Meghan Hodges
Outdoor air pollution is a major environmental health problem that affects people in low-, middle-, and high-income countries. It is associated with several adverse health effects, including heart attacks, asthma, bronchitis, hospital and emergency room visits, restricted activity days, respiratory symptoms, premature mortality, and cancer. The pollutants considered in the active outdoors category include carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter of different sizes, and sulfur dioxide. These pollutants are common in outdoor air and can harm human health and the environment. They are primarily caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and industrial processes, but also have natural sources such as pollen, mold spores, and dust. Understanding and monitoring air quality is crucial to protect public health and mitigate the harmful impacts of these pollutants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Outdoor air is the air outside buildings, from ground level to several miles above the Earth's surface. |
| Sources of pollution | Natural (e.g. pollen, mold spores, dust) and anthropogenic (human-caused) |
| Health impact | Heart attacks, asthma attacks, bronchitis, hospital and emergency room visits, work and school days lost, restricted activity days, respiratory symptoms, premature mortality, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute lower respiratory infections, lung cancer |
| Environmental impact | Acid rain, impaired visibility, damage to crops and surfaces of buildings and monuments, depletion of the protective ozone layer |
| Pollutants | Carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide, sulfates, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, black carbon, mineral dust, water, TVOC, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) |
| Tools for measurement | Air Quality Index (AQI) |
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What You'll Learn
Carbon monoxide
Outdoor air pollution, including carbon monoxide, is a major environmental health problem affecting individuals in low-, middle-, and high-income countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), outdoor air pollution is estimated to have caused approximately 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide in 2019, with 68% of these being attributed to ischaemic heart disease and stroke. While outdoor air pollution is a significant contributor to these health issues, it is challenging to determine the precise contribution of outdoor air pollution to these trends due to the presence of multiple risk factors.
The greatest sources of carbon monoxide in outdoor air are cars, trucks, and other vehicles or machinery that burn fossil fuels. However, certain items within homes, such as unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, leaking chimneys and furnaces, and gas stoves, can also release carbon monoxide and impact indoor air quality. When carbon monoxide levels are elevated outdoors, individuals with specific types of heart disease may be at a heightened risk and should exercise caution.
To address carbon monoxide pollution, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a crucial role. Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA sets and reviews standards for CO in outdoor air, working collaboratively with state, tribal, and local agencies to ensure that CO levels are maintained at safe levels. These standards are designed to reduce CO pollution and protect human health and the environment from the harmful effects of carbon monoxide and other criteria air pollutants.
It is important to recognize that human exposure to outdoor air pollution, including carbon monoxide, is influenced by a combination of factors, including the composition and magnitude of air pollution, human activity patterns, the number of people exposed, and the duration of exposure. As such, comprehensive assessments are necessary to fully understand the impact of carbon monoxide pollution on human health and the environment.
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Nitrogen oxides
Outdoor air pollution, including nitrogen oxides, has been associated with premature deaths worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in 2019, approximately 6.7 million premature deaths were related to the combined effects of ambient and household air pollution, with 4.2 million attributed to outdoor air pollution alone. The majority of these premature deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions.
To address the harmful effects of nitrogen oxides, regulatory actions and voluntary measures are essential. The Clean Air Act in the United States, for example, has helped drive down nitrogen dioxide emissions by implementing more protective standards. As a result, power plants, industrial sites, and on-road vehicles have become cleaner, leading to improved air quality nationwide. However, it is important to recognize that air pollution does not respect geographical boundaries, and coordinated efforts between various sectors and stakeholders are necessary to effectively reduce nitrogen oxide levels and protect public health.
Additionally, individuals can take proactive steps to protect themselves on days when the levels of air pollutants are unhealthy. They can also advocate for clean air by urging policymakers to continue addressing and prioritizing the cleanup of air pollution. Monitoring nitrogen oxide levels through tools like the live air data service and nitrogen oxide analyzers can provide valuable information for decision-making and assessing the effectiveness of implemented measures.
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Sulphur oxides
The formation of particulate matter (PM) pollution is closely linked to sulphur oxides. SOx can react with other compounds in the atmosphere to form small particles, which may penetrate deeply into the lungs and contribute to health problems. These small particles can also reduce visibility, creating haze in many areas, including national parks and wilderness areas.
The largest sources of SO2 emissions are from fossil fuel combustion at power plants and other industrial facilities. Regulatory and voluntary actions can help reduce anthropogenic emissions, leading to improved air quality. EPA's national and regional rules to reduce SO2 emissions and pollutants that form sulphur oxides are crucial for state and local governments to meet national air quality standards.
Overall, sulphur oxides, especially sulphur dioxide, are significant outdoor air pollutants that pose risks to human health and the environment. Reducing SO2 emissions is essential for improving air quality and mitigating the harmful effects of sulphur oxides.
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Particulate matter
The primary sources of particulate matter include human activities and natural processes. Human activities, such as combustion of carbon-based fuels in factories, power plants, and vehicles, release particles into the atmosphere. Natural sources, such as wildfires, agricultural fires, and prescribed fires, also contribute to particulate matter. Additionally, particles can form in the atmosphere through complex chemical reactions involving pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
To address the health risks posed by particulate matter, organizations like the WHO have developed global air quality guidelines (AQG). These guidelines provide thresholds, limits, and management practices for particulate matter to promote gradual improvements in air quality and associated health benefits. Additionally, regulatory actions, such as the Clean Air Act in the United States, have been implemented to reduce emissions and drive down the levels of particulate matter in the air.
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Lead
Outdoor air pollution is a pressing issue that poses significant risks to human health and the environment. It is caused by a combination of natural and anthropogenic (human-made) sources, with the latter being of particular concern due to its potential for reduction through regulatory and voluntary actions. One such pollutant is lead, which has harmful effects on both ecosystems and human health.
In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made significant progress in reducing lead levels in the air. Between 1980 and 2014, lead concentrations decreased by 98% due to regulatory efforts such as removing lead from motor vehicle gasoline. However, lead remains a concern, especially in aviation fuel. Piston-engine aircraft, such as propeller or rotary aircraft, commonly use leaded fuel, and their emissions are the largest single source of lead in the air. People living near smaller airports where these aircraft operate may be at higher risk of exposure to lead in the air and soil.
The health effects of lead exposure are well-documented. Once lead enters the body, it distributes through the bloodstream and accumulates in the bones. High levels of lead exposure can adversely affect multiple systems in the body, including the nervous system, kidney function, immune system, reproductive and developmental systems, and the cardiovascular system. Lead also diminishes the blood's capacity to carry oxygen, which can have serious health consequences.
To address lead pollution, the EPA sets limits on industrial emissions of toxic pollutants, including lead, through the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs). These standards aim to reduce lead emissions from industrial sources, such as primary and secondary lead smelting. Additionally, states like Colorado actively regulate and monitor lead levels in the air to ensure compliance with federal air quality standards.
In summary, lead is a harmful pollutant that poses risks to both ecosystems and human health. While efforts to reduce lead emissions have led to significant improvements in air quality, continued regulation and monitoring are necessary to minimize the presence of lead in the outdoor environment and protect public health.
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Frequently asked questions
The pollutants that are considered in the active outdoors category are those that are present in the air outside buildings, from ground level up to several miles above the Earth's surface. These pollutants can be natural or anthropogenic (human-caused) and include:
- Carbon monoxide
- Nitrogen dioxide
- Ozone
- Particulate matter
- Sulfur dioxide
- Lead
Short-term exposure to outdoor air pollutants can cause a range of health issues, especially for those considered high-risk, such as children, the elderly, and asthmatics. The health effects of these pollutants include:
- Heart attacks
- Asthma attacks
- Respiratory symptoms
- Chest pain
- Coughing
- Throat irritation
- Airway inflammation
- Reduced lung function
- Damage to lung tissue
- Cancer
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Acute lower respiratory infections
There are several ways to protect ourselves from outdoor air pollutants:
- Check your local Air Quality Index (AQI) readings before leaving your home and avoid going outside if the air quality is poor.
- When outdoors, avoid areas with high levels of pollution, such as busy roads or industrial areas.
- Support policies and investments that promote cleaner transport, energy-efficient homes, and better waste management to reduce key sources of outdoor air pollution.
