The national capital’s air quality is hitting a new low with every passing day and has remained in the 'severe' category for the past couple of days. As a result, it is not uncommon to witness pedestrians, hawkers, shopkeepers, cycle-rickshaw peddlers and even the traffic police wearing anything from white surgical masks, cloth masks to handkerchieves to protect themselves from the toxic air.



In addition to avoiding outdoor activities, wearing anti-pollution masks is the first and probably the most common safety precaution one can take. While there is no dearth of anti-pollution masks available in the market, it is also important to understand how to wear the masks to prevent any air leakage.

How do pollution masks work

Depending on the kind of mask you are wearing, it may provide protection against non-oil-based particulate matter present in the air. These particles are smaller than 2.5 micrometres and can lead to various respiratory illnesses including asthma and bronchitis. However, it is extremely important to understand that misusing these masks or not wearing them correctly can cause adverse physiological effects.