1. Heavy polluted weather with PM2.5 as the primary pollutant is harmful to health.
Interpretation: Polluted weather refers to the phenomenon of air pollution caused by the accumulation of pollutants in the air under unfavorable meteorological conditions such as no wind, inversion and high humidity. Heavily polluted weather generally refers to the air pollution phenomenon that the air quality index is greater than 200, that is, the ambient air quality reaches the level of heavy pollution and above. Heavy polluted weather with PM2.5 as the primary pollutant is commonly known as "smog". When heavy pollution weather may occur, the local government will issue early warning information.
PM2.5 in the atmosphere is the general name of all particles with a diameter less than or equal to 2.5 microns, and its diameter is about one twentieth of that of hair. PM2.5 can stay in the atmosphere for a long time, is not easy to remove, and can adsorb a variety of harmful substances, easily inhaled into the deep respiratory tract, and some components can also enter the blood, which is harmful to human health.
At present, the sources and composition of PM2.5 are different in different regions of China. The main sources of PM2.5 include industrial emissions, coal-fired emissions, motor vehicle exhaust, garbage incineration, rural straw burning, construction and road dust. In addition, open-air barbecues, food cooking, forest fires and volcanic eruptions will also cause PM2.5 to accumulate in the air. Indoor PM2.5 is not only from outdoor air pollution, but also from indoor smoking and food cooking.
Second, the health hazards of heavily polluted weather include acute and chronic.
Interpretation: The acute harm of heavily polluted weather with PM2.5 as the primary pollutant is mainly manifested in symptoms such as cough, sore throat and eye irritation caused by inhaling pollutants in a short time. Heavy polluted weather can also induce acute attack or aggravation of chronic diseases such as bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Seek medical attention if necessary.
Chronic hazards mainly include the effects on respiratory system and cardiovascular system. According to the World Health Organization, long-term and persistent heavy polluted weather can increase the risk of respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease and stroke. Heavy polluted weather can also affect people’s mood.
Third, when there is heavy pollution weather, personal protection should be done.
Interpretation: The public should pay attention to the local heavy pollution weather forecast and early warning information.
In case of heavily polluted weather, the exposure should be reduced as much as possible, and the main measures include:
1. The public should reduce outdoor activities.
2. Children, pregnant women, the elderly, patients with cardiovascular diseases and respiratory diseases should try to avoid outdoor activities.
3. Close the doors and windows in time, don’t smoke indoors, in addition, avoid cooking and other behaviors that may aggravate indoor air pollution. If no new fan is installed indoors, try to avoid the peak period of pollution according to the local air pollution situation, and open the window for ventilation once or twice a day for 10-20 minutes each time. If there are many people in the room and the space is small, the number of windows should be increased appropriately.
4. If conditions permit, air purification equipment can be used.
5. If you have to go out, you should minimize the time and intensity of outdoor activities and wear qualified masks; Wash your face and bare skin when you come back from going out.
Fourth, the correct choice and wearing of masks can reduce the impact of PM2.5 on human health.
Interpretation: The standard mask has good protective performance, which can effectively filter or block PM2.5 and greatly reduce the inhalation of harmful substances. When going out, it is recommended to give priority to masks marked with GB/T 32610-2016 standard.
Pay attention to wearing a mask correctly:
1. Ensure that the mask has a good fit with the face and does not leak.
2. It is suggested that the elderly, children and other special groups should choose masks with better comfort under the guidance of professionals or family members.
3. If the worn mask needs to be used again, it should be dried and put into a clean bag for collection.
4. Wear and replace the mask in strict accordance with the instructions for use.
Fifth, the correct use of air purification equipment is conducive to reducing the concentration of indoor PM2.5.
Interpretation: In heavily polluted weather, you should stay indoors as much as possible. When closing doors and windows, using air purification equipment is conducive to reducing the indoor PM2.5 concentration. Air purifier is a common air purification equipment. If conditions permit, especially in crowded places, we can consider installing new fans with high-efficiency filters.
When purchasing air purifiers, we should pay attention to selecting air purifiers that meet the national standards (GB/T 18801-2015 "Air Purifiers"), mainly referring to two types of indicators, namely, clean air volume (CADR) and cumulative purification volume (CCM). The applicable area of the purifier can be estimated by multiplying the particle CADR value by 0.1 (for example, the applicable area of an air purifier with a particle CADR of 300m3/h is about 30m2). The CCM value reflects the service life of the purification parts (the greater the CCM value, the longer the replacement or cleaning cycle of the purification parts).
Use the air purifier in strict accordance with the instruction manual, and pay special attention to:
1. The room should be closed as far as possible, and the periphery of the purifier should not be blocked, so as not to affect the air inlet and outlet.
2. First turn on the highest gear to purify the air quickly, and then use the silent gear to maintain the purification effect.
3. Open the window in time for indoor and outdoor air exchange.
4. The purification parts should be replaced or cleaned regularly according to the instruction manual.
6. Everyone should start from himself, save energy, care for the environment and reduce PM2.5 emissions.
Interpretation: Environment and health are closely related. Many diseases suffered by human beings are caused by environmental pollution, including air pollution. Protecting the environment means protecting human health. Reducing the harm of air pollution requires the joint efforts of the whole society. Everyone has the responsibility of caring for environmental sanitation and protecting the environment from pollution, and should actively cooperate with the state’s ecological environmental protection work and make contributions to preventing the harm of air pollution. Abide by the laws and regulations on environmental protection, abide by the social morality of paying attention to hygiene, consciously develop good habits of saving resources and not polluting the environment, and strive to create a clean, comfortable, quiet and beautiful environment. Advocate the use of public transportation, bicycles and other green modes of travel, prohibit indoor smoking, prohibit burning straw and garbage, reduce open-air barbecues and fireworks, adhere to a simple and moderate, green and low-carbon lifestyle, and oppose extravagance and waste and unreasonable consumption.
Treating heavily polluted weather scientifically and rationally and adhering to a healthy and civilized lifestyle are beneficial to physical and mental health. For more information about personal protection in heavily polluted weather, please consult the official websites of National Health and Wellness Commission, China Center for Disease Control and Prevention and China Health Education Center.