Table of contents
- Air pollution – where does it come from?
- Why are pollutants dangerous? Protect yourself from poor air quality!
- How to protect yourself from unhealthy air and pollution?
- The takeaway
More and more people are aware of the tremendous impact of poor air quality on the entire ecosystems, humans, plants, animals, and economies. If you’re looking for simple and effective ways to limit your exposure to harmful substances and protect your health, you’re in the right place. What to do when air quality is unhealthy? Keep reading to discover 5 tips!
Air pollution – where does it come from?
Air pollution is a mixture of harmful particles and gases in the air. It comes from a variety of sources, both natural and human-made. Some air pollution is emitted directly into the air, while other is formed when various pollutants mix together.
Natural sources of air pollution include wildfires, volcanoes, and dust storms.
On the other hand, human-made sources of air pollution include emissions from factories, cars, and power plants.
Why are pollutants dangerous? Protect yourself from poor air quality!
There are multiple reasons why long-term exposure to unhealthy air quality is dangerous. The most important aftermaths and unhealthy air quality symptoms include:
- Respiratory problems
- Cardiovascular problems
- Sneezing, itchy throat and allergies
- Coughing
- Asthma
- Problems with concentration
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Cancer
- Premature death.
How to protect yourself from unhealthy air and pollution?
Are you wondering what to do when air quality is unhealthy? There are a few simple steps you can take to protect yourself:
- close the windows – if you know that air quality is bad on a given day, resign from opening your door and windows to ventilate the house. It’s also a good idea to invest in special fans and filters that will help you circulate the air indoors.
- wear a facemask – buy a N95 mask and wear it if you must go outside. This will allow you to protect yourself from fine particles.
- take a shower or bath after being outside – this will help remove any pollutants that may be on your skin or in your hair.
- stay indoors as much as possible – on days when air quality is unhealthy, try to stay indoors as much as possible. If you have to go out, limit your time outside and take breaks in a well-ventilated area.
- stay informed and monitor air quality – there are many tools for monitoring air quality and some of them are even available for free. Be sure to check special air quality maps, apps, and filters that will help you keep your finger on the pulse and make informed decisions.
The takeaway
Learning how to protect yourself from unhealthy air and monitor pollution levels will help you be on the safe side and make informed decisions regarding your wellbeing, or exposure to harmful substances.