Hazed & Confused: Unmasking the Hidden Dangers of Air Pollution

As the first light of morning filtered through the curtains, I stirred in my sleep, gradually awakening to the enticing aroma of a wood fire burning in the kitchen.🤨 Memories of family gatherings, laughter, and stories shared over lovingly prepared meals filled my mind, accompanied by images of the warm glow of the fire, the crackling logs, and the gentle dance of the flames casting flickering shadows on the walls.

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I got up, excited at the prospect of a surprise feast. What could the occasion be? As I drew open the curtains, my eyes took longer than usual to adjust. Hmm… actually, much longer. Things remained blurry even after I blinked a couple more times.😶‍🌫️

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There wasn't anything wrong with my eyes. Nor was there any wood-roasted chicken waiting for me in the kitchen. It was the damned haze.🌫

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Here we go again. Sigh.😮‍💨

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Malaysians have been battling "the haze" for as long as I can remember, but since 2019 (when Covid paralyzed many industries), we have had a long, welcomed break with no haze.🏙 While we all know the haze is bad for us, some of the more "macho" among us seem to have forgotten how bad the haze is for our health. Well, here's a reminder of why Malaysians wore masks long before Covid hit.😷

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The "haze" we experience in Malaysia is usually a direct result of forest burning in our neighboring country.🌳🔥 It consists of a mixture of various components, primarily derived from the incomplete burning of organic matter (trees and plants). The specific composition of the haze can vary depending on the types of vegetation being burned, the intensity and duration of the fire, and local weather conditions. 👇Here are the three most commonly found components that make up our haze:

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1️⃣ Particulate matter (PM): The haze contains fine particles like PM2.5 (particles with a diameter less than 2.5 micrometers) and PM10 (particles with a diameter less than 10 micrometers). These particles can penetrate deep into our lungs and cause various health problems (because they are easily absorbed into our bloodstream through our lungs). PM2.5 particles can be composed of a complex mixture of solid and liquid components, including organic and inorganic substances (including PAHs).

2️⃣ Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): These are a group of organic compounds produced during the incomplete combustion of organic material. PAHs are known to be carcinogenic and can pose serious health risks to humans. They are actually quite similar to the PAHs that smokers inhale when they light up.

3️⃣ Sulfur dioxide (SO2): This is a colorless, pungent, and irritating gas that is primarily released from the burning of fossil fuels. When SO2 makes contact with our mucosal membranes, it causes irritation and discomfort. It's mainly why our eyes and throat become immediately uncomfortable when we breathe without a mask during haze season.

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Ok, hopefully that jogged your memory on the perils of breathing in the haze.🥲 Let's see what we can do to minimize these harmful effects.

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✅️ Limit outdoor exposure🏠: During periods of poor air quality, limit the time spent outdoors, especially for children🧒🏻, the elderly👴👵, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions🫁. Now is NOT the time to exercise outdoors, as increased exercise will increase the intake of harmful pollutants in the haze, causing more harm than good.

✅️ Use air purifiers indoors🌬: Equip your home with air purifiers that use HEPA filters to remove fine particles, including PM2.5, from the indoor air. Keep windows🪟 and doors closed🚪 to prevent outdoor pollutants from entering your living spaces. Regularly clean and maintain your air purifiers to ensure their effectiveness.

✅️ Wear appropriate face masks😷: If you must go outside during periods of poor air quality, use a properly fitted face mask capable of filtering PM2.5 particulates. These include the tried-and-true N95 masks, KF94 masks, KF99 masks, etc. Personally, I prefer the KF series, as the design is more comfortable and allows for longer periods of use.

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Do check out our selection of masks, and talk to our pharmacists about which of these masks best suit your needs!

By Lim Kelvin

Principal Trainer