Recently, due to certain conditions, especially in the summer season, a critical fire situation often arises in the zone of the central region of Russia, when swamps light up. Most of all, burning peat bogs can be observed in Moscow, as well as in other cities, which are covered by dense smoke (smog).
The benefits of swamps
Peat bogs 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 as a result of melting snow and reduce floods;
- maintain a constant level of groundwater on nearby soils, even in drought;
- present to mankind a gift of game, berries and mushrooms;
- provide shelter and food for many varieties of animals and plants.
There are separate breeds of plants that, once in a humid environment, do not decay, 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 peat bogs burning?
Swamp fires are often considered a violation of the “playing with fire” safety rules. In addition, flare-ups may occur due to excessively high temperature (over 40-45 degrees) or in the event of a lightning strike in the ground cover. Also, ground, forest and horse fires can turn into a fire of peat. Their flame passes into the depths of bog 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 enough organic remains and heat has penetrated deep into the swamp layer.
What you should know about peat fires
Smoke is the result of burning peat, which is a usual light gray and odorous combination of the products of the flare up of inseparable sources having a mixture of finely divided dense matter (their volume is from 20 to 400 microns), gases and vapors.
In this regard, when the swamps light up, a whole “bouquet” of combustion results is formed, containing not only carbon monoxide, but also mild mixtures containing part of nitrogen and oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, peat in the form of soot and other related compounds. It follows that it is necessary to protect your body from all these destructive results of combustion and stay away from places where peatlands burn.
In the process of such combustion, smoke rises up. The point of rise in the outcome of combustion is capable of varying from a distance of 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, as well as many other factors). Some argue that when burning peat bogs, it is undesirable to climb the roof of the house to save from smoke, while others consider the pollution conditions on the upper floors to be much lower, especially in the evening and at night with a light wind.
The impact of the products of combustion of swamps on the human body
It is very important to be aware of the method by which the results of the combustion of peat and forest fires affect the human body. Large grains of soot that emit burning peat bogs are quite easy to overcome with a medical dressing. She will protect the lungs and bronchi.
To prevent laryngeal perspiration, 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
It is much more difficult to resist carbon compounds and other associated gases. You need to know that a medical or cotton-gauze dressing does not save from this, but, on the contrary, worsens the condition of a person, as it causes resistance to breathing and reduces gas exchange in the lungs.
In this regard, a person must independently choose for himself the procedure for actions when burning peat bogs will take place. What period should I stay in public transport, on the street, indoors and how much time to wear a mask? The main criterion here is the state of the body (healthy or sick, old or young) and well-being (headaches, loss of strength, weakness).
To date, no data have been published on the negative effects of smoke (smog) on the human body and the formation of chronic ailments. One can only hear some stories about the deterioration of general health as a result of summer heat. And burning peatlands are also the reason.
How to protect yourself from smoke during peat fires
There are some methods to protect against such disasters.
- If possible, leave a place of smoke for a while.
- As little as possible to be in the air, 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 use fermented milk products, alkaline and salted water, but not sweet carbonated.
- It is important to take multivitamins (if there are no contraindications).
- When burning peatbogs strongly emit a burning smell, it is advised to wear protective dressings, and to blind the doors and windows with a wet cloth (gauze, sheet). In particular, this applies to the elderly and those who suffer from allergies, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic lung ailments.
- In rooms it is necessary to make wet cleaning at least once a day.
- Take a shower 2-3 times a day.
- More often, rinse the throat and nose with saline or sea water.
- In food, preference is given 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 severe diseases of the respiratory system.
- If cough and shortness of breath are found, you should consult a doctor.
- It is more to be in rooms where the air conditioner or an air purifier works.
- As often as possible to walk in the forested area.
Are peatlands burning in other regions or countries? This is best known to those residents who live in areas where there are swamps.