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:
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”.
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)
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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:
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:-
Ways to Tackle Indoor Air Pollution
Ways to Combat Outdoor Air Pollution
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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