Anti-pollution masks, a must for Delhi smog | ABP Special

Anti-pollution masks have air filtration devices, which are better than cloth or surgical masks. The latter is ineffective against pollutants like PM 2.5. N95 or N99 masks are considered to be more beneficial in fending off pollutants.

According to the US Embassy here, PM 2.5 level on Friday hit 450 on air quality index (AQI). According to Safar India, the PM 10 count, which was earlier in the "very poor" category, reached "severe" at AQI of 555.

"Go for masks equipped with activated carbon layers and filters to stop PM 2.5 or higher particles. One should wear a mask as soon as the AQI level crosses 50 as this value is considered unsafe," Ankit Bansal, Consultant- Pulmonology/ Chest & Sleep Medicine at Fortis Escorts Hospital in Jaipur, told IANS.