While the world is gradually becoming a cleaner place to live, India's air quality is at an all-time low, causing a slew of health problems among its population. It's no surprise that Delhi ranks first among India's most polluting cities, as seen by the recent hazardous haze that blanketed Delhi and northern India. According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, pollution levels in the capital exceeded the World Health Organization's (WHO) acceptable guidelines by nearly 30 times.
Keeping this in mind, we should all do our part by taking appropriate safety precautions as time runs out. Here are a few pointers:
1. Close your windows
Keeping your windows closed is the first step to keeping smoky air out of your home. The next steps would be circulation and filtration. Use fans to circulate the air in your home and if possible, use filters to remove particles from the air.
Image Courtesy: Times Of India
2. Change your outdoor commute & exercise routes
Air pollution concentrations can vary widely from one street to the next even inside your city. You may reduce the amount of traffic pollution you breathe in by avoiding the busiest roads, especially designated truck routes. Changing the time you spend outside can also assist. During rush hour and periods of temperature inversion, traffic pollution is at its highest.
3. Avoid certain chores
Vacuuming, dusting, and anything else that kicks up dust particles should be avoided for the time being. These activities can exacerbate the problem of poor indoor air quality. Alternative cleaning methods include wet mopping and vacuuming with HEPA-filtered vacuums.
4. Use a N95 mask
Smoke protection is usually not provided by cloth masks. To protect yourself from smoke, wear a N95 mask that filters out tiny particles. Cloth masks generally allow fine particles to flow through.
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5. Use an air purifier
Air purifiers can be helpful for removing air particulate. You can purchase air purifiers that have been more rigorously tested for removing specific sizes of particles. These air purifiers will usually have information on how much air can be cleaned in an hour and the specific range of sizes that can be filtered.
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6. Use a portable air quality monitor
By taking an air quality monitor with you along your commute or exercise paths, you can get an idea of the air pollution hot spots in your area. You can also monitor the differences in pollution on different routes and during different times of the day. While portable air quality monitor technology is still improving, these devices can help you make informed decisions about the time that you spend outside.
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Air pollution is unhealthy regardless of whether you are at home or outside. You may stay active in safeguarding your personal health by learning about the causes of pollution in your life and taking steps to prevent or reduce exposure.
FAQs
- Avoid smoking indoors (but quitting smoking is the best answer for overall health).
- Use craft supplies in well-ventilated areas.
- Make sure your gas stove is well-ventilated.
- Minimize clutter.
- Remove carpeting if possible.
- Use a dehumidifier and/or air conditioner to reduce moisture.