San Francisco's Best Air Pollution Mask Retailers

As air pollution becomes an increasing concern, the demand for protective masks has grown. In San Francisco, residents have been seen wearing masks to protect themselves from poor air quality, caused by smoke drifting in from wildfires. With the rise in demand, many stores have sold out of masks, including Orchard Supply Hardware, Sherwin-Williams, and Cole Hardware. However, some stores in San Francisco that have been known to stock masks include Ace Hardware, Cole Hardware, and FLAX Art & Design.

N95 masks: Hardware stores, paint shops, art supply stores, and medical supply stores

N95 masks are available at hardware stores, paint shops, art supply stores, and medical supply stores in San Francisco. Here are some specific locations and their availability as of 2017:

Hardware Stores:

• Cole Hardware: In 2017, Cole Hardware experienced a rush of customers looking for N95 masks due to poor air quality. While they had masks in stock, there were reports of price gouging, with disposable N95 masks being sold for $11 each, a significant increase from the regular price.
• Great Wall Hardware: In 2017, Great Wall Hardware still had N95 masks available, with a limit of 4 masks per customer.
• Ace Hardware (Castro): In 2017, Ace Hardware in Castro was awaiting a shipment of masks, expecting to receive them by Monday.
• Fredericksen Hardware (Cow Hollow/Marina): In 2017, Fredericksen Hardware was out of stock for N95 masks and was facing challenges sourcing them due to a reported shortage on the West Coast.
• Orchard Supply Hardware (North Beach): In 2017, Orchard Supply Hardware was sold out of N95 masks and could not provide a restock date.

Paint Shops:

• Creative Paint: During a period of poor air quality in 2017, Creative Paint was one of the few places that still had N95 masks in stock and maintained their regular pricing without increasing prices.
• Sherwin-Williams (Inner Richmond): In 2017, Sherwin-Williams was sold out of N95 masks but expected to receive more by Wednesday. They carried full-face N95 respirators with changeable cartridges but recommended checking for disposable N95 masks on Wednesdays.

Art Supply Stores:

FLAX Art & Design (Downtown): In 2017, FLAX Art & Design had dual-cartridge disposable respirators in stock, similar to N95 masks. They sold out quickly and recommended checking for restock updates.

Please note that the information provided is based on searches conducted in 2017, and the availability of N95 masks at these locations may have changed since then. It is always a good idea to contact the stores directly or check their websites for the most up-to-date information on product availability.

Industrial-rated masks: Fredericksen Hardware

In the context of San Francisco's 2017 wildfires, which caused air pollution across the city, residents were seeking industrial-rated masks from Fredericksen Hardware. Located at 3029 Fillmore St in the Cow Hollow/Marina neighbourhood, the store was reported to have some of these larger, industrial-rated masks in stock.

Lester Traje, the head of receiving at Fredericksen Hardware, stated that they were "completely out of masks" and specifically out of N95 masks. However, they did have some industrial-rated masks available, which are larger in size. Traje anticipated a restock of N95 masks on the following Monday but expressed concerns about a vendor shortage on the West Coast.

The demand for masks during this time was exceptionally high, with residents seeking protection from the unhealthy air quality caused by the wildfires. This led to a rapid sell-out of N95 masks across San Francisco and Oakland, with hardware stores, paint shops, and medical supply stores struggling to keep up with demand.

Fredericksen Hardware, a well-known hardware store in the area, became a go-to destination for those seeking industrial-rated masks. The store's address, 3029 Fillmore St, was widely shared as residents sought effective masks to protect themselves from the hazardous air conditions.

While the store did have some industrial-rated masks available, the specific availability of these masks beyond the reported timeframe is unclear. It is always advisable to contact the store directly to inquire about the current availability of industrial-rated masks or any other products you may be seeking.

Fredericksen Hardware can be reached at (415) 292-2950 and is open seven days a week.

Online: Amazon and other online merchants

If you are looking to buy air pollution masks in San Francisco, you can opt to buy them online from Amazon or other online merchants. Amazon offers a wide range of masks, including N95 and N99 certified disposable masks, which are relatively inexpensive and can also be found on the U.S. CDC website. The Cambridge Mask, for instance, is made of three layers of filters, including a military-grade carbon filter, and is NIOSH N99 certified. It claims to filter out 99.6% of viruses and 99.7% of bacteria. Vogmask is another option, which is a San Francisco-based company that started selling its masks in India in 2014.

Amazon also offers trademarked air filter face masks that protect against air pollution, viruses, dust, smog, smoke, mold, and chemicals. These masks are designed to be fashionable and stylish while providing protection against harmful pollutants.

When purchasing a mask, it is important to consider its certification and ratings. Look for masks with U.S. NIOSH or EU FFP ratings, as these indicate that the mask has been tested and meets benchmark standards for filtering out small airborne particles. For example, a mask with an N95 rating should filter out 95% of particles greater than 0.3 microns, which is much smaller than PM 2.5.

In addition to Amazon, other online merchants may also offer air pollution masks. These merchants could include specialised websites dedicated to selling air pollution masks and other related products. By purchasing online, you can compare different brands, models, and prices, ensuring that you find the right mask that meets your specific needs and budget.

In-person: Cole Hardware, Ace Hardware, Orchard Supply Hardware, Sherwin-Williams

In-person:

Cole Hardware

Cole Hardware, located on Fourth and Mission streets, is a popular spot for San Francisco residents looking to buy air pollution masks. The store offers a range of masks, including the N95 mask, which is designed to provide protection from airborne infections and small particles found in wildfire smoke. Cole Hardware also offers industrial-rated masks and limits purchases to ensure that as many customers as possible can access them.

Ace Hardware

Ace Hardware provides a wide selection of face masks, including disposable masks, medical-grade masks, and industrial-grade masks. They offer free curbside or in-store pickup and free delivery for Ace Rewards members who spend $50 or more. The N95 and KN95 masks are both CDC-approved as personal protective equipment, with the former being NIOSH-approved as well.

Orchard Supply Hardware

Orchard Supply Hardware in North Beach was previously sold out of N95 masks, but it is unclear whether they have restocked since then.

Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin-Williams in Inner Richmond was also previously sold out of masks but expected to receive more by Wednesday. They offer free delivery for orders over $50, excluding same-day deliveries.

Brands: 3M, Cambridge Mask, Vogmask

3M offers a range of N95 and N99-certified disposable masks that are relatively inexpensive. The N95 masks are among the top-performing masks for air pollution protection and are known to be affordable and convenient. They are foldable and can filter out at least 95% of airborne particles larger than 0.3 microns. 3M also offers N99-certified masks, which are suitable for sensitive persons as they can filter more than 99% of airborne particles. These masks can be purchased at pharmacies or online from Amazon and other merchants.

Cambridge Mask Co. offers reusable masks with three layers of filters, including a military-grade carbon filter. Their masks are NIOSH N99-certified and are designed to filter out 99.6% of viruses and 99.7% of bacteria. They are available in different sizes and can be purchased online from BreatheEasyLabs.com. Cambridge Mask Co. was started by the former China Director for Vogmask and is based in the UK.

Vogmask is a San Francisco-based company that began selling its masks in India in 2014. They offer fashionable and reusable masks for adults and children that are N95 or N99-certified. Some of their masks come with a carbon filter layer and an exhalation valve for easier breathing. Vogmask aims to provide highly efficient, comfortable, and well-designed masks to protect against airborne particles.

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