The Ministry of Health recommends health protection measures when air pollution is serious.

Hanoi is entering days of serious air pollution, the Ministry of Health has issued recommendations to people on health protection measures when going out, as well as protecting the living environment to avoid getting sick.

According to the report on air quality developments of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment , air pollution in Hanoi has been on the rise in recent times. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached a bad level at some points.

To prevent air pollution from affecting health, the Department of Disease Prevention ( Ministry of Health ) guides people to regularly monitor air quality on the websites of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Departments of Agriculture and Environment of provinces and cities to take appropriate preventive and health protection measures.

When leaving the house, always wear a mask of guaranteed quality 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.

The Ministry of Health recommends people to take measures to protect their health when air pollution is at alarming 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.

Quit smoking cigarettes and tobacco or limit your smoking; do not smoke indoors. Non-smokers should stay away from secondhand 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 or cardiovascular diseases, the elderly), they should avoid exposure to sources of air pollution emissions from vehicles; construction sites; cooking areas using 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, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, etc. appear, you should immediately go to a medical facility for examination, consultation and treatment.

Specific recommendations apply depending on the level of air quality as indicated by the AQI. Specifically, when the AQI is moderate, between 51 and 100, the average person can participate in outdoor activities without restrictions. However, sensitive people are advised to reduce outdoor time and strenuous activity.

When the AQI is poor, from 101 to 150, people should reduce the time they spend outdoors, especially in areas with high pollution risks such as streets and construction sites. Students can participate in outdoor activities, but should limit exercise or strenuous activity for a long time.

When the AQI is at a bad level of 151 to 200, people should limit outdoor activities, choose less polluted times to work and rest more. Using public transport instead of motorbikes and bicycles is encouraged to reduce exposure to polluted air. Sensitive people are advised to do indoor activities, clean their nose, throat and eyes with saline.

With the AQI at very poor levels of 201 to 300, all outdoor activities should be limited as much as possible. Families living near polluted areas should close windows and doors to reduce exposure to polluted air. The use of masks that can block fine dust is recommended.

When the AQI is at hazardous levels of 301 to 500, all outdoor activities should be avoided. People should move to indoor activities and ensure that windows and doors are closed. For children in schools, school closures should be considered if air quality conditions are at hazardous levels for three consecutive days. In cases where school attendance is required, school hours should be adjusted and outdoor activities should be limited.

According to the Department of Disease Prevention, in case of serious air pollution, it is possible to consider suspending or adjusting working hours of agencies, organizations and schools. If it is mandatory to go to school, it is necessary to avoid outdoor activities, switch to indoor activities or adjust school hours accordingly. Temporarily suspend outdoor activities with large crowds.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/y-te/bo-y-te-khuyen-cao-cac-bien-phap-bao-ve-suc-khoe-khi-khong-khi-o-nhiem-nghiem-trong-i790078/