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Air pollution is dangerous to human health, causing damages to the respiratory and circulatory system. How do the cities protect their inhabitants against it? The system of smog alerts enables issuing a quick warning when the concentration of particulate matter and toxic gases reaches worrying levels. Check in which situations do the cities use smog alarm. What protective measures can you adopt?
Table of Contents
- Smog as a global problem
- How the Great Smog of London Led to Smog Warning Systems Across Europe
- Smog alert – what is it?
- When is the smog alarm issued?
- Responding to smog alerts: what should you do?
- What do the cities do after issuing the air quality notifications?
- Protect Yourself with Airly and Stay Ahead of Smog Alerts
Smog as a global problem
The problem of air pollution is global, and even though many countries are making some steps towards change, there is still a lot to be done. It is not uncommon to see a thick smog covering the agglomerations in Europe, the USA, Asia, South America, and Africa. The cities of Bangladesh, India, and China are the most affected by this phenomenon. Nevertheless, also European agglomerations, despite the campaigns against air pollution and investments in green energy, struggle with smog regularly. The majority of them is located in Central-Eastern Europe, mainly in Poland and Bulgaria. In these countries, the usage of coal is still relatively high, and the percentage of electric vehicles on the streets – quite low, and these are the causes of smog.
How the Great Smog of London Led to Smog Warning Systems Across Europe
For centuries, the problem of air pollution used to be marginalized. That has changed in 1952 when the eyes of the whole world turned into the capital of the United Kingdom. The Great Smog of London has caused over 8000 deaths and long-term health problems for tens of thousands of Londoners. That tragic incident has shed more light on the issue and provoked the countries of Europe to implement regulations and protective measures, and now the citizens receive smog warning notifications. Check real-time air quality info in London or air pollution in the United Kingdom.
More recently, the lessons of the Great Smog have inspired similar reforms globally. A lot of cities have implemented extensive air monitoring systems and emergency measures, such as vehicle bans on high-pollution days, reflecting a growing international consensus on the need for preemptive action against smog.
Smog alert – what is it?
Smog alerts, also referred to as air quality notifications, are public warnings issued when air pollution levels exceed safe thresholds. These warnings aim to inform residents about potential health risks and recommend protective actions. Alerts often include real-time updates about PM2.5 and PM10 levels, which can penetrate deep into the respiratory system, exacerbating conditions like asthma and cardiovascular diseases. The smog alarm is supposed to reach every inhabitant of the area. Usually, the government sends the information in the form of SMS.
When is the smog alarm issued?
The criteria for issuing smog alarms vary significantly by region. There is no unified regulation that would point out the threshold for the smog alarm to be issued. The EU guidelines are just informative, just as the WHO’s. In some European cities, the PM10 concentration of 80 μg/m3 is enough to issue an alarm. In others, the levels have to cross 300 μg/m3. That is a case of Polish or Bulgarian cities. Where does this difference come from? It’s no mystery that the influence of polluting particles on our system is the same, regardless of the location. Unfortunately, if Polish cities adopted the norms of London or Paris, they would never be able to lift the air quality notifications. Thus, the threshold for the alert is significantly higher.
Recently, several cities, such as Madrid and Los Angeles, have revised their smog alert thresholds to align with updated WHO guidelines. These cities issue warnings at lower PM10 and PM2.5 levels to protect sensitive populations better. The use of regional color-coded AQI scales, which classify air quality as “moderate,” “unhealthy,” or “hazardous,” is also helping standardize alerts globally.
Responding to smog alerts: what should you do?
Responding to smog alerts is crucial to protecting your health and minimizing exposure to harmful air pollutants. Here’s a guide on what to do when a smog alert is issued:
- Stay Indoors: Limit outdoor activities, especially during peak pollution hours.
- Use Air Purifiers: HEPA filters can reduce indoor pollutant levels.
- Wear Masks: N95 masks can filter harmful particles if outdoor exposure is unavoidable.
- Limit Polluting Activities: Reduce energy usage, avoid burning wood or leaves, and minimize car travel to lower pollution.
What do the cities do after issuing the air quality notifications?
Spreading the information is a basic duty of the city councils when the concentration of particulate matter and toxic gases reaches alarming levels. As we’ve mentioned, the alert is usually issued via SMS. In addition, the information is displayed on the bus stops, at public transportation, and air sensors spread throughout the city. However, that’s not all. The local and regional authorities are also obliged to start controlling the industrial facilities and limit the circulation of vehicles.
Protect Yourself with Airly and Stay Ahead of Smog Alerts
As you can see, in some regions, you will not be warned about smog unless the concentration of polluting particles is very high. That’s why it’s worth taking personal measures. Monitoring the air quality through our air pollution map and wearing an antismog mask will provide you with the best protection.
You may also read: How Does Smog Affect the Environment?
Sources:
https://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/air/air-quality-concentrations/air-quality-standards
https://polskialarmsmogowy.pl/polski-alarm-smogowy,lokalnealarmy.html
https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/mayor-of-london-issues-high-air-pollution-alert