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Based on data, air pollution was responsible for 17 lac deaths in India in 2020, while COVID was responsible for 1.5 lac deaths.  And air pollution is a constant in India – the only slight respite is during the monsoon months. Air pollution is directly linked to morbidity and mortality.  Your actual risk of adverse effects depends on your current health status, the pollutant type and concentration, and the length of your exposure to the polluted air.  Short-Term Exposure to Particulate Pollution Can: Aggravate lung disease causing asthma attacks and acute bronchitis Increase susceptibility to respiratory infections Cause heart attacks and arrhythmias in people with heart disease Even If You Are Healthy, You May Experience Temporary Symptoms, Such as: Irritation of the eyes, nose and throat Coughing Chest tightness Shortness of breath High Air Pollution Levels Can Cause Immediate Health Problems Including:  Aggravated cardiovascular and respiratory illness Added stress to heart and lungs, which must work harder to supply the body with oxygen Damaged cells in the respiratory system Long-Term Exposure to Polluted Air Can Have Permanent Health Effects Such as: Accelerated aging of the lungs Loss of lung capacity and decreased lung function Development of diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and possibly cancer Shortened life span Those Most Susceptible to Severe Health Problems from Air Pollution Are: Individuals with heart disease, coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure Individuals with lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Pregnant women Outdoor workers Older adults and the elderly Children under age 14 Athletes who exercise vigorously outdoors It is estimated that the Years of Life Lost(YLL) from living and breathing in Delhi is 9-12 years. While our Health Departments hope for natural causes to clear our air, I strongly recommend a mask mandate once the AQI exceeds 200.  All outdoor sporting/cardiovascular activity must cease unless it’s with recommended specialized sports masks (with low resistance).  Parents please use your discretion to mask your child at lower AQI levels. Let’s follow the science and put health and safety first!

Delhi’s notorious image for having bad air quality is nothing new. Thus, most people these days look for anti-pollution mask in Delhi. However, before you find which mask is good for air pollution in Delhi, have you wondered why is the condition so bad? Why in Delhi air pollution masks are in a huge demand? Let’s find out. The temperature inversions and stable wind conditions are characteristic features of winters in North India. While calm wind conditions prevent the dissipation of pollutant emissions, the temperature inversion layer tends to trap pollution, thereby increasing the observed pollutant concentrations and the region witnessing severe air pollution between November 1 to February 28 every year. We are repeatedly hearing about the worsening air pollution in Delhi and relying on Delhi air pollution mask every time. But what we must understand by putting things in perspective is that pollution as a problem is not restricted to New Delhi, rather spreads all the way from Lahore to Dhaka along the Grand Trunk (GT) Road. It is a major cause of concern in Northern India from Amritsar to Kolkata along the Indo-Gangetic Plains, because of both- the local emissions and the paddy burning in Punjab and Haryana. In fact, the air quality of Faridabad (Haryana) Ghaziabad and Noida (Uttar Pradesh) is often, worse than the air quality of Delhi. It is also imperative to note that the Indus-Ganga belt is the world’s largest stretch of uninterrupted alluvium deposits. As fertile as alluvium is, it is composed of loose unconsolidated particles. Thus, dry alluvial soil significantly contributes to wind-blown dust. The part of Northern India which is cloaked in a thick layer of pollution constitutes approximately 40% of the population of India and the air quality will essentially remain dangerous for the next three months at the very least. According to Urban Emissions Info, there are less than 40 air quality monitors in North India whereas the recommended number of air quality monitors is more than 1000. Even a smart city like Prayagraj does not have an air quality monitor. Therefore, it is safe to say that a major reason for the lack of awareness about air pollution is because of lack of air quality monitors and statistical reports to inform the people about the air they breathe. Overall, the need for anti-pollution mask in Delhi is not just limited to a region, but has become a need for all the developing cities. If you also live in or nearby Delhi, air pollution mask might be your next daily essential these days. Which Mask is Good for Air Pollution in Delhi? Now when we have learnt about the condition of air pollution, you must be wondering which mask is good for air pollution in Delhi. Wearing masks for pollution in Delhi happen to be the most viable remedy to combat air pollution in India. It is important to highlight that the problem is so severe that only tested and certified N95 Masks with Nanofiber filters that have particulate filtration efficacy >99% down to 0.1 micron are advisable for use at this point. Thankfully, finding the best mask for pollution in Delhi has become easier than ever. Nirvana Being, India’s leading clean air solutions business offers an array of products to help you breathe pure. Are you looking for a good mask for pollution in Delhi? Try Nirvana Being’s high-quality and lab tested anti-pollution masks Delhi today.

Staying healthy and protecting loved ones from the onslaught of the deadly COVID19 virus is of paramount importance. The mandatory precautionary measures like frequent washing of hands, maintaining social distancing, staying at home, keeping away from gatherings etc., need to be practiced with diligence. Wearing the mask is something that cannot be taken lightly. It is the only way to prevent the spread of the COVID19 infection. The mask puts up a barrier that prevents both the entry and exit of cough droplets thereby breaking the cycle of the infection. While most people adhere to the rules and wear the pollution mask as a mandatory precautionary measure, the kids might find it an uncomfortable practice. But as per guidelines issues by prominent medical boards around the world, all kids above the age of 2 need to wear a mask. They are as susceptible to the infection as an adult is.  COVID mask requirements for kids While it is always better to limit interactions of kids to members of the family only, there might be times when taking them out becomes mandatory. In such instances, they have to wear the mask. Certain things that need to be taken into account when selecting masks for kids are: It should fit perfectly around their face. If the pollution mask is comfortable, kids will not fiddle with it. Masks should have adjustable ties. It is better to choose masks with ties that go around the head since the ones with ties that go behind the ears can be uncomfortable. It is also easier for kids to take off such masks. The presence of a metallic nose bridge helps to keep the mask in place after wearing it. The chosen Covid masks for kids should allow the kids to breathe comfortably.  It should essentially consist of two protective layers. Kids can dispense with the mask only when they are within the 4 walls of their homes. They have to wear the mask at all other times. However, the presence of any COVID infected family member living in isolation within the same home will make it mandatory for kids to wear face masks even at home. To prevent kids from being infected, every parent should take this precautionary measure. It would be prudent to mention here that COVID vaccines for kids have yet to be made. Teaching kids to wear the mask Kids should be taught the basic precautions required when wearing a mask. These include: Washing the hands with soap or using a sanitizer before putting on the mask Wearing the mask properly so that it fits snugly around the chin, cheeks, nose and mouth Not touching the mask front Never pulling down the mask into their mouth or under the chin Storing the mask in a container or a small nag Never sharing Covid masks for kids with others If the child suffers from a developmental disability or a mental health condition, sensory disorder etc., making them wear a mask increases their discomfort. Such children should be essentially kept at home as much as possible. They should have little or no interaction with the outer world.

Higher pollution levels lead to a higher risk of lung infections and other respiratory diseases. Sometimes these diseases might turn into chronic ailments requiring precautions to be taken throughout life. For the elderly, very high levels of pollution can be extremely detrimental.  Since pollution has become an integral part of our lives now, it is best to take precautions. Wearing an anti-pollution mask before stepping out of the house is a very effective option. However, when we visit a face mask shop near me, the number of face mask options available can be very confusing. Whether you want to buy N99 mask, N95 mask, or cloth mask, it can be quite baffling at times. Consequently, it is best to understand which mask best suits our needs before stepping out to procure one.  Naming of the mask The most popularly used masks include the N95, N99. Many of us would be wondering why masks are named using a number and a symbol. There is a scientific reason for the same. The number denotes the percentage of filtration for particles that are either .3microns or above in size. For example, the N95 mask can filter out 95% of all particles including minute particles, mites, fumes, droplets etc. Similarly, when you buy N99 mask, the percentage of filtration is 99%.  The symbol “N” has not been randomly chosen but is a letter class of Respiratory rating. It denotes that these masks only filter out non-oil particles. So if you are living in an area that has a higher amount of oil pollutants, it is best to opt for masks that contain the alphabets: R meaning that they remain resistant to oils particles for 8 hours at a stretch or P meaning that the masks are oil-proof  Benefits of Using N99 Masks You must buy N99 mask for combating pollution and get the following benefits. Filtration: As mentioned earlier, the N99 filters out 99% of pollutant. This makes it very effective to use especially in areas that experience high pollution levels.  Washability: N99 masks are reusable as they can be washed after use to remove dirt and dust from them. However, since different companies add variations to the basic design, the washability of the masks might also vary. Some masks can be washed after removing the N99 filter while others washed directly. Meanwhile, N99 mask without valve is relatively easier to wash and maintain. Thus, when you go to a face mask shop near me, you should always understand these aspects well before buying.   Presence of valves: With masks with valves, you can breathe easily. When air is inhaled, it passes through the different layers especially the N99 filter of the mask thereby ensuring their proper filtration. However, when air is exhaled, it goes out through the valves. Since the exhaled air contains more carbon-di-oxide, when using masks without respiratory valves, you might feel giddy after come time. Thus if you need to wear the mask for longer periods, it is best to opt for the N99 masks. Material: Generally, you must buy N99 mask with materials that offer effective filtration, such as non-woven, electrostatic polypropylene fibre. Cleaning of the N99 mask valve Generally, to clean the valves, you need to follow the instructions mentioned on the mask packet. However, you should take care to clean the valves gently to avoid filter damage. To retain the usability of the mask for longer durations, it is best to pat the mask gently or use a soft brush to removed trapped dust and dirt from the valves. Another best alternative is to get an N99 mask without valve. As the name implies, the N99 mask without valve comes with same N99 filter but lacks a valve. This way, you save your time and risk of cleaning or damaging the valves.  Disadvantages of N99 mask These masks are not recommended for people who are already suffering from a breathing disorder. When using the n99 mask, you might experience some resistance to breathing. While the introduction of valves makes it easy to some extent, still if you have COPD or asthma, you should not opt for this mask.  Overall, when you buy N99 mask, make sure it has the N99 filter which efficiently filters the air helping breath cleaner than ever.