The indispensable
- Find out about pollution levels depending on the season and location.
- Avoid smoking, so as not to worsen the effects of pollution through smoking.
- Knowing that surgical masks do not effectively protect against air pollution.
- Ventilate your home daily, except during peak periods of air pollution.
In addition, for vulnerable people:
- Opt for short outings, reduce intense outdoor physical activities and avoid going out in the early morning and late afternoon (times of heaviest traffic), especially near major traffic arteries.
- Be attentive to unusual discomfort (cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, palpitations) during high levels of pollution (regularly or during peaks).
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According to the WHO, major metropolitan areas, particularly in Asia (China, Pakistan, India, etc.) or Central or South America, as well as some cities in Africa (sub-Saharan countries or those bordering the Mediterranean), suffer from high levels of air pollution that can have an impact on health.
This pollution is associated with industrial activities, transportation, the service sector, and domestic use (heating, combustion), and sometimes also with forest or brush fires, whether accidental or deliberate. Some countries, including China, India, and Singapore, use indicators to measure air quality, including...Air Quality Index (AQI) which ranges from 0 to 500. An index above 100 indicates poor air quality, with health risks.
For Europe, the WHO has reviewed the various air quality indices used in the 37 member states. Air quality information is widely available to the public, both online and through official mobile applications. Several indices are associated with specific recommendations for reducing exposure and health risks. The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) provides forecasts and maps of air quality and pollen concentrations.
In all cases, before going abroad, it is advisable to find out about pollution levels according to the season and location, from the websites of the countries concerned and French consulates, or to consult the WHO page on air quality.
Risks
Air pollutants (fine particles, NOx, SO2, O3, VOCs, pesticides, metals) can have serious effects on health, particularly respiratory and cardiovascular, in the short and especially long term.
Special attention should be paid to vulnerable populations (pregnant women, infants and young children, people over 65, people with cardiovascular disease, heart or respiratory failure, asthmatic people) or sensitive people (people who recognize themselves as sensitive during pollution peaks and/or whose symptoms appear or are amplified during peaks (for example: diabetic people, immunocompromised people, people with neurological conditions or at risk of heart, respiratory, infectious diseases).
Air pollution can worsen the symptoms of a respiratory infection.
Prevention
The measures to be taken differ depending on whether it is a short trip (from a few days to 2 or 3 weeks) or a longer stay (of several months or years).
It is generally recommended to pay attention to any unusual discomfort (cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, palpitations) during periods of high pollution levels (regularly or during peaks); vulnerable or sensitive people should avoid intense outdoor activities as much as possible.
Intense physical activity is often defined as that which leads an adult to have to breathe through their mouth.
Surgical masks do not effectively protect against air pollution. Filtering masks such as N95 or FFP2 masks are partially effective during periods of high pollution but do not protect against gaseous substances (NOx, SO2, O3, VOCs, pesticides, etc.). Wearing "anti-pollution" masks is not recommended for the general public.
Vulnerable people should seek medical advice before departure or, failing that, consult locally.
Vulnerable people should favour short outings, reduce intense outdoor physical activities and avoid going out in the early morning and late afternoon (times of heaviest traffic), especially near major traffic arteries.
It is recommended to ventilate your home daily, except during periods of peak air pollution. Using a carbon dioxide (CO2) detector, which measures the gas emitted by human respiration, can help, at minimal cost, to establish a ventilation schedule—that is, the frequency and duration of window openings—in order to optimize air renewal and ensure proper ventilation.
In areas with persistently high levels of pollution (background pollution), it is advisable, especially for vulnerable individuals, to install air purifiers with filters in homes and offices. Prioritize mobile air purification units with HEPA filtration and a minimum performance of H13 or H14, or an equivalent filtration rate (aim to filter at least five times the room volume every hour). Adhere to the manufacturer's recommended air filter replacement frequency. The unit should be positioned in the room to avoid obstructions to airflow, ensuring proper air circulation and filtration.
Anses stresses that current scientific data do not allow us to demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of indoor air purifiers operating on the principles of catalysis or photocatalysis, plasma, ozonation or ionization.
Regardless of the length of stay, travellers and expatriates should avoid smoking, so as not to aggravate the effects of pollution through smoking.
Source: Guide to Health Recommendations from the High Council for Public Health for Travellers
