In recent years, residents of Delhi have gotten used to the thick white haze that descends the national capital region at the onset of winters. Initially, everyone dismissed the phenomenon as winter fog, but soon it became apparent that this was no ordinary weather condition. As the cases of respiratory irritations rose and allergies rose, the public health department turned to air quality analysis and found that the entire Delhi NCR area was covered in smog.
Smog is a highly toxic mix of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, particulate matter, vehicle and industrial smoke, and other airborne toxins. As we know, warm air rises upwards and cool, fresh air rushes into its place. However, during winters, this movement of air stagnates as the air near the ground is also cooler and hence, does not rise up frequently. This means all the airborne pollutants and harmful gases also hang about in our ambient environment. When the quantity of these toxins exceeds a certain limit, they form smog.
Particulate matter, also known as PM2.5 is one of the most dangerous components of smog. It is made up of fine dust and debris which are smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. These particles can bypass our body’s natural filtration mechanisms such as nasal filtration and lungs, and reach critical organs. Heart and brain cells are especially susceptible to damage from particulate matter. According to independent research by Berkeley Earth, breathing in air with PM2.5 concentration of 950 to 1000 is equivalent to smoking 44 cigarettes a day.
How to Safeguard Yourself from the High Air Pollution in Delhi NCR?
The best counter to air pollution in highly populated areas like Delhi is to take personal safety measures, such as;
- Wearing pollution masks when outdoors
- Using car air purifiers while traveling in closed vehicles
- Using indoor air purifiers when at home or in office
Buy a smart home and office products to protect yourself and your loved ones from the winter smog. HEPA air purifiers offer the best protection from indoor air pollution and can filter over 99% of particulate matter from an ambient space.
