Which mask should you wear amid rising Air Pollution in India? All about different types of masks

India AQI, DIfferent Mask AQI India, Best Mask Air Pollution India, Different Mask Air Pollution India: India's national capital New Delhi, and its surrounding states have been witnessing very poor serve Air Quality Index. New Delhi has literally become a gas chamber as smog continues to blanket the national capital. As a result, the Delhi Government has imposed GRAP 3 and even shut down physical classes for school children. As a result, people walking down the streets with their masks on has become a common site in many cities of India. However, did you know that there are different types of masks available and you can choose it depending on the AQI? 

Air Pollution is a mix of harmful gases and particles like PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and O3 originating from various sources. It means wearing a common mask made of clothes may not give you a full protection. Check list below and choose mask accordingly- 

1. N95 Masks: These are highly recommended for blocking up to 95% of airborne particles. Certified and effective, they protect against harmful pollutants like PM2.5 and dust.
2. N99 Masks:  Offering even better filtration, N99 masks block up to 99% of particulate matter, making them ideal for extremely polluted areas.
3. Activated Carbon Masks: Designed to filter out harmful gases like CO2 and odors, these masks are perfect for those exposed to chemical pollutants.
4. Reusable Masks with HEPA Filters: Eco-friendly and durable, these masks are equipped with advanced filters to combat both particles and gases.
5. Anti-Pollution Masks for Kids: Specially designed for children, these masks provide comfort and effective protection against harmful air.

New Delhi AQI Today

Talking about New Delhi AQI Today, Central Pollution Control Board suggests that AQI of Delhi from Anand Vihar monitoring station was 436 which is under severe category. Ashok Vihar's AQI was 440, Chandani Chowk was 385, etc. 

Regarding GRAP 3, it stands for Graded Response Action Plan which is a set of emergency measures that are imposed to prevent the deterioration of air quality once it reaches a certain AQI level. GRAP is divided into four stages and therefore restrictions are different based on different stages. Stage 1 of GRAP kicks in when the AQI is in the 'poor' category (201 to 300).

GRAP's second, third, and fourth stages start three days ahead of the AQI reaching the 'very poor' category (301 to 400), 'severe' category (401 to 450), and 'severe +' category (above 450) respectively. Notably, if measures under Stage 2 are activated, measures under Stage 1 will continue to remain in place.