WIND today. Mach 5 gusts. Thus reading about the dangers and solutions to PM 2.5 in the air was timely. PM = particulate matter….atmospheric. In smog, vog [volcano outgassing], smoke [like massive wildfires 3 states away], dust….etc. Indoors or outdoors. The 2.5 represents the size that can get past the blockades within our nose and even the bronchial tubes…..meaning it can lodge in bronchial tubes and/or in lung pockets. Google “PM 2.5” and see what that looks like compared to human hair or fine grains of sand. TeenyTiny. Especially important data if you live in areas where air quality is worsening. Or if you have any airway weaknesses. Our area is choked with DUST today and I’m staying inside.
We’ve always kept N95 masks [respirators] and I use them if forced to go out in this level of DUST/WIND. N95 keeps out 95% of 0.3 micron [micrometer] size particulate matter [PM]. If you live in wildfire danger, you probably already keep some of these masks handy. Part of my EDC due to bronchial issues with PM. So I was reading about how to get rid of bits already down in bronchial/lung areas. Unfortunately, it got too technical for my background. Saved to read later with better concentration/focus.
Tip on breathing masks….especially N100 or N95 quality. They are hard to breath thru cuz they’re blocking so much fine stuff. I buy the more expensive ones with the exhalation valve. Well worth the $ if you need to do any labor and actually BREATHE while working. [during an EVAC, for instance] Allows you to breathe out readily but valve closes when you inhale. Still hard to wear but choking/coughing is not nice either. OTOH…breathing might be more of an issue way up here in our very high elevation. Dunno. Less O2 so we have to suck in pretty regularly ….
OldMtWoman
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This reply was modified 1 year, 6 months ago by
OldMt Woman.