How safe are masks, air purifiers and workouts in the poisonous air of Delhi?

Air pollution continues to wreak havoc in Delhi. The air quality remained very poor for the sixth consecutive day. People are troubled by pollution.

The experts say that this pollution is killing all of us. It is affecting everyone.

They said that pregnant women are also affected as it also affects the baby in the womb. Pollution is reaching people's blood and its effect also affects the fetus.

AQI is obtained from the values of six particles and gaseous substances in the air. The main factor in this is PM2.5. It is the most harmful of all particles. PM2.5 crosses the barrier of the nose and throat, reaches the lungs, accumulates there and is absorbed into the blood. When it comes to damage to the lungs and the rest of the body, PM2.5 and smaller particles cause the most damage. Apart from this, gases also cause harm.

Anyone who is breathing this polluted air is unsafe. An adult breathes about 12-14 times a minute, an infant breathes 40 times a minute. When you breathe faster, more air goes into your body.

Infants are at much greater risk than adults. Secondly, tissues develop rapidly in newborn children. In such a situation, when any chemical attacks these tissues, it damages them. The second group most seriously affected are the elderly because their immunity is lower and hence they are more likely to suffer from pneumonia and other problems. But this does not mean that only children and the elderly are affected by it. It has a great impact on adults also.

The air inside the house is more or less the same as the air outside. However, pollution levels are much higher near highways, roads or industrial areas. When children go to school there are two problems. Schools start in the morning when pollution levels are highest.

As far as air pollution is concerned, surgical masks or cloth masks do not help. The N95 protects you as long as you completely cover your nose and mouth. This protects you from dangerous particles, but gaseous substances still get in. But mask is the only thing a person can do who has to go out for his livelihood. But he should avoid walking fast or doing any exercise.

If someone says that air purifier is the solution to pollution, then the answer will be 'no'. An air purifier is like an air conditioner that draws air from your room, passes it through a mechanical filter, usually a HEPA filter, and then throws the air back into the room. For this to be effective the room has to be sealed, closed, windows and doors have to be closed.