Tag: PM2.5

Beyond the Haze: Protecting Your Lungs in Hanoi’s Polluted Environment

Hanoi’s pollution isn’t just an eyesore – it’s a serious health hazard. The city’s air is filled with tiny, invisible particles that can wreak havoc on your respiratory system. While the immediate effects of pollution, like coughing and wheezing, are noticeable, the long-term consequences are even more alarming.

 

The Silent Killer: Long-Term Effects of Air Pollution

Repeated exposure to Hanoi’s polluted air can lead to chronic respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and even lung cancer. The fine particulate matter (PM2.5) found in the air can penetrate deep into your lungs, causing inflammation and damage over time.

But the damage doesn’t stop there. Studies have also linked air pollution to cardiovascular disease, stroke, and even neurological disorders. The toxins in the air can enter your bloodstream and affect your entire body, increasing your risk of serious health problems.

 

The Importance of Proactive Lung Protection

Protecting your lungs from Hanoi’s pollution is crucial for your long-term health. While avoiding polluted areas altogether may not be feasible, there are steps you can take to minimize your exposure and safeguard your respiratory system.

  • Wear a High-Quality Mask: A mask with advanced filtration technology can effectively block out harmful particles and protect your lungs.
  • Monitor Air Quality: Stay informed about the air quality index (AQI) and adjust your activities accordingly. Avoid outdoor exercise or strenuous activities when pollution levels are high.
  • Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps flush out toxins from your body and keeps your respiratory system healthy.
  • Boost Your Immune System: A strong immune system can help your body fight off the negative effects of pollution. Eat a healthy diet, get enough sleep, and manage stress.

Worried about the air quality? Learn how to monitor pollution levels in ‘Hanoi Air Quality Alert: How to Monitor Pollution Levels and Stay Safe’.

The Hanoi Commuter’s Survival Guide: Essential Gear for Clean Air

Navigating Hanoi’s bustling streets? Don’t forget the most important piece of gear for protecting your lungs – a high-quality pollution mask. Whether you’re commuting by motorbike, bicycle, or on foot, Hanoi’s air pollution poses a serious threat to your health.

Why Commuters Need Extra Protection

Commuters in Hanoi are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution. Spending hours each day exposed to traffic fumes and dust can take a toll on your respiratory system. Motorbike riders, in particular, inhale a concentrated dose of pollutants as they weave through traffic.

A pollution mask acts as a barrier between you and the harmful particles in the air, filtering out PM2.5, dust, exhaust fumes, and other pollutants. This is crucial for protecting your lungs and overall health, especially if you spend a significant amount of time commuting in Hanoi.

person on a motorbike wearing a mask

Choosing the Right Mask for Your Commute

Not all masks are suitable for commuting. Here’s what to look for in a mask that will keep you safe and comfortable on your daily journey:

  • High Filtration Efficiency: Look for masks that filter out at least 95% of PM2.5 particles. N95, FFP2, or KN95 masks are good options.
  • Breathability: Choose a mask that allows for easy breathing, especially if you’re physically active during your commute.
  • Comfort: A mask that fits well and doesn’t irritate your skin will make your commute more enjoyable.
  • Durability: Invest in a mask that can withstand daily wear and tear.

Additional Tips for Commuters

  • Check the Air Quality: Before heading out, check the air quality index (AQI) for Hanoi. If the AQI is high, consider taking alternative transportation or adjusting your route to avoid heavily polluted areas.
  • Wear Your Mask Properly: Make sure your mask fits snugly over your nose and mouth to prevent pollutants from leaking in.
  • Replace Your Filters Regularly: Most masks have replaceable filters. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for replacing filters to ensure optimal protection.
  • Clean Your Mask: If your mask is reusable, clean it regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

person on a motorbike wearing a mask

If you’re looking for a mask specifically designed for motorbike riders, check out our article ‘Hanoi’s Motorbike Madness: The Best Masks for Two-Wheeled Commuters.’

The Crimes We Commit Against Our Lungs

If we want to be able to avoid having unhealthy lungs, then we should do our best to prevent ourselves from doing things that can cause harm to our bodies. Most people are not aware of the implications of what our lungs do. They do not understand the risks and effects that are associated with smoking, not wearing masks, non-ventilated rooms, viruses, and bacteria.

In order to understand what affects our lungs better, take a look at the following list below and see if you are guilty of doing some of these things. You will understand why you should stop doing hurting your lungs now.

Smoking

Smoking is one of the common ways that you can destroy your lungs and lung tissue. The damage happens because it decreases the number of air spaces and blood vessels in your lungs. It will then result in less oxygen in crucial parts of the body. It can cause deadly diseases such as emphysema, pneumonia, and lung cancer. According to statistics, smoking is the reason for 84% of deaths from lung cancer and 83% of deaths from COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand smoke happens because of the mixture of smoke from the burning end of the cigarette, and the smoke breathed out by smokers. It contains more than 7,000 chemicals, and hundreds of which are toxic and at least 70 that are cancer-causing agents. on-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke have an increased risk of developing lung cancer by 20% to 30%.

Not Wearing Masks

Based on research, when it comes to exposure to air pollution, even if it’s for a short or long period of time, it can have negative effects on both the lungs and heart. It is estimated that in excess of 3 million deaths happening worldwide each year are caused by outdoor air pollution. So, you might not know it, but indeed, even traffic pollution can harm you if you’re not wearing a face mask. This is because air pollution is made up of particles and gases that include ozone, volatile organic compounds or VOCs, and carbon monoxide, among others. Even dust can be detrimental to your health because it can trigger various allergens.

Breathing in Unfiltered and Unventilated Spaces

Outdoor and Indoor air pollutants are everywhere. That is why you need to have filters and ventilation in place to prevent particles and gasses from affecting your lungs. These pollutants can cause health effects that range from sneezing and coughing to aggravating chronic respiratory disorders and can even lead to fatal illnesses such as lung cancer. Without a filtered or ventilated space, dust mites, smoke particles, formaldehyde, and VOCs can remain in the air and damage your lungs. Poor ventilation can also lead to lingering odors that can have long-term health issues and lower oxygen levels due to the build-up of carbon dioxide.

 

As we learn more about the air we breathe, and we start to realize how much pollution is really out there, we should consider the effects on our bodies. Especially young people or elderly adults with growing or older lungs have to be careful. In many countries around the world it is difficult to find schools, hospitals, restaurants, bars, supermarkets, and other places we find ourselves in daily, that actually filter the air they provide. Especially in bars and restaurants in developing nations, very high levels of PM2.5 are discovered indoors due to the allowance of smoking. Education and knowledge is a great start, so that’s why we are trying to let everyone know the dangers of pollution. What do you think about the air you breathe for the majority of a day? Is it clean?

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Which Countries Are FREE From Air Pollution?

Most people don’t take the consequences of pollution seriously. They don’t understand that not only does it cause harm to the environment, but also to us humans as well. Air pollution, for that matter, causes 4.2 million deaths every year, according to the World Health Organization. This is because almost 91% of the world’s population lives in countries where air quality exceeds the guideline limits set by WHO.

How is air pollution measured by country?

There are several ways, but the key indicator is called “PM 2.5”. The “PM” stands for particulate matter while the” 2.5″ is the 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller. This is one of the most harmful classes of airborne pollutants. According to Lydia Ramsey of Business Insider, PM 2.5 “is especially dangerous because it can get lodged in the lungs and cause long-term health problems like asthma and chronic lung disease.”

WHO recommends that a country should keep its PM 2.5 levels below 10 micrograms per cubic meter. If the levels go above 35 micrograms per cubic meter, this is considered a potential major health problem.

Thus, many countries and cities are looking for green alternatives to prevent further harm to the environment. They are doing their best to have lesser industrial coal production and more solar and wind energy. However, some cities are still reaping the profits from burning coal in factories and to produce energy.

Pollution Index

Here is a list of some of the countries with the least air pollution based on their rankings in 2020 on the Pollution Index:

Finland

This country has consistently been one of the countries with the least air pollution. This is because of the environmental protections that it has taken. Finnish authorities have had a strict policy on providing the best public transport. They have invested in their green initiatives, and the positive effects of this decision has led to many citizens having less need to get their own vehicles. Unfortunately, behind the scenes, brand new coal fired power plants are opening up.Image may contain: outdoor and text

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Iceland

Iceland also ranks in the top five countries for having the least PM 2.5 levels. This is because they have wisely been using eco-friendly geothermal energy. This has been powering the country’s heating and electricity.

Sweden

The capital of Sweden, which is Stockholm, is considered the cleanest capital in the world and was named the first European Green Capital in 2010. It has curbed CO2 emissions by a quarter since the 1990s, which means that it is surely deserving of its title. The Swedish authorities also hope to make the country fossil-fuel free by 2040.

Norway

Oslo, the capital of Norway, is the more recent capital that has been crowned the European Green Capital in 2019. It is known as a world leader when it comes to its sustainable public transport system. This is because it runs completely on renewable energy.

Most countries should learn from these places because if we leave things as they are today, more and more people will suffer from air pollution, not to mention that it is taking a substantial toll on the environment.

The Evolution of Pollution

Most industrious processes used to generate tons of pollution. The countries that claim to have a majority of green power consumption used to be large contributors to global pollution. As we design better technology like wind, solar and water energy, we must consider that countries that are now entering their industrious years will continue to generate lots of pollution. It takes a lot of money and a lot of time to understand the negative effects pollution has.

Countries that are now emitting less pollution should not blame those countries that are growing and producing rapidly for the pollution they emit. Instead we should globally share the green technology that might be expensive, but can replace the processes that produce so much pollution. While it is costly, it is the only way that our ozone layer will be repaired, and the only way for us to minimize global warming.

In the end our demand is what creates a polluted world. We earn more money, and we spend it on air travel, large vehicles, plastic, and whatever else we want. It can be very difficult not to keep that Air Conditioner on because it probably won’t affect us in this life time. Our children’s children are the victims of our crimes on the environment.

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Improve Your Breathing By Spending More than 12 hours a Day in a Filtered Area

Indoor air quality is such an essential part of our everyday lives, even though some might not know it. Believe it or not, you can be exposed to air pollutants inside of your homes. The worst thing about this is that you can be completely unaware.

What are some examples of indoor air pollution?

One of the most common indoor air pollutants is dust. Inhaling dust can trigger allergic reactions. No one wants the air that they breathe to be dirty. Another is old or new paint. Paint actually contains VOCs or volatile organic compounds, and if it is in high concentrations, it could lead to various health problems.

There are also household cleaners and disinfectants that may cause harmful effects. By scrubbing them on any surface, they will interact with the air that you breathe and form VOCs. Another air pollutant is mold. Mold grows in humid places and can cause fevers, sneezing, and headaches, among other things. The bottom line is that all of these indoor air pollutants won’t do any good to your lungs and health.

How will a purifier help?

Some devices can help eliminate these indoor air pollutants. Air purifiers are devices that remove contaminants from the air and thus improve your Indoor Air Quality.

 

The filters in air purifiers have large HEPA filters which remove as many contaminants as possible. It is ideal to have a purifier that filters all the air in your space a few times every day.

It is also very good to have an air purifier running while you sleep at night. In the end we spend most of our time indoors, so making sure that the air you breathe while inside will really help your lungs to clear our and for you to recover from the dust and chemicals you’ve breathed outside.

The Benefits of HEPA filters

You should make use of purifiers with HEPA filters. These are high-quality filters that remove at least 99.97% of PM2.5 particles. These are common in most air purification systems. They are very beneficial to

your homes and offices because they can filter out the smallest particles, resulting in the best indoor air quality. You need to keep in mind that your indoor air space could contain a lot of harmful microorganisms that are not seen with the naked eye. That is why, with HEPA filters, you can breathe easily, and you and your family’s health won’t be at risk.

Humans take around 600 to 840 per hour on average. Can you imagine the positive impact that it will have on your lungs if you are in a filtered space for 12 hours? You would then be inhaling the best indoor quality air for 7,200 to 10,080 breaths.

Thus, there is no reason for you to hesitate in buying your own purifier. There’s the Xiaomi 3 Purifier that is affordable and contains a HEPA filter. You can also opt for a DIY solution of getting your hands on a high quality HEPA filter and the taping it to a fan. As the air is pulled or pushed through the fan it is filtered. Now is the time to improve your indoor air quality by filtering out these harmful particles that can damage your lungs.

To find out more about keeping the air quality super high in your indoor area, see how we do just that here: https://www.arymask.com/making-indoor-air-clean/

If you want to boost your indoor air quality with a great selection of plants, check out this article.

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How I Improved My Breathing In One Week (Outdoors Pt. 2)

Outdoor Air Pollution

Prevention

Check before you go out. Outdoors, avoid high density zones of air pollution. You can look up PM2.5 readings in certain areas using websites like aqicn.org or airvisual. To protect yourself against outdoor air pollution, it is most important to filter the air you breathe. Especially people with weaker immune systems need to be wary of what type of air they’re breathing.

Around 55% of our global population lives in urban areas. This means that we are often surrounded by less green, more construction, and more accelerating vehicles. Most of the time pollution is generated by numerous sources in various areas. Industrial factories, construction zones, and polluting vehicles all generate poor air quality. Fire zones are more likely to have poor air. Cranbrook Fire Zone shifting between medium and high danger levels ...The zone usually depends on dryness, but that qualifies where the fires may start. Once a fire has started, the pollution depends on the wind speed and direction. Look at 1 example of how coal plants spread their pollution.

A shape drawn around the exact location of burning can be drawn to inform people if the particles they breathe in that zone are unusually high.

A fire zone’s danger for our lungs is dependent on what is burning, and how the burning affects the surrounding area.

Dense areas (which cause traffic jams and idling)

can also be terrible areas for air pollution.

    1. Intersections
    2. Cross roads

      The panels show concentrations for NO2 (a), NOx (b) and PM10 (c).
      The panels show concentrations for NO2 (a), NOx (b) and PM10 (c).
    3. Near large roads

If you live near any of the above you might have noticed that opening your windows doesn’t get you much fresh air. Instead you see your levels rising because of the idling or accelerating vehicles. Having a purifier, keeping it on, and keeping windows closed during rush hours will be your best

  1. Construction zones
  2. Industrial zones where factories and other pollution generators are located

Different types of materials burning can be worse for you:

  1. Plastic
  2. Wood or Flora and Fauna, also can be a source of heat
  3. Waste (a mix of everything we throw away)
  4. Chemicals like Plastic and Rubber
    1. PETE or PET
    2. HDPE
    3. BOA
    4. Phthalates
    5. Persistent organic pollutants
    6. Oil
    7. Toxic metals
  5. MISC (polycarbonate, polylactide, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene, styrene, fiberglass, and nylon)

Types of Pollution

  • Gasses
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Combustion
  • Vapor

Color of Pollutants

White smoke = wet, moisture
Gray smoke = wood or light plastics
Brown smoke = wood
Black smoke = heavy fuels (petroleum based: plastics, rubber, chemicals)
Blue smoke = oil from old vehicles

Wind Movement

Horizontal or Vertical movement of wind carrying pollution.

  1. Atmospheric pressure. As heat is created on the earth’s surface during the day, the air expands and rises.
  2. Transport winds moves smoke quickly away from the source. Dispersion levels can differ depending on wind
  3. Low dispersion usually occurs at night when wind is stagnant. This is because the mixing height of air as hot air rises reduces in temperature.
  4. Measures to prevent burning during hours that have direct effects on large numbers of people can cause drastic pollution levels.
  5. We predict wind direction and the height of the atmosphere using weather balloons which report back temperature, pressure and GPS coordinates
  6. Places have high concentrations of particles when they are near traffic lights: where vehicles accelerate the most: traffic lights or busy and dense intersection.

Wearing a Mask

In many polluted places, it is suggested to wear a high quality pollution mask. Masks can be uncomfortable to wear at first, but the benefits of filtering the air you breathe far outweigh the negative effects of PM2.5 particles and gasses entering your lungs. If you’ve ever been on a motorcycle in heavy traffic, you already know what kind of exhaust and dust you can inhale. If you’re used to being in a closed vehicle like a car, a small car purifier might be the option for you. We suggest getting a mask with high quality filters and the ability to reuse the mask instead of disposing the whole mask. This is to reduce waste. Most of our masks have replaceable filters that can be removed and replaced when the filtration material has filled up.

Studies show that Indoor air pollution causes more deaths than outdoor air pollution. We spend most of our time indoors, and many people (especially in developing countries) still cook using open flame coal. However, being careful with the air we breathe and filtering the air that enters our lungs is the main way to prevent air pollution from causing respiratory problems.

Conclusion

Of course, prevention is the key to pollution. Education is the most important thing of all. In many places people simply don’t know the science that explains harming our bodies and atmosphere. The fact that we have come so far, burning almost everything to dispose of it worldwide, is alarming. We need to remember that with every action we take we can either improve our environment or drastically change it for the worse. If you would like to learn how to teach people how to reduce their environment applicable in different cultures, please take a look at this article on what poor people cannot afford to realize.

See how we can protect ourselves indoors.