As the UK enters its sixth day of fuel supply crisis, the founders of British-made pollution mask Airhead are encouraging commuters to swap cars and public transport and “get on your bikes” wherever possible.

As London passenger data is showing more and more city commuters jumping on the tube and trains in response to the petrol crisis, Airhead founders Harry Young, Elliot Denvir, and Alex Smith, are keen to get people outside and cycling or walking to work.

But, with pollution a huge health concern, especially for city commuters – so much so that the World Health Organization just last week slashed its guideline limits on air pollution – the Airhead team want people to feel safe on their journeys to the office, by donning their UK designed and manufactured pollution mask.

As thousands of Brits are queueing up at petrol stations in what has been described as a ‘panicked’ response to the fuel supply demand, Alex Smith, Airhead Co-founder, said: “Like many people, we have been watching the UK petrol crisis unfold over the last few days with great concern.

“People just want to get to and from work as quickly and safely as possible, and as more people flood the underground unable to use their cars, the situation becomes quite worrying.

“We have an ongoing mission to encourage people to be more active and get outdoors and hope people might consider alternative modes of transport like cycling or walking, especially during these unusual circumstances.

“However, with stories about air pollution in cities and daily reports on the impacts on our health and wellbeing, we want people to feel safe on their journeys and confident they are wearing the best protection possible.”

According to the World Health Organization, air pollution kills an estimated seven million people a year around the world.

The Airhead mask, which was founded before the pandemic to protect wearers from city pollution, is the brainchild of active and outdoor enthusiasts Harry, Alex, and Elliot, who enlisted the help of a team of industry-leading researchers and scientists from Brunel University. The Airhead mask combines personality with real, research-backed innovation and is capable of blocking PM2.5 particulates from the air, as well as tiny particles down to 0.3 microns in diameter. The filters demonstrate particulate filtration efficiency of >99% and contain an activated carbon layer to combat harmful gases found in city air.

Crucially, the Airhead mask features a TPE seal to ensure no air leakage, as well as rear-facing valves to quickly move hot air away from the face. Although designed specifically to protect the wearer from city pollution, the mask also comes with exhalation valve blockers, to make it suitable for use as a Covid face covering in crowded places.

Providing maximum comfort and breathability, effective filtration, an airtight fit which prevents leakage, and offering a sustainable alternative to disposable masks, the Airhead Mask is a solution for those who love being active outdoors and are able to walk or cycle around their city instead of driving.

In 2020, Airhead became an award-winning member of the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator and won a government-funded competition to help it expand in India. Following this success, the company launched its Kickstarter campaign in April, with its target of £30,000 achieved in just four hours and a total of £315,511 raised overall, emphasising the demand for pollution protection.

Designed and produced in the UK, the masks were initially only available through crowdfunded pre-orders, but are now for sale to the general public through Airhead’s website.