Quality Check: Just like while buying groceries or medicines one checks the expiry date, while buying a mask, one needs to take a look at its certification. A mask should be certified by a government agency assuring its quality. Since in India, there are no government specifications to certify air pollution mask, one can opt for N95 and N99 masks prescribed quality of masks, as per the American guidelines.
"In simpler terms, N95 designation mask means 95 per cent of PM will be prevented from going inside the body. N99 filters claim to prevent 99 per cent of the PM of different levels. The size of the particle matter filtered will vary, depending on the type of mask you buy", says Dr Nangia.