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Dangerous fine dust: How to protect your family from health risks!
The article highlights the health risks of fine dust, warns of dangers for sensitive groups and offers protective measures.
Dangerous fine dust: How to protect your family from health risks!
The dangers of fine dust, which is considered one of the most dangerous air pollutants for human health, are increasingly being highlighted. According to the report by Explosive Sensitive groups such as children, older people and people with previous illnesses are particularly at risk. The Federal Environment Agency warns of the adverse health effects that can occur when inhaling fine dust.
The smallest particles of fine dust can penetrate into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. Possible short-term health problems include respiratory irritation, coughing and asthma attacks. In the long term, serious illnesses can develop, including chronic respiratory diseases, lung cancer, heart attacks and strokes. Estimates from the European Environment Agency (EAA) show that around 32,600 people in Germany died as a result of fine dust in 2022 alone.
Health risks from fine dust
The health risks posed by fine dust arise not only from the dangerous substances that attach to dust particles, but also from the particles themselves, such as this Federal Environment Agency explained. Particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) are particularly harmful because they can penetrate deeper into the lungs. Ultrafine particles smaller than 100 nanometers can even penetrate deep cell structures and enter the blood or lymphatic system.
The effects of particulate matter are harmful to multiple body systems: long-term respiratory health problems such as asthma, reduced lung growth and lung cancer are just a few examples. The cardiovascular system, metabolism and nervous system can also be affected. While short-term high exposures can cause high blood pressure and hospitalizations, particulate matter also increases overall mortality.
According to the WHO, there is no safe concentration of particulate matter below which harmful effects can be excluded, while recommended guideline values of 5 µg/m³ annual average for PM2.5 and 15 µg/m³ annual average for PM10 have been set. To protect yourself, it is recommended to avoid physical exertion outdoors and to seal indoor spaces well.
Current measurement data on air quality and fine dust pollution can be viewed and are the focus of public health discussions.