Ad:

Smog - how dangerous is it to our health?

You can read this text in 2 min.

Smog - how dangerous is it to our health?

Shutterstock

Air pollution

It used to seem that smog was a problem only for large metropolises such as New York, Beijing or London. It turns out that smog is also a problem in many other places, including Poland. How does smog affect our health, who is most exposed to it and how do cities deal with it?

Ad:

Smog is associated with emissions of harmful particulates and gases from the inefficient burning of fuels (coal, charcoal, petrol, diesel, etc.) in homes, cars and coal-fired power plants and industrial plants.

Poland has been recognised by the World Health Organisation as one of the two most polluted countries in the European Union. It is noteworthy that as many as 33 of the 50 European Union cities with smog are located in Poland.

Among the most polluted cities (2016 data), we can distinguish:

  1. Krakow (Małopolskie Voivodeship);
  2. Opoczno (Łódzkie Voivodeship);
  3. Wodzisław Śląski (Silesian Voivodeship);
  4. Myszków (Silesian Province);
  5. Nowa Ruda (Lower Silesian Province);
  6. Nakło nad Notecią (Kujawsko-Pomorskie Province);
  7. Gliwice (Silesian Province);
  8. Zduńska Wola (Łódź Province);
  9. Pszczyna (Silesian Voivodeship);
  10. Starogard Gdański (Pomeranian Province).

Impact of smog on our health

The most noticeable effects of smog are the increased incidence of respiratory diseases and cancer and the associated increased mortality of the population.

Smog can also cause:

  • inflammation,
  • irritation of the conjunctiva, larynx and trachea,
  • mild, transient inflammation of the lungs,
  • allergies,
  • fatigue,
  • memory and concentration problems,
  • depressive conditions.

Polluted air can also lead to anatomical changes in the brain, stroke or Alzheimer's disease. Particulate matter contributes to the development of ischaemic heart disease, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, exacerbates heart failure and can lead to sudden cardiac death.

Those most at risk are patients with coronary heart disease, people over 65 years of age, women, obese people, people with diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, smokers and children.

During the days when smog is most acute, anti-smog masks are an excellent solution to protect us from high concentrations of particulate matter. Depending on the type, they can filter both particulate matter and toxic gaseous substances.

Impact of smog on human health, Problem-smog-in-cities, Protection-from-smog, Smog

photo: shutterstock

How are cities coping with the smog problem?

Many cities in Poland are trying to combat smog. On days when there are high levels of air pollution they run free transport for drivers. However, the smog problem is not only caused by pollution caused by cars. It is very important to educate the public about incorrectly heated buildings. In Poland, the main cause is the high level of coal consumption in heating single-family buildings.

The data shows that emissions from individual heating of buildings are 83 per cent responsible for exceeding the permissible levels of particulate matter. Only then come intensive urban traffic and industrial activity, among others. To this end, the government plans to launch a pilot programme to support the thermal modernisation of residential buildings for the least well-off citizens.