Beijing, Delhi, Riyadh, Cairo, Moscow, Mexico City – in all these business destinations smog is a real threat to the health of locals and travelers. Although short-term bans make sure that the situation improves after a few days, these measures do not solve the problem itself: Crowded cities, a lot of traffic and industry, often coupled with an unfavorable geographical location.
Beijing builds ventilation corridors
But the affected cities are looking for solutions. Beijing has announced to build ventilation corridors to facilitate the air flow, with the effect that smog and pollutants are literally blown away. Shanghai has already made positive experiences with such ventilation corridors.
Mexico plants trees
Mexico City is also regularly affected by smog. The city has announced a series of measures now. First 18 million trees are to be planted in order to purify the air in the urban area. In addition, 1,000 old taxis are exchanged for hybrid vehicles. Transport vehicles and cars should be replaced by alternatives with electric motor. And the emission standards are tightened and enforced more consistently.
Delhi is expanding public transport network
Delhi is probably the most polluted city in the world. A smog alarm system like in Beijing has not been installed. Since other mega-cities in India are affected by smog as well, India now wants to start a green traffic offensive. By 2020, the Indian government wants to expand the public transport network from the current 300 kilometers to 1,000 kilometers. In addition, the emission standards are tightened, SUVs and diesel vehicles are taxed more heavily whereas electric cars will be promoted.
Harmful to health of travelers?
In some large cities that are struggling with smog a process of change seems to begin. Nevertheless it will take some time until these measures can show positive effects. The question is: Does smog endanger your health, if you are on a business trip to Beijing, Mexico or Delhi for a few days only?
If you do not suffer from heart or lung disease and stay a few days in a city with high smog pollution, you will usually recover quickly, as soon as you leave the heavily polluted areas. That’s what Thomas Jelinek, scientific director at the CRM Centre for Travel Medicine in Düsseldorf, Germany, explained to the German news magazine Focus. But if you already suffer from heart or lung disease, the smog can also be harmful on a short stay.
How can I protect myself?
- The ways to protect yourself against smog, are limited: Environmental experts and physicians recommend to be outside the buildings as little as possible. Stay indoors.
- Avoid physical exertion and outdoor sports. So better not jog under the haze.
- If you must go outdoors or are on a longer stay, it is worth to buy so-called N95 respirators. These are masks with filter function.
