Medtech

Mask Sales Are Spiking On Amazon as America’s Air Quality Problem Worsens

It looks like lots of people are adding filtration systems to their carts.

Published

11 months ago

June 7, 2023

This article was originally published by TheStreet

Americans in the Northeast are experiencing extreme air quality conditions due to wildfires raging across Canada. Orange-tinged images of New York City took over social media on June 7 as city officials instructed residents to remain indoors whenever possible.

As the city’s residents prepare for what could be several days of heavy smoke pollution, people across the region are gearing up. Various filtration tools are being recommended — and, according to Amazon’s “Movers & Shakers” page, those items are seeing a spike in sales.

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Amazon’s page of trending buys has suddenly become flooded with n-95 masks, air filters, and water filters — items that are very likely being ordered in response to the smoke pollution. One trending item, a reflective safety vest, does seem ideal for those forced to work outdoors in a city darkened by smoke, while the list of popular items also features a number of masks in addition to water filters and indoor air filters and even humidifiers.

Particularly noteworthy, Benehal’s 20-pack of NIOSH Approved N95 Mask Particulate Respirators has grown over 1,000% in sales rank. Several other masks have jumped up hundreds of percentage points in rank.

It makes sense that these items would fly into shopping carts as more news pours in about a smoke-covered Big Apple (although, for those in the heart of the city, it’s unclear if Amazon delivery drivers will be able to maintain deliveries while the city is shrouded).

But for many, particularly those on the East Coast, increasing incidences of wildfires are an unpleasantly regular occurrence. And for regions near New York City, Amazon Prime is the fastest way to get out ahead of anticipated air quality problems heading their way. These are just some of the Amazon products seeing big spikes in sales right now: