Why Use Anti-Pollution Masks?
Anti-pollution masks play an important role in assisting us in enduring and fighting with pollution virus. We’ll go through the types of masks, as well as their value and safety factors. People are increasingly worried about the health of their lungs as emission levels rise year after year. The number of deaths has increased several folds since 1999.
You may have seen a lot of people wearing anti-pollution masks while walking or driving. And you’ve already found that they all look alike but vary in certain respects. It would be very difficult for someone to comprehend the many kinds of anti-pollution masks and their significance.
There are a variety of masks on the market today, ranging from plain surgical masks to respirator masks that have 99 to 100 percent protection from air-borne diseases. It is difficult to determine which mask is more effective in a given case. Let us make it simpler for you by taking out the technicalities to help you understand when to use which mask.
The effectiveness of anti-pollution masks is heavily dependent on the following factors:
Pollutant types:
The first and most important aspect is the kind of pollutant we need to defend ourselves from, which mainly consists of gases, particulate matter, metals and salts, and so on.
Amount of poor air quality or smog levels:
As winter and Diwali approaches, the amount of smog in the air rises, causing us to experience fatigue, headaches, colds, cough infections, and other symptoms.
Usage comfort level:
Fitting the mask is vital because no matter how fine an anti-pollution mask you buy. It can not have protection until it is tightly sealed and fits snugly. It also securely leaves no room for air to escape.
Furthermore, the person wearing the mask does not feel suffocated because the mask’s purpose is to provide you with warm, fresh air.
Protection Factor:
Each mask has a different degree of protection. For example, an N95 mask protects you from 95 percent of particulate matter PM 2.5, while an N-99 mask protects you from 99 percent of particulate matter.
Respirator Type:
There are three primary types of respirators in a mask that protects you from bad air. There are pipes, tubes, canisters, or a mixture of filters and cartridges/canisters that strip harmful particulates or contaminants from the environment and replace them with clean air.
They are classified into three types of protection:
- Particulate: Capture airborne contaminants such as pollen, mist, and gases. It does not shield against fumes or vapours.
- Gas and Vapor: Both are usually used where the air contains mainly harmful chemicals and vapours.
- Combination: They are typically used in environments with risks from both particulates and chemicals and vapours.
1. Surgical Mask
It’s the simple mask you’ve probably seen doctors wear in hospitals. It does not offer any defence against particulate matter, but it can serve as a shield between you and the dust.
The surgical face mask is the most economical choice on the market, but it is not ideal for high-pollution cities such as Delhi and Bangalore.
2. Anti-Pollution Mask N95
It is best to have the N series mask for this weather. Before you buy a respirator, make sure that the consistency and durability of the mask are fine. This N95 rating will filter up to 95% of the PM2.5 contaminants, which remain in the air and damage us.
Once taken in, it travels through our breathing system and circulatory systems to the rest of our body. The research claims that PM2.5 can be found in arteries, which can contribute to the development of hardening and eventual plaque buildup in the heart and potentially lead to an attack.
Hope that you’ll be able to pick the best mask based on your specifications. Ensure that you read all of the information, make sure the certificate is authentic, and inspect the fitting thoroughly.
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