Face masks sold out at many places in Pasir Gudang

Pharmhouse Pharmacy owner Ang Boon Kiong (left) showing a notice on N95 masks being sould out due to the air polluted in Pasir Gudang. -Abdul Rahman Embong/The Star

JOHOR BARU: The chemical pollution in Pasir Gudang has led to mass buying of face masks, with many outlets having run out of stock.

Besides the N95 (respirator) masks, ordinary face masks are also in high demand.

Many outlets in the area had run out of supply since Tuesday.

Checks at five outlets in Pasir Gudang showed empty shelves.

According to the workers, they were not sure when the new orders would arrive as “even the suppliers do not have stock”.

They advised the public to look for masks in other areas such as Johor Baru.

KPJ Pasir Gudang consultant general and respiratory physician Dr Che’ Wan Aminuddin Hashim said the recommended face mask was the N95 variety which was suitable to protect against environmental pollution.

“There are several types of face masks available. The ones we use in the medical field is known as the surgical mask, which can offer the wearer better protection against infection.“There are various types of N95 in the market which are commonly used by those handling gases or pollution,” he said at the KPJ Pasir Gudang Specialist Hospital yesterday.