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CLEAN, HEALTHY AIR IS A BASIC NECESSITY IN LIFE. THAT SAID, THE REALITY IS THAT MANY OF US ARE NOT ABLE TO ACCESS THIS KIND OF AIR DAY IN AND DAY OUT. DATA FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO) SHOWS THAT NINE OUT OF EVERY TEN PEOPLE BREATHE AIR THAT IS INHERENTLY POLLUTED. BUT HOW CONCERNED SHOULD WE BE ABOUT AIR POLLUTION, BOTH ON THE INDIVIDUAL SCALE AND AS A SOCIETY?
The term ‘air pollution’ refers to a variety of hazardous solid and liquid substances that are capable of being suspended in the air for an extended time. Commonly, these substances mix together and form what we know as smog.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) actually notes six primary air pollutants – ozone, lead, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and particulate matter – the amounts of which affect the grading of how healthy the air in a region is, in accordance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Similarly, the New South Wales government in Australia has specific levels of concentration of these different pollutants over a fixed period to determine whether the local air is particularly unhealthy on a given day.
70% OF THE WORLD’S AIR POLLUTION IS, ACCORDING TO THE WHO, A DIRECT RESULT OF MOTOR VEHICLE EMISSIONS.
Undeniably, the causes of air pollution consist of both natural and manmade events. From time to time, toxic gases like methane are emitted from matter that has undergone decomposition in the soil. Ash and gases released from major volcanic eruptions make significant contributions, as does smoke from forest fires during the summer. However, it must be noted that up to 70% of the world’s air pollution is, according to the WHO, a direct result of motor vehicle emissions.
There is a reason why traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is a concerning global issue. Not only is it the most prevalent and recognizable form of manmade air pollution, but it’s the kind of pollution that carries a collection of all six primary substances that are detrimental to the environment, including carbons, sulfur and nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter. But apart from vehicle emissions, other notable origins of much of today’s air pollution include by-products of manufacturing works, power generated by coal-fueled plants, fumes from chemical production, as well as natural gas and oils used to heat up homes.
PM 2.5 POSES THE BIGGEST PROBLEM TO OUR HEALTH, AS THESE PARTICLES ARE SMALL ENOUGH TO EVADE THE NATURAL DEFENCES OF ONE’S BODY AND TRAVEL DEEP INTO THE LUNGS.
Regardless of its form or the actual pollutant it carries, air pollution is always hazardous to any person’s health regardless of age, background or lifestyle. Nevertheless, special attention must be paid to particulate matter (PM) that measures less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter, which is officially referred to as PM 2.5.
There are major differences between PM 2.5 and PM 10 (particles measuring between 2.5 and 10 micrometers in diameter). PM 10 particles such as dust and ash, when inhaled, tend to affect just the upper respiratory tract, as the human body’s defence mechanisms normally are well-equipped to detect them and clear them out. One good example of this is when one is coughing up phlegm or blowing their nose while being around a campfire for some time. If dark-coloured mucus is released, it signals the respiratory system doing what it’s supposed to do.
The bigger problem lies with PM 2.5 as unfortunately, these particles are small enough to evade the natural defences of one’s body and travel deep into the lungs, making their way into the air sacs. And since these air sacs are the points where oxygen is delivered into the bloodstream, the intake of PM 2.5 can lead to different cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, moderate or severe. That is why governing bodies of many major cities and regions issue warnings on air pollution on certain days based on PM 2.5 concentration.
How one is impacted by PM 2.5 depends on several factors such as the duration of exposure, their current health status and also, the actual amount of concentration of PM 2.5. If one is generally healthy and fortunate enough to have only been exposed for a short time, they can experience mild ailments such as coughing, chest tightness or irritation of the eyes and nose. However, in worse cases, one can be subject to any of the following serious conditions:
Respiratory (Lungs):
• Constant shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing
• Viral infection due to suppressed macrophages
• Chronic bronchitis or obstructive lung disease
• Asthma
• Emphysema
• Premature death in those with existing respiratory problems
Cardiovascular (Heart):
• Irregular heartbeats
• Strokes
• Heart attacks and arrhythmias, especially in those with heart disease
• Premature death in those living with heart ailments that are manageable
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explain that certain cohorts of people are most vulnerable to serious illness from being exposed to PM 2.5 and air pollution:
• Pregnant women, as breathing in PM 2.5 while pregnant heightens risks of complications, and the child is at greater risk of developing severe asthma
• Individuals living with manageable respiratory conditions, such as asthma and emphysema
• Individuals living with Type 2 diabetes
• Adults aged over 65
• Young children
Children notably are among the most susceptible to long-term respiratory problems following exposure to considerable amounts of air pollution, due to their lungs not being fully developed and overall smaller lung capacity. Here are some of the findings of researchers from the Children’s Health Study, based at the University of Southern California:
• Higher air pollution levels increase the likelihood of children experiencing short-term respiratory infections, leading to more school absences.
• Children who live in homes located near busy roads, as well as children who actively engage in outdoor sports in high-ozone communities are at greater risk of developing asthma.
• Asthmatic children who are exposed to high levels of air pollutants are more likely to develop symptoms of bronchitis later on.
Given the high urbanisation and industrialisation of countries across all continents, both in the developing and developed world, this statistic is likely to increase unless significant action is taken in terms of scaling down pollutant-heavy practices.
In the U.S. for instance, fire hazards have become an ever-growing problem in recent years. Certain areas already suffer from increasingly dry conditions, which signify the ongoing impact of global warming, but the chances of major fires continue to be aided by greater development in regions abutting wildlands, as well as aging or deteriorating electrical infrastructure. In fact, it has been revealed that broken power lines caused the deadly Camp Fire in the state of California in 2018.
Furthermore, towards the end of 2019, the city of New Delhi in India reached skyrocketing levels of air pollution to the point where authorities had to declare a public health emergency. Schools had to be closed for a number of days and due to dangerously low visibility, hundreds of flights heading into and out of the city were either delayed or cancelled. Millions of face masks were also arranged for distribution to the residents.
The capital city of Beijing, China took measures to improve air quality in the past few years. Back in 2013, it recorded PM 2.5 concentrations that fell within a range of 700 to 900 µg/m3, which was comparable to what New Delhi experienced in the height of their public health emergency. Now, Beijing records much lower levels of pollution even though based on metrics, particulate pollution does fluctuate between ‘moderate’ and ‘healthy’.
THE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1970 HAS REQUIRED PEOPLE TO CLEAN UP THE AIR OVER THE UNITED STATES BUT MANY POLLUTANTS ARE STILL BEING RELEASED AND SOME SUBSTANCES HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE POLLUTANTS THAT WERE NOT KNOWN TO BE POLLUTANTS IN THE PAST. THERE IS STILL MUCH WORK TO BE DONE TO CONTINUE TO CLEAN UP THE AIR.
Some countries have recognised the importance of going green and reducing their carbon footprint to combat air pollution. In the U.S., government partnerships with the EPA have been set up across different states, in accordance with the Clean Air Act initiative. When it comes to common air pollutants, the EPA is required by law to establish health-based national air quality standards, which are intended to provide protection with an “adequate margin of safety”. Each state is responsible for developing its own implementation plans to meet those standards. In California, for example, local air pollution districts work together with state authorities to draft air quality plans.
Meanwhile, there is extensive research by the U.K. Government proving that the quickest and most cost-effective strategy for cutting down pollution in urban areas – especially levels of nitrogen dioxide – is by eliminating vehicles responsible for those pollutants from the city and town centres. The government also calls for certain policies to be considered by officials in all major cities and densely populated areas, such as (1) retrofitting buses, black cabs and vehicles transporting heavy goods, (2) clearly labelling pollution levels on new cars, with drivers being trained to drive more cleanly, and (3) placing investment in wind, solar and hydropower energy for production and manufacturing.
In an effort to do your part in reducing air pollution as well as your carbon footprint, it’s best to stick to these practical tips, as mentioned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
1. Minimise the amount of electricity you use at home, at work and anywhere else.
2. Opt to leave your car whenever you can travel to nearby locations by foot or by bicycle.
3. Whenever you use your car, be sure not to idle it. Turn off the engine if you’re waiting for a passenger for some time or speaking to someone on the phone.
4. Arrange for carpooling to work with colleagues who live in the same area.
5. Always follow gasoline refuelling instructions to enable efficient vapor recovery, with extra precautions taken to avoid spilling any gasoline and tighten the gas cap properly.
6. Periodically check the engines of your car, boat, motorcycle or other machines and ensure they are properly tuned.
7. If you plan to buy a new home appliance or office equipment, do refer to the Energy Star label and factor that into your decision. Ideally, you want something with a high rating, as that means it’s more environmentally friendly.
8. Use filters for chimneys. Remember that smoke emitted from a fireplace inside the home can severely impact the overall air quality. Filters should be utilised if the use of fire cannot be reduced, as it lessens the amount of harmful gas mixing with the air.
You want to be selective with the time and place to do outdoor exercise like running or cycling. Ideally, do this early in the morning and avoid taking main roads in your route, as there is likely more air pollution wherever and whenever it is busier. Avoid rush hour as much as possible.
During days when high levels of PM 2.5 are forecasted (your local broadcast station or local government website would make these announcements), try not to use the fireplace and wood stove, as well any gas-powered equipment for your garden or backyard. Also, to drastically improve air quality inside the home, it makes sense to buy portable air purifiers or air cleaners designed for reducing indoor particulate matter, as long as these are of the right size for each room.
Finally, protect yourself and your loved ones while you’re outside and the air isn’t clean by wearing fitted face masks, particularly the kind with maximum filtration capacity. At AusAir, we’ve got a range of face masks that function with a reusable filter insert, and we also offer replacement filters that come in various scents. Our masks are super comfortable to wear and last for up to 28 days, and these filters have been independently certified by Nelson Labs. With AusAir, you can take comfort in knowing that you’ll get masks that filter over 99% of air pollution, bacterial or viral particles, dust and pollen.
We recognise the important societal role that our company plays. We produce and sell tens of thousands of masks and filters each year. Therefore, every decision we make has the ability to make a tremendous impact. Our product road map focuses on creating products, designed using sustainable materials, which are low-impact and eliminate plastic or sustainably upcycle it.
AusAir was founded on the simple belief that everyone deserves to breathe safe air. We want to be the best in the world, whilst being the best for the world, and that is why we are committing to a sustainable future as a company. There’s a long way to go and quite a journey ahead, but we refuse to be complicit in the destruction of our planet. We are here to take a stand. Your health matters to us just as much as it matters to you.
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