If you find yourself craving a hot cuppa a little too often, and if your basic blanket doesn’t do a good job of keeping you warm anymore, then it’s official – the winter season is upon us! And so is pollution…

Winters can be a nasty business with the flu, the constant dryness, sore throat etc., yet what makes it even worse is the pollution. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) recorded a spike and subsequent elevation of particulate pollution with varying intensity across all regions during the winter of 2021-22 (15 October to 28 February). In metropolitan cities, ‘smog’ is notorious for making driving dangerous during the winter and causing breathing problems among so many.

But why shall the merry season cheer be dampened by the rise in pollution? There are many factors behind the adjacent rise of pollution during the cold season….

Ever heard of Thermal Inversion?

We are all aware of the textbook fact that states warm air rises, while cold air sinks. This is because the less space between the molecules makes cold air denser than warm air. In summer, the surface of air closer to the earth is warm and hence pollutants that are released in the air rise with the warm air and are dispersed into the cooler upper layers of the atmosphere. However, during winter, the layer closer to the surface is cold and dense, and the warm air above keeps the cold air on the surface acting like a lid. Pollutants are trapped in the cold air surrounding the surface of the earth. This is called thermal inversion and it commonly occurs in cities.

Dry air holds more pollutants

The winter cold air is dry and lacks moisture as opposed to the warm humid air during summer. The humidity of the summer air attracts rainfall. Rain is a natural cleaner and rids the air of pollution. So, in winter, the dry moisture-lacking air doesn’t bring any rainfall and thus pollutants keep aggregating and contaminating the environment.

The rise in polluting activities during Winter

PM2.5 is a term that refers to particulate matter or tiny particles in the air that are two and one-half microns or less in width. Burning of crop residue, biomass and dry leaves leads to excess levels of PM2.5 in the winter. In combination with the phenomena of thermal inversion, this is the stuff of nightmares!

While it feels cosy to stay inside, it’s not always safe

Winters call for spending hours tucked under a blanket with your favourite show on and a hot cup in your hand. But without any ventilation for hours, pollution can build up indoors too. This can further lead to the growth of moulds, bacteria and viruses that ultimately affect your health.

So what can we do about it?

‘Tis the season to spread cheer, so don’t let the winter pollution stop you. Here are some tips to go about..

Keep a mask handy

If there’s anything the pandemic has taught us, is to always keep a mask handy. Before stepping out be sure to check the pollution level of your city at any trusted AQI website or app. In case of high levels make sure to mask yourself. A simple task as wearing a mask can prevent 0.3 micron sized particulate matters from entering your lungs and causing health hazards. It is also advisable to carry any sort of protective headwear to protect your scalp and hair from damage due to pollution.

Exercising outdoors needs to take a backseat!

Don’t get us wrong, its advisable to exercise everyday, even during the winter. But make sure to avoid exercising outdoors at night or in the early hours of the morning. Thermal inversion occurs mostly at night or in the early hours with the sudden drop in temperature. As a result, pollution too, is at its highest during these hours. You can use a gym or workout at home, or find an alternative time to exercise outdoors.

There’s no better time to invest in an air purifier or humidifier than now

Air purifiers and humidifiers are a great investment. You can also bring home plants like peace lily, snake plant, Areca palm plants that are known for their air purifying qualities. Humidifiers help increase the humidity of air indoors. This has many benefits – reducing risk of infections, keeping you moisturized, preventing itchy throats…the list goes on!

Keep energy use on a low!

Heaters, gasoline and other fossil fuels consume a lot of energy and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Your conscious decision to control the use of energy at home can have a significant impact on the environment as well.

Keep yourself hydrated and load up on vitamins and minerals

It is no secret that a healthy diet with adequate water intake can do wonders for the body. Water intake is essential specially during the dry season. You can make the process interesting by including organic juices, herbal teas and smoothies to your diet. If you’re constantly on the go, supplements can help you stay on top of your vitamin and mineral intake.