Act for Cleaner Air 🩵

Act for Cleaner Air 🩵

There's so much pollution in the air now that if it weren't for our lungs, there'd be no place to put it all.

Robert Orben

Why we need to Act for Cleaner Air

99% of the world’s population breathes air that exceeds WHO air quality limits and that threatens their health. (Source: World Health Organization 2022)

This month, we are raising awareness about air quality and health. The air we breathe sustains us but poor air quality can also pose significant health risks.

Did you Know? Air pollution is now the world’s fourth-largest risk factor for early death.


What is Air Pollution?

The air we breathe contains more than just the expected oxygen (21%), nitrogen (78%), water vapour, argon, and carbon dioxide (and small amounts of other gases). It often contains a wide range of particles, many of which are detrimental to our health and the environment.

Air Pollution: Outdoors vs Indoors

The most common sources of outdoor air pollution are emissions caused by burning fossil fuels from motor vehicles, solid fuel burning and industry. (Source: NSW Health )

Indoor air refers to air that is present in confined spaces including homes, apartments, offices, car interiors, schools, hospitals, museums, public transport, and other areas. Unfortunately pollutants indoors can be up to 8 times higher than in outdoor air! This matters as many people spend 80 to 90% of their time indoors. (Source Arily.org)

The World Health Organization report published in 2021 provides a stark summary of air pollution’s toll on human life:

  • 4.2 million deaths were linked to outdoor air pollution in 2019
  • 3.8 million deaths were caused by indoor air pollution in the same year.



Health Impacts of Air Pollution

“Tiny invisible particles of pollution penetrate deep into our lungs, blood streams and bodies. These pollutants are linked to an increased risk of stroke, chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, and lung cancer”.

Source: Irish Doctors for the Environment

Source: Science Learning Hub

When we burn fuels such as coal, turf and wood (especially wet wood) in our homes, pollutants like particulate matter 2.5 are released. These are tiny ‘particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter. They are invisible to the naked eye and small enough to penetrate deep into our lungs.’ (Source: The Guardian 2023)

Ground level ozone, produced from pollutants interacting in sunlight, exacerbates respiratory illnesses and asthma. Note: Ground level ozone has a negative impact; unlike ozone in the earth’s upper atmosphere.

Did you Know? Up to 40% of humanity, especially in poorer regions, - cook indoors with highly polluting fuels - such as dried animal dung, crop waste, wood, charcoal and coal being among the most polluting offenders.

These cooking fuels cause the release of soot and smoke that cause the premature deaths of several million people every year. (Source: Project Drawdown ). They also cause respiratory infections, asthma, heart disease, and cancers and disproportionately impact women and children (Source: World Economic Forum ).


Impact of Fires & Wood Burning stoves

“When you sit in front of an open fire, you’re exposed to similar levels of toxic fumes found in traffic blackspots at rush hour.”

Dr Tim Collins, Irish Heart Foundation, (Source: The Irish Times 2021)

Health charities, including the Irish Heart Foundation , highlight that burning solid fuels such as coal, turf (peat), and wood (especially wet wood) are significant contributors to air pollution and health issues.

Wood burners (stoves) and fires significantly increase indoor air pollution, tripling harmful particle levels in homes. A study in Sheffield homes, stated that even with "smoke exempt" appliances, there is a stark increase in pollution. (Source: The Guardian ).

The particles released from fires and wood stoves are especially dangerous for young and elderly individuals as they penetrate deep into the lungs when breathed in, damaging the respiratory system and passing into the blood stream. (Source bbc.com)

The solution? if you want better indoor and (outdoor) air quality: avoid lighting fires just for the hygge or cosy factor. If you are lighting a fire choose kiln dry wood rather than coal, peat or wet wood. Avoid stoves too, but if you are using them, try to find the cleanest burning models. Consider exploring alternative heating methods that offer comfort without compromising health and sustainability.


Indoor Air Pollution - Other Sources

Harmful pollutants inside buildings can include particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, radon gas, formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds among others. Beyond fires and wood stoves, there are several other common sources of indoor air pollution:

  • Tobacco Smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, 70 of which are known carcinogens. Some reports suggest that tobacco smoke causes ten times more air pollution than diesel car exhaust (Source: World Economic Forum )
  • Cleaning and disinfecting products emit toxic chemicals like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), leading to short-term effects like headaches and long-term health risks including organ and nervous system damage.
  • Pet Dander, tiny flakes of skin and fur shed by animals, can significantly impact indoor air quality. It's a common allergen, triggering asthma attacks, hay fever, and other respiratory issues.
  • Mould, which thrives in damp environments, can lead to respiratory problems and worsen conditions like asthma, especially in those with weakened immune systems. The rise in flooding events is likely to increase mould-related issues.
  • Pests/ Rodent droppings and urine are also a source of indoor air pollutants. (US EPA.)
  • Radon, a natural radioactive gas from decaying radium in bedrock, enters buildings through the ground, materials, or water, and can cause lung cancer (Source: Swedish Radiation Safety Authority ). Many countries have radon risk maps from their EPA. You can also buy radon test kits.


Outdoor Air Pollution: A Global Concern

“The less gasoline we burn, the better we’re doing to reduce air pollution and the harmful effects of climate change.”

John Walke, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Clean air team

Human activity related sources of outdoor air pollution mostly come from the burning of fossil fuels for electricity generation, transport, industry, agriculture and households releasing:-

  • Exhaust fumes: Engines in cars, trucks and buses that run on fossil fuels like petrol or diesel release plenty of toxic pollutants including nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, ozone, carbon monoxide, aldehydes and hydrocarbons (Source: Airly )
  • Coal Burning power plants These cause sulfurous smog. It release similar gases to the exhaust from cars - sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides as well as carbon dioxide which warms the planet. (Source: Airly )
  • Agriculture and landfills: Artificial crop fertilizers, animal manure and landfills all impact air quality.
  • Industrial processes and solvent use: For example in the chemical and mining industries.
  • Waste treatment: Practices such as burning rubbish releases harmful substances into the air.
  • Vehicle tires and brakes. Microplastics from vehicle tires and brakes contribute to dangerous pm 2.5 pollution. (Lighter cars release less tire pollution than heavier SUV´s.)


Ways to Tackle Indoor Air Pollution

  • Avoid lighting fires and stoves.
  • Boost Ventilation: Improve air quality by increasing ventilation, such as opening windows for a few minutes daily (as long as the outdoor air is not overly polluted)
  • Embrace HEPA Filters: Use HEPA filters to capture over 99.97% of microscopic pollutants and significantly enhancing air purification.
  • Measure Home Air Quality: Invest in a indoor air quality monitoring device and track the air quality.
  • Greenery Indoors: Add plants to indoor spaces. These are effective at purifying air.
  • Select Low-Emission Materials: Choose building materials and furnishings with low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, like bamboo flooring, wool carpets, and zero VOC paints, to minimize indoor air pollution.
  • Natural Cleaning Solutions: Replace chemical cleaners with eco-friendly options like vinegar or baking soda.


Ways to Combat Outdoor Air Pollution

  • ENERGY: Support renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal power for cleaner air.
  • TRANSPORTATION: Choose biking, walking and public transport if you can. Choose lighter electric vehicles rather than heavier vehicles as they have lower particulate emissions from their tyres. Limit idling times with petrol or diesel engines vehicles.
  • GREEN SPACES: Plant and maintain green spaces including trees and gardens.
  • ORGANIC AND PLANT BASED FOODS: Reduce air pollution by choosing organic fruits and vegetables, and adopting a plant-based diet, as air pollution from agricultural largely stems from artificial fertilizers and livestock waste.


Tackling Air Pollution: Government Initiatives

Europe: Under the European Green Deal, the EU set the goal of reducing air, water and soil pollution by 2050 to levels that are no longer harmful to health and natural ecosystems and that are within the limits the planet can sustain. (Source: European Parliament News).


Advocate for lower emissions from power plants and stricter national standards on vehicle emissions, and share ways to reduce air pollution with friends and family.


Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

The GreenFridays4Future Team

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