill Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078638 Erm, airborne viruses are also transmitted through contact with contaminated objects or individuals (e.g. you shake someone's hand that they coughed on, then eat a sandwich). And as I understand it, pollen can be similar - it's on your skin, you swallow it in your food, breath it in through your mouth. I'm sure that 99% effectiveness is the ability of the filter to stop particles in a perfect lab situation. I would wonder how effective they are overall at, say, reducing allergic response or transmission of infection. Erm, airborne viruses are also transmitted through contact with contaminated objects or individuals (e.g. you shake someone’s hand that they coughed on, then eat a sandwich).

And as I understand it, pollen can be similar – it’s on your skin, you swallow it in your food, breath it in through your mouth.

I’m sure that 99% effectiveness is the ability of the filter to stop particles in a perfect lab situation. I would wonder how effective they are overall at, say, reducing allergic response or transmission of infection.

]]> By: Julien Couvreur http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1078640 Julien Couvreur Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078640 The TV show "Shark Tank" just had a similar (or the same) product featured. It was Season 2 Week 1. The investors were quite skeptical at first (who would want to wear this? is it unfashionable/uncool?), but there is surprising evidence that a market exists (some people already buying). It was an interesting show. http://www.hulu.com/watch/226365/shark-tank-week-1 The TV show “Shark Tank” just had a similar (or the same) product featured. It was Season 2 Week 1.

The investors were quite skeptical at first (who would want to wear this? is it unfashionable/uncool?), but there is surprising evidence that a market exists (some people already buying).
It was an interesting show.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/226365/shark-tank-week-1

]]> By: Neon Tooth http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1078642 Neon Tooth Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078642 <i>"99 percent" effective</i> And probably 99 percent uncomfortable to have up your nose... “99 percent” effective

And probably 99 percent uncomfortable to have up your nose…

]]> By: g0d5m15t4k3 http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1078645 g0d5m15t4k3 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078645 I guess I could see using these if you worked in landscaping/construction/something that has fumes/smoke... but everyday people?? No. You'd look like a retard with bandages on their nose holes. I guess I could see using these if you worked in landscaping/construction/something that has fumes/smoke… but everyday people?? No. You’d look like a retard with bandages on their nose holes.

]]> By: jimh http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1078658 jimh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078658 Watched the little video, where they kept repeating how these were "barely noticeable" and where I could clearly see them and they looked ridiculous. Just wear a SARS mask and be done with it. Watched the little video, where they kept repeating how these were “barely noticeable” and where I could clearly see them and they looked ridiculous.

Just wear a SARS mask and be done with it.

]]> By: Brooke vs. Godzilla http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1079187 Brooke vs. Godzilla Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1079187 Snot's cheaper. Snot’s cheaper.

]]> By: Lobster http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1078678 Lobster Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078678 If you block off your mouth too you'll suffocate! :( If you block off your mouth too you’ll suffocate! :(

]]> By: shannigans http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1078679 shannigans Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078679 Now they just need one for your mouth and eyeballs. That won't look weird or anything. Now they just need one for your mouth and eyeballs. That won’t look weird or anything.

]]> By: Micah http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1078697 Micah Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078697 You mean like <a href="http://www.hulu.com/watch/2357/saturday-night-live-peter-sarsgaards-sars-guards">one of these</a>? (apologies to our friends outside the US) You mean like one of these?

(apologies to our friends outside the US)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1079723 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1079723 (It seems that) Something like %40 of Japanese people are allergic to Japanese cedar trees and, before the war, the gov't invested in planting them all over the country. Then, they started importing most of their lumber. That means that there are an endless amount of cedar trees and people are miserable for the majority of spring as they are pollinating. So, Japanese people, as usual, have adapted and use a slew of products to protect against the endlessly uncomfortable symptoms of pollen allergies. One is similar to the product feature above. Mostly, though, eye drops, face masks, and (strangely enough) clear glasses are used to subdue the effects of kafuun sho. (It seems that) Something like %40 of Japanese people are allergic to Japanese cedar trees and, before the war, the gov’t invested in planting them all over the country. Then, they started importing most of their lumber. That means that there are an endless amount of cedar trees and people are miserable for the majority of spring as they are pollinating. So, Japanese people, as usual, have adapted and use a slew of products to protect against the endlessly uncomfortable symptoms of pollen allergies. One is similar to the product feature above. Mostly, though, eye drops, face masks, and (strangely enough) clear glasses are used to subdue the effects of kafuun sho.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1078700 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078700 Most colds are transmitted by touching your eye. Most colds are transmitted by touching your eye.

]]> By: bcsizemo http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1078705 bcsizemo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078705 If I'm having some heavy allergies I usually pop some generic zertec and put on a 3M N95 dust mask for a couple of hours. If I’m having some heavy allergies I usually pop some generic zertec and put on a 3M N95 dust mask for a couple of hours.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1080502 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1080502 Just use cotton! Just use cotton!

]]> By: tyger11 http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1078711 tyger11 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078711 I prefer the cool-looking metal ones in Ultraviolet. I prefer the cool-looking metal ones in Ultraviolet.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1079223 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1079223 Now all I need is a pillow for my mouth. Now all I need is a pillow for my mouth.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1078718 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078718 When I'm having trouble breathing due to allergies, my first reaction is to stick something up my nose that restricts air flow. When I’m having trouble breathing due to allergies, my first reaction is to stick something up my nose that restricts air flow.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1080014 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1080014 When the company's owner was on Shark Tank he mentioned having a multi-year, $8 million deal to provide them to a middle eastern government (the Saudis?). Perhaps they're good if you're dealing with a lot of dust blowing around... When the company’s owner was on Shark Tank he mentioned having a multi-year, $8 million deal to provide them to a middle eastern government (the Saudis?). Perhaps they’re good if you’re dealing with a lot of dust blowing around…

]]> By: Forkboy http://boingboing.net/2011/04/08/anti-viralallergen-n.html#comment-1078740 Forkboy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1078740 Didn't they have these in "The Running Man" (the book) to counter pollution ? I swear the world becomes more and more like a dystopian sci-fi story each day. Didn’t they have these in “The Running Man” (the book) to counter pollution ? I swear the world becomes more and more like a dystopian sci-fi story each day.

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