Air quality in summer

Do smog and airborne pollutants only threaten us in winter? Many of us associate worsening air quality with the heating season and believe that the problem occurs only in the autumn and winter. Unfortunately, in the warm summer months we are also exposed to inhaling harmful substances.

What air pollutants occur in summer?

Compared to the winter season, in the summer we have a much lower occurrence of suspended dust and benzopyrene. This is primarily due to the fact that these substances come mainly from home furnaces - in the summer their use is much lower, so harmful substances are released less often. It is worth remembering, however, that air pollution does not only come from boilers or furnaces. In the summer, as well as in the winter, we deal with harmful substances from means of transport and industrial plants. These sources of pollution release, among others, suspended dust, nitrogen oxides and ozone. It is also worth mentioning Los Angeles-type smog, also known as photochemical smog. It is formed in large cities during dry, hot days - pollution combined with high temperature and sunlight cause photochemical processes, as a result of which tropospheric ozone is formed. Los Angeles-type smog usually takes the form of a brown haze hanging over the city.

How to protect yourself from polluted air in summer?

High levels of sunlight and a lack of wind contribute to high levels of harmful substances in the air. However, there are ways to protect yourself from inhaling polluted air and reduce the risk of respiratory and circulatory system diseases. When staying at home, it is worth taking care of equipping your apartment with air purifiers and humidifiers. They will allow you to constantly remove harmful substances from the air and maintain the appropriate level of humidity on dry days. Installing air filters in your home will also be an excellent solution. If you use air conditioners, remember to regularly replace the filters in the device. If we want to spend time outside the house, it is worth checking current reports on the condition of the air and the level of pollution. Let's avoid being outside and physical activity on days when measurements indicate a high concentration of harmful substances in the air. When we have to go outside and the air quality is extremely low, it is worth using anti-smog accessories such as masks.