Air pollutants are emitted by a number of sources; humans as well as natural. These emissions are
a mixture of dust, chemicals, fine particulate matter (PM) and secondary pollutants like ground-level ozone. Of these, fine particulate matter - PM 10 and PM 2.5 - primarily produced during fuel combustion, are correlated with a number of acute and chronic diseases of the respiratory, cardiovascular and immune systems.
A Global Health Observatory (GHO) report estimates that 25% of the lung cancer deaths, 8% of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) deaths, and about 15% of ischaemic heart disease and stroke are caused by PM 10 and PM 2.5. If you live in a city like Seattle, San Francisco or LA (not to mention many cities across the American West and Southwest), be sure to check your AQI levels often!
Controlling emissions may not be completely in our hands. However, our answer is: the first step
being protecting our own lungs against PM 2.5 with the use of n95 anti-pollution masks which are available in both disposable and reusable varieties. The best air filter mask for wildfire smoke is a respirator that works with n95 filters.
Puraka pollution masks can be used repeatedly and cleaned in your washing machine or by hand. Single-use masks, such as those by 3M and Honeywell must be replaced after a single use.
In addition to the right mask type, choosing the ideal size is essential. The mask must fit tightly and snugly on your face, leaving no gaps at the sides from where particulate matter may penetrate through your mask. Remember, these pollutants are 50 times thinner than your hair!
Puraka Clean Air Technologies provides N95-rated pollutions masks in both child and adult sizes, so you can choose the that suits you properly. Importantly, their masks fits over the ears rather than the head. This seals the respirator better, ensuring less pollution gets through the gaps.
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