The battle to buy a smog mask in India’s pollution-Olans two products you deserve
My own mother usually kicks off our phone conversations by asking, “Have you eaten yet,” But since I m oved to New Delhi three weeks ago, she has adopted a new opening question: “Have you bought a mask or air purifiers ,” This weekend, I finally relented and bought a face mask designed to protect against pollution particles. I did it for mom. But I also did it because Delhi’s air has reached levels of toxicity that are putting my asthmatic lungs — really anyone’s lungs — in serious danger. I wasn’t the only Delhi-walla looking for protection. When I arrived at Nirvana Being, a small shop in the city’s upscale Khan Market that sells anti-pollution products, there were at least 15 people in line to buy face masks. By the time I made my purchase, there were around 20 more. In depth: Delhi’s fight for clean air “When we opened that store people thought I was nuts,” said Jai Dhar Gupta, who heads the store’s parent company. “Now we have lines for 10 hours a day.” Gupta declined t...