Recently, due to certain conditions, especially in the summer season, a critical fire situation often occurs in the zone of the central region of Russia, when swamps light up. Most of all, burning peatlands can be observed in Moscow, as well as other cities that are covered in thick smoke (smog).
Benefits of swamps
Peatlands carry out a lot of beneficial actions for the inhabitants of the planet, namely:
- facilitate air vibrations;
- saturate rivers with water, take away excess moisture from melting snow and reduce floods;
- maintain a constant groundwater level on nearby soils even in drought;
- gift game, berries and mushrooms to mankind;
- provide shelter and food for many varieties of animals and plants.
There are certain breeds of plants that, once in a humid environment, do not fall apart like the rest. They are compressed into an inseparable mass, creating the so-called peat, which is an absolutely unique material. It is like a sponge, only liquids can absorb much more!
Why are the peatlands burning?
Swamp fires are often considered a violation of the safety rules of "playing with fire". In addition, a flash may appear due to too high a temperature (over 40-45 degrees) or in the event of a lightning strike into the ground cover. Also, grassroots, forest and crown fires can turn into a peat fire. Their flame passes into the depths of the marsh raw materials, where there are roots of various trees or bushes. Burning peat bogs, as a rule, can be seen only in the summer, when the soil has already accumulated organic remains in abundance and heat has got deep into the swamp layer.
What you should know about peat fires
Smoke is the result of burning peat, which is the usual light gray and odorous combination of flash products of inseparable sources that have a mixture of finely divided dense matters (their volume is from 20 to 400 microns), gases and vapors.
In this regard, when swamps catch fire, a whole “bouquet” of combustion consequences is formed, containing not only carbon monoxide, but also fumes mixtures containing part of nitrogen and oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, peat in the form of soot and others related connections. It follows that it is necessary to protect your body from all these destructive results of combustion and stay away from places where peat bogs are burning.
During such combustion, the smoke rises to the top. The point of rise of combustion outcomes can vary at a distance from 2 m to several hundred. All this is due to the state of the internal layers of air.(temperature of the earth and atmosphere, time of day, wind speed, and many other factors). Some argue that it is undesirable to climb onto the roof of the house when burning peat bogs to escape smoke, while others believe that pollution conditions on the upper floors are much lower, especially in the evening and at night with a light wind.
The impact of combustion products of swamps on the human body
It is very important to realize how the results of the combustion of peat and forest fires affect the human body. Large grains of soot, which emit burning peat bogs, are quite easy to overcome with a medical bandage. It will save the lungs and bronchi.
To prevent perspiration of the larynx, it will be enough to rinse it with a light alkaline mixture (for example, 5% soda solution), do wet cleaning of the room or take a hygienic shower.
Gauze mask is not the best protection
Much harder to resist carbon compounds and other associated gases. You need to know that a medical or cotton-gauze bandage does not save from this, but, on the contrary, worsens a person’s condition, as it causes resistance to breathing and reduces gas exchange in the lungs.
In this regard, a person must independently choose for himself the course of action when burning peat bogs occur. How long should you stay in public transport, outdoors, indoors, and how long should you wear a mask? The main criterion here is the state of the body (he althy or sick, elderly oryoung) and well-being (headaches, loss of strength, weakness).
To date, data on the negative impact of smoke (smog) on the human body and the formation of chronic ailments have not been published. One can only hear some stories about the deterioration of general he alth as a result of the summer heat. And the burning peat bogs are also the cause.
How to protect yourself from smoke during peat fires
There are some methods to prevent such disasters.
- If possible, leave the place of smoke for a while.
- Be outside as little as possible, especially early in the morning. During this period, the accumulation of toxic substances in the atmosphere is the largest. You should also not run in the morning.
- It is better to consume fermented milk products, alkaline and s alted water, but not sweet soda.
- It is important to take a multivitamin (if there are no contraindications).
- When burning peat bogs emit a strong smell of burning, it is advised to wear protective bandages, and curtain doors and windows with a wet cloth (gauze, sheets). In particular, this applies to the elderly and those who suffer from allergies, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic lung ailments.
- Rooms must be wet cleaned at least once a day.
- Take a shower 2-3 times a day.
- Flush throat and nose often with saline or sea water.
- In food, give preference to vegetables and fruits with the maximum amount of minerals.
- Do not drink alcohol, limit yourself to smoking. All this causes the formation of chronic and acute diseases of the respiratory system.
- If cough and shortness of breath are found, seek medical attention.
- Stay more in rooms with an air conditioner or air purifier.
- Walk in the forested area as often as possible.
Do peatlands burn in other regions or countries? This is best known to those who live in swamp areas.
