Which Is the Best Mask for Air Pollution? Know This Before Smog Puts Your Health at Risk News24 –

By Correspondent On Oct 21, 2025

Delhi-NCR AQI: Delhi’s air quality remained very poor on Tuesday morning after Diwali. At 5:30 am, the city’s average AQI stood at 346, with most areas in the red zone. Stepping outside has become difficult as the high Air Quality Index makes breathing a struggle. Staying indoors is not always an option either, as people need to go to the office, shop for essentials, and visit relatives during this festive week in North India. So how can you move around safely in such unhealthy conditions? Wearing high-quality masks can help reduce potential health risks from smog, though no mask can provide 100 percent protection. Here, we guide you on choosing a mask that offers the best possible protection against air pollution.

What is PM2.5? Why do we need protection from this?

Delhi-NCR AQI: PM2.5 are tiny particles in the air which is not good for health. They are 2.5 micrometres or smaller in size. These are mostly produced by vehicle smoke, factory emissions, burning wood, and dust. As they are minute particles, it can enter our lungs and reach the bloodstream easily.

High levels of PM2.5 can cause health problems such as breathing difficulties, heart issues, and worsening of asthma. It is considered more dangerous than larger particles as it can stay in the air longer and travel deeper into the body. So the ideal mask to protect you from the air pollution is the one that can filter these 2.5 micrometres PM2.5.

Most Toxic Substance Of Air Pollution

Delhi-NCR AQI: According to the experts, PM2.5 are minute than your hair. They are fine particles which are 1/30th the diameter of a human hair. An NDTV report suggested that together with sulfur oxide and nitrous oxide, these particles prove fatal for 7 million people annually and also cause asthma, COPD, lung cancer, heart attacks, stroke, birth defects, low birth weight babies and behaviour problems.

So, which is the Best Mask For you To Fight the Delhi-NCR air Pollution?

The N95 mask can filter at least 95% of airborne particles, including PM2.5. Fit is more important than the brand. Masks with exhaust valves make breathing easier, and some come with replaceable filters or extra protection features. KN95 and FFP2 masks meet the same standards as N95. N99 masks filter 99% of particles but are costly and less comfortable. Ordinary surgical masks, scarves, dupattas, and handkerchiefs do not effectively filter PM2.5, and double-layered cloth masks only block larger particles.