Let me tell you some things about haze...
Haze is an atmospheric condition
where particles, smoke, dust and moisture suspend in the air obscuring
visibility.
How Haze Can Affect Your Health
When inhaled, these fine particles (those measuring
10 microns or less) can cause irritation of the nose, throat, airways, skin and
eyes. You may experience sneezing, running nose, eye irritation, dry throat and
dry cough as a result of inhaling the air pollutants. These symptoms are
usually mild if the haze is not severe and will subside when you stay indoor
and limit your exposure to haze.
However, if you are suffering from some medical
conditions such as asthma, heart disease, lung disease, chronic sinusitis and
skin allergy, your condition could be worsened by haze. You are also more
likely to experience severe haze-related effects than those who are healthy.
Minute particles contained within a haze can enter
the bloodstream when they are breathed deep into the lungs and get absorbed by
underlying tissue. Once they enter the blood, they can potentially interact
with other compounds and substances in the body, for example ‘bad’ cholesterol,
to produce damaging effects such as inflammation.
Children and the elderly are more vulnerable to the
ill effects of haze due to their weaker immune system, and hence, they should
take special precautions to protect themselves.
See chart below:
Index Value
|
PSI Descriptor
|
General Health Effects
|
Health Advisory
|
Up to 50
|
Good
|
Good
|
None for the
general population
|
51 to 100
|
Moderate
|
Few or none for the
general population
|
None required
|
101 to 200
|
Unhealthy
|
Mild aggravation of
symptoms among susceptible persons ie. those with underlying conditions such
as chronic heart or lung ailments; transient symptoms of irritation eg. eye
irritation, sneezing or coughing in some of the healthy population.
|
Persons with
existing heart or respiratory ailments should reduce physical exertion and
outdoor activity. The general population should reduce vigorous outdoor
activity. Appropriate public advisories regarding the use of respiratory
masks and other health matters will be given.
|
201 to 300
|
Very Unhealthy
|
Moderate
aggravation of symptoms and decreased tolerance in persons with heart or lung
disease ; more widespread symptoms of transient irritation in the healthy
population.
|
Elderly and persons
with existing heart or lung disease should stay indoors and reduce physical
exertion and outdoor activity. The general population should avoid vigorous
outdoor activity. Appropriate public advisories on air cleaning devices for
homes and offices will be given.
|
301 to 400
|
Hazardous
|
Early onset of
certain diseases in addition to significant aggravation of symptoms in
susceptible persons; and decreased exercise tolerance in healthy persons.
|
Children, elderly
and persons with existing diseases should stay indoors and avoid outdoor
activity. The general population should avoid all unnecessary outdoor
activity.
|
Over 400
|
Hazardous
|
PSI levels above
400 may be life-threatening to ill and elderly persons. Healthy people may
experience adverse symptoms that affect normal activity.
|
Children, elderly
and persons with existing diseases should stay indoors, keeping the windows
and doors closed and avoiding physical exertion as far as possible. Outdoor
activity should be avoided. The general population should keep physical
exertion and outdoor activity to as low a level as possible.
|
During a prolonged haze period when the air quality
is poor, you can take the following precautions to protect yourself:
·
Pay attention
to local air quality updates. Recommended
precautions you should take will usually be given in the form of advisories
based on the latest air condition. So it is recommended that you check your
local health authority’s website regularly for the latest air quality update.
Here are some websites to check for the following countries:
·
Minimize
outdoor activities, especially outdoor sports. If you must exercise outdoor, avoid exercising in highly congested
areas near busy roads and freeways, particularly during rush hours. Read more: Is Running in a Haze Bad for Health?
·
Close all
windows, doors and any openings that may allow haze to enter your home or
office. Turn on the air conditioner if you have one. Note:
If the weather is extremely hot, it can become dangerous if you stay indoor
with all fresh air intake closed. In this case, seek alternative shelter.
·
At home, use
an air purifier to keep the particulate levels low. Choose an air purifier that is suitable for the size and type of your
home. Avoid air cleaners that generate ozone as they will increase air
pollution in your home.
·
Keep air
conditioner in tip-top working condition with regular cleaning and servicing. Fine particles can enter an air-conditioned
building through the fresh air intake and by infiltration through openings and
gaps.
·
If you are
staying in a building with a central air conditioning system, install an air
cleaning device. This helps to reduce the amount
of air contaminants that may be circulating in your building.
·
Take your
medication regularly if you are suffering from an existing disease, especially
heart disease and respiratory disease. If you feel breathless at any point in time, seek medical attention
immediately.
·
Limit or
avoid smoking indoor and the use of gas stove, wood fireplace, candles, incense
and anything that burns. In an
enclosed area, smoke, gases and pollutants emitted from burning sources are
trapped indoor and could build up to hazardous level if they continue to burn
for an extended period of time.
·
Under severe
haze condition, wear a respirator if you must
go outside. Respirators work better
than face masks as they seal better and restrict more polluted air from
entering the nose and mouth. Further, their filters can be replaced which make
them reusable.
That's all for now. I'm going to be a 'Santa Claus' tonight, busy delivering masks to my loved
ones. I hope you're well prepared.
Dreamy C
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