The industrial development of cities in many countries entails both pleasant and dire consequences. One of the latter is air pollution. According to statistics from the World Health Organization in 2014, 92% of the world's population lived in regions with high levels of pollution. In addition, car exhaust also contributes to the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system, respiratory tract and cancer. How to make the air we breathe cleaner, what methods of protection against dust and dirt exist today and what is a nasal filter - we will talk in this article.

The nasal filter is of several types, has different manufacturers, its own subtleties of use, pros and cons. Let's take a closer look at everything.

Nose filters

Nasal filters, also known as invisible respirators, are a compact design that fits into the nasal passages to purify inhaled air. It fits in and out easily. The protection is not visible to prying eyes, and after a short period of time you yourself will no longer feel it - you just need to get used to the new sensations a little.

What does a nasal filter do? Thanks to it, the air is purified from the most harmful harmful particles that we could breathe. Namely:

• from substances contained in industrial and household dust;
• from substances that are formed from;
• from allergens: pollen, mold and fungus, animal saliva, etc.;
• from pathogenic microorganisms that develop diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract.

The main manufacturers of invisible respirators are Japan and England.

A distinctive feature of British filters is the ability to replace the filter material.

There are also Italian brands. Their models are available in sizes “S”, “L”, “M”. A feature of these filters is the presence of a special biogel for better use.

Now let's look at the design of the nose protection. It consists of a body or an external retainer in the form of soft rubber, an internal dome-shaped retainer in the form of the same soft rubber, the filter itself is a spunbond non-woven material (retains microparticles less than 10 micrometers) or a cellulose microsponge - and a polypropylene jumper for a comfortable grip.

Application

How do you know that you need protection? The use of invisible respirators is widespread during periods of:

• , including for preventive purposes;
• travel and change of climatic conditions;
• allergies to dust, dirt, pollen and other irritants.

Therefore, if you live in a city with a high level of air pollution, if you medical worker(as a replacement for gauze masks), if you work in a factory: in a workshop or in a dusty area, or often suffer from respiratory diseases - the nasal filter will become your invaluable assistant.

Their wide range of and the variety will allow you to choose a model for any age: from kids 4-5 years old to the elderly. And this issue should be approached carefully, since a mistake with a choice can be expensive:

• nosebleeds may occur;
• the nasal septum may bend;
• nasal polyps or polyps may occur.
• To avoid these problems, you should choose your size accurately.

It must be remembered that constructions, when used “wet”, will grow by about a millimeter.

Each of the packages contains three filters. On average, one such protection is enough for 7-10 days. This means that the packaging will last a little less than a month, although if you use the filters periodically, and not constantly, you can increase the service life.

Start with what you rarely do in the first place - read the instructions. All the most basic is stated in it. If you have not purchased filters yet and are still in doubt, we will tell you how to use an invisible respirator.

First, carefully remove one pair from the packaging. If this is a design for use during a cold, it should be slightly moistened with water and only then installed in the nasal passages.

Insert the filter so that the bridge touches the lower part of the nose, does not dangle or move from side to side.
Then inhale several times to ensure proper contact of the inner wall of the filter with the nasal cavity. Respirators for use without a runny nose are worn up to 12 hours without removing. For use with a cold, rinsing is required, you can do this once an hour.
After the expiration of the time of use, the filters are removed, washed well, dried at normal temperature in a room away from batteries and sources of increased heat. Average drying time is 4-6 hours.

Application features

Burning, tickling, or an unpleasant sensation associated with the introduction of a foreign body into the nose is common on first use. The average habituation time is from half an hour to three hours. As a rule, then a person simply forgets about filters.

Adults must ensure installation of the structure for children up to 12 years old.

It is not necessary to use invisible respirators all the time - it is possible to use them immediately before contact with an allergen: before traveling, cycling or just walking, communicating with animals and in other cases.

Now let's talk about the pros and cons that many of us consider before purchasing nasal filters.

The advantages include the following indicators:

• in fact, the purification of the inhaled air;
• its complete penetration into the lungs, no cough;
• anatomically correct shape and comfortable design;
• does not affect appearance, expression of emotions and food intake;
• consists of hypoallergenic and high quality materials;
• wide range of;
• use by children from 4 years old and pregnant women;
• the need for medication for allergies is reduced.

And now the disadvantages:

• possible burning or perspiration in the nose;
• nosebleeds due to incorrect filter selection or incorrect installation;
• curvature of the septum.

To completely protect yourself from such symptoms of incorrect use, consult with an otorhinolaryngologist before buying.

Good news for those who bought filters, but have not yet been able to use them: in a closed, unpacked form, filters do not lose their properties for a very long time.

Unfortunately, as the reviews of Russian consumers show, nasal filters are not suitable for everyone. So, many people began to irritate the mucous membrane when using protection for a dry nose. Sometimes even the largest invisible respirators did not completely cover the nasal passages, and allergens entered through the gaps. Thus, as users write, “nasal filters are not a panacea for allergies,” and they suggest using protection only in conjunction with medications.

From an aesthetic point of view, not everything is so rosy either. The septum itself is quite thick, and even a small part of it under the nose is noticeable. In addition, when the protection is installed in the nasal passages, the upper part of the nose becomes larger due to the expansion of these very passages. Many women are repelled from buying by this very fact.

And, perhaps, the main drawback of the filters was shortness of breath. It became harder for people to breathe, yawning began to appear much more often, headaches and wanted to sleep. All this while using dry nose filters.

In addition to carefully choosing your size and type of invisible respirators, you must understand that the first purchase is just a sample of them, as a possible protection against allergies and harmful substances in the air. But it is not at all necessary that you get rid of the problems with dirty air once and for all. There are also other solutions.

You don't need to do statistics to understand that we spend most of our life at home. If you live in an area with poor air, you can protect yourself with nasal filters. But, unfortunately, you will not be able to wear them all the time: for example, while sleeping. In addition, they may not suit you as a solution. This means that the protection of your respiratory tract will not be permanent.

Therefore, if you cannot influence the air outside the window in any way, then you can definitely influence the air in your house. A breather will help you quickly and reliably get rid of dust and allergens.

The breather is compact, providing heating and air purification. It can be easily controlled from a smartphone. You will not hear a single noise, the rooms will be fresh, there will be no unpleasant odors and your lungs will be clean.

Thus, the best solution to the problem of dirty air will be to use a breather at home, and outdoors - filters for the nose or other protection. So you will save money and maintain your health at the proper level, be able to visit nature more often, forget about allergies, increase the service life of invisible respirators by using only in outdoor conditions.

Respiratory protection respirators

Respirators are another type of protection against polluted air. Created for the first time in the 16th century in the form of cloth soaked in water and rolled up in several layers, respirators have gone a long way of modifications and now represent a reliable means of protection against dust, dirt, toxic aerosols, smoke and gases.

Basic principle of work

The essence of a respirator is to isolate the respiratory tract from contact with a contaminated environment. The device delivers either clean or purified air to the lungs. And the air that we exhale is either released into the atmosphere by the respirator or taken away for further processing.

According to the classification, respirators are divided into household, medical and industrial. There are also isolating and filtering ones. We are interested in household items.

The respirator design is quite simple:

• the front part in the form of a mask itself or a half mask (outer part);
• filter element, usually a carbon filter (inner part);
• exhalation valves (if any) and inhalation valves;
• straps for fastening.

Half mask and mask differ in that the first one covers only the lower part of the face, the second one covers the whole face.

The charcoal filter offers a greater degree of protection because charcoal is an excellent purifier and takes up up to 95% of all air pollutants. The exhalation valve is used when it is difficult for a person to breathe in a respirator. It makes breathing easier, but reduces protection due to the possible penetration of contaminated air inside in case of a malfunction or poor quality of the valve itself.

The disadvantages include a weak degree of protection in highly polluted air. However, even in many industries they use them, and not gas masks, for example.

Taking care of your skin in summer is completely different from taking care of it in winter. In the summer, we are faced with many factors that are not the best way act on the epidermis, it loses moisture, dries up, sweats, easily absorbs dirt. The skin has to undergo enormous stress, which makes it lifeless and weakened. This includes ultraviolet light, wind, heat, sea salt, indoor air conditioners and much more.

Summer troubles

Due to the sun's rays, skin cells age faster, wrinkles appear, especially in the corners of the eyes (from the fact that we constantly wrinkle in the sun). The skin often becomes wet in summer, but this “moisture”, alas, is just a hoax. In the epidermis, the function of the sebaceous glands is activated, due to which the skin becomes coarser, thicker, thus protecting itself from the sun. Fighting this fat can lead to dehydration.

So, the three ingredients that our skin needs in summer are cleansing, protection and, of course, care.

Cleansing

In summer, the air is not only humid and warm, but also very dusty, so bacteria multiply at lightning speed, the sebaceous glands function in an enhanced mode, the pores become clogged. In general, this is an ideal habitat for different kinds inflammation, acne and acne. Therefore, a thorough cleansing is necessary, not only before going to bed in the evening, but also after coming from the street. The main thing is that it should not be too hard, because the skin is already exposed to excessive stress.

How to wash your skin?

It is best to use products that are free of alkali and soap. They perfectly remove dirt, but at the same time are gentle, various mousses, foams, cosmetic milk.

In no case is it recommended to wash your face with cold running water and soap, this further dehydrates the cells of the epidermis. But it is not forbidden to use a peeling scrub, on the contrary, it is even useful, but, remember, everything should be in moderation.

A night cream should also be nutritious. An excellent option is a remedy with vitamins C and E, antioxidants and active moisturizers. Cosmetologists advise against using "winter" creams in summer, as they are more oily and will clog pores, resulting in excessive sweating of the face.

The real salvation are moisturizing masks, which are best used twice a week. The choice of masks in the summer is huge - both store-bought and home-made from fruits and vegetables.

In the morning it is useful to carry out the toning procedure - rubbing with ice (you can freeze decoctions of herbs), which smoothes fine wrinkles and gives the face a fresh, healthy look.

How to protect your face from the sun and summer dust?

There is such a term as photoaging. In summer, this enemy is especially dangerous, since it lies in wait for us not only on the beach, but also just on the street. How to deal with this foe?

First of all, do not neglect special creams that protect the skin from ultraviolet rays. Secondly, ordinary sunglasses will come to the rescue, which will save your eyes from wrinkles and " crow's feet". But about creams with fruit acids better to forget, as they increase the sensitivity of the epidermis to the sun.

Dust and dirt are constant companions of city life. To protect your skin from various types of contamination, it is recommended to use day cream and powder that will fill the pores and prevent dust from getting there. In summer, it is better to take a loose powder or mineral powder, which does not weigh down the makeup and is also easier to apply.

What kind unfavorable factors can affect the skin of workers' hands?

How to reduce this impact?

How to select, provide and use protective equipment?

At many enterprises, the human body is affected by various unfavorable professional factors:

• chemical- difficult to remove contaminants, irritating substances (solutions of acids, alkalis, salts of heavy metals, organic acids, organic solvents), photostimulating and photosensitizing substances (pitch, tar, asphalt, roofing oil, creosote, phenothiazine drugs, sulfonamides, etc.), sensitizing substances (allergens: compounds of chromium, nickel, cobalt, resins, rubber components, formaldehyde, etc.), carcinogens, etc.;
• physical(high and low temperature, ultraviolet radiation);
• bacteriological(viruses, bacteria, fungi) when working with bacterially hazardous environments, finding a workplace far from stationary sanitary facilities, when working in closed special shoes;
• biological(arthropod bites) when working outdoors in the warm season (during the period of activity of blood-sucking and stinging insects and arachnids).

The result of this impact is occupational diseases. Not the last place among them is occupied by skin diseases, therefore it is so important to eliminate direct contact with industrial irritants.

How can you protect your hand skin from adverse factors?

Gloves are used to protect hands when working with irritating skin or toxic substances and materials. Their range is very large and they perfectly perform the function of protecting the skin of the hands, but the constant use of gloves has a number of disadvantages: the sensitivity of the hands worsens, air exchange decreases, which results in increased sweating.

Also, gloves can be incompatible with the peculiarities of the production process, moreover, gloves themselves often cause contact dermatitis, that is, they are more of a hindrance than protection and help.

In addition to gloves, there are special protective creams. The cream is a kind of "liquid gloves", the main thing is not to forget to resort to its help. These "gloves" are "put on" on the hands before starting work. The use of a protective cream avoids chemical and sometimes mechanical damage to the hands. The cream is applied to the skin before starting work, creating a barrier to hazardous substances that penetrate the skin, and facilitating the subsequent cleaning of the hands, protecting the skin from the negative effects of the working environment.

After finishing any work involving any contamination, it is very important to remove it from the skin as soon as possible. It is advisable to first wash off the dust particles under running water without rubbing them into the skin, and only then use soap or a special washing agent.

Soap should not contain concentrated alkalis, as they dry the skin, cause flaking, and lead to cracking. Do not use laundry soap. Soaps should be fatty, slightly alkaline.

When washing heavily soiled leather, do not use products such as sand, clay, sawdust, as they scratch the skin. Do not use kerosene, gasoline and other organic solvents, cutting fluids used in metalworking shops, as well as bleach, soda ash. They strongly degrease, loosen the skin, and contribute to the appearance of cracks. Under their influence, the skin loses its protective properties, conditions are created for the penetration of microbes into it.

Special hand pastes with abrasive agents wash well the dirt, which perfectly cleanse the skin of the hands from strong persistent dirt, are well tolerated by the skin, do not cause irritation, maintain the natural protective barrier of the skin, prevent the penetration of fungal infections, and are easily washed off.

After washing, wipe the skin thoroughly and dry with a clean individual towel, especially when leaving the premises to the street. Wet skin is strongly cooled under the influence of the wind, becomes dry, wrinkled, and small cracks form on it. In addition, when washing, the skin loses fat, and with it vitamins and other biologically active substances, therefore, after washing, the face, neck and hands should be lubricated with a thin layer of a fatty nutritious or fortified cream.

Fortified creams have anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects, they not only soften the skin, but also restore its elasticity.

It is to ensure comprehensive hand skin care, to reduce the adverse effects of harmful and hazardous production factors on workers, to prevent occupational skin diseases by Order of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of Russia dated December 17, 2010 No. 1122n (as amended on February 20, 2014; hereinafter - Order No. 1122n), the Standard norms for the free issuance of flushing and (or) neutralizing agents to employees and the labor safety standard "Provision of employees with flushing and (or) neutralizing agents".

Dermatological personal protective equipment (hereinafter referred to as DSIZ), intended for application to human skin for its protection, cleaning and restoration in order to reduce the impact of harmful and hazardous factors in industrial production, is understood as washing and neutralizing agents.

Prevention of professional skin diseases at the enterprise is provided by a set of measures for the care of the skin of workers:

1) skin protection;

2) cleansing the skin;

3) skin restoration.

Stage I. Skin protection

You can protect the skin from negative effects with the help of special protective creams, which are applied before starting work. The cream forms on the skin breathable protective layer, significantly reducing the penetrating ability of hazardous industrial substances.

To ensure the maximum level of protection, it is important to choose the correct type of protective equipment (Table 1).

Table 1

Choosing a protective agent

Stage II. Skin cleansing

Skin cleansing should be done before lunchtime and after the end of the work shift.

Cleansing includes removing industrial stains as well as protective creams. For this, soap, special cleansing pastes, and hand cleaning products with and without water are used.

O. Antonovich, head of the labor protection service of the Novosibirsk metro

How wonderful that summer is coming! Unfortunately, the summer season has an impact on hair and skin. After all, it is in the summer that ultraviolet rays heat air and dust adversely affect the condition of the skin and hair. Therefore, they need special care.

What does the skin need in summer

In the hot season, the air is more humid, warmer and dusty. This leads to the fact that the pores on the skin close, the sebaceous glands work more intensively and bacteria begin to multiply actively. The result on the face is inflammation, rashes, acne.

To avoid all this, it is necessary to carefully and thoroughly cleanse the skin, protect it and care for it. Here are some helpful guidelines:

1. For cleansing, choose products that are free from lye and soap. Cosmetic milk is ideal for this;
2. Even in the most incredible heat, avoid washing with cold water. Better if she has room temperature;
3. Continue to use the scrub, but less often than before, and make your movements less intense;
4. After cleansing and before applying the cream, moisturize your face thermal water... To moisturize, also do face masks at least 2 times a week and choose a cream with UV protection;
5. In the morning, wipe your face with ice from a herbal decoction and do not wipe it;
6. Wear sunglasses to protect the delicate skin around your eyes and prevent the premature appearance of expression lines;
7. Use powder after applying the cream - it will not allow dust to penetrate the pores and cause irritation;
8. Never rub a sweaty face with your hands. First, blot it with a dry cloth, and then rinse with mineral water.

Let's talk about hair

Summer time is a serious stress for hair. And the sun and dust are to blame. Ultraviolet rays dry out the hair and take away its natural defenses. Therefore, at the height of summer, they look dry, dull and become brittle. Many people underestimate the warm summer wind. Only its temperature itself is similar to the air of a hot hair dryer. And if we talk about dust and dirt particles, then one can only imagine the deplorable state of the hair during this period. That is why you need to protect one of the main female dignity and take care of it.

1. Change everything cosmetics for hair care for those that contain special products that protect them from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation;
2. Wear hats even if the sky is cloudy. Thus, you will save your hair from dehydration;
3. Wash your hair more often than usual, but only with suitable products, so as not to harm your hair and not interfere with the protective functions of the skin. Always wash your hair after swimming in the sea, because salt particles are very harmful to hair;
4. Use products that contain protein - it will moisturize the hair and the process of combing and styling will become easier;
5. Use styling products as little as possible. They do not let the hair "breathe" and literally attract dust;
6. If possible, then refuse to use a hairdryer in favor of natural drying;
7. Seize the moment - pamper your hair natural masks from fruits and vegetables.

Yes, summer time is wonderful. But you need to take into account a number of features of how it affects the skin and hair and make adjustments to the usual care of them in time. And then you will remember the summer with a smile on your face!