The Invisible Threat: How Air Pollution Affects Our Health and What We Can Do About It

HANOI, Vietnam – Spending time in nature for a breath of fresh air is a common pleasure, yet that air is often far from clean. For millions of people living in some of the world’s most polluted cities, clean air can feel like a distant dream. Cities like New Delhi, Dhaka, Bangkok, and Jakarta struggle with smog that can be difficult to escape.

However, there are steps individuals can take to improve their situation. The key, according to Tanushree Ganguly from the Energy Policy Institute of Chicago in India, is recognizing that air quality issues persist even when skies appear clear.

“Blue skies don’t guarantee clean air,” Ganguly emphasized.

The Culprits: Types and Sources of Air Pollution

Air pollution generally stems from the combustion of materials, including fuels like coal, natural gas, diesel, and gasoline. These fuels are used for electricity and transportation. This combustion process also involves the burning of crops, trees, and agricultural waste, as well as wildfires.

Certain gases, such as nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, are also harmful pollutants. These are produced primarily from the combustion of fuels, explained Anumita Roychowdhury, an air pollution expert at the Center for Science and Environment in New Delhi.

Local Variations and Seasonal Factors

The causes and intensity of air pollution differ by city and season. In Jakarta, Indonesia, for example, old motorbikes and industrial boilers are major contributors to poor air quality. In Thailand, India, and parts of Southeast Asia, slash and burn farming techniques release a significant amount of pollutants during dry seasons. Brick kilns in Bangladesh also emit harmful emissions.

Regional forest fires, common in Brazil and North America, exacerbate the problem, spreading smoke and particulate matter across vast distances.

The Health Risks: How Air Pollution Affects Our Well-being

Air pollution ranks as the second highest risk factor for early death globally, only trailing high blood pressure. This assessment comes from a recent report by the Health Effects Institute.

Short-term exposure to polluted air can provoke asthma attacks and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, especially among the elderly or those with pre-existing health conditions. Long-term exposure leads to serious heart and lung diseases, potentially resulting in death.

A UNICEF analysis revealed that over 500 million children in East Asia and the Pacific breathe unhealthy air, with pollution linked to the deaths of 100 children under five years old every day. June Kunugi, the UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia, stressed that this environmental hazard hinders children’s growth, damages lungs, and impairs cognitive function.

“Every breath matters, but for too many children every breath can bring harm,” Kunugi stated.

Monitoring Air Quality: How to Know When It’s Safe to Breathe

Over 6,000 cities across 117 countries monitor air quality, and many weather apps provide this information. However, interpreting these numbers can be challenging.

To simplify air quality assessments, many countries have introduced an Air Quality Index (AQI), a numerical scale where higher numbers indicate worse air quality. These indices often use color codes to clearly communicate whether air is safe or hazardous.

Unfortunately, different countries have varying air quality standards. India’s acceptable daily limit for PM 2.5 particles is more than 1.5 times higher than Thailand’s and four times higher than WHO guidelines. This inconsistency in AQI calculations complicates the interpretation of air quality data from different regions.

Private companies that adopt stricter standards may report AQI scores that diverge from official national standards, further complicating the situation.

Protecting Yourself: Strategies for Dealing with Air Pollution

Avoiding pollution when air quality is poor is crucial. This involves staying indoors or wearing masks.

However, staying inside is not always feasible, particularly for people who must work or live outdoors. Danny Djarum, an air quality researcher at the World Resources Institute, highlighted this challenge: “They can’t really afford not going out.”

Pakaphol Asavakomolnant, an office worker in Bangkok, bears witness to this daily: “I wear a mask every day and avoid motorbikes. I often get a sore throat when I forget my mask in the morning.”

It is also important to consider indoor air pollution, which can result from household activities such as cooking or burning incense.

Air Purifiers: Benefits and Limitations

Air purifiers are effective in reducing indoor pollution by filtering out pollutants. They function by drawing air into a room, passing it through a filter, and then circulating the clean air back into the space.

However, their effectiveness diminishes in large spaces, as air purifiers can only cleanse a limited volume of air. Rajasekhar Balasubramanian, who studies urban air quality at the National University of Singapore, noted that “a small air purifier in a big room won’t be effective.”

Furthermore, air purifiers are often unaffordable for residents in developing countries. WRI’s Djarum pointed out that “the majority of people affected by air pollution can’t really afford air purifiers.”

Take Action: Demand Clean Air for a Healthier Future

Air pollution is a global issue that requires collective action at all levels, from individuals to governments. By understanding the sources and health risks of air pollution, and by implementing practical measures to protect ourselves and our communities, we can work towards breathing cleaner air.

Stay informed, advocate for stricter air quality standards, and support initiatives aimed at reducing pollution. Every breath does matter, and it’s up to us to make it count.

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Together, we can create a healthier future for all.