After massive shelling, danger can remain even after the explosions have subsided. Fires release substances hazardous to health into the air. Pavlo Tkachenko, co-founder of the NGO Save Dnipro and developer of the SaveEcoBot system, told UNN why you shouldn't open windows immediately after an attack, how to protect yourself from polluted air, and who is most at risk from its effects.
After massive shelling, the danger to people does not end with the conclusion of the air raid alert. Fires that break out after strikes can significantly worsen air quality at a considerable distance from the epicenter of the event. Environmentalists emphasize that special attention should be paid to personal safety in the first hours after ignition.
Even if it is a short-term fire, a huge amount of pollutants from the combustion of fuel and lubricants, plastics, or other goods enters the air. It spreads around and can travel dozens of kilometers. Sometimes the air nearby can be relatively clean because the emission plume rises upward. And then it covers neighboring areas,
According to the specialist, the composition of the pollution depends on what exactly is burning. During fires, microparticles of soot, dust, various gases, and other dangerous compounds enter the air. Some of these substances eventually settle on the soil and can enter water bodies.
First and foremost, it is fine particulate matter, soot microparticles, as well as various gases – including nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other substances. If fuel and lubricants, plastics, construction materials, electronics, or industrial facilities are burning, the composition of the pollution can be very diverse: from fine dust and toxic gases to organic compounds, and in some cases, heavy metal compounds. Some of these substances can change as a result of chemical reactions and eventually settle on the soil,
The expert advises closely monitoring reports of fires and wind direction. If smoke is moving toward residential areas, outdoor exposure should be minimized. This especially applies to children and people exercising outdoors.
It is best not to go outside until the fire is localized. You should not walk with children or exercise, because during physical exertion, a person breathes more frequently and more polluted air enters the body. After the fire is localized, time must be allowed for the pollution to disperse,
Indoors, simple safety rules should also be followed. The specialist recommends keeping windows closed, using air purifiers, and avoiding the use of exhaust fans if there is heavy smoke outside. It is also important to drink water regularly and monitor air quality indicators through special monitoring services.
If there is very heavy smoke outside, it is better to close the windows and even hang damp cloth over them. If you have an air purifier, it should be turned on. You should maintain a normal hydration regime, especially if there is irritation of the throat or mucous membranes. Additionally, you need to monitor air quality indicators and make decisions depending on the situation,
According to the expert, rescuers working directly at the fire sites suffer the most from polluted air, while among the civilian population, the risk groups include children, the elderly, and citizens with chronic diseases. They are the ones who react most sensitively to harmful impurities in the atmosphere.
Those who inhale more air or are more sensitive to pollution suffer the most. These are children, whose bodies are constantly growing. These are people who exercise outdoors, because during physical exertion they breathe more frequently and deeply. Also at risk are the elderly, whose bodies are already weakened. If there are chronic diseases, the risks also increase,