What is PM2.5 fine dust causing air pollution? Harm and how to prevent fine dust PM2.5

PM is one of the causes of air pollution, which has a negative impact on human health. So what is PM2.5 fine dust, how does it affect human health and how to prevent it. We invite you to follow the following article with lassho.edu.vn!

What is PM2.5 fine dust?

According to the World Health Organization WHO reports that more than 92% of the population is living in polluted air and Vietnam is one of the countries with high alarm levels. Although agencies and organizations have tried to implement environmental protection policies, air pollution continues to increase. In particular, fine dust and ultra-fine dust are identified as one of the pollutant agents that have a great impact on human health.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, fine dust or fine dust PM (Particulate Matter) are inorganic or organic molecules suspended in the air, usually originating mainly from vehicle smoke or through industrial combustion of organic fuels. The size of fine dust is very diverse, difficult to see clearly with the naked eye and is measured in µm (micrometer). Among them, the most well-known microscopic particles (microns) are:

PM10: Fine dust between 2.5 and 10 microns in size, one millionth of a meter.

PM2.5: Fine dust less than 2.5 microns in diameter.

PM1.0: Ultra-fine dust with a size of 1 micron.

PM0.1: Ultrafine dust less than 0.1 micron in size.

Thus, PM2.5 fine dust is the tiny dust particles present in the air with a size of 2.5 microns or less (compared to a human hair, it is about 30 times smaller).

What causes fine dust?

PM2.5 fine dust appearing in the air originates from natural causes and man-made causes.

Natural causes

• Wildfires : Large wildfires worldwide are largely caused by abrupt climate change. Sudden climate change releases a large amount of dust into the environment, leading to serious air pollution.
• Natural dust : Deserts, sandy soils, volcanic eruptions are also one of the major causes contributing to a large amount of fine dust dispersed in the air, polluting the air.
• Time of season change : Around October – November of the year, fog often appears. These thick layers of fog contribute to the accumulation of dust inside the city that cannot escape, thereby making the city covered with a thick layer of dust (fine dust, superfine dust, …).

Artificial causes

• Transportation: Personal vehicles also produce a certain amount of smoke, dust and dust carried during travel, eroding the road surface to the air, thereby increasing the amount of large fine dust causing pollution. air pollution.
• Daily life: The use of coal, wood, and oil stoves for cooking also produces a certain amount of smoke, increasing fine dust in the air.
• Industrial production: Factories, production workshops, and industrial parks often emit a large amount of smoke into the environment and the air, thereby increasing the amount of fine dust in the air.
• Garbage: Domestic and industrial waste produce bacteria and fine dust, thereby affecting the clean air you breathe every day.
• Construction: The process of building apartments, buildings, bridges and roads is also a cause of fine dust in the environment, seriously affecting the air.
• Agriculture: Transporting and burning rice straw produces toxic fumes, affecting the flow of clean air in the environment.

The harmful effects of dust PM2.5

PM2.5 fine dust brings harmful bacteria to the body, thereby causing skin allergies, making you feel itchy and uncomfortable. If exposed to a lot of fine dust, it can also cause rhinitis, eye pain, ear, nose and throat diseases.

PM2.5 fine dust can absorb toxins and carry bacteria and viruses into the environment. Therefore, when they enter your body, they will release toxins underground into your body, thereby weakening the immune system. So, people living in big cities, with high levels of pollution are often more prone to minor illnesses than people living in places with fresh air.

PM2.5 fine dust enters your body through breathing. They then follow the airways, attach and accumulate on the surface of the lungs. When this amount of dust accumulates over time, it can cause great damage to your lungs.

Besides, fine dust PM2.5 destroys and accelerates the process of Apoptosis – one of the most important pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, when inhaling a large amount of PM2.5 fine dust, may increase the risk of death in people with heart disease.

Studies on human brain have shown us that when we are exposed to PM2.5 fine dust, they can move slowly into the brain, thereby penetrating and increasing the incidence of degenerative diseases. our brain.

In particular, PM2.5 fine dust containing metal is researched by scientists as a cause of cancer and more terrible than genetic modification in humans.

How to prevent fine dust PM2.5

Use a specialized mask when going out

Masks are useful when going out in the current time of heavy pollution. However, ordinary masks do not filter out PM2.5 ultra-fine dust particles.

To filter these superfine dust we need wear a specialized mask or have a small tip wear two medical masks interlocking, or wear a layer of mask and line a thin tissue inside (this is only temporary because it causes mystery and discomfort for the wearer).

For the best dust filtration, you should choose an N95, N99 mask or a dedicated air filter. N95 masks filter 95% of dust and bacteria, ordinary medical masks filter 30%-40% of dust, wearing two layers of medical masks will prevent dust to 90%. Specialized air filter masks are distinguished by their ability to resist fine dust, bacteria and viruses, helping to clean the air to ensure the health of users.

Air filter mask accessories with shocking prices

Use an indoor air purifier

Currently on the market there are many types of air purifiers that are capable of filtering bacteria, molds, allergens,… especially PM2.5 and PM10 superfine dust.

Some smart air purifiers like Xiaomi can measure the air quality after filtering, giving users more peace of mind during use.

Promotional air purifier, extremely economical price

Healthy living habits

• To limit the harmful effects of air pollution, we should create a habit of cleaning our nose and throat regularly. Improve the body’s resistance by eating healthy, exercising, and avoiding dusty places as much as possible.
• For children with weak resistance, it is necessary to remind them to wear a mask every time they go out, feed them with adequate nutrients, drink a lot of water, and avoid exposure to dusty, smokey environments.
• On polluted air days, limit opening windows or going outside.

PM2.5 ultra-fine dust causes incalculable harm, each of us should protect ourselves against air pollution and contribute to environmental protection by doing small things such as not littering, limiting motor vehicle use. when you need to travel close distances, use public transport,…