The pollution in Delhi and the surrounding areas is oppressive and will not go away. Naturally, the air pollution causes throat pain, coughing, and even the spread of infections. Individuals suffering from heart disease and asthma are at a significantly higher risk. To protect yourself during these difficult times, every one of us must take specific actions.
The problem of air pollution is fatal. It is nearly impossible to avoid the poisonous haze in places like Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), where the Air Quality Index (AQI) recently reached an alarming 488, categorised as “severe bad.” Even if pollution cannot be completely eradicated, there are simple, doable steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones. But first let us know how is air quality outside affecting you.
The following are usual signs and signals that suggest the negative effects of poor air quality on you:
Continuous running nose
Breathing difficulties
Eye burns
Excessive production of mucus
Itchy throat and lungs
Heart and lungs are in worse shape.
You may even experience blurred vision due to smog from smoke, air pollution, or wildfires. This may raise your likelihood of getting into an accident and put you at serious risk when driving.
How Does Bad Air Quality Affect Your Health?
Prolonged exposure to the degraded outside air can lead to serious health issues, such as:
Pain in the chest
Breathlessness
Early death
Heart attacks
Respiratory problems
Wheezing due to asthma
Coughing
Long hospital stays or trips to the hospital might also result from poor outdoor air quality. Your child might skip school or other everyday events.
Easy Steps You Can Take To Protect Yourself From Air Pollution
1.Work out indoors
On days with low air quality, choose indoor exercise options such as at-home workouts or visits to a facility with adequate ventilation. Exercise performed indoors reduces exposure to dangerous air contaminants.
2. Put indoor air-purifying plants in your home.
One of the greatest detoxifiers we have is nature. Indoor air pollution can be decreased by adding indoor plants such as areca palms, snake plants, or peace lilies. Although they cannot eliminate pollution on their own, plants are a lovely and modest step in the right direction.
Think about growing hedges or trees if you have an outdoor area. They serve as organic defences against dust and other pollutants in addition to enhancing the quality of the air.
3. Track the air quality index on a regular basis.
Daily local air pollution forecasts can be found on a reliable source, such as the AQI website or mobile app. By taking an air quality monitor with you on your commute or exercise routes, you may get a feel of the urban areas that are most affected by air pollution. You may also monitor the amount of pollution at different times of day and along different routes. The projections, which are colour-coded, can alert you to poor air quality in your neighbourhood.
4. Refrain from going outside.
Limiting outside activities during times of low air quality is the recommended course of action. Stay inside as much as you can to limit your exposure to pollution. Maintain a cleaner indoor atmosphere by using air purifiers and keeping windows and doors closed.
5. Make the most of ventilation.
To keep interior air quality high, proper ventilation is necessary. If at all feasible, open your doors and windows to let fresh air into your house. Additionally, to get rid of interior pollutants, use exhaust fans in places like the bathroom and kitchen.
6. Use a mask when you’re outside.
If you have to walk outside in contaminated air, wearing a mask can help protect you. Remember that some masks are more beneficial than others. N95 or N99 respirators are good at removing dangerous gases and tiny particles.
7. Boost the quality of the air in the car.
Verify the condition of the ventilation and air conditioning systems in your vehicle. Consider using a car air purifier and changing the cabin air filter on a regular basis. To improve air circulation, avoid parking your automobile in a closed area and roll down your windows while you’re driving. As a result, there will be less exposure to contaminants when driving.
8. Eat healthy
A balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals can help strengthen your immune system. Consuming foods like fruits, vegetables, and nuts can provide your body with the nutrients it needs to combat the adverse effects of poor air quality.
Conclusion
Inhaling air that is of low quality might be detrimental to your health. Numerous types of cancer, heart and lung disorders, and other related health problems are strongly linked to prolonged exposure to air pollution. As a responsible citizen and family member, it is therefore very important that you closely monitor the air quality index and forecasts in order to safeguard your loved ones and yourself.
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