Protect Yourself from Unhealthy Air

• Check daily air pollution forecasts in your area. Download the SAFAR-Air App on your mobile device through the Google Play Store or the iPhone iTunes store. Other sources include local radio and TV weather reports, newspapers and online at http//sahas.tropmet.res.in or http//safar.tropmet.res.in.


• Avoid exercising outdoors when pollution levels are high. When the air is bad, walk indoors in a shopping mall or gym or use an exercise machine. Limit the amount of time your child spends playing outdoors if the air quality is unhealthy.


• Always avoid exercising near high-traffic areas. Even when air quality forecasts are green, the vehicles on busy highways can create high pollution levels up to one-third mile away.


• Use less energy in your home. Generating electricity and other sources of energy creates air pollution. By reducing energy use, you can help improve air quality, curb greenhouse gas emissions, encourage energy independence and save money.


• Don't burn wood or trash. Burning firewood and trash are among the major sources of particle pollution in many parts of the country.


• Encourage your child's school to reduce school bus emissions. To keep exhaust levels down, schools should not allow school buses to idle outside of their buildings.

WHAT TO DO?

Follow these Tips Every Day to Reduce Pollution:

• Conserve energy - at home, at work, everywhere.


• Look for the ENERGY STAR label when buying home or office equipment.


• Carpool, use public transportation, bike, or walk whenever possible.


• Choose a cleaner commute - share a ride to work or use public transportation.


• Reduce the number of trips you take in your car.


• Avoid burning leaves, trash, and other materials.


• Avoid walking or biking on busy streets.


• If you're sitting in traffic, use the recycled air setting on your air conditioner to help cut down on fumes.


• If you're in a location where you can't escape the pollution, try putting a handkerchief over your mouth and nose to help filter gas and smoke.


• Antioxidant-rich foods like fruits and vegetables can also help shield your body from the damaging effects of free radicals created by air pollution.


• Support public policies and representative who will work to protect the air and the environment.

MAROON ALERT : EMERGENCY DAY

It is issued, if a city’s Air Quality Index (AQI)-

• Touches 500 and above, any time (Upper most limit of Severe).


• Two consecutive days of severe air pollution (AQI above 400 and less than 500).

RED ALERT : HARDSHIP DAY

It is issued, if a city’s Air Quality Index (AQI)-

• Touches 400 and above, any time (Upper most limit of Very Poor).


• Two consecutive days of Very Poor air pollution (AQI above 300 and less than 400).

ORANGE ALERT : BAD AIR DAY

It is issued, if a city’s Air Quality Index (AQI)-

• Touches 300 and above, any time (Upper most limit of Poor).


• Four consecutive days of Poor air pollution (AQI above 200 and less than 300).

WHAT TO DO?

CORPORTATION / LOCAL AUTHORITY

• During a “MAROON ALERT”, even-odd road rationing formula has to be implemented and authorities should increase the frequency of modes of public transport like CNG buses and local trains.


• In the case of “RED ALERT”, schools and factories should consider suspending work or closing it partially based on more detailed and flexible standards.


• In the case of “ORANGE ALERT”, schools and factories may remain open but utmost care should be taken to minimize the exposure and outdoor activities should be reduced to minimal.

TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT/RTO

• Introduce odd and even scheme for private vehicles based on license plate numbers. Minimize exemptions.


• Intensify public transport services. Introduce differential rates to encourage off-peak travel.


• Increase bus by augmenting contract buses and increasing frequency of service.

TRAFFIC POLICE

• Stop entry of trucks into city (except essential commodities)


• Identify roads with heavy traffic and give information to municipal commissioners concerned.


• Enforce rules for dust control in construction and close non-compliant sites.

PUBLIC WELFARE DEPARTMENT (PWD)/ NATIONAL HIGH AUTHORITY OF INDIA (NHAI)

• Increase mechanized cleaning of road.


• Identify unpaved roads with heavy traffic and give data to municipal commissioners.

Responsibilities of the Public Health Department are as follows

• Carrying out of general over-all investigation, analysis, and interpretation of the air pollution problem in the city.


• Securing long-range planning of state agencies and local communities for the study, prevention, and control of air pollution.


• Securing the establishment of and taking a principal part in a state-wide program of systematic surveillance of air quality.


• Maintaining surveillance of effects of polluted air on the exposed population.


• Carrying out special studies of emergency episodes of air pollution.


• Developing general plans for coping with emergencies and disasters with attention to such factors as medical treatment of casualties, emergency environmental protective


• Measures and remedial measures to restore safe ambient air quality.


• Advising local agencies on control programs and where control activities are needed, foster development of effective programs at lower levels of government.


• Rendering technical assistance to local agencies in their control programs.


• Providing technical in-service training to staff of local air pollution control agencies.


• Carrying out in specific communities demonstrations of the principles, techniques, and equipment used in local control programs.

FREQUENTY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) FOR STUDENTS

What we should do in school when air quality is bad (Poor /Very poor /Severe)?

The worse the air quality, the more important it is to take breaks, do less intense activities, and watch for symptoms. Remember that students with asthma will be more sensitive to bad air.

Why should students take breaks and do less intense activities when air quality is Poor or Very poor or Severe?

Students breathe harder when they are active for a longer period of time or when they do more intense activities. More pollution enters the lungs when a person is breathing harder. It helps to:

• Reduce the amount of time students are breathing hard (e.g., take breaks; rotate players frequently)



• Reduce the intensity of activities so students are not breathing so hard (e.g., walk instead of run)

Are there times when air pollution is expected to be worse?

PM2.5 /PM10 can be high any time of day but it is often worse during early morning and after sunset time. Since vehicle exhaust contains particle pollution, avoid doing activity near idling cars and buses and near busy roads, especially during rush hours. Also, limit outdoor activity when there is smoke in the air. Plan outdoor activities afternoon and early evening which should be fine in winter when pollution is generally high.

How can I find out the daily air quality and health advisory?

Go to safar.tropmet.res.in. If you are in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad then you have advantage to see an Air Quality Index (AQI) forecast that tells you what the local air quality is now and what it will be tomorrow or even after 3 days. The SAFAR website also tells you whether the pollutant of concern is PM2.5 or PM10 or some other one. Sign up for alerts, download the free “SAFAR-Air” Mobile app. Students in Ahmedabad can also find out how to participate (and register your school) in the Flag Program (safar.tropmet.res.in/sahas)

If students stay inside because of unhealthy outdoor air quality, can they still be active?

It depends on which pollutant is causing the problem:

Particle pollution: If the building has a forced air heating or cooling system that filters out particles then the amount of particle pollution should be lower indoors, and it is OK to keep students moving. If it is not the case then depending on AQI colors, balance your activity level.

Ozone pollution: If windows are closed, the amount of ozone should be much lower indoors, so it is OK to keep students moving.

What physical activities can students do inside?

Encourage indoor activities that keep all students moving. Plan activities that include aerobic exercise as well as muscle and bone strengthening components (e.g., jumping, skipping, sit-ups, pushups). If a gymnasium or open space is accessible, promote activities that use equipment, such as cones, hula hoops, and sports balls. If restricted to the classroom, encourage students to come up with fun ways to get everyone moving (e.g., act out action words from a story). Teachers and recess supervisors can work with PT teachers to identify additional indoor activities.

Can I check the AQI every day and do science project?

To find out if today will be a bad air quality day. But do you ever wonder if the number of bad air days is going up? -- going down? -- staying the same? Ask your science teacher and do the project to this effect using SAFAR AQI data and get good score.

What is an asthma action plan?

An asthma action plan is a written plan developed with a student’s doctor for daily management of asthma. It includes medication plans, control of triggers, and how to recognize and manage worsening asthma symptoms. When asthma is well managed and well controlled, students should be able to participate fully in all activities. If your child has asthma, all of the people who care for him or her should know about the child's asthma action plan. These caregivers include babysitters and workers at daycare centers, schools, and camps. These caretakers can help your child follow his or her action plan.

The asthma action plan shows your daily treatment, such as what kind of medicines to take and when to take them. Your plan describes how to control asthma long term and how to handle worsening asthma, or attacks. The plan explains when to call doctor or go to the emergency room.