Enjoy clean air and water

by Yashi Ganguly Writer

Air pollution is a growing problem worldwide.Carcinogenic particles of toxic air enter our lungs and eventually our blood stream and affect heart, brain, lungs, fertility, and frankly almost every organ in our body. No wonder India has 13 of the top 20 worst air quality cities in the world and the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Delhi as one of the most polluted cities in the world.

To fight air pollution, you should go for a pollution mask and keep it in mind thatit is not only stylish, affordable but environmentally friendly too. It should be able to protect you from both PM2.5 particulates and toxic gases like NO2. A good mask comes with a pollution indicator which changes colour upon exposure to air pollution. Normally, each pack comes with three individually seal-packed masks.

Pollution gets worse during Diwali when crackers and fireworks increase pollution levels multifold. During Diwali the level of pollutants and suspended particulate matter increases 2 to 6 times more than normal. Chemicals like aluminium, arsenic, sulphur, manganese, iron, dust, cadmium, and cobalt are used to add sparkles and colours to firecrackers. It leads to a dangerous concoction of suspended particulate matter. All this gets released in fumes and makes life miserable for all especially for the elderly, children and those who are allergic, and suffer from asthma.

Pollution masks are available with different scientific specifications. According to a study, most Indian either use the wrong types of masks or do not know how to use them in the right way. You should find out which mask can work for you. An ordinary filter does not protect you from obnoxious gases, for that you need a pollution mask that is coated with absorbents like alumina and silica.

To select the best possible anti-pollution mask, first we need to identify the types of pollutants: gases, particulate matter, metals and salts that are present in the atmosphere on normal days and during high pollution days like on Diwali. Next, one needs to find out the respirator that offers maximum protection from these pollutants.

Mostly, N-95 and N-99 respirators are your best bet. An N-95 respirator is able to filter out 95% of particulate matter (PM2.5); it is suitable for almost all pollutants including heavy metal salts. But an N-99 respirator is better because it filters 99% of particulate matter.

Talking about air pollution, can we leave water pollution behind? Lack of pure drinking water is a common problem these days. But bottled water is quite expensive and adds to the problem of plastic waste. You need to buy filtered water bottles, which are reusable. Instead of throwing away a water bottle after every use, you can refill your filtered water bottle with regular tap water. Thus you get clean, great-tasting filtered water anywhere you go! The filtered water bottles are a revolutionary step in achieving filtered water in a convenient, efficient, and environmentally friendly way. Your aim should be to buy filtered water bottles that come with a high quality, patented carbon filter.Look for sleek, reusable, patented water bottles that filter the tap water as you drink. Thus you need not purchase costly single-serve bottled water.