Air Pollution: Detecting The Invisible Danger In Your Home

Air pollution can be harmful to anyone, but it is especially dangerous for children, teens, the elderly, people with asthma, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease, and those who are pregnant. It is important to be aware of the air quality in your surroundings to take the necessary steps to protect your health. Air pollution levels are measured daily and ranked on a scale of 0 for perfect air to 500 for air pollution levels that are hazardous. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a system that warns the public when air pollution levels are dangerous. The AQI breaks air pollution levels into six categories, each with a name, an associated color, and advice. There are many ways to determine if the air you are breathing is polluted, both indoors and outdoors.

Air Quality Index (AQI)

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a system used to inform the public about outdoor air quality and health. It is a tool that tracks six major air pollutants: particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO). The AQI is often reported in the news and weather forecasts, and it is available on websites and mobile apps.

The AQI is divided into six color-coded categories, each representing a different level of health concern. The colors make it easy for people to quickly assess the air quality in their communities. An AQI value of 50 or below indicates good air quality, while a value over 300 represents hazardous air quality. Values above 100 indicate unhealthy air quality, initially for sensitive groups of people and then for everyone as values increase. Generally, AQI values at or below 100 are considered satisfactory.

The AQI is calculated using the Instant Cast reporting formula, which is based on the latest US EPA standard. The measurements are taken hourly, with a reported AQI at 8 AM representing data from 7 AM to 8 AM. The AQI is an essential tool for individuals to take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families from the harmful effects of air pollution, especially for those who are more vulnerable, such as children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.

You can find information about the daily AQI for your specific location through various sources. Websites like AirNow provide local, state, national, and world views of air quality data. Additionally, you can check local radio, TV weather reports, newspapers, or weather apps on your phone for AQI forecasts and maps that show how pollution levels change throughout the day.

Health symptoms

Poor air quality is a major threat to global health and prosperity. Air pollution is a mix of hazardous substances from both human-made and natural sources. It is responsible for more than 6.5 million deaths each year globally.

Air pollution can cause a variety of health problems, ranging from mild irritation to more severe issues. Here are some of the health symptoms that may be indicative of poor air quality:

• Respiratory issues: Air pollution can irritate the respiratory tract, leading to coughing, throat irritation, or a sore throat. It can also worsen existing breathing problems and lung diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Allergic reactions: Pollutants like pollen, animal dander, dust mites, and mould can trigger allergic symptoms such as itchy eyes, sneezing, or a runny nose.
• Cardiovascular issues: Fine particulate matter in the air can enter the bloodstream and travel to the heart, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.
• Cancer: Exposure to certain pollutants like radon, tobacco smoke, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been linked to an increased risk of lung and other cancers.
• Neurological impacts: Studies have found associations between air pollution exposure and neurobehavioral problems, including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, cognitive impairment, and neurological diseases.
• Pregnancy complications: Pregnant women exposed to air pollution may face increased risks for adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as low birth weight, pre-term birth, and maternal and fetal illness.
• Headaches, nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness: These symptoms may indicate carbon monoxide poisoning or exposure to other indoor air pollutants.
• Lung damage: Living in areas with high levels of air pollution can cause long-term lung damage and increase the risk of respiratory infections.
• Development issues: Children exposed to air pollution may be at risk for bronchitis symptoms in adulthood, altered brain development, and an increased risk of cerebral palsy.

It's important to note that the health effects of air pollution can vary depending on age, location, underlying health conditions, and other factors. Additionally, some symptoms may not be immediately noticeable, as the consequences of regular exposure to poor air quality can take months or even years to manifest.

Indoor air pollution

There are many sources of indoor air pollution, and it is important to identify and address these to improve indoor air quality. Some common sources of indoor air pollution include:

• Inadequate ventilation: If there is insufficient outdoor air entering a home, pollutants can accumulate and cause health issues. Proper ventilation, including natural ventilation through open windows and doors, and mechanical ventilation, such as fans, can help reduce indoor air pollution.
• Combustion appliances: Inadequately vented or ill-maintained combustion appliances, such as furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves, and heaters, can release harmful gases like carbon monoxide into the indoor environment.
• Smoking: Smoking indoors introduces hundreds of air pollutants that linger in the indoor environment.
• Cleaning products: Many cleaning products contain harsh chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can damage respiratory systems and mucous membranes.
• Pesticides: The use of pesticides indoors can contribute to indoor air pollution.
• Building materials: Certain building materials, such as wood, paint, and varnish, can release chemicals and particles into the indoor environment, especially during renovation or demolition projects.
• Outdoor sources: Outdoor pollution can also impact indoor air quality. Factors such as the environment around the home, weather conditions, and occupant behaviour can influence the level of outdoor pollution that enters the home.

To determine if your indoor air quality is poor, you can look out for warning signs such as frequent headaches, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, or skin. Additionally, you can consider getting a home air quality test to assess risk factors and identify specific causes of indoor air pollution.

Outdoor air pollution

The health risks associated with outdoor air pollution vary depending on factors such as age, location, underlying health, and level and length of exposure. Low-income communities and minority populations are often disproportionately exposed to air pollution and are more vulnerable to its adverse health effects.

To protect yourself from outdoor air pollution, it is advisable to stay indoors with the windows closed when the air quality is poor. If you live or work in an area prone to wildfires, minimize your exposure to harmful smoke. Consider using air conditioning with the recirculating setting to reduce the influx of polluted outdoor air. In areas with high air pollution, it is recommended to keep a small stock of masks designed to filter out smoke particles, such as those labelled "NIOSH" with "N95" or "P100".

To stay informed about outdoor air quality, utilize tools like the EPA's AirNow monitor, which provides up-to-date information on air pollution levels. Additionally, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has developed a risk-screening tool called MNRISKS to assess the cumulative impact of air pollution on residents in Minnesota. This tool compares air pollution levels against health benchmarks to estimate the potential health risks.

Technologies and resources

Air Quality Index (AQI)

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a standardised metric for reporting air quality. It provides a quantitative measure of various air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions. The AQI is designed to help the public, health professionals, and policymakers understand and interpret air quality data. Websites like AirNow.gov offer interactive maps and tools that utilise the AQI to provide real-time air quality information for specific locations in the United States.

Air Monitoring Technologies

Ambient air monitoring employs a range of evolving technologies to measure ambient air pollutant concentrations. The California Air Resources Board, for instance, utilises mobile monitoring platforms and fence-line monitoring strategies to identify pollutant hotspots and measure criteria air pollutants and toxic air contaminants. These technologies include air sensors, laboratory-grade instrumentation, and regulatory-grade instrumentation. The data collected helps inform public health research, enforcement actions, and compliance testing.

WHO Guidance and Models

The World Health Organization (WHO) provides various resources to address air pollution. The WHO Household Multiple Emission Sources (HOMES) model helps policymakers and planners understand household air pollution levels and develop interventions. The WHO Air Quality, Energy, and Health Science and Policy Summaries offer concise overviews of current knowledge on air quality, energy, and health topics. Additionally, the WHO promotes healthy sectoral policies and initiatives to mitigate the health impacts of indoor and outdoor air pollution.

Cumulative Impact Mapping

Cumulative impact mapping combines data on environmental conditions and demographics to identify communities burdened by high levels of poverty, unemployment, and pollution. Tools like the Environmental Justice Screening Method and the EPA's EJScreen provide evidence to support land use and public health reforms, ensuring that vulnerable areas receive the necessary resources.

Health Research and Studies

Health research and studies play a crucial role in understanding the impacts of air pollution on human health. For example, the National Institute on Aging's Health and Retirement Study linked higher air pollution exposure to an increased risk of dementia, specifically associating PM2.5 from agriculture and wildfires with this risk. Such research highlights the importance of reducing air pollution exposures to improve public health outcomes.

Frequently asked questions