Gray haze above the city, poor visibility even during the day, air with an admixture of exhaust gases, burning and other decay products – unfortunately, today it is a constant problem of most megacities in the world, and its name is SMOG ( smoke and smoke for fog) – fog).
If you try to take a closer look at this terrible beast, you can see that SMOG is a mixture of smoke, dust, which is formed in the atmosphere of industrial cities from soot particles, ashes, and products of dry distillation of fuel.
Already in the 13th century, the inhabitants of London, where they burned coal day and night, complained of a suffocating smell and considered it the cause of many diseases. But the term “smog” itself appeared in everyday life only in 1905, after writing the article “Fog and Smoke” by Dr. Henry Antoine de Vaud.
The gradual transition of mankind from coal to hydrocarbon fuels changed the situation, and a photochemical smog appeared, which is associated, first of all, with the rapid development of the automotive industry.
It should be noted that smog was most harmful in the warm season, especially in sunny and calm weather, because the upper layers of the air heat up and cannot stop the vertical circulation of air masses.
How can citizens avoid smog if they do not want to look indifferently at the gray veil, blocking the access to oxygen, so necessary for a normal life? It is no secret that smog could be the cause of exacerbation of chronic diseases of the respiratory system and blood circulation, and can also affect the mucous membrane of the eyes.
The first thing that comes to mind: no way … But still there are several options.
Firstly, you can get rid of the problem, that is, leave the city, move to a place with a more favorable environmental situation, which, of course , does not suit everyone.
Secondly, listen to Roshydromet, which warns of unfavorable days when it is better for people suffering from bronchial asthma, allergic diseases and other ailments not to be on the street for too long.
Thirdly, it is advisable to prevent the rest of the smog – street dust – from entering your home. There are many ways to prevent dust: from air-conditioned euro-windows to wet gauze in open windows.
Fourth, … do not think about this problem, repeating to yourself that living in general is harmful.
And if the problem does not suddenly let go, then hope that the number of vehicles will grow more slowly than our ability to successfully overcome the consequences of the environmental problem, that we will gradually switch to other types of fuel, that houses will not be built near highways, that powerful treatment facilities and etc.
True, it may be so that very soon on the shelves on the shelves there will be bags with fresh air next to clean water.
And yet , probably, the most affordable option for residents of Moscow, St. Petersburg and other large Russian cities: to fill their lungs with oxygen in the infield during the weekend, but only if, of course, if the life-saving six hundred are not located near burning peat bogs .