Health protection tips when air is polluted.

The air quality in Hanoi and many other provinces and cities has recently reached hazardous levels at various times, negatively impacting people's health.

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

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

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

To protect people's health from the effects of air pollution, the Department of Environmental Health Management has developed recommendations for preventing and mitigating the effects of air pollution on health, aiming to provide people with basic knowledge for implementing preventive measures and protecting their health.

Air quality and its impact on human health are assessed using the Air Quality Index (AQI).

The AQI index is calculated on a scale (6 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 range	Air quality	Color	Impact on human health
0 – 50	Good	Green	The air quality is good and does not affect health.
51 – 100	Medium	Yellow	Air quality is acceptable. However, sensitive individuals (the elderly, children, people with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, etc.) may experience certain health impacts.
101 – 150	Least	Orange	Sensitive individuals experience health problems, while normal individuals are less affected.
151 – 200	Bad	Red	While normal individuals may begin to experience health effects, sensitive groups may encounter more serious health problems.
201 – 300	Very bad	Purple	Health warning: People may experience more serious health effects.
301 – 500	Danger	Brown	Health emergency alert: The entire population is affected by serious health consequences.

To protect public health, the Ministry of Health recommends that people regularly monitor air quality on the websites of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Departments of Natural Resources and Environment in provinces and cities to take appropriate preventive measures and protect their health.

When leaving the house, always wear a good quality face mask and wear it correctly.

Regularly clean your living space and house, ensuring good ventilation. Wear a mask and eye protection when cleaning if there is a lot of dust or the air is polluted, ranging from poor to hazardous levels.

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

For smokers of cigarettes or pipe tobacco: They should quit completely or reduce their smoking; smoking should be avoided indoors. For non-smokers, they should stay away from secondhand smoke.

Regularly monitor your health and undergo routine health checkups. For those sensitive to air pollutants (children, pregnant women, people with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, the elderly):

It is advisable to avoid exposure to sources of air pollutants from vehicles; construction sites; areas where cooking takes place using coal, wood, straw, or other fuels; or other areas with a risk of air pollution.

During periods of air pollution, if acute symptoms or illnesses such as fever, rhinitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular problems appear, it is necessary to go immediately to medical facilities for examination, consultation, and treatment.

Improve nutrition to enhance physical condition and immunity. Pay attention to keeping your body warm in winter, avoiding sudden exposure to cold.

People with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases need to adhere to and maintain treatment as prescribed by their specialist doctor. If they experience any discomfort or worsening symptoms, they should immediately go to specialized medical facilities for examination, consultation, and treatment. The elderly and those with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases should adhere to regular health check-ups.

Preventive measures to protect health when the air quality index is at a moderate level (AQI between 51 and 100)

For the average person: Unlimited participation in outdoor activities.

For sensitive individuals: Reduce time spent outdoors and engaging in strenuous physical activity.

Monitor your health, and if acute symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, or fever appear, go immediately to a medical facility for examination, consultation, and treatment.

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

For the general population: Reduce time spent outdoors, especially for those experiencing symptoms such as eye irritation, cough, or sore throat.

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

Students may participate in outdoor activities, but strenuous exercise or physical activity requiring prolonged periods of exertion should be limited.

For sensitive individuals: Limit outdoor activities and strenuous exercise. Increase rest time and engage in light activities. Reduce or stop exercise immediately if symptoms such as coughing, chest tightness, or wheezing appear.

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

Monitor your health, and if acute symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, or fever appear, go immediately to a medical facility for examination, consultation, and treatment.

Preventive measures to protect health when the air quality index (AQI) is at a poor level (151-200). For normal individuals: Limit outdoor activities or strenuous physical activity. If outdoor work or activities are necessary, schedule them during the day with less pollution, take more breaks, and perform activities at a moderate intensity.

Avoid activities in areas with a high risk of air pollution.

If you have to use public transportation, you should increase your use of it and limit your use of motorbikes and bicycles to reduce your exposure to polluted air.

It is advisable to limit opening windows and doors during periods of heavy air pollution, especially for families living near roads or areas with high levels of air pollution.

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

For sensitive individuals: Avoid outdoor activities or strenuous exercise. Activities such as exercise and physical activity should be done indoors. Limit opening windows and doors during periods of high air pollution.

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

Monitor your health, and if acute symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, or fever appear, go immediately to a medical facility for examination, consultation, and treatment.

Preventive measures to protect health when the air quality index is very poor (AQI level of 201 - 300)

For the average person: Avoid prolonged outdoor activities or strenuous physical activity. Indoor activities are encouraged.

Avoid working in areas with a high risk of air pollution. If you must work in areas with a high risk of pollution, use masks that can prevent fine particulate matter (dust with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm).

If you have to use public transportation, you should increase your use of it and limit your use of motorbikes and bicycles to reduce your exposure to polluted air.

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

For sensitive individuals: Avoid all outdoor activities, switch to indoor activities, or postpone activities to another day when the air quality index is better. Limit opening windows and doors during periods of high air pollution.

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

Monitor your health, and if acute symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, or fever appear, go immediately to a medical facility for examination, consultation, and treatment.

Preventive measures and health protection when the air quality index (AQI) is at a hazardous level (301–500). For the average person.

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

For those with sensitivities: Avoid all outdoor activities and switch to indoor activities. Close windows and doors to limit and avoid exposure to pollutants.

Monitor your health, and if acute symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, or fever appear, go immediately to a medical facility for examination, consultation, and treatment.

For kindergartens, nurseries, and primary schools, consideration may be given to suspending classes if the air quality index is at hazardous levels for three consecutive days. If attending school is unavoidable, outdoor activities should be avoided, replaced with indoor activities, or class times should be adjusted accordingly.

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