Starting this Thursday (12), with the arrival of a cold front, the black rain may intensify . For this reason, the government of Rio Grande do Sul released, this Wednesday (11), guidelines to the population about the risks of “black rain”.
Black rain, a result of the combination of smoke from forest fires and humidity in the air, poses a serious health risk to the population. This precipitation carries fine particles and contaminants that can cause respiratory problems, eye irritation and other health problems. The phenomenon mainly affects the Metropolitan Region, but can spread to other areas of the state.
The phenomenon is caused by the interaction of smoke particles with water vapor, which forms clouds laden with pollutants, resulting in dark, contaminated rain. Large-scale fires, combined with dry weather and lack of rain, worsen air quality and increase the risk to the population’s health.
Fepam (State Foundation for Environmental Protection) monitors air pollution and the data indicate a significant increase in the concentrations of inhalable particulate matter. The government emphasizes that black rain “contains contaminants that are harmful to human health, making it unfit for human consumption.”
Health care
Given this scenario, the government recommends that the population adopt measures to protect themselves from the effects of air pollution and black rain. See:
- Monitoring: follow weather forecasts and air quality.
- Hydration: increase your water intake to keep your airways moist.
- Reducing exposure: avoid outdoor activities and keep doors and windows closed.
- Use of masks: should be assessed individually, as they help reduce exposure to larger particles, especially for people with chronic conditions, such as lung disease, heart disease and people with immune problems. The use of surgical masks, cloth masks, scarves or bandanas is recommended especially for populations that are more exposed or close to emission sources (fire outbreaks), as they can reduce discomfort in the upper airways. The use of respirator masks (type N95, PFF2 or P100) is suitable for reducing the inhalation of fine particles by the entire population.
- Physical activities: avoid outdoor activities during periods of high pollutant concentrations and keep doors and windows closed.
- Specific guidelines for vulnerable groups: Children, the elderly and pregnant women should be especially alert to respiratory symptoms and seek medical attention immediately if necessary.
“Black rain” was recorded on Tuesday
The state of Rio Grande do Sul was hit by ‘black rain’ on Tuesday (10).
According to Andrea Ramos, a meteorologist at Climatempo, the rain, which changed color, was a result of the fires in the country. Smoke from fires in the North and Center-West regions ended up reaching the region.
This content was originally published in RS Government warns about the use of “black rain” water on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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