We live in the times when everyone emphasizes the importance of air quality and the seriousness of pollution problems. In many countries, the autumn and winter seasons are particularly notorious for increased smog levels. Why is it worth monitoring air quality, and how can air pollution apps help you take care of your health?
What exactly is smog?
Although you have certainly heard the word “smog” thousands of times in your life, you may not know that the term is derived from two words: smoke and fog. Now it seems pretty self-explanatory, doesn’t it?
Smog refers to air pollutants that include sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon black. It’s created as a result of human activity. In most cases, we can easily observe the phenomenon in the autumn and winter seasons when people use different things to heat their homes or drive cars more frequently than usual. Although smog may be initially confused with regular fog, it’s worth remembering that the low transparency of the air is caused by harmful particles, not by the water vapor.
Why is it worth monitoring air pollution?
Polluted air and smog can be really dangerous to health. Long-term exposure to harmful substances mentioned above may cause:
- various cancers,
- asthma,
- heart attacks,
- respiratory problems,
- circulatory problems,
- strokes,
- obstructive pulmonary diseases,
- low mood,
- lack of energy.
Every year, up to 400,000 people across Europe die from diseases caused by polluted air and smog. These alarming figures don’t apply only to those with allergies and asthma.
Regular monitoring of air pollution and smog levels is a solution that can help you consciously take care of your health and well-being. Seeing and analyzing PM 2,5 and PM 10 parameters will allow you to make informed decisions.
The PM 2,5 parameters represent solid pollutants that are smaller than 2.5 micrometers. Due to their size, they easily affect our lungs and circulatory system. On the other hand, the PM 10 parameters stand for particles smaller than 10 micrometers. They can cause respiratory problems, intense coughing and shortness of breath.
Now, when you know why it’s important to monitor air quality and how to analyze the results, it’s crucial to answer one more question.
How to monitor air quality?
If you’re looking for solutions that will allow you to quickly and efficiently monitor the quality of air in your city, you can benefit from a specially developed air pollution app. It’s designed to provide you with all necessary data in real-time. Thanks to it, you can stay at home when the conditions outside aren’t satisfactory. On the other hand, when the air quality improves, you can also comfortably enjoy life knowing that you breathe in fresh air, profitable for your health.