Introduction
Every breath connects us to the world, yet for 99% of people, it means inhaling polluted air. Air pollution is the leading environmental health risk today, driving climate change, economic losses, and harming ecosystems. It’s a borderless issue that threatens human and planetary health alike, affecting children, the elderly, and marginalized communities the most. Clean air is essential for healthy living and achieving sustainable development goals. By investing in clean air, we can save lives, combat climate change, and create stronger, fairer societies. This International Day of Clean Air for blue skies observed on 7 September, let's unite and take action.
What is Air Pollution?
Air pollution occurs when harmful substances, including gases, dust, and smoke, are released into the air, making it unhealthy to breathe. These pollutants originate from various sources, including industrial activities, vehicle emissions, burning of fossil fuels, agricultural practices, and even natural events like dust storms. The presence of pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and ground-level ozone (O3) poses serious health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
What Is AQI?
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool used to communicate the quality of air in a particular area in terms that are easy to understand. It transforms complex air quality data from various pollutants into a single number, color, and description that indicates the level of pollution and its potential health impacts. The AQI is categorized into six levels:
Good (0-50): Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
Satisfactory (51-100): Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants, there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Moderately Polluted (101-200): Sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.
Poor (201-300): Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
Very Poor (301-400): Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects.
Severe (401-500): Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.
The AQI provides information on eight key pollutants: PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb (lead). By knowing your AQI, you can take appropriate actions to protect your health, especially on days when pollution levels are high.
How to Know Your AQI?
To check the AQI in your area, you can use various resources, including government and private websites, mobile apps, and local news services. In India, the National Air Quality Index (NAQI) provides real-time updates on air quality across different cities. The NAQI platform displays air quality data for various pollutants and provides a clear understanding of the potential health impacts based on the AQI levels.
Sources of Air Pollution
Air pollution comes from a wide range of sources and affects us all differently. Here's a closer look at the major contributors:
Household Sources:
Indoor burning of fossil fuels, wood, and biomass for cooking, heating, and lighting is a major source of household air pollution.
This results in 3.8 million premature deaths annually, primarily in developing countries.
Solutions include adopting cleaner stoves and fuels to reduce health risks.
Industry:
Energy production, particularly from coal-burning power plants and diesel generators, significantly contributes to air pollution.
Policies promoting energy efficiency and renewable sources can directly improve air quality.
Transport:
The global transport sector accounts for almost one-quarter of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions.
Emissions from vehicles, especially diesel, are linked to nearly 400,000 premature deaths annually.
Implementing standards for cleaner fuels and vehicle emissions can greatly reduce air pollution.
Agriculture:
Livestock produce methane and ammonia, while agricultural waste burning releases harmful pollutants.
Reducing methane emissions and optimizing livestock management are key strategies for cleaner air.
Waste:
Open burning of waste and decomposition in landfills release toxic substances into the atmosphere.
Improving waste management and reducing food waste are critical steps in tackling air pollution.
Natural Sources:
Natural events like dust storms and volcanic eruptions also contribute to air pollution, posing acute and chronic respiratory risks.
Air Pollution: A Global Crisis and What We Can Do About It?
The Cost of Air Pollution
Air pollution is a significant threat not only to human health but also to planetary health. Its effects are far-reaching, impacting climate, biodiversity, and ecosystems. The economic cost of air pollution is staggering, with an estimated US$8.1 trillion lost annually—6.1% of the global GDP. The toll on human health is equally alarming: in 2021 alone, air pollution was responsible for 8.1 million deaths, with over 90% linked to non-communicable diseases. Vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and marginalized communities, bear the brunt of this burden.
Air pollution knows no boundaries, but by working together across borders and sectors, we can make significant progress. Investing in clean air can save millions of lives, combat climate change, foster fairer societies, and strengthen economies. Achieving a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, including clean air, is integral to the full enjoyment of human rights and a vital component of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Air Pollution is a a Global Crisis and we need to learn What We Can Do About It?
Health Impacts of Air Pollution
The health effects of air pollution are severe and far-reaching. Short-term exposure can lead to respiratory irritation, exacerbated allergies, asthma, and even heart attacks in people with pre-existing conditions. However, the most significant impact comes from long-term exposure, which increases the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung cancer, diabetes, and stroke. Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions are especially vulnerable.
How Does Air Pollution Affect Human Health?
Air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter known as PM2.5, poses significant health risks. PM2.5 refers to particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less—about 40 times smaller than the width of a human hair and invisible to the naked eye. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing inflammation of lung tissue, and even enter the bloodstream, affecting vital organs like the heart and brain. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution contributes to approximately 7 million premature deaths worldwide each year.
Air pollution is linked to both acute and chronic health conditions. Long-term exposure (months to years) to air pollutants is strongly associated with an increased risk of ischemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung and upper aerodigestive cancers, adverse pregnancy outcomes (such as low birth weight and pre-term births), diabetes, and cataracts. The WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified outdoor air pollution as a carcinogen.
Immediate health effects from short-term exposure (minutes to hours) include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, shortness of breath, coughing, and exacerbation of pre-existing conditions like asthma and chest pain. Factors such as age, existing health conditions, and individual sensitivity can influence how a person responds to air pollution.
Various air pollutant gases also pose serious health risks. Carbon monoxide (CO) impairs oxygen delivery to tissues and can be fatal at high concentrations. Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is a potent lung irritant, especially for individuals with respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD, and affects those near SO2 sources. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) contribute to respiratory irritation, asthma development, and increased mortality. Ozone (O3) exposure is linked to respiratory diseases and accounted for an estimated 365,000 premature deaths in 2019, according to the Global Burden of Disease (IHME).
Additionally, air pollution has been associated with various health issues that are still under study, such as asthma, cognitive decline, dementia, pregnancy loss, and infant mortality. As research advances and more health outcomes are included in global estimates, the documented disease burden from air pollution is likely to evolve.
What Can We Do?
Combatting air pollution requires a collective effort. Here’s how you can contribute:
Get Informed: Know the air quality in your area. You can use the National Air Quality Index to check real-time data.
Advocate for Change: Urge local and national governments to adopt stricter environmental standards and support policies that reduce emissions.
Make Sustainable Choices: Opt for public transportation, cycling, or walking. If buying a vehicle, consider its fuel efficiency and emissions profile.
Reduce Household Emissions: Use clean fuels and energy-efficient appliances, and avoid burning waste.
Support Renewable Energy: Choose clean energy options where available and advocate for broader access to these technologies.
What Can I Do To Improve Air Quality In My Community?
Air pollution is deeply embedded in the structures of modern society, often stemming from industrial processes, transportation, and energy production. While strong air pollution policies exist in many places, individuals might still face barriers in accessing cleaner technologies or transportation options. However, meaningful change requires collective effort, and there are impactful actions you can take to improve air quality in your community.
First, get informed about the air quality in your area and understand how it impacts your health. Use this knowledge to advocate for stronger environmental policies and hold leaders accountable for taking action against pollution. Here are some practical steps you can take to reduce your personal contribution to air pollution:
Opt for Clean Transportation: Use public transport, cycle, or walk instead of driving. If you need a car, consider purchasing a hybrid, electric, or fuel-efficient vehicle, and always check its real-world emissions.
Maintain Your Vehicle: Regularly service your car to ensure it runs efficiently and produces fewer emissions. Use low or ultra-low sulfur fuels and advanced emissions control technologies.
Adopt Clean Energy at Home: Use clean fuels and technologies for cooking, heating, and lighting. Switch to renewable energy sources like solar or wind power where possible.
Avoid Burning Waste: Stop burning household and agricultural waste, and eliminate the use of fireplaces and wood stoves to reduce harmful emissions.
Increase Energy Efficiency: Reduce your energy consumption by using energy-efficient appliances, light bulbs, and insulation. Monitor your energy use and minimize waste.
Support Policies and Incentives: Advocate for and support policies that promote clean energy, reduced emissions, and better access to sustainable technologies.
Get Involved Locally: Join or support local groups of citizen scientists who monitor air quality. Their work helps build a solid evidence base to push for stronger air quality regulations and community actions.
By taking these steps, you can make a positive impact on air quality in your community. Together, through informed choices and collective action, we can create cleaner, healthier environments for everyone.
For more information:
Conclusion
Air pollution is a pervasive problem that requires urgent action from all of us. By investing in clean air and taking steps to reduce emissions, we can improve public health, mitigate climate change, and build a more equitable world. This International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, let's commit to investing in #CleanAirNow. Together, we can breathe easier and ensure a healthier future for all.
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