N95 face masks, the recommended mask for protection against smoke from forest fires, are selling out quickly based on a check at six different stores at two shopping malls yesterday.

Even surgical masks are running low, despite expert advice that these do not offer protection from particulate matter, sales reps at the stores told The Malaysian Insight.

At the Watson and Caring pharmacies in IOI City Mall, as well as at gadgets and lifestyle store Yubiso, sales clerks said people were going for whatever masks they sold.

The N95 mask sells for between RM6 and RM8 each, while the cheaper surgical masks are sold in a pack of up to 10 pieces, between RM2 and RM5.50 a pack.

At the Alamanda Mall in Putrajaya, checks at Guardian, Watson and Mr DIY also found that stock was running low.

A sales clerk at Guardian said demand for face masks had jumped 30% since a week ago, about the time transboundary smoke from forest fires in Indonesia thickened over Malaysian skies.

“In the past week, we are seeing increased demand for face masks. The normal (surgical) mask is out of stock,” he said.

Since a week ago, air pollutant index (API) readings have been on a steady climb and the number of areas falling into unhealthy and very unhealthy categories has also increased.

Yesterday, Sri Aman in Sarawak became the first area to fall into the “hazardous” category, where readings are between 300 and 400 API.

More than 600 schools were also closed yesterday in several parts of the country.

With the scarcity of N95 masks, the sales rep at Mr DIY at Alamanda Mall said some customers were snapping up the surgical masks to make do.

His store saw a sudden jump in purchases yesterday, with one customer buying 20 boxes of surgical masks and another, 30 boxes.

Medical professionals have rated the N95 mask as the best available for basic protection as it can block 95% of fine particles. It is also recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Institute (NIOSH).

The common surgical mask, however, does not filter out fine particles.

The sales reps said customers were clearly willing to spend on the more expensive N95 as API readings worsen and enter “very unhealthy” levels.

Some consumers spent yesterday morning going from one store to another in search for the N95 mask.

“I went to one store but was told that they have sold out all their stock, so I’m going to another store,” said a woman from Shah Alam when met at IOI City Mall. – September 18, 2019.