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We’ve covered many products developed by Thanko – that company always seems to have clever ideas and is never afraid to flirt with madness – in the past. Their upside-down desk, and upside-down cushion both look very tempting, whereas their more ambitious products such as camera glasses and the Fanbrella seem inherently flawed with poor battery performance.
Whether Thanko’s newest release, the USB Pollen Blocker crosses the crazy train tracks remains to be seen.
With allergy season in Japan approaching, many Japanese are likely already feeling pangs of despair in the pit of their stomach as they recall last year’s runny noses, itching eyes and fits of sneezing brought on by airborne pollen from the vast numbers of cedar trees planted in the country following World War II. Thankfully, USB Pollen Blocker is the next step in allergy relief technology.
It is well documented that Japanese citizens have deemed it culturally acceptable to walk around wearing surgical masks in order to escape the clouds of pollen around them, but face masks have their problems too. They don’t cover the face completely and can irritate the skin, especially for glasses wearers.
Thanko’s amazing biohazard-esque offering completely encases the user’s head in its protective nylon hood, yet actually makes little contact with it. This means your makeup is left undisturbed and even your hair will suffer minimal tousling. It’s also fashionably designed in school bus yellow, sure to work with any ensemble.
By now you might be wondering “How the heck am I supposed to breathe in that thing?” Well, Thanko took care of that by installing a filtered fan in the top which is powered by a USB cable. This allows you to keep fresh air circulating while you carry out any number of activities within a cable-length of an available USB port such as office work, hanging laundry, studying, or gardening (near a computer).
At this point you may also ask, “Well, how can I hear anything with that fan running?” We measured the sound levels inside the hood.
On the weakest setting it puts out between 50 and 60dB of noise which is about the level of a fridge, weak air conditioner, or pleasant conversation about where to buy tea. Even at its peak strength, the fan only puts out around 65dB or a slightly more enthusiastic conversation about spoon collecting.
Cost: 3,980 yen.
Source: Thanko via IT Media
Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- Scientists Engineer Pollenless Cedar Trees -- Wear Your Allergy Remedy Around Your Neck With the Virus Blocker -- Substance Discovered in Strawberries Alleviates Allergy Symptoms
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22 Comments
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Bad2Dbone
People around the world might get the wrong Idea, They will think Tokyo is full of Radiation from Fukushima, me thinking,
CGB Spender
One needs to ask: where do all these allergies come from?
slumdog
No Thanko.
Badge213
You should research Japanese reforesting after World War 2. It is the main source of why so many people have Hay Fever in Japan. Reforestation after WW2 resulted in large forests of cryptomeria and Japanese cypress trees, which were an important resource for the construction industry at the time. As these trees matured, they started to produce large amounts of pollen. As later technology developed and the need for those trees declined, they were left untouched and continue to grow and age.
gaijin6000
Hey reckless, instead of this yellow mask, you could get a nasal laser surgery to remove the pollen allergies. I forgot a lot about it, but if you look it up, you could be interested in getting it. I don't know about your eyes though.
Lowly
Hayfever is awful, I dread it. I even thought I might like to have this mask, is how bad it is. But on second thought, well, no...
Reckless-
Some tips,
Keep searching, don't give up. There are some herbal teas that can really help, depending on the individual and what you are allergic to. I found a few that helped my symptoms a little, and then found one that almost cut it out entirely!!, unfortunately after 2 years the store stopped carrying that one, and I couldn't find it on the internet. With the teas you often have to start drinking them a month before the symptoms start to get your body cleaned out and lower the allergic reaction, so shop now. I usually don' like medicines because they have other effects, like sleepy, but different doctors have different cocktail medicines that seem to work for people. Different docs do different stuff, so ask around for a recommendation. GET AN AIR PURIFIER for the room you sleep in-- TOTALLY makes a difference waking up stuffy and itchy-eyed, or not. Also, I try to keep my hair short and wash my face regularly during the day (the pollen collects in hair and eyebrows and falls into your eyes all day). And don't wear outside clothes in the room you sleep in. Change at the door.
These things will make it more bearable. Especially the air filter. Also, keep the faith, some people suddenly lose their allergy for no reason. I hope to be one of them!
Triumvere
Cheeki breeki iv damke! But how good is it's radio-chemical protection?
Himajin
I don't think you can buy these drugs over the counter here yet...I stock up when I go to the US. If you do stock up, I recommend the blister packs, because of the humidity here. Costco sells huge bottles of Zyrtec, it would take me more than one allergy season to use it up...the blister packs might be a little more expensive but I think they preserve the quality of the meds longer.
I am already having eye problems, I wonder if it's kousa...I tested negative for pollen (sugi) allergy.
Good advice, Lowly. I'd add don't hang anything outside. We had our laundry room fitted with a short laundry pole suspended from the ceiling that can be raised and lowered by a remote control (or wall switch) because I cannot hang our clothes out for about 3 months...
nath
Allegra is advertised o. J-Tv. Myself lucky never had an allergy and son is also free.
Himajin
We didn't until 2009 when we had a HUGE wave of kousa come over, so thick it blocked out the mountains where we were. I was 51, DH 56. You can become sensitized over time.
Lowly
Yeah, just avoid bringing any outside things inside, Himajin, especially into your sleeping room.
Also don't drink alcohol during allergy season. It really does make a difference, I have found. Like zero is best.
T_rexmaxytime
I need this thing, if it really works...
Amidalism
Thought I was reading an article from The Onion for a second...
San_Diegan
How much power does it pull??? On my desktop computer I have 10 USB ports and 7 of them are in use at any given time. There is a limit to the amount of power that can be consumed by the USB ports. If you hit the limit of the power available to your USB ports then some of those can be shut down, causing other USB devices to fail. Power consumption might be the problem if it is used with multiple USB devices. If they add surround sound elevator music it may even enhance the device. Not only would I not have to smell my dorky cubicle neighbor, I wouldn't have to listen to his repetitive bodily function noises...
nath
Are you for serious right now?! If I saw someone wearing one of these I would immediately list them in my "crazy person" category. USB powered mask. Honestly...
nath
Me too - it took a while for it to sink in. I'm glad it's a real thing though, I personally can't wait until until it catches on and half the people I see are wearing one of these throughout spring. It will make my commute much more entertaining.
Himajin
Thanks, Lowly, I didn't know that about alcohol.
lostrune2
No Thanko it'd be easier to chikan someone wearing this hahaha
smithinjapan
CGB Spender: "One needs to ask: where do all these allergies come from?"
Only if one is foolish. They come from the obscene amount of pollen somewhat recently introduced via the obscene amount of non-native cedars planted after WW2. It would be the same anywhere else.
Anyway, seems not a day goes by when these companies are trying to one-up each other for world's stupidest invention award. Yesterday it was the 'love bra', today this.