Contributed by Harleen Kaur
Introduction
It’s again that time of the year when Delhi’s air quality worsens to the lowest ever and that creates a health emergency-like situation.
The toxic air is making everyone cough, causing irritation in their throats, and even spreading viral diseases. For those with asthma and cardiovascular problems, the situation is worse.
Following Diwali, when winter sets in, the air quality in metro cities degrades. We must thus look after the children and ourselves and follow safety measures to prevent harm to the most important organ in our body – the lungs. Children’s lungs are not as strong as the lungs of an adult, which increases the likelihood of organ inflammation and damage to their lungs brought on by pollutants.
Pollution from vehicle and construction activity is the big contributor to Delhi’s pollution, which is around 25% of the total. The majority however is attributed to the stubble burning that happens in the neighbouring states.
The amount of toxins in Delhi’s air is increasing to the point that the body can no longer remove these harmful, cancer-causing chemicals. Smart pollutants are those that comprise particles with a size of fewer than 10 microns and they enter our lungs very easily causing serious respiratory issues.
Even adults are vulnerable to serious health problems if they are exposed to polluted air for a prolonged period of time. As a result, taking precautions is necessary for our own safety. Continue reading this article to learn practical strategies for safeguarding your family from the present air quality.
5 Tips to Keep Your Lungs Safe
Say yes to a mask
After covid – 19 pandemic, we all have got habituated to wearing a mask and that is the best way to avoid inhaling contaminated air.
A variety of pollution masks are available in the market as pollution levels have reached dangerous levels. There are many alternatives available, including disposable masks, washable, reusable masks, and masks with carbon filters. It has been advised that people should never leave the house without a mask because doing so can seriously affect their lungs that can further lead to severe respiratory diseases.
Take a good diet
With the correct diet, detox programme, and breathing exercises, you can maintain a strong immune system. The greatest approaches to reduce the negative impacts of air pollution include eating plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, green vegetables, and wholesome home-cooked meals.
Therefore, consuming a lot of anti-inflammatory and foods high in antioxidants would better prepare your body to handle the effects of pollution. As a result, boost your diet with enough polyunsaturated fatty acids and the vitamins B, C, D, and E.
Use an air purifier
Even while you are indoors, pollution can still affect you. Experts claim that the decreasing outdoor air quality also has an impact on the air inside your home. Installing an indoor air purifier might be helpful. To stop respiratory diseases or allergies, these devices can help your home get rid of dangerous particles and allergens.
Be aware
Keep an eye on the weather forecast, traffic updates, and air quality index. Avoid leaving the house as much as you can, especially in locations with heavy traffic and pollution. Avoid activities outside as well.
Even if you are half a kilometre away from a busy road, you could still be harmed by pollution. Whenever possible, use public transportation or carpool to further reduce local pollution.
Avoid outdoor activities
Any form of activity, including jogging and even enjoying a nice walk, should be avoided when pollution levels are high because more time spent outside means more exposure to toxic air and pollutants.
Because any intense physical activity has a tendency to fasten your breathing, specialists especially advise against exercising outdoors or going for a run. Furthermore, while running, one is more likely to breathe deeply via their mouth, which results in the direct absorption of particles, even the heavier ones that are typically filtered in the nose.
Plant more trees
Promote planting trees near you because they can provide the best pollution protection for us. In addition to purifying and cleaning the air, trees also release more oxygen, which improves the quality of the air overall. One tree can absorb almost 25 kilograms of carbon dioxide annually. According to studies, places with lots of trees have 75% better air quality.
Final thoughts
Because the air we breathe now contains a higher level of pollutants, taking the necessary precautions for better air quality is now the need of the hour.
It’s therefore important to help yourself and your loved ones breathe easier by implementing the tips mentioned above. We should be more mindful of our surroundings and support national, state and local efforts to clean up sources of pollution as much as we can by being responsible citizens. Because this pollution cannot be taken lightly as your life and the life of someone you love may depend on it.
Currently, every one of us can make small efforts, such as growing indoor plants. You should have air-purifying plants like aloe vera, spider plants, snake plants, bamboo palms, and others to reduce the levels of indoor pollution. These indoor plants are low maintenance because they produce a lot of oxygen and don’t require regular watering or direct sunshine.
Furthermore, you should also undergo preventive health checkups. These health checkups give a complete report about your health, allowing you to take necessary precautionary measures to improve your well-being and keep a host of ailments at bay.
