City life: what should each of us know about air quality?

Air quality is one of the most important factors influencing maintaining our health and well-being. This is especially important in the case of the delicate bodies of children and pregnant women. For getting worse air quality condition mainly influenced by pollution.

In Poland, as in many other countries, in urban areas where car traffic and infrastructure are most developed, smog and its negative health effects are a serious problem. What are ways to prevent long-term exposure of children and pregnant women to air pollution? What should each of us know about the state of air quality in Poland?

The state of air quality in Poland 

The state of air quality in Poland may change depending on: many factors. This is influenced not only by the seasons and weather conditions, but also by the level of pollutant emissions in a given region and other local conditions.

One of the biggest problems of modern urban agglomerations is the one that appears in their areas smog, which consists of suspended dust and gases. Long-term exposure to smog has an impact on humans. Unfortunately, it has negative health effects, which means that it poses a real threat to human health, especially pregnant women and children.

To check the state of air quality in Poland, it is best to use official sources, which include the websites of government environmental agencies or websites monitoring air quality. They contain up-to-date information on the current state of air quality and pollution levels in a given area.

Air quality in Poland[1] is assessed in the context of human health protection presence of substances in the air such as:

• dioxides: sulfur (SO2), nitrogen (NO2);
• carbon monoxide (CO);
• ozone (O3);
• benzene (C6H6);
• suspended dust: PM10 and PM2,5.

Is smog carries negative consequences health effects?

The increased amount of harmful substances emitted into the atmosphere deteriorates air quality. Particularly vulnerable to negative effects of polluted air there are pregnant women and children. Inhalation of harmful substances, including smog, may have serious health consequences and negatively affect the development of children and the fetus in pregnant women.

What are the health consequences for children and pregnant women? long-term exposure to air pollution?

Air quality in Poland and health children and pregnant women

Long-term exposure to air pollution may result in a number of more or less serious health complications. There is a relationship between the state of air quality and the occurrence of health problems related to:

• Overall well-being and sleep quality;

• Respiratory system:

• Nervous system, circulatory system and mental health;

• Fetal development: Inhaling polluted air, according to experts, may increase the risk of premature birth, low birth weight, or other health problems of the child, also in the future.

As you can see, poor air quality may result not only in worse everyday well-being, but also in an increased risk of health complications in many areas. It is all the more important to be conscious user of our planet and strive to take actions to improve air quality – both inside and outside our homes.

Ways prevention long-term exposure to air pollution

The fight against air pollution is a global issue. Improving air quality requires introducing changes - not only at the individual level, but also at the level of society as a whole. How can we help prevent air pollution?

• Social education: in relation to society, it is important to raise awareness of the importance of the problem of air pollution and its impact on human health, along with providing knowledge about the necessary steps to be taken. Social campaigns promoting the prevention of air pollution play an important role here;

• Actions to improve air quality in cities: the city authorities have a huge influence on activities aimed at improving air quality, i.e. promoting public transport and bicycle traffic, developing urban greenery, and limiting car traffic;

• Improving indoor air quality:

The answer to the problem of poor air quality in our homes are air purifiers with a humidification function, which are an effective weapon in the fight against indoor air pollution. Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde PH04, which received a positive opinion from IMiD experts, is one of the tools that we can use today to improve the air quality in our homes.

Good air quality is an element of health care

It is worth being aware that caring for air quality is not only an area of ​​ecology. First of all, it is about the health of ourselves and our loved ones.

Let's not wait for something to change, let's help in the change process - starting with clean air in our homes, e.g. thanks to an air purifier with a humidification function Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde PH04 and making those good choices – in the long run.

Źródła:

[1] https://popowiedze.gios.gov.pl/pjp/content/show/1004483