NEW DELHI: Gagandeep Singh Sapra and his wife Harpreet, both avid cyclists, used to cover 40km every day till about a year ago. Now they barely cycle 40km in a week—both have developed allergic asthma that makes it difficult to do any activity involving exposure to polluted air. When their passion takes over, they cycle with masks on.
Delhi's severe air pollution is making cyclists, those who work outdoors or have respiratory conditions desperate for a personal protection. Those who can afford are using masks, those who can't are using handkerchiefs. Masks are only a partial protection though.
Recently the amicus curiae on a petition against air pollution in the Supreme Court submitted a list of suggestions, including mandatory use of masks if air pollution is 'severe' for two consecutive days. However, Dr T K Joshi, director of Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH), has replied that a mask is different from a respirator, a more sophisticated device. He said masks don't offer any protection against nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulphur dioxide and gaseous vapours such as benzene, 1, 3 butadiene which can be carcinogenic, depending on exposure. Levels of many of them are quite high in Delhi. Masks may create a false sense of protection and the poor can't afford them or replace them repeatedly, he added.
Only N95 masks and certain respirators do offer protection against PM2.5 but they are often not manufactured for kids who are most vulnerable or prolonged use may lead to discomfort in breathing.
Nevertheless, many Delhiites, who don't want to cut down on physical activities, are often opting for these masks. "Our doctors told us that allergic asthma is linked to air pollution. Both of us are over 40, our immunity isn't great. After my wife was hospitalized recently, we knew that we can't continue cycling for long. We have tried masks but I guess we were already too exposed," said Sapra, founder of Green Pedals, a cycling group.
Rahul Goel, who has bronchial asthma and rides a bike to work, used simple surgical masks during bad days. "I did find it useful. I have run out of them and now use a handkerchief." His doctor has recommended a wet handkerchief.
SwapnilMathur, who works with a production house, also has asthma but can't stop cycling. "I have asthma since childhood but my inhaler usage has jumped up to one every two weeks. Doctors have told me if I cycle early mornings, I will end up in hospital."
Marcus Santiago, a comic book artist who used to cycle regularly, said that even before the WHO alert, the cyclists in the city could feel that air pollution had gone up. "Those outdoors regularly can feel it." He finds maks uncomfortable.
Dr S K Chhabra, head of cardio-respiratory physiology at Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, recommends masks to patients working in dusty conditions. "Mask filters only particulate matter, so theoretically it is effective only for some people."
