Air Quality: Our Health And The Environment

Air quality is a critical factor in determining the health and well-being of individuals, particularly in highly populated areas. Various factors, such as vehicular emissions, industrial activities, and natural events like wildfires, contribute to air pollution. With the availability of real-time air quality data and indices, it is essential to understand the current state of the air we breathe and explore ways to improve it. Websites like AirNow and WAQI provide air quality data for specific locations, helping individuals make informed decisions about their health and local authorities implement necessary measures to combat air pollution.

Real-time air quality data

One such resource is AirNow.gov, which offers an interactive map with real-time air quality data for the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The map includes information on wildfires and provides forecasts, loops, and archives of air quality data. Each dot on the map represents a city or reporting area, and users can click on these dots to access forecast information for specific pollutants. AirNow.gov also offers a mobile app, email alerts, and web cameras for comprehensive air quality monitoring.

Another source of real-time air quality data is WAQI.info, which provides a global perspective with data from over 10,000 stations in more than 80 countries. The World Air Quality Index project offers an interactive map that displays real-time air pollution levels, allowing users to click on specific locations to access historical data. The GAIA air quality monitor used by WAQI.info measures PM2.5 and PM10 particle pollution, which are considered some of the most harmful air pollutants.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a critical component of real-time air quality data, providing a standardized scale for measuring and reporting air pollution levels. The AQI takes into account various pollutants, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO). This comprehensive index helps individuals and organizations understand the overall air quality and make informed decisions to protect public health and the environment.

It is important to note that real-time air quality data is often unvalidated at the time of publication and may be amended without notice. This flexibility is necessary to ensure data accuracy and account for any changes in air quality that may occur due to unforeseen events or natural disasters, such as wildfires. By utilizing these real-time air quality data tools, individuals can stay informed about the air they breathe and take appropriate actions to protect their health and contribute to a cleaner environment.

Air quality forecasts

There are several ways to access air quality forecasts. Many organizations, such as AirNow.gov, offer interactive maps that provide real-time air quality data and forecasts for specific locations. These maps utilize colour-coding or other visual indicators to represent the Air Quality Index (AQI) levels, making it easy for users to understand the air quality in their area. The AirNow map, for instance, covers the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and offers forecasts for individual cities and reporting areas.

In addition to interactive maps, people can also subscribe to receive daily air quality forecasts and health alerts via email or mobile app notifications. For instance, the Clean Air Partners' app for the Washington, DC metro area provides users with real-time air quality data and notifications. These digital tools empower individuals to make informed decisions about their daily activities, especially during periods of high pollution levels.

By staying informed about air quality forecasts, individuals can take proactive measures to reduce their exposure to harmful pollutants. This may include adjusting outdoor activities, wearing protective gear, or taking extra precautions when pollution levels are predicted to be high. Additionally, understanding air quality forecasts can help raise awareness about the impact of human activities on the environment, encouraging the adoption of cleaner technologies and practices to improve overall air quality.

Air quality improvement initiatives

Air quality has improved significantly over the past few decades, thanks to various initiatives and policies implemented by governments and organizations worldwide. These efforts have resulted in a substantial reduction in air pollution, leading to numerous health and environmental benefits. Here are some examples of air quality improvement initiatives:

National Air Quality Initiative (NAQI)

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in the United States has implemented the National Air Quality Initiative to assist agricultural producers in meeting air quality compliance requirements. NAQI provides technical and financial assistance to help improve agricultural operations, reduce dust, and lower carbon emissions. For instance, in Oregon, NRCS is providing support to replace smudge pots (oil-burning orchard heaters) with lower-emitting frost protection systems.

Clean Air Act

The Clean Air Act has played a crucial role in reducing air pollution and improving air quality. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented various rules and standards under this Act, leading to significant decreases in sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and other harmful emissions. As a result, there has been a notable improvement in ozone levels and fine particle pollution across the country.

Local Initiatives in Europe

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has collaborated with several European cities on a pilot project to enhance air quality at the local level. Some successful initiatives include expanding district heating, promoting cycling, lowering speed limits, introducing congestion charges, relocating industrial facilities, modernizing household stoves and boilers, adopting cleaner fuels for heating, and establishing low-emission transport zones. These measures not only reduce air pollution but also often decrease noise pollution and improve residents' quality of life.

Air Quality Monitoring and Education

Organizations like AirNow and WAQI provide real-time air quality data and interactive maps, allowing people to stay informed about the air quality in their local areas and worldwide. Additionally, initiatives such as CleanAir@School, led by the EEA and the European Network of the Heads of Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA Network), aim to raise awareness about air pollution, particularly among children, parents, and teachers, by involving them in measuring pollutant concentrations around schools.

These initiatives demonstrate the ongoing efforts to improve air quality and protect public health and the environment. By implementing policies, adopting new technologies, and engaging communities, we can continue to make progress in ensuring cleaner and healthier air for all.

Health impacts of air pollution

Air pollution is a mix of hazardous substances from both human-made and natural sources. It is a major threat to global health and prosperity and is responsible for more than 6.5 million deaths each year globally. In 2019, fine particulate matter pollution contributed to 4.14 million deaths worldwide.

Air pollution is the presence of one or more contaminants in the atmosphere, such as dust, fumes, gas, mist, odour, smoke or vapour, in quantities and duration that can be injurious to human health. The main pathway of exposure from air pollution is through the respiratory tract. Breathing in these pollutants leads to inflammation, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and mutagenicity in cells throughout our body, impacting the lungs, heart, and brain, among other organs, and ultimately leading to disease. Almost every organ in the body can be impacted by air pollution. Due to their small size, some air pollutants can penetrate into the bloodstream via the lungs and circulate throughout the entire body, leading to systemic inflammation and carcinogenicity.

The pollutants with the strongest evidence for public health concern include particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulphur dioxide (SO2). Fine particulate matter is an especially important source of health risks, as these very small particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, enter the bloodstream, and travel to organs, causing systemic damage to tissues and cells. Ozone, an atmospheric gas, is often called smog when at ground level. It is a powerful lung irritant and has a serious effect on the respiratory system, both in the short term and over the course of years of exposure. When it is inhaled into the lungs, it reacts with the delicate lining of the small airways, causing inflammation and other damage that can impact multiple body systems.

Short-term exposure to air pollutants is closely related to COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, asthma, respiratory disease, and high rates of hospitalization. The long-term effects associated with air pollution are chronic asthma, pulmonary insufficiency, cardiovascular diseases, and cardiovascular mortality. Exposure to high levels of particulate matter, for example, can lead to reduced lung function, respiratory infections, and aggravated asthma from short-term exposure. Whereas long-term or chronic exposure to fine particulate matter increases a person's risk for diseases with a longer onset, like some noncommunicable diseases including stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer.

A growing body of evidence also suggests that air pollution may affect diabetes and neurological development in children. Maternal exposure to air pollution is associated with adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight, pre-term birth, and small for gestational age births. Fetal health may also be impacted in a number of ways by environmental contaminants that have been shown to cross the placenta. Exposure to both ozone and particle pollution during pregnancy is associated with premature birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth.

Action Days and restrictions

Action Days are declared when the Air Quality Index (AQI) is in an unhealthy range. The AQI is a tool used to communicate outdoor air quality to the public. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the associated health concerns.

Different air pollution control agencies have different terminology and varying AQI levels for Action Days. For example, in some places, Action Days are called when the AQI is forecast to be "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups", or Code Orange. In this case, groups that are sensitive to the dominant pollutant of the day should reduce their exposure to it by limiting their time spent outdoors. If ozone is the cause of an Action Day, the sensitive groups include children and adults who are active outdoors, as well as people with lung diseases such as asthma. For particle pollution, the sensitive groups include children, older adults, and anyone with heart or lung disease. Occasionally, an Action Day is declared when the AQI is Moderate, or Code Yellow, if the levels are expected to approach Code Orange. In many places, Action Days are called when the AQI is forecast to be Unhealthy, or Code Red. In this case, everyone should reduce their exposure to air pollution, especially members of sensitive groups.

Action Days trigger mandatory restrictions, such as limiting indoor burning to approved devices, and voluntary measures, such as driving reductions and public health recommendations. During the summer, open burning is prohibited when an Action Day for ozone and/or fine particulates is in effect. During the winter, residential burning restrictions are in effect when an Action Day for Visibility is in effect.

To prepare for an Action Day, it is recommended to take precautions such as limiting physical exertion outdoors and following pollution prevention tips to reduce emissions from daily activities. This includes carpooling, walking, biking, or using public transportation when possible, and refuelling vehicles after dusk.

Frequently asked questions