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N95 anti-pollution masks are commonly used as a preventive measure against air pollution
Anti-pollution masks are considered an effective way to protect themselves from the harmful effects of air pollution. Research has shown that even minor exposure to air pollution can have a negative impact on the lungs, heart and even the brain. Many people opt for wearing anti-pollution masks that claim to reduce the harmful effects of air pollution or its severity. There is a wide variety of anti-pollution masks, ranging from a simple paper dust mask to one that provides clean air and prevents exposure to tiny particles in the air. N95 masks are the most commonly used masks – those that fall somewhere between the aforementioned extremes.
How do the anti-pollution masks work?
A combination of harmful particles and gases contributes to air pollution. Gases such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds pollute the air. Although these gases are harmful, the real problem is with fine particles smaller than 2.5 microns.
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The ability of face masks to reduce the harmful effects of air pollution depends on the type of pollutants, the type of mask you use and how you use the mask. A protection factor is usually badigned to pollution masks, which indicates the percentage of pollutants that the mask does not remove. A protection factor of 5 means that all pollutants, with the exception of 5%, are filtered by the mask. This is because the mask fits snugly on your face.
Mask pollution can reduce the harmful effects of air pollution on your health
Photo credit: AFP
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N95 masks have a protection factor of 5, which means that they can filter out all the harmful particles in the air, with the exception of 5%. This efficiency is lower for particles smaller than 0.3 microns. N95 masks do not remove harmful gases from the air, they can also be combined with additional features such as activated charcoal, which further helps to reduce the exposure to gases. These last types of anti-pollution masks are more expensive.
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What is the effectiveness of anti-pollution masks?
Conclusive studies on the effectiveness of anti-pollution masks are still needed. What we are doing now is that wearing the face mask is an effective preventive measure to combat the harmful effects of air pollution. It should be noted that wearing these anti-pollution masks may not be as comfortable for everyone. Many have difficulty breathing or even claustrophobia by wearing these masks. It is also important to note that these anti-pollution masks are effective only when they offer a good seal around the face.
Disclaimer: This content, including tips, provides generic information only. It is not in any way a substitute for qualified medical advice. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim any responsibility for this information.
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