Many city dwellers are familiar with the haze of air pollution. Beyond the skyline, this pollution has a serious effect on your health, particularly your lungs.
Air quality and its impact on respiratory health have gained a growing spotlight, especially in South Africa. Recent research by the Clear Air Fund shows that nearly 100% of our population breathe air that exceeds the World Health Organisation’s guideline levels for pollution. If you've been coughing more than usual, struggling with chest congestion, or feeling like you constantly need to clear your throat, the air you're breathing may be to blame.
To help you manage the effects of pollution on your health, we have broken down everything you need to know about air quality and how to manage its impact on your lungs.
According to NASA, air quality is a measure of the cleanliness of the air around us. When the air is filled with pollutants such as smoke, dust, pollen, chemicals, or vehicle emissions, it becomes harmful to breathe in.
In South Africa, air quality is the second biggest health threat. While the government has made moves to address the problem, there is still plenty of work to be done.
The effects of air pollution on human health are most noticeable in the lungs. When you inhale polluted air, your body goes into defence mode. Polluted air can reduce lung function, trigger inflammation and mucus production, and worsen chronic conditions such as asthma or allergies. This makes it harder for us to breathe and can cause a cough and congestion.
Over time, continued exposure to poor air quality can increase the risk of chronic respiratory illnesses like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cause infection, and even result in long-term lung damage.
While you can’t control the air outside, there are ways to reduce the impact of poor air quality on your lungs and manage the symptoms it causes:
Resources like IQAir provide up-to-date reports on the air quality in each city. If you are concerned, keeping tabs on air quality in your area and staying indoors on days when pollution levels are high can help.
Investing in an air purifier for your home can help keep indoor air clear of harmful particles, including everything from pets’ hair to germs and bacteria. Air purifiers can be especially helpful for people who suffer from respiratory issues, helping keep the air clean and fresh.
Your nose is your body’s natural filter, helping to remove particles from the air before they reach deeper into your airways. Although your nose does a good job of stopping these particles, trapping them in mucus and hair, it does require some TLC of its own. Using a saline nasal wash can help clear out trapped particles and even help soothe any inflammation, keeping your nose clean able to do its job.
Exposure to air pollution can cause a cough triggered by irritation and excess mucus. Choosing a cough medication that gets to the root of the cause rather than just suppressing the symptoms is key to keeping your lungs in working order.
Choose a cough solution that addresses the cause. The Prospan range helps to clear mucus and reduce inflammation, providing effective relief for the whole family. By helping the body clear mucus, Prospan helps to remove harmful particles as well as open airways and relieve the cough. Its anti-inflammatory properties also help to open your airways and combat the negative effects of air pollution on your health. The Prospan range includes products suitable for every age, from birth through adulthood, making it an ideal solution for families dealing with pollution-related coughs.
The air we breathe plays a significant role in how well our lungs function. From triggering inflammation to causing excess mucus and a cough, poor air quality puts extra strain on our bodies. While we can’t change the air outside, we can take small but meaningful steps to protect our lungs. Staying informed, supporting your body’s natural defences, and choosing treatments that do more than mask symptoms can all make a difference. Whether it’s using a nasal rinse, using an air purifier, or turning to a trusted product like Prospan to help manage mucus and inflammation, take charge of your lung health today.
