Almost no one in the world is breathing good air, according to a new World Health Organization report on air pollution, which issued a call for reducing the use of fossil fuels.
Air quality is the worst in WHO's Eastern Mediterranean and Southeast Asia regions, but 99% of the global population breathes air that exceeds air quality limits and contains disease-causing particles. Air quality is also especially poor in Africa.
"After surviving a pandemic, it is unacceptable to still have 7 million preventable deaths and countless preventable lost years of good health due to air pollution," says Dr. Maria Neira, head of WHO's Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health.
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"Yet too many investments are still being sunk into a polluted environment, rather than in clean, healthy air," Neira said in a news release from the United Nations health agency.
How air pollution affects our health
Dangerous particles in the air can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the veins and arteries, causing disease. These particulates come from transportation, power plants, agriculture, waste burning, industry and natural sources such as desert dust. If these tiny, foreign particles enter your bronchial tubes, they penetrate and inflame the lungs. This leads to respiratory diseases like COPD and asthma.
The WHO database included PM2.5, PM10 (particle matter 2.5 and 10 micrometers small) and now ground measurements of nitrogen dioxide, the latter of which is generated through the burning of fuel and is common in urban areas. WHO found the highest concentrations in the eastern Mediterranean region.
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Nitrogen dioxide exposure can contribute to asthma and cause symptoms including coughing, difficulty breathing and wheezing.
"Particulate matter, especially PM2.5, is capable of penetrating deep into the lungs and entering the bloodstream, causing cardiovascular, cerebrovascular [stroke] and respiratory impacts," according to WHO. "There is emerging evidence that particulate matter impacts other organs and causes other diseases as well."
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Curbing air pollution
Major change is needed to curb air pollution, Anumita Roychowdhury, an air pollution expert at Centre for Science and Environment, a research and advocacy organization in New Delhi, told the Associated Press. That would include a shift away from fossil fuels, massive scaling up of green energy, separating types of waste and using electric vehicles, she says.
In India, more than 60% of PM2.5 loads are from households and industries. Tanushree Ganguly, who heads the program on air quality for the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, a New Delhi think tank, cited the need for action on reducing emissions from industries, automobiles, biomass burning and domestic energy. "We need to prioritize clean energy access for households that need it the most and take active measures to clean up our industrial sector," Ganguly told the AP.
There are some steps you can take to reduce air pollution in your personal life as well:
1. Use public transportation
Taking public transportation is a way of saving money, but it is also a way to fight air pollution because it uses less gas and energy. If public transportation isn't for you, carpools work as well.
2. Turn off the lights when not in use
Turning your lights off when they aren't being used equates to less consumption of electricity and can save energy. When you are using lights, try energy-saving fluorescent lights to help the environment.
3. Recycle and Reuse
The idea of recycling has often been presented as a way to conserve resources, but it is also helpful for air pollution because it helps reduce pollution emissions. This basically means recycled products take less power to make when making other products.
4. Say no to plastic bags
Next time you're at the grocery store and you're asked "paper or plastic?" choose paper. Plastic products are harmful to the environment because they take a long time to decompose due to the material being made of oil. Paper bags on the other hand, decompose much more easily and are recyclable.
5. Quit smoking
Not only does smoking damage your health, it also causes air pollution and worsens the air quality.
6. Use of fans instead of air conditioners
On extremely hot days this might not be an option, however on days where it isn't too hot consider using a fan instead. The usage of air conditioners takes a lot of energy and emits a lot of heat, which is bad for the environment. Air conditioners also take much more power and energy to work than fans.
7. Use filters for chimneys
The gas that is emitted from fireplaces in homes and factories is extremely dangerous for air pollution because it can harm the air quality. When using your chimney, be sure to use filters. This will help reduce the effect of harmful gases absorbing in the air.
8. Avoid usage of crackers
Crackers are extremely popular during festivals, weddings, etc. However, they are also one of the biggest contributors to air pollution because they can lead to a layer of smog, which is extremely harmful to our health.
9. Avoid using of products with chemicals
If you are using products that contain chemicals or smell strongly, like paints or perfumes, try to use them outside or not at all. For many products, there are also low chemical or organic alternatives that are better for the environment.
10. Implement Afforestation
Plant and grow as many trees as possible. Trees can provide a lot of benefits to the environment and help with the release of oxygen.
