Yet another reason NOT to visit Iceland in early spring

[dropcap style=”one” color=”grey” text=”R” /]emember all those dreadful stories coming out of certain parts of China a few weeks ago about tremendous pollution threatening everyone foolish enough to venture outside?

What if we were to tell you around this time of year the air pollution in Reykjavik Iceland can at times get as bad as in China. Would you believe us and not all those fancy colorful tourist brochures telling you of clear skies and smiling people?

Yup indeed. Pollution is a serious problem in places and certainly in Reykjavik although nobody is really very sure about other places since we only take measurements at one or two places in the whole of Iceland. For all we know the situation is even worse elsewhere.

We are not trying to scare you but only point out the stupidity of traveling to Iceland in wintertime. There is nothing we have here you cannot have elsewhere and cheaper in wintertime. But in summertime we have the most fascinating landscape on the planet on show.

But back to the pollution. This time of year is usually especially bad and outdoor smog is clearly visible. Smog naturally is not very healthy and large doses of PM 2,5 (Particulate Matter) can have serious effects on your health as the American EPA addresses here:

[styledbox type=”warning” align=”center”]This is why particles smaller than 10 microns are often called “inhaleable particulates” and are regulated by the USEPA. Particles that are smaller than 5 microns can get into the bronchial tubes and the top of the lungs. Particles smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter can get into the deepest portion of the lungs where the gas exchange occurs between the air and blood stream. These are the dangerous particles because the body has no efficient mechanisms for removing them. New studies have shown that there is an 18% increase in deaths from heart disease among people with long term exposure to particulate matter.[/styledbox]

So, without further ado let us view a part of one of the very worst days lately, March 21st. Take a look at some PM 2,5 stats from official measurements. Then throw those illusions about the magnificent purity of Iceland out your window.