Does Wearing An N95 Mask Actually Protect You From Air Pollution?

Every winter, when smog settles over north India, chemists see a rush for N95 masks. Doctors in Delhi often tell people to wear one whenever they step out. But can a thin layer of filter material really keep dirty air out of your lungs? The short answer is yes, but only if the mask fits well.

A certified N95 blocks about 95% of airborne particles when worn correctly. These include PM2.5, the fine dust from traffic, construction, crop burning and fires that is small enough to travel deep into the lungs. Research also backs this up. A 2021 modelling study found that an N95 worn with only a little air leaking around its edges cut exposure to smoke particles by more than 14 times. It estimated this could lower smoke-related hospital visits by 22% to 39%, while cotton masks made only a small difference.

There is also some evidence of real health effects. In a Beijing trial, 15 healthy young adults walked through the city for two hours, once with a high-efficiency mask and once without. Their systolic blood pressure was lower with the mask, and their heart rate variability, which a sign of a healthy heart rhythm, improved.

Also…

Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle