Burning paper, furniture, or wood pollutes the air…

While it was announced that air pollution increased by 9% compared to the previous year, experts point out that particulate matter concentrations measured in the air increase during the winter season due to fossil fuel consumption and rising vehicle traffic. Dr. İnci Karakaş, stating that air pollution also occurs as a result of burning materials such as paper, furniture, or wood, emphasizes that to prevent air pollution, electric vehicles should be widespread, alternative fuels that will not pollute the environment should be developed, and transportation should primarily be done by public transport. Dr. Karakaş advises that when there is air pollution, indoor spaces should be ventilated around noon instead of in the morning, sports should be avoided, and one should go outside towards noon.

Indoor Spaces Should Be Ventilated Around Noon

Dr. İnci Karakaş, Head of Environmental Health Program at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Health Services Vocational School, known for her work in the field of environment, addressed the factors contributing to the recently increasing air pollution and shared measures to both prevent air pollution and to be taken when air pollution occurs.

The Density of Fog and Haze Differs

Dr. İnci Karakaş stated that haze and fog form as a result of the condensation of air masses when stratus clouds are close to the ground or in contact with it, and added, “Fog suspended in the air reduces visibility depending on the size and quantity of small water droplets within the condensed water masses. With haze formation, visibility drops below 2 kilometers, while with fog formation, visibility drops below 1 kilometer. Fog is categorized as light or dense according to the number of water droplets it contains. In light fog, the quantity of water droplets in 1 cubic centimeter of air varies between 50-100, whereas in dense fog, it is in the range of 500-600. Depending on air temperature, water droplets within the fog can also turn into ice crystals. The water droplets within the fog absorb light, making it appear denser.”

Fossil Fuels Deteriorate Air Quality

Dr. İnci Karakaş stated that air pollution is defined as the harm caused to living organisms and ecological balance when the concentrations of harmful components increase beyond limit values, and added, “During the winter season, particulate matter concentrations measured in the air increase due to fossil fuel consumption and rising vehicle traffic. Air quality further deteriorates due to the influence of high-pressure areas contributing to air pollution. The absence of wind also prevents the dispersion and dilution of particulate matter in the air, increasing their concentrations in certain areas.”

Burning Furniture Brings Problems

Emphasizing that air pollution can also occur as a result of burning materials such as paper, furniture, or wood, Dr. İnci Karakaş said, “Due to chemicals such as methylene chloride, acetone, alcohol, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers found in furniture, when burned, these chemicals are released into the atmosphere and, if inhaled, bring various health problems. At the forefront of these problems can be various damages to the endocrine system.”

Electrically Powered Vehicles Should Be Widespread

Dr. İnci Karakaş listed her recommendations for preventing air pollution as follows:

• The adoption and widespread use of unleaded gasoline production to reduce emissions from vehicle traffic,
• Ensuring transportation primarily by public transport,
• Popularizing electrically powered vehicles,
• Developing alternative fuels that will not pollute the environment,
• Implementing measures to reduce emissions at their source,
• Industrial establishments taking measures to reduce emissions,
• Using fuels with the lowest potential to cause pollution in incineration units and developing various applications to increase the performance of these units,
• Ensuring that emissions from waste originating from areas (hospitals, etc.) that can form toxic components when burned are kept under control.

Windows Should Be Opened Around Noon for Ventilation

Dr. İnci Karakaş shared the individual measures that can be taken when there is air pollution as follows:

• If possible, one should leave home towards noon instead of in the morning,
• Attention should be paid to mask usage when leaving home. Going outside with a mask in areas with high air pollution can reduce the likelihood of exposure to pollution. The type of mask used is also important in this regard. Surgical masks cannot trap some airborne pollutants such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
• Instead of opening windows early in the morning for ventilating homes, windows can be opened towards noon when air movement might be greater and traffic density might be lower.
• People who exercise should avoid doing so when pollution is intense. During exercise, a person breathes faster, thus exposing themselves to a larger amount of polluted air. This can exacerbate conditions such as asthma and COPD.