Air Pollution: Why is it so important to improve air quality?

A report from the World Health Organization ( WHO) reveals that polluted air contributes to worsening cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
Therefore, it is very important to know air pollution’s effects on both the planet and our homes.

IN THE PLANET

The release of polluting gases produces polluted air. These gases aggravate the so-called “greenhouse effect,” increasing the temperature of the Earth. This imbalance in temperature leads to changes in the climate, such as the rise in sea level, changes in rainfall (floods, hurricanes), the disappearance of forests, extinction of many species, among others.

The main polluting gases are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and ozone (O3). These gases are strongly linked to human activity, especially industrial activity.

A positive effect of the health crisis due to Covid-19, and the industrial stoppage that it caused worldwide, was a stop to the constant pollution that was produced in the world.
In China alone, during the lockdown, the air quality improved dramatically, contributing to an increase of 21.5% more than the previous year. And all this in the period of a month.

And it was not the only country to reduce air pollution. Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, America, Asia, Indochinese, and Oceanic countries all of them had to take measures to deal with the coronavirus, measures that seriously affected economic growth but which, paradoxically, greatly benefited the health of the planet.

A reduction in nitrogen dioxide emissions in the world’s major cities attracted wildlife. The canals of Italy were cleaned, and wildlife returned to the cities. The confinement, without a doubt, reminded us that behind all our social and industrial life was the wild and natural life.

IN HUMAN HEALTH

A report by IQ AirVisual, which analyzes air quality in real-time, revealed that 92% of the world’s population breathes toxic.

Another report from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that polluted air aggravates cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and is directly related to the premature death of seven million people a year.

There are some particles, PM2.5, that more accurately indicate the level of pollution in cities.
These particles, which are generated by emissions from diesel vehicles, industry, and coal burning, put human health at risk as they penetrate the respiratory tract, aggravating respiratory diseases.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

As a society:

• The use of public transport should be encouraged to reduce CO2 emissions from private vehicles.
• Household fuels harmful to air quality must be banned, and access to affordable and clean household energy should be guaranteed.
• Innovation must be encouraged throughout society: Promote clean technologies in industrial and energy activities.

Personally:

• You can reduce your consumption of meat or dairy. With this, you contribute to reducing the methane emissions emitted by livestock.
• Recycle. Do not burn garbage because the gases that burnt garbage gives off contribute to polluting the air.
• Reduce the use of plastics in your home and outside of it.
• Opt for efficient heating systems.
• Turn off the light when you don’t need it and all electrical appliances when you don’t use them.
• Opt for the use of bicycles, hybrid or electric cars. For example, you can also turn off the engine when you are stopped.
• Shop sustainably. Make your life more eco, in cleaning, in the consumption of products, in the purchase of personal belongings.