Thinking of the winter season revives the fond and cozy memories of delicious food, hot beverages, stylish clothes, festivity, and wedding season. The warmth of friends and loved ones amidst the cold makes the season even more pleasant. But as every good thing comes with its challenges, the adorable winter also brings with it, the wrath of terrible pollution.
Every year, people are compelled to combat this seasonal menace. Interestingly people with unhealthy lifestyles are worse hit than those who are exposed to pollution, mainly because of their low immunity. This problem needs immediate action not only on the government level but also at the community and individual level. Let’s take a plunge in these dark clouds of pollution to know them inside out.
Winter Pollution vs. Summer Pollution
Air pollution is a year-round issue, but with increased population, pollution tends to get worse. Today pollution is a global problem irrespective of the season, but it becomes more serious in winter.
One of the main causes of winter pollution is related to decreased temperature during this period. In summer, due to heat, pollutants in the air get easily dispersed, while in winter they get trapped close to the ground, causing smog, following reduced visibility, and finally touching or surpassing toxic levels.
Prominent Causes of Winter Pollution in Polluted Cities
Burning of Fossil Fuels: In many places for heating water and keeping oneself warm, coal and wood are extensively used, which increases pollution.
Crop Residue Burning: Stubble burning is a major reason causing pollution in Northern regions of India. During winter, the whole of North India is in the grip of pollution caused by the large amounts of burning in the fields.
Vehicle Emissions: In cold weather, pollutants released from vehicles are unavoidable add-ons.
Industrial Emissions: Gases like SO₂ (Sulphur di-oxide) and NOₓ (Nitrogen Oxides) released from factories cause more harm as they get entrapped in the atmosphere for a long time.
Fireworks and Festivities: The use of fireworks during winter festivals and weddings causes pollution levels to spike.
Why Winter Pollution Lingers Longer
With the warm temperature in summer, pollutants disperse comparatively faster, and in monsoons, they are completely washed away with rain and cleanse the air. But in winter, the pollutants get intensified, allowing winter pollution to linger on. Let’s find out how meteorological and geographical factors contribute to its longer stay:
Temperature Inversion:
In winter, the temperature of the earth cools down rapidly in the night. It prevents pollutants from dispersing into the upper atmosphere.
Low Wind Speed: Slow winds reduce the movement of pollutants and cause them to remain in one area.
High Humidity:
Humidity combined with pollutants enhances the formation of smog.
Mountain-City Trap:
Cities like Delhi or Beijing, surrounded by mountains, face the brunt of this as natural barriers prevent air circulation.
Health Impacts of Winter Pollution
Winter pollution is very dangerous for health because it contains toxic gases and particulates that directly affect our health.
The major component in polluted air:
• Carbon Monoxide (CO)
• Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂)
• Nitrogen Oxides (NOₓ)
• Particulate Matter (PM2.5 & PM10)
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Health problems caused by winter pollution
• Respiratory Problems: There is a risk of asthma, bronchitis, and lung infections.
• Heart Issues: Pollutants increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Weakened Immunity: Polluted air weakens the immune system, which increases the risk of infections.
• Skin and Eyes: Toxic pollutants cause dryness and irritation.
Measures Adopted Globally
All the countries of the world are striving hard to eradicate the scourge of pollution. Let us know about the efforts, some of the countries have taken in this direction:
India: In Delhi, all the plans involving construction at any level be it domestic or public are suspended (under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)) to curb pollution. Specially during this time Indian government encourages people to use green crackers for festivals and weddings, strict vehicle emission norms, the “odd-even rule” for vehicles, and a ban on crop residue burning are some of the measures taken by the government to promote clean energy.
China: The Chinese government has also imposed strict regulations on industrial emissions, including the promotion of electric vehicles. Beijing also sees its AQI above the “hazardous” level of 500 due to coal burning and industrial emissions in winter. Adopting the strategy of transitioning from coal to gas and deploying air purifiers on a large scale has improved the problem significantly.
Los Angeles, United States: The state’s AQI remains good throughout the year due to better management. Over the period it has been observed that it also gets worse during winter. Increased vehicular pollution and temperature change during this time altar the otherwise good AQI. Laws like the Clean Air Act (CAA) are very helpful in keeping the environment clean.
The Irony of Cigarette Smokers Complaining About Pollution
The majority of people raising their voices against increased pollution are themselves contributing to polluting the environment by smoking cigarettes.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are around 1.3 billion smokers worldwide (2024), and on average, 10 cigarettes per day are smoked, which adds up to approximately 13 billion cigarettes smoked daily, releasing pollutants into the air and contributing about 0.2-0.5% to overall global air pollution.
Cigarette smoking is a major contributor to indoor air pollution, affecting air quality even after the cigarette is extinguished. Additionally, the non-biodegradable cigarette butts, further exacerbate pollution.
Self-Care to Fight Winter Pollution
How to stay safe in lingering winter pollution:
In winter season with so much poisonous particulate around it becomes necessary to protect yourself by following a few rules:
Stay Indoors: Limit outdoor activities during peak pollution hours, usually early mornings and evenings. Tread out only when necessary.
Use Air Purifiers: invest in high-quality purifiers with HEPA filters that work well to maintain a clean environment at home.
Wear Face Masks: Wear N95 or N99 masks to block toxic particulate matter.
Hydrate Well: Drinking plenty of water all day helps in flushing out the toxins.
Dietary Boost: Antioxidant-rich foods like citrus fruits, spinach, and walnuts strengthen your immune system.
House Plants: Plant some air-purifying plants like aloe vera, snake, and peace lilies in your home to increase the oxygen levels.
Ventilate Discreetly: Open windows during the least polluted times to let fresh air in.
Wear Sunglasses: Protect your eyes from irritation caused by airborne particles.
Monitor AQI: Use apps like AirVisual or BreezoMeter to stay informed about real-time air quality. Click here to know the AQI of your region.
Government Initiatives: Support clean energy projects and advocate for stricter pollution controls.
Home Remedies to Soothe the Effects of Winter Pollution
If you’re feeling the effects of pollution, here are some simple home remedies to soothe the aftereffects of winter pollution:
Steam Inhalation: with a few drops of eucalyptus or peppermint oil Helps clear nasal passages and reduces the impact of inhaled pollutants.
Tulsi (Holy Basil) Tea: One of the best teas in reducing inflammation, improving immunity and detoxifying properties.
Honey and Ginger: A natural remedy for soothing sore throats caused by polluted air.
Honey and Warm Water: A glass of warm water with a teaspoon of honey can soothe a sore throat and help clear respiratory passages.
Turmeric Milk: Golden milk, made by mixing turmeric in warm milk, reduces the inflammation caused by pollutants.
Saline Gargle: A warm saline gargle can relieve throat irritation.
Aloe Vera Gel for Skin: Apply fresh aloe vera gel to soothe and repair skin damaged by pollutants.
Suggestive Actions
Frequent use of public transport, such as carpooling can help in reducing the dependency on fossil fuels. Encourage ‘green spaces’ they are the natural air purifiers. And finally, support initiatives aimed at reducing emissions.
Conclusion
Controlling winter pollution is the need of the hour. A formidable challenge that demands a joint effort from an individual and the government. With proactive measures, the impact can be minimized and by following weather warnings, a lot can be contributed to support this global initiative for clean air. Let’s brace ourselves to breathe a little easier this winter.
image: Pinterest
For more information and updates, follow World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),