Smog, portmanteau of the smoke and fog refers to a smoky fog- primarily due to its opacity, and odour, has blanketed Delhi since Diwali with the residents grappling with heavy pollution that has reached 16 times more than the “safe” levels. The smog in Delhi refuses to clear out mainly due to bursting of fire crackers, pollution from numerous cars and bikes, and from surrounding states like Haryana and Punjab where the farmers burn the straws and rotten crops.
The levels of pollutants in the air, are such that the particulate matter are floating low in the air. The PM2.5 crossed the 900 mark in some areas, recording almost 15 times the proposed safety limit.
The emergency situation in Delhi is such that people are taking desperate measures to overcome the pollution. The hospitals has seen about 29% increase in the respiratory distress complaints in last week.
So what are the measures that one must follow to avoid being severely exposed by the pollutants? Delhi Government has advised some measures to be followed:
1. Wear masks:
Pollution masks filter out airborne particles from the air we breathe and are quite effective in preventing the inhalation of many toxic gases. Based on the type of the air mask, the efficiency also varies. The masks are available at prices ranging from Rs 90 to up to Rs 2200 and come in different sizes and designs. These masks have an ‘N’, ‘R’ or ‘P’ type of filters- in which N type filters prevent the inhalation of particulate matter and aerosols that are non-oily in nature and remove “dust” particles related to coal, flour, iron ore, metal, pollen, wood, and non-oil based liquids. While R type filters are effective for regular particles as well as for oil-based aerosols, and P type filters offer protection from oily and non-oily aerosols, and can be used up to 40 hours, or maybe 30 days. The most important criteria in choosing masks is to see them fitting snugly around your nose and mouth. If you use a N100 type of filter (filter with 100% capacity to trap pollutants) and it doesn’t cover your nose and mouth, then it is of no use. Hence, we advise strongly against using surgical masks.
Types of Masks:
1. 3M N95: 
The easily available and most affordable masks around, these filter out about 95, 99 and/ or 100 % of pollutants. The masks are foldable and can be easily stored in the bags and purses and has an adjustable nose clip and are washable.
2. 3M 9004IN:
Lighter than the N95, these are disposable and should not be washed and have a better fit.
3. Vogmask:
Bright and eye-catching, and are N99 certified and thus filter out 99% of the particulate matter as small as 0.3 microns. They also block smells and sulphur dioxide and are washable.
4. Atlanta Cambridge: 
These are also N99 certified and can choose between no valve, one valve or two valves and they cost Rs.2000.
5. Dettol Air Mask:
These masks are priced at Rs.699 and has a pouch and two filters.
2. Install Air Purifiers :
With the current situation being so bad, that installation of an air purifier seems essential. Although they are expensive, but the outside pollution being as equal to the pollution inside homes, there is no other option. Although, there have also been cases of air purifiers being choked.
3. Delhi government is planning to introduce another round of odd-even initiative.
4. Badarpur coal and power plant has been shut for 10 days
5. Water is being sprinkled on roads
6. There is a 5 day ban on all diesel based generators.
There are many ways, that Delhi can learn – from the 1952 killer smog of London, or the very recent smog of Beijing. But, safety first, so you need to take care of yourself.
By: Archa Dave
