Dangerous smog in Beijing

Travelers should use respirators to protect themselves from dangerous smog in major Asian cities

03/11/2015

The air in many major Asian cities is heavily contaminated with harmful smog. The main cause is air pollution from internal combustion engines and emissions from industrial plants. But even the finest particles, which are whirled up by soil erosion, increase the fine dust load. The Center for Travel Medicine (CRM) advises travelers to wear respirators.

No outdoor sports in smog in Asian cities
Respirators, which are also used by the locals, should, according to the CRM, comply with the European standard EN 149. Because simple hygiene masks are ineffective against fine dust. Moreover, travelers should opt for outdoor sports and opt for a hotel with high quality air conditioning with filter function.

„For short-term stays in regions with massive smog especially people with chronic lung or cardiovascular diseases are at risk, "quotes the online edition of the „Doctors newspaper“ Dr. Axel Telzerow from the travel medical center of the B.A.D. Health care and safety technology in Frankfurt am Main. Families with babies or toddlers and pregnant women should only plan short stays in cities with high levels of smog exposure. „For longer stays, the risk of developing heart and lung diseases increases even in healthy people. "

In general, according to Telzerov: „The smaller the particles, the more dangerous.“ Ultrafine particles can penetrate deep into the airways and into the bloodstream. „They trigger inflammatory processes in the lungs, affect the blood clotting and the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system.“

Respirators can help
In the case of particularly bad smog, respirators, which are also used by many people on site, can help. The experts of the CRM point out, however, that these should be particle-filtering respirators according to the European standard EN 149, since simple hygiene masks against fine dust are useless. According to the CRM, the smog especially endangers pregnant women, children and people already suffering from chronic lung or cardiovascular diseases. (Ag)

Image: Martina Böhner