10 tips to fight fog and smog 01/11/2018

Fog is a typical meteorological condition in some areas that returns each winter bringing alongside the bad quality of air we breathe.

Also, if combined with smog, the situation can only get worse.

Unfortunately, our children are who suffer more, did you know that? I’ll explain why...

Fog is a cloud that forms in contact with the ground and is formed by drops of water suspended in the air which limit visibility, which makes it very dangerous.

In the big cities, fog traps fine particles of smog and these can’t reach the atmosphere and disperse. Consequently, the smog stays at ground level and we breath the unhealthy air which causes coughing, burning of the threat, eye irritation and sneezing.

And our children?

Unfortunately children are more sensitive to this bad air quality; this depends of many factors.

Their small height or traveling on a stroller makes them be at a lower level, therefore, more exposed to cars’ tailpipes.

In human beings, lungs can be considered fully developed in adolescence and in children their immune system is not completely mature.

All of this makes our children more vulnerable to the effects of fine dust, which debilitates and inflames the respiratory system and promotes spreading of viruses and bacteria.

“Take them to the ocean...” grandmas said. Yes, but that is not the definitive solution: let’s say that in general, spending a few hours outside, not in the city, certainly doesn’t damage children or adults, but it doesn’t fix the problem.

But then, what can we do to protect them? Here are some practical tips:

1. Technology helps us, thanks to apps or sites, for example the site of the Environment Protection Regional Agency (ARPA for its acronym in Spanish), with forecasts we can consult: the days with major risk are the ones in winter with high pressure and no wind and those really hot summers.

2. In the market there are devices that do verification of the air and detect levels of fine dust, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc.

3. Also, if possible, let’s keep the children in the house and only let them go out if necessary, do it in moments of lower traffic and keep them in your arms or use toddler-vests at chest level as far as possible.

4. The neighborhood garden, the park or the walking paths can wait for a few days because city contamination doesn’t spare anything, not even green areas!

5. Going out with a mask that covers nose and mouth doesn’t prevent you from breathing smog, unless its equipped with special filters like the professionals have. Covering with masks, scarves or handkerchiefs also doesn’t resolve the problem and for children it can be a bother.

6. Remember that the fine particles concentrate in the lower levels, so if you live in a bottom floor avoid opening windows, even if they are located towards a green area or interior patio.

7. Make sure your vacuum is equipped with a HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particle Arresting). Take off your shoes before entering the house because the sole carries everything you step on. Use slippers to wear only around the house, and the rugs/floor mats must be frequently washed.

8. Another fundamental precaution is to NOT smoke. The active cigarette smoke for adults is passive for children and harmful a priori, imagine it with smog!

9. NO to the use of candles, incense and house deodorant

10. Instead, yes to plants! Particularly ficus (rubber plant), ivy and aloe vera have air “purifying” properties.

The quality of the air we breathe and our children breath depends also on us, for which we must strive to save what can still be rescued in our Earth.