You know that eating a balanced diet and getting enough exercise is essential to promoting a healthy lifestyle and avoiding disease and illness. We are taught the basics of health in school, from our guardians, and doctors. Yet, much of health is dependent on what is called, “environmental factors”, or overall environmental health. This aspect of health is less discussed across the board, and we want to change that.
Environmental health is a complex, intricate dynamic that works alongside diet, exercise, and sleep. Environmental Health Intelligence New Zealand defines it as follows:
The health of environments directly affect the health of humans and other animal species that live in them. Air quality is a large player in our holistic health. As we inhale oxygen, our body distributes it to our cells. Our lungs take in oxygen in order for it to easily reach our bloodstreams and cardiovascular system. We breathe (on average) 20,000 times per day. That is 20,000 times that our body uses the air we breathe to keep our systems functioning and healthy. 
Which is why the quality of the air we breathe is so important. It has been estimated that polluted or low quality air is responsible for causing 7 million deaths worldwide each year. Children, those who are pregnant, the elderly, and those who are immune-compromised are especially sensitive to environmental toxins, including those in the air. Contaminated or polluted air means air that contains ozone, particulate matter, noxious gasses, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or traffic related air pollutants.
These pollutants are defined by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences as follows:
Traffic-Related Air Pollution (TRAP), from motor vehicle emissions, may be the most recognizable form of air pollution. It contains most of the elements of human-made air pollution: ground-level ozone, various forms of carbon, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and fine particulate matter.
Ozone, an atmospheric gas, is often called smog when at ground level. It is created when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, and other sources chemically react in the presence of sunlight.
Noxious gasses, which include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sulfur oxides (SOx), are components of motor vehicle emissions and byproducts of industrial processes.
Particulate matter (PM) is composed of chemicals such as sulfates, nitrates, carbon, or mineral dusts. Vehicle and industrial emissions from fossil fuel combustion, cigarette smoke, and burning organic matter, such as wildfires, all contain PM.
A subset of PM, fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) is 30 times thinner than a human hair. It can be inhaled deeply into lung tissue and contribute to serious health problems. PM 2.5 accounts for most health effects due to air pollution in the U.S.
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) vaporize at or near room temperature—hence, the designation volatile. They are called organic because they contain carbon. VOCs are given off by paints, cleaning supplies, pesticides, some furnishings, and even craft materials like glue. Gasoline and natural gas are major sources of VOCs, which are released during combustion.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are organic compounds containing carbon and hydrogen. Of more than 100 PAHs known to be widespread in the environment, 15 are listed in the Report on Carcinogens. In addition to combustion, many industrial processes, such as iron, steel, and rubber product manufacturing, as well as power generation, also produce PAHs as a by-product. PAHs are also found in particulate matter.
Other health concerns related to toxic air pollutants include, “irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, breathing difficulties, worsening of existing lung and heart problems, such as asthma, and increased risk of heart attack.” In addition, long-term exposure to air pollution may cause cancer and damage to the immune, neurological, reproductive, and respiratory systems. In extreme cases, it can even cause death, according to the Department of Environmental Protection, Massachusetts.
Improving air quality has been an environmental goal of many major cities and countries across the globe in an effort to preserve human health and prevent disease. Some studies suggest that improving air quality can reverse some health issues, and greatly improve others.
This study resulted in finding that reducing PM2.5 exposure in pregnancy has beneficial outcomes for offspring. This includes steep reductions in low birth-weights and preterm births in infants worldwide. Indoor and outdoor air pollutants are significant risk factors for pregnant individuals, but also for young children, who would especially benefit from improved air conditions in low and middle-income countries. Another California study followed populations living within 5 kilometers of closed fossil-fuel power plants, and found that preterm birth rates decreased years after their closing.
A California study found that decreases in ambient nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5 resulted in lower cases of reported asthma. Similarly, a Los Angeles finding discovered a link between lower pollution levels and a drop in bronchitis symptoms.
As mentioned above, elderly populations are especially affected by air pollutants as they continue to age. Cognitive functioning in elderly populations are generally targeted by air pollutants at higher rates than younger populations. A study conducted under the NIH and the Alzheimer’s association found that air quality improvements in reduced risks for dementia and other cognitive degenerations.
As you can see, improving air quality conditions is beneficial for many demographics and populations around the world. This is why many countries have and continue to develop regulations and governing bodies responsible for documenting air quality and ensuring compliance. While this is a step in the right direction, critics and scientists have spoken about the complexities of air quality regulations. Their main critique is the lack of a global standard for air quality control.
Currently, countries make their own air quality guidelines and regulations based on their findings within their own borders. Some countries decide to use models from other nations in their developments of their regulations, but critics claim a global standard is necessary for effective air quality regulation across the board.
A 2021 United Nations (UN) study found that one-third of the world’s countries have no mandated outdoor air quality standard enforced by law. This is a huge disadvantage to 92% of the world’s population currently living in unsafe air quality conditions according to the World Health Organization (WHO), a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. What’s more, 31% of nations able to implement air quality standards have yet to do so. The WHO, while unable to mandate air quality regulations in any country, does publish updated air quality recommendations based on scientific evidence deeming safe and unsafe levels of common pollutants, including those we discussed above.
To raise awareness of the threat that air pollution poses to our health and planet, the United Nations Environment Program, Climate and Clean Air Coalition, and the World Health Organization launched the BreatheLife campaign to support communities and global leaders in implementing solutions that will reduce air pollution for a healthier and more sustainable future.
Another push for air quality regulations stems from environmental concerns. Air pollutants cause a variety of damages to ecosystems, wildlife, and plant life. Considering that we as humans rely on the natural environment for food, water, and overall health, it is worth understanding why air pollution can compromise these systems. Air pollution is known to cause detrimental environmental problems, including but not limited to: acid rain, eutrophication, haze, wildlife stressors, ozone depletion, crop and forest damage, and furthers the damage and threats of climate change.
Let’s break down these environmental concerns, according to findings from the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States.
Acid rain is, “precipitation containing harmful amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids. These acids are formed primarily by nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned. These acids fall to the Earth either as wet precipitation (rain, snow, or fog) or dry precipitation (gas and particulates). Some are carried by the wind, sometimes hundreds of miles. In the environment, acid rain damages trees and causes soils and water bodies to acidify, making the water unsuitable for some fish and other wildlife. It also speeds the decay of buildings, statues, and sculptures that are part of national heritage. Acid rain has damaged lakes, ponds, rivers, and soils, leading to damaged wildlife and forests.”
Eutrophication is, “a condition in a water body where high concentrations of nutrients (such as nitrogen) stimulate blooms of algae, which in turn can cause fish kills and loss of plant and animal diversity. Although eutrophication is a natural process in the aging of lakes and some estuaries, human activities can greatly accelerate eutrophication by increasing the rate at which nutrients enter aquatic ecosystems. Air emissions of nitrogen oxides from power plants, cars, trucks, and other sources contribute to the amount of nitrogen entering aquatic ecosystems.”
Haze is “caused when sunlight encounters tiny pollution particles in the air. Haze obscures the clarity, color, texture, and form of what we see. Some haze-causing pollutants (mostly fine particles) are directly emitted to the atmosphere by sources such as power plants, industrial facilities, trucks and automobiles, and construction activities. Others are formed when gasses emitted to the air (such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) form particles as they are carried downwind.”
Effects on wildlife: “Toxic pollutants in the air, or deposited on soils or surface waters, can impact wildlife in a number of ways. Like humans, animals can experience health problems if they are exposed to sufficient concentrations of air toxins over time. Studies show that air toxins are contributing to birth defects, reproductive failure, and disease in animals. Persistent toxic air pollutants (those that break down slowly in the environment) are of particular concern in aquatic ecosystems. These pollutants accumulate in sediments and may biomagnify in tissues of animals at the top of the food chain to concentrations many times higher than in the water or air.”
Ozone depletion: “Ozone is a gas that occurs both at ground-level and in the Earth’s upper atmosphere, known as the stratosphere. At ground level, ozone is a pollutant that can harm human health. In the stratosphere, however, ozone forms a layer that protects life on earth from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. But this “good” ozone is gradually being destroyed by man-made chemicals referred to as ozone-depleting substances, including chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and halons. These substances were formerly used and sometimes still are used in coolants, foaming agents, fire extinguishers, solvents, pesticides, and aerosol propellants. Thinning of the protective ozone layer can cause increased amounts of UV radiation to reach the Earth, which can lead to more cases of skin cancer, cataracts, and impaired immune systems. UV can also damage sensitive crops, such as soybeans, and reduce crop yields.”
Crop and forest damage: “Air pollution can damage crops and trees in a variety of ways.Ground-level ozone can lead to reductions in agricultural crop and commercial forest yields, reduced growth and survivability of tree seedlings, and increased plant susceptibility to disease, pests and other environmental stresses (such as harsh weather). As described above, crop and forest damage can also result from acid rain and from increased UV radiation caused by ozone depletion.”
Global climate change: “The Earth’s atmosphere contains a delicate balance of naturally occurring gasses that trap some of the sun’s heat near the Earth’s surface. This “greenhouse effect” keeps the Earth’s temperature stable. Unfortunately, evidence is mounting that humans have disturbed this natural balance by producing large amounts of some of these greenhouse gasses, including carbon dioxide and methane. As a result, the Earth’s atmosphere appears to be trapping more of the sun’s heat, causing the Earth’s average temperature to rise – a phenomenon known as global warming. Many scientists believe that global warming could have significant impacts on human health, agriculture, water resources, forests, wildlife, and coastal areas.”
You now have an understanding of the importance of air quality, and why it is so crucial to advocate for clean air. Human health and the health of the planet depend largely on clean air. Most people on Earth currently live in locations with air quality that is deemed unsafe, putting their health at risk. If this post has inspired you to become more aware about air quality, share this post and comment what surprised you when reading!
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What is environmental health? – EHINZ.
How Many Breaths You Take Per Day & Why It Matters | ADVENT Knows.
The United States Clean Air Act turns 50: is the air any better half a century later?
One in three countries in the world lack any legally mandated standards for outdoor air quality
Air Quality Index (AQI) Basics
Clean Air Act Requirements and History | US EPA.
