Gerard Hughes
@ghhughes.bsky.social
Kanro grant recipient for respiratory protection testing and advocacy. Science aficionado. Cat fan. Clean air and NPI proponent.
@ghhughes at the old place
https://www.youtube.com/@gerardhughes
@ghhughes at the old place
https://www.youtube.com/@gerardhughes
@adamwong.bsky.social released AirFanta's wearable air purifier to market. It's meant to be used close to your nose and mouth to minimize how much unfiltered air gets entrained with the filtered output. But it is not meant as a 1:1 respirator replacement.
November 8, 2025 at 4:47 AM
@adamwong.bsky.social released AirFanta's wearable air purifier to market. It's meant to be used close to your nose and mouth to minimize how much unfiltered air gets entrained with the filtered output. But it is not meant as a 1:1 respirator replacement.
Very cool design features in the updated Torch 2 Far UV light that can safely sanitize ambient air while being safe for people.
I like the removable battery and replaceable lamp, meaning that the lifespan of the Torch 2 is not limited to the life span of the lamp or the rechargeable batteries.
I like the removable battery and replaceable lamp, meaning that the lifespan of the Torch 2 is not limited to the life span of the lamp or the rechargeable batteries.
The Torch 2 injection molds are being made. This is the last 3D printed working model. There are just a few fiddly bits on the PCB we are finalizing.
Smol lady hands so hard to tell scale- it's a little chunky at 188mm x 60mm x 60mm but still much smaller than the original Torch kit.
Smol lady hands so hard to tell scale- it's a little chunky at 188mm x 60mm x 60mm but still much smaller than the original Torch kit.
November 2, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Very cool design features in the updated Torch 2 Far UV light that can safely sanitize ambient air while being safe for people.
I like the removable battery and replaceable lamp, meaning that the lifespan of the Torch 2 is not limited to the life span of the lamp or the rechargeable batteries.
I like the removable battery and replaceable lamp, meaning that the lifespan of the Torch 2 is not limited to the life span of the lamp or the rechargeable batteries.
Google AI lied to my face about respirator filters. You can't trust AI to give accurate information on respiratory protection
I searched for info on the Peke Safety Powercap's filters by product code to find their rating. The confidently wrong Google AI result I didn't ask for told me they are FFP2
I searched for info on the Peke Safety Powercap's filters by product code to find their rating. The confidently wrong Google AI result I didn't ask for told me they are FFP2
October 28, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Google AI lied to my face about respirator filters. You can't trust AI to give accurate information on respiratory protection
I searched for info on the Peke Safety Powercap's filters by product code to find their rating. The confidently wrong Google AI result I didn't ask for told me they are FFP2
I searched for info on the Peke Safety Powercap's filters by product code to find their rating. The confidently wrong Google AI result I didn't ask for told me they are FFP2
This popular fan powered respirator isn't as protective as people think. Its European TH1 certification allows up to 10% inward leakage.
The Powercap is a legitimate PAPR but not nearly as good as NIOSH PAPRs, or the other two EU PAPR classes:
TH2 - 2 % leakage allowed
TH3 - 0.2% leakage allowed
The Powercap is a legitimate PAPR but not nearly as good as NIOSH PAPRs, or the other two EU PAPR classes:
TH2 - 2 % leakage allowed
TH3 - 0.2% leakage allowed
October 28, 2025 at 6:38 AM
This popular fan powered respirator isn't as protective as people think. Its European TH1 certification allows up to 10% inward leakage.
The Powercap is a legitimate PAPR but not nearly as good as NIOSH PAPRs, or the other two EU PAPR classes:
TH2 - 2 % leakage allowed
TH3 - 0.2% leakage allowed
The Powercap is a legitimate PAPR but not nearly as good as NIOSH PAPRs, or the other two EU PAPR classes:
TH2 - 2 % leakage allowed
TH3 - 0.2% leakage allowed
Be cautious in reposting the "time to infectious dose" 2-way masking graphic.
It is still true that everyone masking is quadratically more effective than 1 person masking at infection control from airborne disease. But the initial starting point is purely hypothetical for illustration purposes.
It is still true that everyone masking is quadratically more effective than 1 person masking at infection control from airborne disease. But the initial starting point is purely hypothetical for illustration purposes.
October 17, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Be cautious in reposting the "time to infectious dose" 2-way masking graphic.
It is still true that everyone masking is quadratically more effective than 1 person masking at infection control from airborne disease. But the initial starting point is purely hypothetical for illustration purposes.
It is still true that everyone masking is quadratically more effective than 1 person masking at infection control from airborne disease. But the initial starting point is purely hypothetical for illustration purposes.
Huge 75% off discount on NIOSH-approved strapless ReadiMask N95s.
50 for $18.55
Discount code "NonSmokingZone"
Non-affiliate link:
alliantbiotech.com/product/read...
H/t to u/doililah for the code.
50 for $18.55
Discount code "NonSmokingZone"
Non-affiliate link:
alliantbiotech.com/product/read...
H/t to u/doililah for the code.
October 10, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Huge 75% off discount on NIOSH-approved strapless ReadiMask N95s.
50 for $18.55
Discount code "NonSmokingZone"
Non-affiliate link:
alliantbiotech.com/product/read...
H/t to u/doililah for the code.
50 for $18.55
Discount code "NonSmokingZone"
Non-affiliate link:
alliantbiotech.com/product/read...
H/t to u/doililah for the code.
For many, pseudoscience is comfort. Pseudoscience is easy to do and understand. Science is hard and can give us answers we don't want to hear.
Pseudoscience is popular in part because it seeks to confirm our beliefs.
Science can be less popular in part because it seeks to interrogate our beliefs.
Good science, like good art and literature, can upset the established ways in which we see the world.
Science can be less popular in part because it seeks to interrogate our beliefs.
Good science, like good art and literature, can upset the established ways in which we see the world.
October 6, 2025 at 5:24 PM
For many, pseudoscience is comfort. Pseudoscience is easy to do and understand. Science is hard and can give us answers we don't want to hear.
No. The answer is no. You can't trust UV sanitizers from Amazon.
Amazon gave me this one to review. It's supposed to output sanitizing UV-C light, but only gives off UV-A. Which may be a good thing. The FDA warned that UV wands with un-guarded UV-C sources can expose you to unsafe levels of UV-C.
Amazon gave me this one to review. It's supposed to output sanitizing UV-C light, but only gives off UV-A. Which may be a good thing. The FDA warned that UV wands with un-guarded UV-C sources can expose you to unsafe levels of UV-C.
October 5, 2025 at 4:26 AM
No. The answer is no. You can't trust UV sanitizers from Amazon.
Amazon gave me this one to review. It's supposed to output sanitizing UV-C light, but only gives off UV-A. Which may be a good thing. The FDA warned that UV wands with un-guarded UV-C sources can expose you to unsafe levels of UV-C.
Amazon gave me this one to review. It's supposed to output sanitizing UV-C light, but only gives off UV-A. Which may be a good thing. The FDA warned that UV wands with un-guarded UV-C sources can expose you to unsafe levels of UV-C.
Breathing clean air is as important to your health as drinking clean water. N95s are personal air filters, and they can help protect you from particulate air pollution from wood smoke, and much more.
@capublichealth.bsky.social is doing a great job with their public health messaging.
@capublichealth.bsky.social is doing a great job with their public health messaging.
CA is increasing the use of planned, controlled fires to prevent large, dangerous wildfires. The smoke is less dense & long-lasting compared to smoke from wildfires.
Fire smoke is unhealthy to breathe, even from prescribed fires, so be smoke ready!
📲Learn more: Go.cdph.ca.gov/Prescribed-Fire
Fire smoke is unhealthy to breathe, even from prescribed fires, so be smoke ready!
📲Learn more: Go.cdph.ca.gov/Prescribed-Fire
October 2, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Breathing clean air is as important to your health as drinking clean water. N95s are personal air filters, and they can help protect you from particulate air pollution from wood smoke, and much more.
@capublichealth.bsky.social is doing a great job with their public health messaging.
@capublichealth.bsky.social is doing a great job with their public health messaging.
Yeah, that feeling when someone right next to you starts wet coughing over and over, and you wish you were wearing a mask? You wouldn't have that feeling if you had already put on a mask before going indoors around other people during an uptick in infection.
Well-fitted N95s etc. work.
Well-fitted N95s etc. work.
Lots of coughing & sniffles going on around you? Stay purr-fectly protected by wearing a mask! 😷🐈
Wearing a high-quality N95 mask protects you from respiratory viruses like flu, COVID-19 and RSV.
📲 https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Respiratory-Viruses/When-and-Why-to-Wear-a-Mask.aspx
Wearing a high-quality N95 mask protects you from respiratory viruses like flu, COVID-19 and RSV.
📲 https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Respiratory-Viruses/When-and-Why-to-Wear-a-Mask.aspx
September 27, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Yeah, that feeling when someone right next to you starts wet coughing over and over, and you wish you were wearing a mask? You wouldn't have that feeling if you had already put on a mask before going indoors around other people during an uptick in infection.
Well-fitted N95s etc. work.
Well-fitted N95s etc. work.
Congratulations to OpenAeros on the release of this evolutionary open source instrument. Lab-grade results with open source flexibility and accountability, all at a lower cost that current CPCs in its class.
Someday I hope to get my hands on one :-)
Someday I hope to get my hands on one :-)
We believe that clean air researchers and proponents are doing critical work for our health and future. Too few have had access to the tools to investigate the next frontier of airborne pollutants: ultrafine particles. But we have big news... (1/4)
Introducing the OpenCPC!
YouTube video by OpenAeros
youtu.be
September 12, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Congratulations to OpenAeros on the release of this evolutionary open source instrument. Lab-grade results with open source flexibility and accountability, all at a lower cost that current CPCs in its class.
Someday I hope to get my hands on one :-)
Someday I hope to get my hands on one :-)
Aaron Collins & the team at OpenAeros have announced the OpenCPC, a continuous duty sub-micron particle counter that is open source. At $5,000 it is much cheaper than closed source models.
youtu.be/2OGohkAd2Cg
Open source instrumentation fundamental to making science more accesable.
youtu.be/2OGohkAd2Cg
Open source instrumentation fundamental to making science more accesable.
Introducing the OpenCPC!
YouTube video by OpenAeros
youtu.be
September 12, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Aaron Collins & the team at OpenAeros have announced the OpenCPC, a continuous duty sub-micron particle counter that is open source. At $5,000 it is much cheaper than closed source models.
youtu.be/2OGohkAd2Cg
Open source instrumentation fundamental to making science more accesable.
youtu.be/2OGohkAd2Cg
Open source instrumentation fundamental to making science more accesable.
Should you trust N95s to fit well past their expiration date? Depends on the specific model and storage conditions, including how they were stored before you got them and have no way of knowing.
This study fit tested stockpiled masks that were from 9 to 13 years old.
www.cdc.gov/niosh/media/...
This study fit tested stockpiled masks that were from 9 to 13 years old.
www.cdc.gov/niosh/media/...
September 9, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Should you trust N95s to fit well past their expiration date? Depends on the specific model and storage conditions, including how they were stored before you got them and have no way of knowing.
This study fit tested stockpiled masks that were from 9 to 13 years old.
www.cdc.gov/niosh/media/...
This study fit tested stockpiled masks that were from 9 to 13 years old.
www.cdc.gov/niosh/media/...
Amazon has been selling giant boxes of 440 3M Auras as low $27. That's 440 masks for super cheap. But can they really be any good?
I bought a case & measured the properties & performance compared to Auras from other sources as part of my Kanro grant for testing respiratory protection
Video link ⬇️
I bought a case & measured the properties & performance compared to Auras from other sources as part of my Kanro grant for testing respiratory protection
Video link ⬇️
September 9, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Amazon has been selling giant boxes of 440 3M Auras as low $27. That's 440 masks for super cheap. But can they really be any good?
I bought a case & measured the properties & performance compared to Auras from other sources as part of my Kanro grant for testing respiratory protection
Video link ⬇️
I bought a case & measured the properties & performance compared to Auras from other sources as part of my Kanro grant for testing respiratory protection
Video link ⬇️
You know how styrofoam peanuts cling to a statically charged balloon? You can make a solid puck of plastic that does the same thing, but stays permanently charged - it's an "electret," the static charge equivalent of a permanent magnet.
September 4, 2025 at 5:57 AM
You know how styrofoam peanuts cling to a statically charged balloon? You can make a solid puck of plastic that does the same thing, but stays permanently charged - it's an "electret," the static charge equivalent of a permanent magnet.
Notoriously thin-skinned pro-Covid doctor Vinay Prasad has gotten YouTube to terminate a critic's entire YouTube Channel by using multiple copyright strikes as a tool of censorship.
@mmasnick.bsky.social has been warning us about this type of abuse of copyright for years.
@mmasnick.bsky.social has been warning us about this type of abuse of copyright for years.
And now government doctors got my entire channel removed.
Don’t worry.
I won’t base my entire identity around this or claim it is worse than covid. 😂
Don’t worry.
I won’t base my entire identity around this or claim it is worse than covid. 😂
August 30, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Notoriously thin-skinned pro-Covid doctor Vinay Prasad has gotten YouTube to terminate a critic's entire YouTube Channel by using multiple copyright strikes as a tool of censorship.
@mmasnick.bsky.social has been warning us about this type of abuse of copyright for years.
@mmasnick.bsky.social has been warning us about this type of abuse of copyright for years.
Can you tell scam respirator ads on Facebook from legit ones?
I checked out if the fan powered respirator in this ad by PekeSafety is a total scam, an awesome deal, or somewhere in between.
Video link in next comment.
I checked out if the fan powered respirator in this ad by PekeSafety is a total scam, an awesome deal, or somewhere in between.
Video link in next comment.
August 25, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Can you tell scam respirator ads on Facebook from legit ones?
I checked out if the fan powered respirator in this ad by PekeSafety is a total scam, an awesome deal, or somewhere in between.
Video link in next comment.
I checked out if the fan powered respirator in this ad by PekeSafety is a total scam, an awesome deal, or somewhere in between.
Video link in next comment.
This is getting out of hand.
Unfortunately, Bluesky is unavailable in Mississippi right now, due to a new state law that requires age verification for all users.
While intended for child safety, we think this law poses broader challenges & creates significant barriers that limit free speech & harm smaller platforms like ours.
While intended for child safety, we think this law poses broader challenges & creates significant barriers that limit free speech & harm smaller platforms like ours.
August 23, 2025 at 1:19 AM
This is getting out of hand.
Don't get fooled! If you search for "3M Full Face Respirator" on Home Depot's website you'll get fakes and non-NIOSH masks.
Weirdly, Home Depot doesn't sell full face 3M respirators, but instead of just saying so you get 1,414 results. The 1st is a fake 3M mask - a generic knock off of a 3M 6800.
Weirdly, Home Depot doesn't sell full face 3M respirators, but instead of just saying so you get 1,414 results. The 1st is a fake 3M mask - a generic knock off of a 3M 6800.
August 22, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Don't get fooled! If you search for "3M Full Face Respirator" on Home Depot's website you'll get fakes and non-NIOSH masks.
Weirdly, Home Depot doesn't sell full face 3M respirators, but instead of just saying so you get 1,414 results. The 1st is a fake 3M mask - a generic knock off of a 3M 6800.
Weirdly, Home Depot doesn't sell full face 3M respirators, but instead of just saying so you get 1,414 results. The 1st is a fake 3M mask - a generic knock off of a 3M 6800.
Remember back when a bunch of people got discounted new CleanSpace2 PAPRs from Fisher Scientific, but they were all DOA because the non-replaceable batteries self-discharged in storage and permanently died?
www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/...
Well, CleanSpace now has a fix for that: It's your problem.
www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/...
Well, CleanSpace now has a fix for that: It's your problem.
August 18, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Remember back when a bunch of people got discounted new CleanSpace2 PAPRs from Fisher Scientific, but they were all DOA because the non-replaceable batteries self-discharged in storage and permanently died?
www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/...
Well, CleanSpace now has a fix for that: It's your problem.
www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/...
Well, CleanSpace now has a fix for that: It's your problem.
Does a beard really reduce respirator fit? Yes.
Check out this video by Pro Safety and Training in Australia. They fit tested a bearded employee, Dan, before and after shaving. The difference in mask seal is massive.
youtube.com/watch?v=dCWo...
Check out this video by Pro Safety and Training in Australia. They fit tested a bearded employee, Dan, before and after shaving. The difference in mask seal is massive.
youtube.com/watch?v=dCWo...
August 17, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Does a beard really reduce respirator fit? Yes.
Check out this video by Pro Safety and Training in Australia. They fit tested a bearded employee, Dan, before and after shaving. The difference in mask seal is massive.
youtube.com/watch?v=dCWo...
Check out this video by Pro Safety and Training in Australia. They fit tested a bearded employee, Dan, before and after shaving. The difference in mask seal is massive.
youtube.com/watch?v=dCWo...
**Can you** wear a respirator over a beard? Yes. **Should you**? No.
You can get some protection from a respirator over a beard, but you won't get the full protection the respirator is capable of, the protection you bought it for to protect your health.
youtube.com/shorts/EA-ZK...
You can get some protection from a respirator over a beard, but you won't get the full protection the respirator is capable of, the protection you bought it for to protect your health.
youtube.com/shorts/EA-ZK...
August 17, 2025 at 6:53 PM
**Can you** wear a respirator over a beard? Yes. **Should you**? No.
You can get some protection from a respirator over a beard, but you won't get the full protection the respirator is capable of, the protection you bought it for to protect your health.
youtube.com/shorts/EA-ZK...
You can get some protection from a respirator over a beard, but you won't get the full protection the respirator is capable of, the protection you bought it for to protect your health.
youtube.com/shorts/EA-ZK...
Don't use this CPAP muffler. It sheds aluminum shards.
(Video link in the next comment.)
CPAP mufflers like this one are supposed to quiet the output of noisy travel CPAPs Amazon sent me this one to review. There are two issues to be aware of - metal fragments, and pressure drop.
(Video link in the next comment.)
CPAP mufflers like this one are supposed to quiet the output of noisy travel CPAPs Amazon sent me this one to review. There are two issues to be aware of - metal fragments, and pressure drop.
August 16, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Don't use this CPAP muffler. It sheds aluminum shards.
(Video link in the next comment.)
CPAP mufflers like this one are supposed to quiet the output of noisy travel CPAPs Amazon sent me this one to review. There are two issues to be aware of - metal fragments, and pressure drop.
(Video link in the next comment.)
CPAP mufflers like this one are supposed to quiet the output of noisy travel CPAPs Amazon sent me this one to review. There are two issues to be aware of - metal fragments, and pressure drop.
Good quality nose wires are the "secret" to tri-fold masks that fit me.
The same exact mask can fit great or leak terribly depending on how good the nose wire is.
I tested nose wires from 4 masks to see how well they work.
Video link in the next comment.
The same exact mask can fit great or leak terribly depending on how good the nose wire is.
I tested nose wires from 4 masks to see how well they work.
Video link in the next comment.
August 12, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Good quality nose wires are the "secret" to tri-fold masks that fit me.
The same exact mask can fit great or leak terribly depending on how good the nose wire is.
I tested nose wires from 4 masks to see how well they work.
Video link in the next comment.
The same exact mask can fit great or leak terribly depending on how good the nose wire is.
I tested nose wires from 4 masks to see how well they work.
Video link in the next comment.
How strong is the nose wire in a 3M Aura?
That's a 248g of weight hanging off of a 3M 9205+ Aura nose wire placed across 65 mm span — over a half pound of weight with barely any noticeable deflection.
The conformable but strong 3M nose wires are one of the reasons many 3M N95s fit me well.
That's a 248g of weight hanging off of a 3M 9205+ Aura nose wire placed across 65 mm span — over a half pound of weight with barely any noticeable deflection.
The conformable but strong 3M nose wires are one of the reasons many 3M N95s fit me well.
August 7, 2025 at 4:26 PM
How strong is the nose wire in a 3M Aura?
That's a 248g of weight hanging off of a 3M 9205+ Aura nose wire placed across 65 mm span — over a half pound of weight with barely any noticeable deflection.
The conformable but strong 3M nose wires are one of the reasons many 3M N95s fit me well.
That's a 248g of weight hanging off of a 3M 9205+ Aura nose wire placed across 65 mm span — over a half pound of weight with barely any noticeable deflection.
The conformable but strong 3M nose wires are one of the reasons many 3M N95s fit me well.