Welcome to the forum!

First: why did you call the topic'' Urban e&e'' ? e&e stands for escape and evasion, but that's usually a militairy term and hasn't got much use in ''normal'' survival/preparedness, let alone urban survival.

About your question:

The survival straw: http://giardiaclub.com/survival-water-filter-straw/index.php

I have used something similair. It's pretty good, although I think that it hasn't got much use in the urban enviroment, or am I wrong?

I don't know a alternative for the Evac-u8 hoods, but I do know that you should make a good concideration between price/quality.
If that means spending more money, well I would spend it, because when you need it the hoods are the only thing between you walking away safely and you getting injured or worse from smoke inhalation.

Maybe it's possible to also ask your fellow-workers and family if they are also interested in hoods, then you can order more at once and get a discount?

Take care and welcome,

JIM