People who inhabit urban centers in temperate climates often have to deal with air quality alerts in winter. But why do these increase in frequency at this particular time of year? Why does air quality suddenly drop so sharply when, in other seasons, it’s often hardly a concern? Because our air is drier and colder in winter, pollutants become trapped more easily. Additionally, lower temperatures mean we have to heat our homes more, which can increase the total amount of smoke released into the air, causing air quality alerts in winter to kick in.
Table of Contents
- Reasons for Air Quality Alerts in Winter
- How to Protect Yourself from Bad Air
- What Cities Can Do to Improve Air Quality
- The Takeaway
Reasons for Air Quality Alerts in Winter
There are several factors that contribute to upticks in air quality alerts in winter. First, temperature inversions—when cold air near the ground becomes trapped under a layer of warmer air—prevent pollutants from dispersing in the wind as quickly as they normally would. This allows sources of particulate matter, like smoke or vehicle emissions, to linger for longer periods of time, enough to be picked up by air quality monitoring sensors.
Additionally, heating homes during winter significantly increases the amount of smoke in the air, especially in areas reliant on wood or coal furnaces. Combined with the aforementioned stagnant air conditions, these pollutants can accumulate quickly, leading to frequent air quality alerts in winter, especially in urban areas.
How to Protect Yourself from Bad Air
Winter air pollution has an incredibly negative impact on health, so it’s important to protect yourself as much as you can. This is what you can do:
- Stay Informed: Monitor local air quality alerts and avoid outdoor activities when levels are high.
- Wear Masks: Consider wearing masks that filter harmful particulate matter.
- Use Indoor Air Purifiers: Since highly polluted air can enter your home whenever you crack a window, using indoor air purifiers can help reduce pollutant levels in your home.
What Cities Can Do to Improve Air Quality
Smart cities are poised to combat poor air quality now better than ever. By implementing and enforcing stricter emission standards and encouraging public transport use, the problem can be effectively thwarted.
However, it all starts with reliable air quality monitoring measures, like Airly’s sensors. Our technology is easy to use and install and comes with a comprehensive data analysis platform that allows you to gain predictive insight into air pollution patterns to never leave anything to guesswork. Contact us today for a quote, and we’ll tell you all about our innovative industry-leading solutions.
The Takeaway
Air quality alerts in winter are a symptom of a much larger problem. Policymakers should do whatever they can to fight this problem and aim to increase the quality of life for their citizens, as smart cities and air monitoring truly go hand in hand. It really is a no-brainer on all fronts, especially once you consider the clear economic benefits brought on by clean air.
You may also read: How Does Air Pollution Affect Biodiversity?