Health protection recommendations when air is polluted

The air in Hanoi and many other provinces and cities has recently been at dangerous levels, negatively affecting people's health.

Air pollution is a serious problem affecting human health, especially in the context of climate change and the increase of pollution sources.

The air in Hanoi and many other provinces and cities has recently been at a dangerous level, negatively affecting people's health.

As air pollution levels increase, so does the risk of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and other health problems.

To protect people's health from the effects of air pollution, the Department of Health Environment Management has developed recommendations to prevent and combat the effects of air pollution on health to help people have basic knowledge in implementing preventive measures and protecting health.

Air quality and its impact on human health are assessed by the air quality index (abbreviated as AQI).

The AQI index is calculated on a scale (06 AQI value ranges) corresponding to symbols and colors to warn of air quality and the level of impact on human health, specifically as follows:

AQI value range	Air quality	Color	Impact on human health
0 – 50	Good	Green	Good air quality, no effect on health
51 – 100	Medium	Yellow	Air quality is acceptable. However, sensitive people (elderly, children, people with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, etc.) may experience certain health impacts.
101 – 150	Least	Orange	Sensitive people experience health problems, normal people are less affected.
151 – 200	Bad	Red	Normal people begin to experience health effects, sensitive groups may experience more serious health problems.
201 – 300	very bad	Purple	Health warning: everyone is at risk of more serious health effects.
301 – 500	Dangerous	Brown	Health Emergency Alert: The entire population is at risk of serious health effects.

To protect people's health, according to the recommendations of the health sector, people need to regularly monitor air quality on the websites of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Departments of Natural Resources and Environment of provinces and cities to implement appropriate preventive and health protection measures.

When leaving the house, always wear a quality mask and wear it properly.

Regularly clean your room and house, and keep your living environment clean and airy. You should use a mask and protective glasses when cleaning if there is a lot of dust or the air is polluted from poor to dangerous levels.

Limit the use or replace the use of honeycomb coal stoves, firewood, and straw burning with electric stoves, induction stoves, or gas stoves. Planting trees helps prevent dust and clean the air.

For cigarette and tobacco smokers: Should quit or limit smoking; should not smoke indoors. For non-smokers, should stay away from cigarette smoke.

Regularly monitor your health and have regular health check-ups. For people who are sensitive to air pollutants (children, pregnant women, people with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, the elderly):

Avoid exposure to sources of air pollution emissions from vehicles; construction sites; cooking areas burning fuel such as coal, firewood, straw or other areas at risk of air pollution.

During times of air pollution, if symptoms or acute illnesses such as fever, rhinopharyngitis, bronchial pneumonia, blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, etc. appear, you should immediately go to a medical facility for examination, consultation and treatment.

Enhance nutrition to improve physical condition and resistance. Pay attention to keeping your body warm in winter, avoid sudden cold.

People with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases need to comply with and maintain treatment as prescribed by a specialist. If there are signs of discomfort or worsening, they should immediately go to a specialized medical facility for examination, consultation and treatment. The elderly and people with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases need to comply with regular health check-ups.

Preventive measures to protect health when the air quality index is at an average level (AQI at 51 - 100)

For the average person: Participate in outdoor activities without restrictions.

For sensitive people: Reduce time outdoors and strenuous physical activities.

Monitor your health. If you experience acute symptoms such as difficulty breathing, cough, or fever, go to a medical facility immediately for examination, advice, and treatment.

Preventive measures to protect health when the air quality index is poor (AQI at 101 - 150)

For normal people: Reduce time participating in outdoor activities, especially for those with symptoms of sore eyes, cough, sore throat.

Limit or avoid activities in areas with high risk of air pollution (such as streets, traffic intersections, construction sites, industrial production areas, craft villages and other polluted areas).

Students can participate in outdoor activities, but limit physical activities or activities that require strenuous effort for a long time.

For sensitive individuals: Limit outdoor activities and strenuous physical activity. Increase rest and light activity. Reduce or stop activity immediately if you notice symptoms such as coughing, chest tightness, or wheezing.

Clean your nose and gargle with saline morning and night, especially after going out. Rinse your eyes with saline in the evening before going to bed.

Monitor your health. If you experience acute symptoms such as difficulty breathing, cough, or fever, go to a medical facility immediately for examination, advice, and treatment.

Preventive measures to protect health when the air quality index is at a poor level (AQI at 151 - 200). For normal people: Limit outdoor activities or participate in strenuous physical activities. If you have to work or do outdoor activities, you should arrange and choose a time of day when there is less pollution, need to rest more, and perform activities at a moderate intensity.

Avoid activities in areas with high risk of air pollution.

If you have to travel, you should increase the use of public transport and limit the use of motorbikes and bicycles to reduce exposure to polluted air.

You should limit opening windows and doors when the air is heavily polluted, especially families near traffic routes or areas with air pollution.

Clean your nose and gargle with saline morning and night, especially after going out. Rinse your eyes with saline in the evening before going to bed.

For sensitive people: Avoid outdoor activities or activities that require strenuous physical activity. Activities such as exercise and physical activity should be performed indoors. Limit opening windows and doors during times of heavy air pollution.

Clean your nose and gargle with saline morning and night, especially after going out. Rinse your eyes with saline in the evening before going to bed.

Monitor your health. If you experience acute symptoms such as difficulty breathing, cough, or fever, go to a medical facility immediately for examination, advice, and treatment.

Preventive measures to protect health when the air quality index is at a very bad level (AQI at 201 - 300)

For normal people: Avoid outdoor activities for long periods of time or participating in strenuous physical activities. Encourage indoor activities.

Avoid working in areas with high risk of air pollution. If you have to work in areas with high risk of pollution, you should use masks that can prevent fine dust (dust with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm).

If you have to travel, you should increase the use of public transport and limit the use of motorbikes and bicycles to reduce exposure to polluted air.

Avoid opening windows and doors during times of heavy air pollution. Clean your nose and gargle with saline morning and night, especially after going outside. Rinse your eyes with saline in the evening before going to bed.

For sensitive people: Avoid all outdoor activities, switch to indoor activities or move to another day when the air quality index is better. Limit opening windows and doors during times of heavy air pollution.

If you have to leave the house, you should minimize the time you spend outdoors and use masks that can prevent fine dust. Clean your nose and gargle with saline solution morning and night, especially after going out. Rinse your eyes with saline solution in the evening before going to bed.

Monitor your health. If you experience acute symptoms such as difficulty breathing, cough, or fever, go to a medical facility immediately for examination, advice, and treatment.

Preventive measures to protect health when the air quality index is at hazardous levels (AQI at 301–500). For normal people

Avoid outdoor activities, switch to indoor activities or switch to another day when the air quality index is better. Close windows and doors to limit exposure to pollutants.

For sensitive people: Avoid all outdoor activities, switch to indoor activities. Close windows and doors to limit and avoid exposure to pollutants.

Monitor your health. If you experience acute symptoms such as difficulty breathing, cough, or fever, go to a medical facility immediately for examination, advice, and treatment.

Kindergartens, nurseries and primary schools may consider suspending classes if the air quality index is at hazardous levels for three consecutive days. If school attendance is mandatory, students should avoid outdoor activities, switch to indoor activities or adjust school hours accordingly.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/khuyen-cao-bao-ve-suc-khoe-khi-khong-khi-o-nhiem-d229796.html