Can masks save people from Delhi’s hazardous air pollution?

Delhi continues to choke. For a fifth day running, the air quality in the Capital remains in the ‘severe’ category with the Air Quality Index (AQI) on Monday morning recorded at a whopping 488, up from 410 on Sunday. The air in Delhi has been suffocating for the past few days and there’s been a thick layer of toxic smog enveloping the area. In fact, on Thursday (2 October), the AQI level had hit the dangerous mark of 999 in Delhi’s Anand Vihar area. In light of the apocalyptic air pollution, the Centre implemented all emergency measures mandated under the final Stage IV of its air pollution control plan called the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Sunday. Under Stage IV, only CNG, electric and BS VI-compliant vehicles from other states are allowed to enter Delhi. Additionally, all construction and demolition work in the Capital has been suspended, including public projects such as roads, bridges, and power lines and firms have been asked to direct employees to work from home. Furthermore, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has called for a high-level meeting on Monday afternoon amid rising pollution levels in the national capital. As Delhi fights the worsening air pollution, doctors have also begun urging people to wear masks when stepping out of their homes. “We are at that time of year when pollution has started to increase again. The number of patients with breathing problems has increased, with more people having coughs, colds, watery and irritated eyes, and breathing problems. People of all ages are affected by this. It is time for us to wear masks and go out only when needed,” Dr Nikhil Modi, Apollo Hospital, said as quoted by news agency ANI. But the question many are asking is – can masks protect you from bad air and the effects of poor air quality? We take a deep dive and get you the answers. How do masks serve against air pollution? Air pollution is made up of particles and gases. Gases include ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and a large group of chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). While gases can have harmful effects, research indicates that we should be most concerned about negative health impacts of fine particles — those under 2.5 microns in size. [caption id=“attachment_13353182” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Tourists visit the Humayun Tomb amid low visibility due to smog, in New Delhi. While doctors urge people to wear masks, they are not a foolproof method to shield one’s self from air pollution. PTI[/caption] That’s where masks come in. While they can’t wholly protect a person from air pollution, they act as a barrier and limit exposure to the fine particles. **Also read: How air pollution has impacted Cricket World Cup** Even the World Health Organization (WHO) notes that while masks do not offer a foolproof protection, they could help. “Face masks are generally not regarded as a suitable measure for the protection of health but may be indicated in certain special circumstances, for example, during prolonged commuting and outdoor activities in situations of hazardous air quality,” reads the WHO advisory. Which mask to choose? Experts note that the type of mask chosen is very important in an attempt to shield one’s self from the harmful effects of air pollution. Surgical and cloth masks should be avoided as they do not offer protection against pollutants. Experts note that while these types of masks may trap larger air pollutants such as sawdust, they don’t offer the same level of filtration as N95 respirators. The US Environmental Protection Agency had said earlier, “Paper ‘comfort’ or ‘dust’ masks — the kinds you commonly can buy at the hardware store – are designed to trap large particles, such as sawdust. These masks generally will not protect your lungs from the fine particles in smoke. Also read: The masks you must wear to combat air pollution Most doctors and experts have noted that the best option against air pollution is the N95 mask. According to a 2021 study from the United States, an N95 mask has the potential to reduce exposure to particulate matter by a factor of 14. Another study in Vietnam showed that wearing a N95 mask reduced exposure to ultra-fine particles by 60 per cent. However, another study shows that N95 masks have a 95 per cent efficiency against fine particles. But all of this is heavily dependent on how a person wears the mask. Doctors have said that when wearing a mask, one should ensure that the nose and mouth are properly covered. Additionally, one should change the mask frequently and avoid those that have cracks. [caption id=“attachment_13353192” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Creative designed by Network18[/caption] They should also not be wet, doctors have noted. Doctors have cautioned that even though N95 masks provide some protection, it is not enough. This is because they can’t prevent exposure to polluting gases. Dr Arvind Kumar, a chest surgeon from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, told Indian Express, “Gases will pass through even an N95 mask.” In fact, a study by AIIMS Delhi showed that exposure to nitrogen dioxide for even a short duration could increase the number of hospital visits by 53 per cent. And no mask will be able to prevent the inhalation of this gaseous pollutant. Another reason why masks aren’t completely effective is because most people wear them only when outside. However, we spend a vast majority of time indoors where we are exposed to air pollutants, including gases and fine particles. Notably, the demand for masks has already seen an uptick, pharmacists in Delhi have told news agency PTI. Customers are mostly looking to buy N95 masks to get extra protection from the harmful particles in the air, they added.

How bad is the air in Delhi right now? With an AQI of 488, Delhi’s air is around seven to eight times above the government-prescribed safe limit. Additionally, the concentration of PM2.5, fine particulate matter capable of penetrating deep into the respiratory system and triggering health problems, exceeds the government-prescribed safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre by seven to eight times. It is 30 to 40 times the healthy limit of 15 micrograms per cubic metre set by the WHO. [caption id=“attachment_13353162” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] A bird flies over the Red Fort amid smog, in New Delhi. PTI[/caption] The poor air quality has also led to a rise in health complaints among the people of Delhi. News18 reports that in the last few days, hospitals across Delhi-NCR have seen a concerning increase in respiratory problems, and there has been a noticeable jump in patients with breathing difficulties and eye problems. However, there’s some respite as per the India Meteorological Department. The weather agency has reported that conditions favourable for dispersion of pollutants are likely to develop Tuesday night onwards, offering some relief to Delhi residents from that suffocating feeling. With inputs from agencies