CALL US NOW 75000 75111

What Causes the Smog During Winters?

Pathkind Team 571 Views
Updated: 21 Sep 2023
Published: 02 Feb 2021
Smog During Winters

What is winter smog?

When you think of winters, you think of cold weather, beautiful sweaters and these days, face masks and air purifiers because all you can see from your window is a thick layer of smog! Unlike a fog, which is a naturally occurring phenomenon and pleasant in nature, smog is caused by humans and can be far from pleasant.

So now that we’re in the midst of winter, it is important that we understand how dangerous smog really is and what we should do to steer clear of its harmful effects.

What turns fog into a smog?

The science of what causes a smog is pretty simple. Due to the rising cold, particles and pollutants which otherwise settle on the ground start to rise up and mix with the air and fog. This is called as a temperature inversion. Once these particles mix in the air, they form a deadly cloud and this is the smog you see hampering your way to work and making it difficult for you to breathe.

What are these pollutants and how harmful are they?

To put it mildly, very bad. We all know about air pollution and how harmful it is. But smog is at a different level because it spreads everywhere and can hamper your day to day life. Let’s take a quick look at what all can be found inside a smog cloud.

Industrial Pollutants – Fumes from factories which are an outcome of burning fossil fuels and coal, along with certain other chemical additives mingle with the fog and make it a toxic smog cloud.

Vehicular Emissions – The most likely culprit-our transport syste. Cars, buses, trucks and rickshaws, all in sync on busy roads all day long let out enough emissions to cause a smog cloud of its own.

Man Made Fires – Crop burning, celebrations, winter bonfires etc may seem inconsequential, but when you add all of it together, it can become a major threat.

Infrastructural Pollutants – The construction boom has its advantages, but along with those, it also puts out a significant amount of dust, gravel and other pollutants that make the smog heavier and closer to home.

How bad can smog be for me?

All of us have a likelihood of thinking that we have stayed around smog and air pollution for long enough to be immune to it. But that is far from the truth. Some of the effects of smog show up pretty immediately such as irritation of the throat, itchiness in the eyes and general discomfort. But unfortunately, smog doesn’t stop at that. Taking in the toxic fumes can lead to your immune system being affected, slowly but steadily. In some cases, the damage may go on for years before realization strikes. It goes without saying that for people with conditions like Asthma, smog is a major red flag. Like we mentioned, smog contains many small pollutants and most of them can trigger allergies in people with asthma, thus causing frequent attacks.

While a cold and cough may be a small outcome of smog, for many people, including healthy and able-bodied adults, the chances of contracting Bronchitis are much higher all thanks to smog. For the elderly, along with Bronchitis, there is also the danger of pneumonia, so one needs to be additionally careful.

Now that the smog has taken over, what can I do?

For starters, stay indoors as much as you can. Do the same for children and elders. Early mornings and late evenings are the times when smog gathers the most. Be vary of stepping out at these times. For additional precaution, use an air purifier at home, but this can only be used as a temporary respite, not a fool proof measure.

Remember, at the end of it all, a smog attack is something that we cannot take lightly anymore. If you feel more discomfort then there should be, or are feeling persistently fatigued and irritated, its time you consult your physician and see if it’s the smog that has been harming you.

Most viewed

CRP (C-Reactive Protein) Test - Symptoms, Testing and Treatm...

By: Pathkind Team 17 Jul 2022

Best & Worst Foods to Eat for Type 2 Diabetes

By: Pathkind Team 27 Oct 2022

When Life Gives You Signs, Get Checked for Thyroid

By: Pathkind Team 23 Feb 2023

Tips for Keeping Your Liver Healthy and Preventing Dehydrati...

By: Dr.Ayushi Bansal 19 May 2023

Malaria Prevention and Treatment in India: Strategies to Com...

By: Pathkind Team 28 Jun 2023

Black Fungus Symptoms & Treatment. Can It Affect Non-Covid P...

By: Pathkind Team 21 Jun 2022

How Does the Air We Breathe Affect Us?

By: Pathkind Team 02 Dec 2020

The Role Of Bilirubin In Diagnosing Liver Ailments

By: Pathkind Team 24 Feb 2023

How to Reduce Stress at Work?

By: Pathkind Team 24 Feb 2020

Different Ways to Get Tested for Diabetes

By: Pathkind Team 20 Oct 2022

Heart Attack While Exercising – Why It Happens and Who is ...

By: Pathkind Team 09 Jan 2023

Understand Effects of Hormones on Your Libido & Sex Life

By: Pathkind Team 25 Sep 2022

Best Foods To Improve Digestion

By: Pathkind Team 18 Aug 2019

Ultimate Haemorrhoids/Piles Cheatsheet – Diagnosis, Treatm...

By: Pathkind Team 10 Oct 2022

How does sleep cycle affect your health?

By: Pathkind Team 25 Apr 2021

Related Blog

Preparing Your Family for Cold and Flu Season: Prevention is...

Pathkind Team | 02 Feb 2021

How does sleep cycle affect your health?

Pathkind Team | 25 Apr 2021

Hereditary Diseases: What and When to Get Tested

Pathkind Team | 25 Apr 2021

10 Common Summer Ailments and How to prevent them?

Pathkind Team | 25 Apr 2021

Know About Monsoon Diseases and Ways to Overcome Them

Pathkind Team | 27 Jul 2021

What Is the Best Environment for Sleep?

Pathkind Team | 27 Jul 2021

How Does the Air We Breathe Affect Us?

Pathkind Team | 02 Dec 2020

How Can Coronavirus Affect People Living with Diabetes?

Pathkind Team | 17 Jun 2020

Get a call back from our Health Advisor

© 2023 Pathkind Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd. All Rights Reserved.