How to protect yourself against dusty weather in spring

　　Reporter Hua Ling

　　Not long ago, sand and dust weather occurred in parts of northern and northwest my country. Sand and dust weather is a disastrous weather phenomenon that easily occurs in northern my country in spring. So, why are sand and dust weather prone to occur in spring, and how should we protect ourselves?

　　According to statistics, more than 70% of sand and dust weather in my country occurs in spring (March to May), with April being the most frequent.

　　Data show that the necessary conditions for the formation of dust are dust sources, strong winds and unstable atmospheric stratification. Due to the rapid rise in temperature in spring, the sand source areas in the north begin to thaw. In addition, there is less precipitation, making it difficult to suppress sand and dust, which provides material conditions for the occurrence of sand and dust. Wu Chenglai, an associate researcher at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that during this season, cold air activity in the north is frequent and windy weather is common, which can easily blow up the soil or sand on the surface, causing sand and dust weather.

　　Sand and dust weather is coming, how should we deal with it?

　　The eyes are often the most vulnerable to injury. If dust enters the eyes and a foreign body sensation occurs, do not rub the eyes vigorously and rinse them with running water as soon as possible. If you still feel unwell or the condition is serious, you should seek medical treatment in time. If the wind and sand are too strong, it is best to wear windproof glasses when going out to avoid damage to your eyes from the wind and sand.

　　In sandy weather, the concentration of respirable particulate matter in the air increases significantly. Bacteria and viruses are adsorbed on the surface of this kind of particulate matter and can enter the human respiratory tract and alveoli, increasing the risk of respiratory diseases such as pneumonia and emphysema.

　　The air in sandy weather is dry, and the moisture on the surface of the skin is easily lost. Replenishing water, moisturizing, and proper sun protection are the primary tasks to protect the skin in sandy weather. When going out, try to avoid direct contact with sand and dust on your skin. You can use some moisturizing cream with light texture and strong penetration to keep your skin moisturized. In addition, you can also use sunscreen to prevent your skin from tanning and help your skin better resist sand and dust attacks.

　　Even if you are indoors, protective measures are essential. You can use humidifiers, sprinklers and other methods to keep the indoor air humidity appropriate. It is recommended to turn on the air purifier in places where conditions permit. (Science and Technology Daily)