Pollution: how to protect yourself from fine particles

The French breathe badly. While for a few days, France has been affected by a pollution episode from air to fine particles, vigilance is still required. For good reason, the cloud of pollution is installed for a few more days. Faced with prolonged exposure to fine particles, the Ministry of Health and pulmonologists are increasing the warnings, inviting the most fragile – to protect themselves as much as possible from this pollution.

Invisible but harmful, fine particles are harmful to the bodybecause they can promote the appearance or aggravation of various symptoms. In this non-exhaustive list of adverse effects include: increased allergic symptoms and asthma attacks, irritation of the eyes, throat and nose, nasal hypersecretion, shortness of breath… Most at risk are the most fragile populations, namely infants and young children, pregnant women, the elderly, people with asthma or suffering from cardiovascular pathologies or respiratory.

But how do you protect yourself from polluted air? To limit the risks for the population, the health authorities are on the alert: reinforced surveillance of the effects on health by Public Health France, the public health agency, at national and regional level; awareness and preparation of health professionals to deal with a possible influx of patients in the areas affected by the pollution episode.

Above all, the Ministry of Health recalls the right actions to adopt to limit the risks to everyone’s health. They are relayed by the regional health agencies (ARS) of the areas affected by the pollution but also on the Ministry of Health website.

The 6 recommendations for vulnerable and sensitive populations

-avoid intense physical and sporting activities, outdoors or indoors

– in case of unusual respiratory or cardiac discomfort, consult your doctor or pharmacist

– take advice from your doctor to find out if your treatment needs to be adapted

-if you feel that your symptoms are less bothersome when you stay indoors, prefer shorter outings than usual

-avoid going out in the early morning and late afternoon and around major highways

– Postpone the activities that require the most effort.

Reduce physical activities

More broadly, the French are invited to reduce and postpone intense physical and sporting activities, outdoors or indoors, until the end of the episode if symptoms are felt (unusual fatigue, sore throat, stuffy nose , cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, palpitations).

“In case of unusual discomfort (for example: cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, shortness of breath, wheezing), take advice from your doctor or pharmacist”, recommends the Ministry of Health.

In France, air pollution represents the third leading cause of deathwith 50,000 deaths each year.

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