A severe smog situation can significantly worsen the health of children, seniors and people with chronic diseases in winter. This was pointed out by the Public Health Office (ÚVZ) of the Slovak Republic in connection with the currently deteriorated air quality in eastern Slovakia. Hygienists recommend limiting time outside, especially physical exertion, and reducing indoor ventilation.
- The smog situation in winter worsens the health of sensitive population groups.
- ÚVZ SR recommends limiting time outside and physical exertion.
- Fine dust particles can penetrate into the blood and cause health problems.
- When heating in households, waste should not be burned due to dangerous emissions.
- The smog warning applies in Košice, Veľká Ida and several cities in the east.
“In humans, winter smog can cause acute effects in the form of irritation of the eyes, mucous membranes of the nose and throat, causing coughing and a feeling of pressure in the chest,” stated ÚVZ. According to hygienists, it can also cause an asthma attack in allergy sufferers, and in people with chronic diseases of the respiratory or cardiovascular system, the current state of health may worsen. Experts specified that irritation of the respiratory tract causes a stronger blood supply to the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, thereby creating space for their colonization by bacteria and viruses and the subsequent emergence of infectious diseases.
The hygienists explained that in the winter months it is most often the so-called winter (reduction) smog, which it occurs mainly on foggy days or during temperature inversions, in the cold season, during very poor dispersion conditions or the burning of solid fuels with a high content of ash and sulfur. In addition to nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides, smog mainly contains dust particles. “From a health point of view, the most serious are the fine dust particles that, when inhaled, penetrate into the lower respiratory tract and can partially penetrate through the lung alveoli into the blood,” brought closer by ÚVZ.
During a smog situation, he recommends temporarily limiting sports and excessive outdoor activities, shortening the time spent in the fresh air and limiting the ventilation of indoor spaces. “The higher the concentrations of dust particles and the more at risk individuals are to health, the more the restrictions must be observed,” the hygienists added. If health problems occur, people should seek medical attention.
At the same time, hygienists point out that the burning of unsuitable fuels in households also contributes to the deterioration of air quality in winter. “When heating, only the fuel intended for this should be used, i.e. no waste should be burned, because this releases dangerous chemical substances that are a risk to health and the environment.” emphasized ÚVZ.
In Košice and Veľká Ida, there is a warning of a serious smog situation for PM10 particles on Wednesday. It was published by the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ), according to which they are the cause of air quality deterioration is an unfavorable scattering situation, increased emissions from heating in combination with emissions from industrial sources and transport. SHMÚ also draws attention to the smog situation for PM10 particles in Prešov, Lučenec, Plášťovce, Ružomberok, Jelšava and their surroundings.
