Photochemical smog advisory issued for Nishinomiya City

A “Photochemical Smog Advisory” was issued at 2:15 p.m. on Monday, August 17.

※Update: It was lifted at 4:15 p.m. on Monday, August 17.

Here it is ↓↓

※Screenshot from Nishinomiya no Sora (2020/8/17)

Neighboring Ashiya City is also “under an advisory”
↓↓

※Screenshot from Hyogo Air Environment (2020/8/17)

Photochemical smog advisory status for FY2019 ↓↓

※Screenshot from Hyogo Environment (2020/8/17)

Last year, advisories were issued twice: on Friday, May 24 and Friday, August 2.

I googled photochemical smog

I searched for photochemical smog on Google.

To explain it in very simple terms, it goes like this:

1. Exhaust gas from cars and factories (nitrogen oxides)
2. The exhaust gas above is exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun
3. It turns into pollutants (called photochemical oxidants)
4. When the amount of pollutants increases, it looks like a white mist
5. That is photochemical smog

Photochemical smog is more likely to occur from April through October when:

1. The wind is weak
2. The temperature is high
3. The sunlight is strong

Let me briefly explain each one.

The wind is weak

When the wind is weak, the materials that cause photochemical smog, namely exhaust gas from cars and factories (nitrogen oxides), stay in the area. In other words, strong wind disperses them.

The temperature is high

When exhaust gas (nitrogen oxides) is exposed to ultraviolet rays, a chemical reaction occurs. It seems to become pollutants called photochemical oxidants, and higher temperatures make chemical reactions more likely.

The sunlight is strong

Ultraviolet rays are essential for producing photochemical oxidants, which are pollutants. Because “strong sunlight = a large amount of ultraviolet rays,” photochemical smog is more likely to occur.

What should you do when a photochemical smog advisory is issued?

• Avoid going outside as much as possible
• If you are outdoors, go inside and rest
• Close the windows
• Refrain from driving

That’s what is recommended.

It seems that people with bronchial asthma, infants, elderly people, and those in poor health are especially prone to developing symptoms.

Since car exhaust is one of the causes, avoiding nonessential car use seems like it would have a major effect.

What symptoms can appear?

Symptoms include stinging eyes, watery eyes, and a sore throat.
Other reported symptoms include headaches, nausea, and difficulty breathing.

The treatment guidance from the Tokyo Metropolitan Tama Kodaira Public Health Center was easy to understand.

Eye symptoms
(1) Rinse your eyes with tap water.
(2) If symptoms do not improve within 20 to 30 minutes and pain continues, see an ophthalmologist.
(3) When using eye drops, rinse your eyes with tap water first, then use eye drops that have been prescribed or recommended by an ophthalmologist in advance.

Throat symptoms
Gargle with tap water.

If rinsing your eyes or gargling does not improve your condition, or if you feel short of breath or tightness in your chest, seek medical attention.

Quoted from the treatment guidance from the Tokyo Metropolitan Tama Kodaira Public Health Center (2019/5/27)

Finally

Miyatan is also saying, “Please refrain from outdoor activities.”
The temperature is also getting extreme, so if you can stay indoors, it seems best to relax in an air-conditioned room.
If you are outside, please be very careful.