The present invention relates to a composition, textile, and mask for reducing the inhalation of pollutants. The composition includes an aqueous solution of an inorganic iodide compound, a metal phthalocyanine, and a polymeric binder. The inorganic iodide can be cuprous iodide, the metal phthalocyanine can be iron phthalocyanine, and the polymeric binder can be polyvinylpyrrolidone or polyvinyl alcohol. This pollutant-inactivating composition neutralizes pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, volatile organic compounds and other unpleasant airborne agents, without requiring elevated temperatures or bulky canisters containing adsorbents. Optionally, a humectant can also be incorporated into the coating solution to retain moisture in the active filter matrix, which enhances the activity of the composition to inactivate oxidizing gases and other toxic constituents of air pollution.