The Bishkek Health Center discussed the negative impact of smog on health and offered recommendations for protection against it.
Smog represents a serious atmospheric pollution with toxic substances that are formed as a result of the operation of industrial facilities, transportation, and heating systems using solid fuels, especially under unfavorable weather conditions.
Main causes of smog formation:
- exhaust gases from vehicles,
- operation of power plants and industries,
- coal burning,
- smoking,
- harmful vapors from various products, including chemical solvents, paints, and hair sprays.
- Smog can provoke respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, asthma, and pneumonia.
- It also causes inflammation of the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as reduces immunity.
- Cardiovascular diseases can be exacerbated by smog, leading to an increase in hospitalizations and deaths from respiratory and heart ailments.
- The most vulnerable are children, the elderly, and patients with cardiovascular (including hypertension, vegetative-vascular dystonia, angina) and respiratory diseases (asthma, bronchitis, emphysema).
- Smog can cause shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, insomnia, headaches, and coughing.
- Reduce time spent outdoors.
- Use protective masks (e.g., N95, KN95, FFP2) when going outside.
- Keep windows and doors closed, avoid ventilation.
- Increase fluid intake to 2-3 liters per day.
- If possible, use air conditioners and air purification systems.
- Regularly perform wet cleaning indoors.
- Gargle and rinse your nose.
- Add more vitamins and fermented dairy products to your diet.
- Avoid being outside during peak hours, especially for children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
- Using natural gas or electricity instead of solid fuels will help reduce harmful emissions.
