Delhi Air Pollution: Delhi’s air is once again turning into a thick grey cloud, and many of us are stepping out with a mask, thinking we are safe. It feels like the simplest way to protect ourselves. But a new viral video by an AIIMS doctor has left people shaken. The advice is unexpected, a little scary, and something every Delhi resident needs to hear.
In the video, AIIMS Dr Priyanka Sehrawat explains a truth most people don’t know. The masks many of us use daily are not protecting us from the real danger in the air. She says that the biggest threat in Delhi’s pollution is PM 2.5, the extremely tiny particles that enter your lungs without you realising it. And the shocking part is that your regular mask cannot block them.
Common Masks Don’t Protect Against PM 2.5
Dr Sehrawat makes it clear that surgical masks and cloth masks are almost useless when it comes to PM 2.5. These particles are so tiny that they easily pass through the material. So if you think your cloth mask or the thin blue surgical mask is keeping the pollution out, she says that’s simply not true. According to her, wearing these masks is almost the same as not wearing a mask at all.
She explains that only specific masks (N95, KN95, and N99) can filter out PM 2.5 effectively. These masks are made with special layers designed to block fine particulate matter. They can stop the harmful particles from entering your lungs, which reduces the risk of pollution-related issues like breathing problems, coughing, asthma flare-ups and long-term health damage.
Why N95 Masks Are Crucial Amid Delhi Air Pollution
Dr Sehrawat also highlights another important step, which is using a HEPA air purifier at home. She says indoor air can also be polluted (especially during this season), so it is important to keep the air inside your home clean, too.
Her biggest concern is for children. Their lungs are still developing, and pollution affects them much faster. She strongly advises parents to make sure their kids wear N95 masks when stepping outdoors (especially in the current Delhi pollution levels), which remain dangerously high.
The message from the video is that not all masks protect you from Delhi’s toxic air pollution. Only certified masks like N95, KN95 and N99 can filter PM 2.5 and offer real protection.
