Air Quality Index Delhi: As pollution level spikes to 'severe' category, here are things you shouldn’t leave your house without
Wearing special anti-pollution masks such as the N99 and N95 masks, though expensive, is considered more effective than surgical masks.
-
As Delhiites continue to wake up to thick blanket of smog covering the city, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority has declared a public health emergency in the national capital.
-
Looking at the prevailing situation, it is advised that one stays indoors and restricts their outdoor exposure
-
One should not leave their house without a pollution mask that can shield them from inhaling pollutants.
-
While you are out, try to avoid strenuous activities and hard labour as this forces one to inhale more air and thus take in more harmful particles.
As Delhiites continue to wake up to a thick blanket of smog covering the city, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority has declared a public health emergency in the national capital. In view of the abysmal air quality index, experts say that people should take certain precautions to protect their health.
Doctors advise wearing anti-pollution masks amidst growing level of air pollution in Delhi. PTI
Considering the prevailing air quality, it is advised that one stays indoors and restricts their outdoor exposure. But in case one needs to step out, they shouldn’t leave their house without a pollution mask that can shield them from inhaling pollutants.
ANI quoted Piyush Goel, a pulmonologist from Columbia Asia Hospital, as saying that everyone must use the right kind of pollution mask. Special masks such as the N99 and N95 masks, though expensive, are more effective, he added. However, masks aren’t recommended for kids below the age of three as they could lead to choking.
In addition to a mask, it is important to take care of the skin and shield it. In an interaction with The Times of India, Rashmi Sharma, consultant dermatologist at Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, said that people should wash their face with a soap-free cleanser once they get back home from the outdoors. People should apply moisturiser frequently and use sunscreen four to five times a day, she added.
She also advised that a person should cover their face, wear bandanas, glasses, hand gloves and focus on protective clothing before heading out in open. The best time for one to go out is in the afternoon.
While you are out, try to avoid strenuous activities and hard labour as this forces one to inhale more air and thus take in more harmful particles. If you have to exercise and do physical activities, try to do so indoors or in a gym.
Include citrus fruits like lemon, gooseberries, oranges, etc in your diet to make it rich with Vitamin C content. The citrus fruits can help boost your immunity and reduce the overall effects of air pollution on your body.
also read
Massive sandstorm hits Beijing, Chinese provinces as air quality turns severe
In parts of China's north and northwest, high winds and dust turned the sky a lurid tangerine, appearing to cut visibility to less than a few hundred metres in some places. The air quality index in Beijing hit the maximum level of 500, indicating 'severe pollution'
Dust storms cause air pollution spike across north China
The official air quality index in Beijing hit the maximum level of 500, indicating "severe pollution", though some unofficial readings were nearly twice that figure
Best air purifiers in 2023 to improve the air quality of your home
Over the last couple of years, air pollution has gotten so severe that air purifiers are now required to breathe pure air in enclosed areas, even during the summers. If you're searching for an air purifier, we've compiled a selection of the best options.