What is Air Pollution?
Air pollution is the process where harmful chemicals or particles mix into the air, causing adverse health effects to humans and the environment. In 2021, it contributed to 8.1 million deaths globally, being the second leading risk factor of death for both children and adults. Air pollution is present anywhere, be it inside or outside our homes. Everyone is affected, and everyone can also help combat air pollution.
What are Air Pollutants?
Air pollution has two main causes, namely natural and man-made sources. Natural sources are those produced in nature, such as volcanic activity, forest fires, sandstorms, and other weather conditions. On the other hand, human-made sources are those produced by human activities, such as vehicle and factory emissions, waste burning, cooking with coal or kerosene, and dust from construction work. These sources in turn produce air pollutants or the harmful chemicals and particles that mix into the air we breathe. These are further classified based on their various material and chemical compositions into particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide, ozone, black carbon, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
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Particulate Matter or PM is a term for solid particles or liquid droplets found in the air. This includes PM10 (inhalable particles that are within 10 micrometers or smaller in diameter), and PM2.5 (smaller inhalable particles generally 2.5 micrometers in diameter). (USEPA)
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Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a group of highly reactive gases that is a primary byproduct of burning fuel. High concentrations can irritate human airways and aggravate respiratory diseases that may lead to hospitalization and visits to emergency rooms. Long exposure may develop asthma and increase chances of respiratory infections. (USEPA)
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Ozone (O3) is both a natural and man-made product that affects human lives in positive and negative ways. Harmful ozone contributes to the smog or haze typically observed in cities. When inhaled, it chemically reacts with the human body and produces adverse health effects such as coughing, throat irritation, chest pains, and more. (USEPA)
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Black carbon or soot is a component of PM2.5 and is naturally formed from burning of wood, waste, and fossil fuels. It is a huge contributor to climate change, worsening of ecosystems, and adverse health effects in humans. (Climate and Clean Air Coalition website)
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Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is primarily produced by burning of fossil fuels in power plants and industrial facilities. Mild exposure will result in difficulty in breathing, highly affecting people with asthma, children, and other sensitive groups. While high concentrations may contribute to acid rains that can harm whole ecosystems. (USEPA)
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Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless and colorless gas that can cause deaths. It can be produced by some household items such as gas- and oil-burning furnaces, portable generators, and charcoal grills. CO poisoning causes headaches, dizziness, weakness, vomiting, and chest pains. Once exposed, anyone will be at risk of poisoning that can eventually lead to death. (CDC)
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Methane (CH4) is an odorless and colorless highly flammable gas. It is mainly used in making other chemicals and is a component of natural gas. It is classified as a greenhouse gas (GHG) that contributes to climate change when in high concentrations. Methane affects human health as a component of toxic ozone and is responsible for millions of premature respiratory deaths globally. (USEPA, CCAC)
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Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are mostly human-made chemicals that are used and produced in products used in daily human life. Due to this, VOC concentrations are consistently high inside buildings and homes. Exposure to VOCs may include irritation, headaches, nausea, organ damage, and even cancer. (USEPA health effects, USEPA general info)
Effects of air pollution
Vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and persons with respiratory illnesses are more susceptible to the adverse health effects brought by air pollution. It can further worsen existing health conditions such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, respiratory infections, heart disease, and type II diabetes. It can also directly cause developmental delays in children and low birth weight in infants, significantly affecting their growth.
Air pollution is also a major contributor to global warming, particularly the pollutants considered greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide. It also contributes to acid rain and the depletion of the ozone layer, ultimately affecting or even destroying plant and animal life.
Clean Air Asia’s work focuses on implementing solutions that reduce air pollution and its detrimental health impacts while mitigating the climate crisis. We do this by providing science-based policy guidance and capacity building towards stakeholder action at the city, national and regional levels. In our pursuit to combat air pollution, we observe a particular focus to man-made PM2.5 pollutants which is recognized as the largest contributor to air-pollution-related diseases worldwide. Further, by adopting the measures prescribed by the Air Quality Index (AQI), we have been able to compare emissions inventory and air quality dispersion data to communicate the immediate health impacts based on the quality of air on a given area and time. Our key action points are to develop science-based policies by looking at the data, create knowledge products, provide technical expertise, and help explain what is happening to engage stakeholders and co-develop solutions with them.
Clean Air Asia’s engagement with its partners has enabled the development of numerous Clean Air Action Plans and Air Quality Communication Plans, promotion of alternative transportation modes such as walking, bicycling, and electric vehicles, a shift to renewable and more sustainable energy, and more. We acknowledge that there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution for addressing air pollution. Only with proper collaboration between governments, businesses, and communities can we achieve cleaner air for all.
Find out more about Clean Air Asia’s solutions that reduce air pollution and its detrimental health impacts.
