Numerous studies on the link of public health with the impact of various factors, conducted not only in our country, convincingly demonstrates that the environmental contamination has a significant negative impact on the public health.
The main criterion for the assessment of living conditions is human health. Health – is not the absence of some illnesses but its capability to adapt quickly to ever changing living conditions. However, even a healthy person not always can get adapted to the environmental changes. For the characteristics of human health, most often used morbidity and mortality rate, medium life span.
World Health Organization (WHO) brought to the attention 6 “classical” substances causing air pollution: carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, suspended matters (including airborne dust, mist and smoke), sulphur dioxide and tropospheric ozone.
Inhaled solid substances and gas affect different parts of respiratory system depending on their characteristics. Relative solubility is important for gas, for substances – size. Sulphur dioxide is very soluble in water, primarily affects upper respiratory system, when ozone, which has middle water solubility, primarily affects middle respiratory system and nitrogen dioxide with middle solubility, primarily affects lower respiratory system.
Recommended precautionary measures depending on the level of ambient air pollution
| Level of pollution |
Rate of Air Pollution Index |
Colour |
Recommended precautionary measures |
|
low |
from 0 to 5
|
Continue staying in fresh air as usual. Walking in parks, recreation areas is not limited. |
|
|
increased |
from 5 to 7
|
Children, older and hypersensitive people, feeling uncomfortable while breathing, limit staying in fresh air also reduce the long and intense exercises in the open air. |
|
|
high |
from 7 to 14
|
Children, older and hypersensitive people, feeling uncomfortable while breathing, limit staying in fresh air also do not conduct long and intense exercises in the open air. Anyone feeling uncomfortable: eye pain, sore throat, cough reduce outdoor activities. |
|
|
very high |
more than 14
|
Children, older and hypersensitive people, feeling uncomfortable while breathing remain indoors, avoid high physical activities. People with asthma use inhaler more frequently to relieve the condition. Reduce outdoor activities for the general population. Wear masks when leaving the premises. |
Note:
Air Pollution Index (API) – comprehensive indicator of the air pollution, which is calculated on the basis of 5 ingredients, that have the highest concentrations for this area taking into account the substance hazard category.