#HEALTH: Haze's impact on respiratory health

EVERY year, like clockwork, we look outside to a familiar, dreary grey horizon. The seasonal haze returns.

While we often talk about the visual pollution or the unpleasant smell, the main concern is what happens the moment you take a breath.We are essentially forced to inhale a cocktail of microscopic irritants.

Under normal conditions, our nasal passages warm, humidify and trap dust or microbes using a thin layer of mucus and microscopic hair-like structures called cilia, explains Alpro Clinic family doctor Dr Kam San Dhit.

However, haze contains fine particulate matter — specifically PM2.5 (particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers, roughly 30 times smaller than a single human hair) and because these particles are so tiny, they easily bypass the coarse nose hairs meant to trap larger dust.
In the nasal passage, larger soot and ash particles settle on the sensitive lining of your nose (nasal mucosa).

"This triggers localised inflammation, drying out the tissue, causing swelling, congestion, a burning sensation or a constant runny nose," he says.

Meanwhile, deep in the lungs, PM2.5 particles travel past the throat, straight into the small airways (bronchioles) and air sacs (alveoli). This irritates the lung lining, causing chest tightness, coughing or airway spasms.

Extremely tiny ultrafine particles can also cross from the lung sacs directly into your blood vessels, triggering systemic inflammation throughout the body.

While healthy adults experience eye irritation, dry throats and blocked noses during the haze season, certain groups face much higher risks, says Dr Kam.

This is especially true for children, the elderly, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and those who work outdoors.

While staying indoors with air purifiers running is ideal, total isolation isn't always possible.

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PROTECT YOURSELF

Along with wearing proper N95 masks outdoors and staying hydrated, daily nasal hygiene is a simple, effective habit to protect your nasal lining.

Dr Kam says using an isotonic saline nasal spray or wash helps physically flush out trapped soot, ash and mucus while restoring moisture to dry, irritated tissue.

"For mild dryness, ticklish throats or general dust exposure, daily saline care and remaining indoors are usually sufficient. However, self-care has its limits," he warns.

If you experience signs such as persistent fever or severe, localised facial pain and pressure (which may indicate a secondary bacterial sinus infection), recurrent or heavy nosebleeds or persistent shortness of breath, it's important to seek medical help.

Similarly, patients with wheezing, or chest tightness, those coughing up thick, discoloured phlegm or individuals with symptoms that progressively worsen despite home care, need to seek a medical assessment.

Vulnerable Groups Most At Risk

Asthma and COPD patients

Fine particles act as a direct trigger, swelling the airways and causing acute flare-ups.

Patients with allergic rhinitis or sinus issues

Pre-existing nasal inflammation makes the nasal lining hyper-reactive to haze irritants.

Young children

Their lungs are still developing and they breathe more air per kilogramme of body weight compared with adults.

Elderly

Reduced lung capacity and underlying cardiovascular conditions make them vulnerable to stress caused by poor air quality.

Outdoor workers

Prolonged exposure leads to a higher cumulative load of trapped pollutants in the respiratory tract.