October, 2019 | The Health
Issue: Haze
11
10 Haze Hacks
Haze brings long-
term catastrophe
far beyond poor
visibility. The effect
could be seen on
economy in terms
of reduced number
of tourism, closure
of schools, lack
of productivity in
work force, lack of
yield in plantation
as a result of poor
photosynthesis etc. ”
1. Get your N95 face mask ready and stocked
up, get extra for your loved ones too.
2. Plan the outdoor activity ahead, go to
APIMS.DOE.GOV.MY and get to know the
API in your state.
3. Alter your plans in accordance to your current state of health,
and the respective API.
4. Always change your clothes and take a nice shower after your
outdoor activity. Wash hand; face more frequently then usual
where appropriate.
5. Close all door and window to avoid particulate matter from
getting into your house. Keep the household clean.
6. Ensure the air conditioner is properly serviced and filtered. When
driving, use internal air circulation mode.
7. Avoid dehydrating agents: alcohol and caffeine and smoking.
8. Hydrate as much as possible. Drinking more water then usual
would help flush the toxins absorbed through your skins and
lungs.
9. Boost your immunity by consuming foods with high vitamin E,
C and omega-3 fatty acid. Also look for various antioxidant rich
meals.
10. Take your medication regularly on time, every time. If you or your
family member have a pre-existing condition especially lungs or
heart related, make sure you have adequate of medication at
home.
You may never know when the situation would be raised to Haze
Emergency. When in doubt seek medical advice, don’t take chances
with your life and loved ones. With the above information, It is of the
sincerest hope that the topic of haze would not be hazy any longer.
— The Health
How dangerous
is haze to our body?
Those, fine particulate matter in large numbers can affect us in
many ways and endanger both our body and mind. Here I’ll furnish
some short term and long term effect of haze exposure as advised by
Ministry of Health Malaysia:
SHORT TERM EFFECT:
on their health. Just because they don’t seem
to suffer from short-term effects like the ones
mentioned above, doesn’t mean they wont
suffer from the cumulative effect as a result
from prolonged exposure in the long term.
Armed with that, here are some Haze
Hacks. Keep in mind the ultra small particle
matters which can deposit anywhere in our
body as you read the Hacks.
If you have benefited from this article
in any way, here are some actions I would
encourage you to take:
• Do further reading to enhance your
knowledge.
• Our Ministry of health portal regularly
updates health information, which can
be an excellent resource to start.
• Also do read on Employers legal duty to
ensure the safety, health and welfare of
their employees as stipulated in Occu-
pational Safety and Health Act 1994.
(Once you have gained understanding
and have experience of your own)
• Share this information with your friends,
advice them on how to protect themselves
from the horrendous hazard of haze.
• Take a moment to think about the less
fortunate beings.
• Those innocent children in daycare cen-
ters, orphanages and homeless. Also
do shed some thoughts on the laborers
who are forced to work despite of the
unhealthy climate.
• Even those poor animals exposed to
these unhealthy haze.
• Share your own experience and knowl-
edge with them. They will benefit more.
You will benefit loads.
I leave you with an old quote to ponder:
“Gaining knowledge is the first step to
wisdom,
Sharing it is the first step to humanity”
Assoc Prof Dr Shamim Rahman is an Ear,
Nose,Throat, Head & Neck Surgeon who
specialises in Rhinology (Nose and Sinuses).
He currently resides at IIUM Medical Centre,
Kuantan, Pahang.
These fine particles may deposit in any of the organs and together with
lack of oxygen supply can cause symptoms as below.
• EYE: Irritation, watery eye, red eye.
• Nose: Runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, postnasal drip.
Sinusitis
• Throat: Dry throat, Throat irritation, sore throat, coughing, phlegm
• Head: Headache, Dizziness, Fatigues, Stress.
• Lung: Shortness of breath, worsening of pre-existing lungs
condition such as asthma, COAD, Chest Pain etc.
In a normal individual, the above symptoms would most probably be
mild to moderate and will subside with adequate rest, avoidance of haze
and adequate hydration.
In an unhealthy individual however the symptoms may progress and
even worsen.
LONG TERM EFFECT:
Ultra small particle (particles smaller then 2.5 microns) stay longer in
the air and are carried further long distances. These particles have
higher chances of being inhaled via the nasal cavity and into the lungs.
Once in the lungs they can be transported into the blood stream. As a
result they can have long-term effects of:
• Increased sub-clinical inflammation leading to bad cholesterol
• Faster thickening of arteries compared to others
• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death related to it.
• Reduced life expectancy
• Diabetes may be precipitated as well over the long term
Special precaution to pregnant woman, as they can have
spontaneous abortion/underweight infants, birth defects and infant
deaths. — The Health