Delhi air pollution: Panic strikes, sale of masks hits roof

TNN / Updated: Nov 4, 2019, 08:47 IST

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As the pollution levels in the city reach hazardous levels, chemist shops are witnessing an unparalleled demand for N95 pollution masks in the city. At the many chemist shops outside the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the surge in the sale of anti-pollution masks is such that most shops have already exhausted their stocks and have placed orders for more.

Delhi air pollution: Panic strikes, sale of masks hits roof

A man wearing anti pollution mask due to rise in AQI in Delhi

NEW DELHI: As the pollution levels in the city reach hazardous levels, chemist shops are witnessing an unparalleled demand for N95 pollution masks in the city. At the many chemist shops outside the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the surge in the sale of anti-pollution masks is such that most shops have already exhausted their stocks and have placed orders for more.
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“We have sold over 250 masks just today,” said Anil Mishra of Medicine House chemist shop in Connaught Place.

He stated that people are coming at regular intervals to demand the N95 masks, but the demand skyrocketed on Sunday.

Times View

Governments at the Centre and in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and UP need to start behaving as if they recognise that the NCR is facing a monumental public health emergency. This is no time for blame games or cornering credit for what few positive measures have been taken. Even concerted action by all governments may not be enough to deal with the crisis in the short to medium term, but anything less would be criminal neglect of their duty and a complete abdication of leadership. Let’s also not argue about which source of pollution deserves priority action. Every source, minor or major, needs urgent tackling. Central and state governments should jointly commit to a 5-year plan with annual targets of AQI reduction to less than 100 by 2025, and below 50 soon after. Breathing this toxic air is imperiling all of us, particularly children, even if we can ensure we won’t have to do so in future. The damage already done will continue to extract its toll in the years to come, so every extra day of inhaling this poison is one day too many. As citizens and victims, we need to pitch in – through efforts such as car pooling and maximising use of public transport. We need to treat these tasks as if our lives depend on them – because they do.

Outside AIIMS, Vinod Kumar of Ambey Medicine corner said that post-Diwali, he has sold at least 20 masks every day. “But we have sold the maximum number of masks today,” Kumar added. “Most people who are buying masks are already aware of the specifications they need to look out for and directly ask for N95 masks.”
The sale of masks was also high in residential areas. “Usually we sell around eight masks daily but today we have sold over 20 masks. We suggest people to buy only N95 masks to counter pollution instead of the cheaper ones,” said Vishal who manages the Apollo Pharmacy in Jangpura.
Chemists said people have become aware that they can’t survive when the air pollution is this bad without taking any precautions. “We sold 100 masks today and our stock was finished. The public is aware of the current situation,” Karan Deep Singh.

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