So why do you really need an Anti- Pollution Mask ?A mask can dramatically reduce your exposure to pollution and thus the impact on your health. Unfortunately, the perfect protection doesn't exist and no mask will provide you a total filtration of air pollution. But masks do strongly lower the concentration of pollutants, bringing it to a level which will be not or at least less harmful for your health.
Is there any Indian product available which lives up to the reputation of an effective Anti -Pollution mask ?
I say - Yes there is !
I came across this product in one of the exhibitions/seminar on Health & Safety.
The product name is "SHWAS" which translates into "BREATH" .
SHWAS is an anti-pollution mask manufactured in India. This mask has several
benefits over other masks that you would have seen at your local chemist/auto store.
Shwas Mask is not made of a paper or cloth - It is a special Non -Woven Polyester fabric that has very fine pores as compared to a cotton mask. This allows unrestricted air while blocking the dust & pollutant effectively.
I have used this mask on a couple of occasions.Here are my observations:
- Non suffocating & does not obstruct sight
- Has a metal nose clip to grasp your nose bridge lightly but firmly.
- Needs to be disposed after being used thrice.
This mask is manufactured & marketed by 'Rajsi Enterprises'.The retail price is around Rs.15 & the product is positioned as a disposable mask. A resusable option would probably been cheaper for the customer.However, given that this is an anti-pollution mask,a disposable product does make much more hygenic sense.
SHWAS anti pollution mask carries appropriate warnings.The product box /advertising very clearly states the limits of this mask (unlike other manufacturers who dump you in a pool of ambiguity).For such a simple product,this level of detail & responsiblity should be really appreciated by the consumers.As it is evident -I was thoroughly impressed with honest & fair representation of this product by the maufacturer.
So my guess is that if you regularily ride a 2 wheeler in a smog hit city or you work in an industrial unit that generates fiber glass dust/asbestos- then you probably do need a Shwas anti-pollution mask.
I am not sure whether this product is available in your city yet,but I am quite convinced that this anti-pollution mask is definately here to stay.
Adios ..
