Breathing Clean: Understanding Air Pollution and How to Stay Safe

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Breathing Clean: Understanding Air Pollution and How to Stay Safe \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Air pollution affects 99% of the global population, with harmful gases and fine particles leading to 7 million premature deaths each year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). While smog is a visible sign of pollution, clear skies don’t always mean clean air. Common sources include burning fossil fuels, industrial emissions, and wildfires, with major health risks ranging from asthma to heart disease. Monitoring air quality, limiting exposure, and using masks or air purifiers can help reduce health risks.

Quick Looks

99% of the world’s population is exposed to air pollution at some point.
Air pollution kills 7 million people annually, mostly due to heart and lung diseases.
Fine particles (PM 2.5) are the most dangerous, penetrating deep into the lungs.
Sources include burning fossil fuels, industrial emissions, and wildfires.
Harmful effects include asthma, lung infections, heart disease, and cognitive decline.
Over 500 million children in East Asia breathe unhealthy air daily.
Air Quality Index (AQI) helps measure pollution levels, but standards vary by country.
Staying indoors, wearing masks, and using air purifiers can help protect against pollution.
Indoor air pollution from cooking or incense can also pose health risks.

Deep Look

Air Pollution: A Global Crisis Affecting Nearly Everyone

Air pollution is one of the biggest environmental health threats worldwide, affecting nearly 99% of the global population at some point, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). While the intensity of pollution varies from place to place, exposure to harmful airborne particles and toxic gases leads to an estimated 7 million premature deaths every year.

For people living in some of the world’s most polluted cities—including New Delhi, Dhaka, Bangkok, and Jakarta—breathing clean air often feels like an impossible challenge. But air pollution isn’t always visible as thick smog; even clear skies can hide dangerous pollutants.

Tanushree Ganguly, an expert from the Energy Policy Institute in Chicago, warns that air pollution exists even when it’s not obvious.

“Blue skies can’t guarantee you clean air,” she said.

The impact of air pollution is not just an environmental issue—it’s a serious public health crisis. Exposure to fine particulate matter and toxic gases can lead to heart disease, lung infections, and cognitive decline, affecting millions worldwide, especially children and the elderly.

Where Does Air Pollution Come From?

The biggest contributors to air pollution come from burning fuel and industrial activities. Sources vary depending on location, but common pollutants include:

Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 & PM 10):
- PM 2.5 refers to microscopic particles smaller than 2.5 microns, produced mainly by burning coal, diesel, and gasoline.
- PM 10 includes slightly larger particles generated by road dust, construction sites, and industrial operations.
Harmful gases like nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂):
- Both are released from burning fossil fuels in power plants, vehicles, and factories.
- These gases can irritate the lungs, worsen respiratory diseases, and contribute to acid rain.

Pollution levels fluctuate based on seasonal and regional factors. For example:

Jakarta’s poor air quality is linked to motorbike emissions and coal-fired plants.
New Delhi experiences toxic air spikes due to crop-burning in nearby states.
Bangkok and Dhaka struggle with industrial emissions and brick kilns.
Seasonal wildfires in Brazil and the U.S. send harmful smoke over vast areas.

While major cities bear the brunt of pollution, rural areas are not immune. Agricultural practices such as burning fields and deforestation also release pollutants that travel through the air for hundreds of miles.

How Does Air Pollution Harm Human Health?

The Health Effects Institute ranks air pollution as the second-largest cause of premature death worldwide, behind high blood pressure.

Short-term effects of exposure:

Irritation of the throat, nose, and eyes.
Triggered asthma attacks and increased risk of heart attacks.
Difficulty breathing, especially for children and the elderly.

Long-term exposure increases the risk of:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.
Heart disease and stroke.
Impaired cognitive development in children.

A recent UNICEF report found that more than 500 million children in East Asia and the Pacific breathe unhealthy air daily. Polluted air affects not only their lung health but also their brain function, leading to developmental delays.

“Every breath matters, but for too many children, every breath can bring harm,” said June Kunugi, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia.

How to Tell If the Air Is Safe

To help people understand air quality, many governments have introduced the Air Quality Index (AQI), a color-coded system that rates air pollution levels:

Green = Good (Safe air quality).
Yellow to Red = Moderate to Unhealthy.
Purple to Maroon = Hazardous conditions.

However, AQI values vary by country. India’s PM 2.5 threshold is much higher than Thailand’s and four times greater than the WHO’s recommended limit. This means that AQI readings in different countries may not be directly comparable.

To check real-time air quality, people can use:

Government AQI websites.
Weather apps with pollution data.
Third-party air monitoring tools that may use stricter standards.

How to Protect Yourself from Air Pollution

While governments and environmental groups push for long-term pollution control measures, individuals can take steps to reduce their exposure.

When air pollution is high:

Stay indoors whenever possible.
Wear a high-quality mask (N95 or better) when going outside.
Use an air purifier indoors if affordable.

However, staying inside isn’t an option for everyone. Many people must work outdoors or commute daily.

“They can’t afford not going out,” said Danny Djarum, an air quality researcher at World Resources Institute.

For those exposed to outdoor air pollution regularly, taking small precautions can help, such as:

Avoiding high-traffic areas with vehicle emissions.
Using public transport instead of motorbikes to reduce direct exposure.
Keeping windows closed during smog-heavy days.

Can Air Purifiers Help?

Air purifiers can reduce indoor air pollution, but they have limitations.

They work best in small spaces.
Tiny purifiers in large rooms are ineffective.
HEPA filters are necessary to trap PM 2.5 particles.

However, air purifiers are too expensive for many people in developing countries, leaving millions without indoor air protection.

“The majority of people affected by air pollution can’t afford air purifiers,” said WRI’s Djarum.

What Needs to Be Done to Improve Air Quality?

While personal precautions are essential, larger-scale action is needed to tackle pollution at its source.

Switching to renewable energy to reduce reliance on coal and gas.
Strengthening emissions regulations for factories and vehicles.
Expanding green spaces and urban forests to help filter air pollutants.
Encouraging cleaner transportation options like electric vehicles and public transit.

Looking Ahead: A Global Commitment to Clean Air

As air pollution continues to worsen in many parts of the world, experts say urgent action is needed to:

Strengthen international regulations on air pollution.
Increase investments in clean energy solutions.
Ensure access to air monitoring tools in all regions.

Air pollution is not just a local problem—it’s a global health crisis. Reducing emissions and improving air quality could save millions of lives.