Inhaling polluted air is harmful to health
According to Dr. Nguyen Huy Hoang (Vietnam Association of Underwater Medicine and High Voltage Oxygen, this pollution is the result of many factors such as the morning cold air mass being blocked by the warm air mass above as if a lid had collapsed; the wind is calm and the humidity is high, making it impossible for the dust to escape.
In addition, inner-city waste from traffic, construction works, factories, craft villages and even garbage burning, straw burning in the suburbs causes dust and toxic gas to accumulate for many days. Each small element, combined, creates a heavy atmosphere.
In that air mass, the most dangerous is PM2.5, super fine dust particles that are dozens of times as small as hair fibers. They hang in the air, passing through all the body's natural protective layers, from the nose to the trachea, bronchi and down to the bottom of the lungs.
Some of the dust even get into the capillary lining to get into the blood, carrying heavy metals, toxic organic compounds and bacterial toxins.
Dust causes oxidative stress, destroys the body, and triggers a prolonged inflammatory reaction.As a result, the respiratory tract is always stimulated, the cardiovascular system is damaged.
days when AQI reaches 200-300, not only sensitive people or patients are affected. Healthy people also cough, have spicy eyes, and breastfeed.
But more worrying are vulnerable groups such as young children, the elderly, people with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and pregnant women.
Elderly people, with weakened immune systems and aging lungs, are susceptible to pneumonia and stroke. People with asthma, COPD or heart failure who only need a slight increase in PM2.5 may be hospitalized for emergency care. Studies also show that pregnant women exposed to a lot of fine dust are at risk of premature birth, low birth weight and preeclampsia.
Doctor Doan Du Manh, Vietnam Association of Cardiovascular Diseases, also believes that breathing outdoor air on a morning with high pollution can be as harmful as smoking. Fine dust can go deep into the duodenum, damaging the lining of the airway and increasing the risk of sinusitis, sore throat, severe bronchitis, especially in the elderly, young children, pregnant women and people with underlying diseases.
The Department of Health Environment Management, Ministry of Health has developed a health protection recommendation based on the air quality index. When AQI is low (101 - 150), people are advised to reduce outdoor activities, avoid high-polluted areas such as intersections, construction works or industrial parks.
Students can still do outdoor activities but need to limit prolonged strenuous exercise. For sensitive people such as young children, pregnant women, the elderly or people with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, limiting going out, increasing rest time and reducing physical exercise is necessary.
People who experience symptoms such as cough, chest tightness or wheezing should stop exercising immediately. People are encouraged to clean their nose and throat with saline, wash their eyes in the evening and go to a medical facility if they show signs of difficulty breathing, cough or fever.
People need to protect themselves
In that context, self-defense is no longer an option but has become a mandatory need. Many people wear fabric masks or medical masks when going out, but the truth is that they are almost unable to block PM2.5. To be truly safe, Dr. Nguyen Huy Hoang believes that N95 or KN95 masks are the only option that can filter fine dust.
Along with that, the living space in the house must also be protected. When AQI turns red or purple outdoors, windows need to be closed and the air purifier using HEPA film must work strong enough to reduce dust quickly.
The bedroom is a place to prioritize, because it is a space where each person spends 6-8 hours a day resting and a night's sleep in clean air helps the lungs recover after a whole day facing fine dust.
In addition to masks and filters, respiratory care with simple measures is significantly effective. After coming home from work, wash your nose with saline to help " expel" the dust on the mucous membranes; saying goodbye before bed helps reduce inflammation.
A diet rich in vitamins C, A, E with ginger, garlic, turmeric, honey not only increases resistance but also helps the body fight oxidative stress, the silent effects caused by fine dust every day. Drinking enough water helps mucus protect the airways better, limiting dry throat and irritation.
However, individual solutions, even when necessary, are still only a temporary way to hold back. In order for Hanoi not to have to live forever in dusty days, strong actions from management levels are needed such as reducing traffic emissions, strictly controlling factories and works, limiting garbage burning and straw burning, expanding green space and ensuring urban planning does not "cks" natural wind currents.
Those changes cannot happen overnight, but are the only way to bring the Hanoi sky back to its original green color.
