Enemy attacks leave behind not only casualties and destruction, but also poisoned air, soil and water bodies. Thus, as a result of the shelling on July 4, Kyiv found itself in a zone of high pollution.
The Chairperson of the All-Ukrainian Ecological League, Tatyana Tymochko, told how one can protect oneself from exposure to hazardous substances after the shelling.
The impact of toxic substances on health
— When we talk about protection from air pollution, we must be aware and understand what exactly got into the air. After the Russian Federation's nighttime shelling, very dangerous substances got into the air of Kyiv and other cities — nitrogen oxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, sulfuric and cyanic acid vapors, etc. This is a large amount of toxic substances, — the expert said on the air of the United News telethon.
According to her, in such a situation, masks can do little to help, except perhaps intercept solid particles of incomplete combustion of substances.
Now watching
Tymochko reminds that in addition to explosions of shells containing chemical substances, large-scale fires start as a result of shelling. Construction materials, equipment and property located in the premises burn.
All this leads to the release of poisonous toxic substances into the environment that should not be there at all. These substances have a negative impact on human health.
The most dangerous is formaldehyde – it has a carcinogenic and mutagenic effect. Also – nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide.
Getting into the environment and the respiratory tract, they cause coughing, suffocation, and increase the risk of hypertension. People with cardiovascular diseases suffer especially severely.
How to Protect Yourself from Exposure to Toxic Substances
— In such cases, there is little advice. Ideally, stay in a closed room, isolated from polluted air. Drink a lot of water, drink and give milk to children — it helps remove toxins. It is important to stay in a closed space that has no direct connection with the polluted external environment, — the ecologist notes.
Toxic substances settle on the soil, which leads to its pollution or secondary pollution of the atmospheric air.
Even days after the shelling, air masses can carry toxic substances from the surface of plants or soil. The soil itself also remains contaminated.
— In such conditions, when it is impossible to leave, it is important to regularly carry out wet cleaning — constantly remove settled particles. Close all ventilation openings, windows, drink plenty of water. If you have to go outside — put on a wet bandage, — added Timochko.
She notes that children should be taken outside the city if possible, especially if the shelling continues.
Inhalation of such substances is very harmful for a child's body. This threat is constant and must be remembered.
