What you need to know about pollution before you can breathe easy
Environmental issues are finally starting to hit home around the world, but with a huge list of problems to prioritise – climate change, landfill, ocean plastic – it can be tricky to know where to begin. Today, we’re going to suggest pollution.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has described pollution as “the new tobacco”, and declared air pollution a “public health emergency”. The latest data estimates that air pollution causes 8.9 million early deaths each year, double previous estimates, making it one of the single biggest threats to our health.
It’s a fact that doesn’t always get talked about, because pollution is not normally cited as a cause of death. Linked to lung, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, new scientific research indicates that these pollution-related health problems are just the “tip of the iceberg”. The Forum of International Respiratory Societies’ Environmental Committee suggests that pollution may, in fact, be affecting every organ and cell in our bodies: the review found links between pollution and dementia, diabetes, liver problems, bladder cancer and fertility issues, to name a few.
Pollution is measured in terms of particulate matter, extremely small particles that form in the air. The smaller the particle, the more potential there is for damage to your health: most health organisations globally – including WHO, the US Environmental Protection Agency and the European Environment Agency – are most concerned about particles with a diameter of 10 microns or less (written as PM10). These are found near roadways and industrial sites, and can generally pass through the nose and throat and enter the lungs. Even more health-damaging particles, which measure just PM2.5, are emitted from sources such as forest fires, and gases from power plants, factories and motor vehicles. These can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream, which exposes cells throughout the body.
The World Air Quality Index website displays real-time information on pollution levels around the world.
Steps being made to reduce levels of global pollution. Last year, the United Nations and WHO joined forces to create a new shared mission around pollution. More than 4300 cities in 108 countries are now included in WHO’s ambient air quality database, many of which have put in place national air quality standards and are taking measures to tackle air pollution. For example, India’s Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Scheme has provided millions of women living below the poverty line with free LPG connections to support them to switch to clean household energy use; while Mexico City has committed to cleaner vehicle standards, including a move to soot-free buses and a ban on private diesel cars by 2025.
But is it enough? With “more than 70,000 scientific papers to demonstrate that air pollution is affecting our health,” according to Dr Maria Neira, WHO director of public and environmental health, it’s an issue we can’t simply rely on governments to fix.
- Know your enemy. Arm yourself with as much information on the subject as possible. Breath Life 2030 is a global campaign for clean air, in collaboration with WHO, the UN Environment and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition: providing resources, initiatives and mobilising communities around the world to reduce the impact of air pollution.
- Be more conscious about the way you travel. Think about whether you really need to use the car or take that flight. Use public transport. Cycle more. If it’s a meeting for work abroad, do you need to physically be there, or can you dial in digitally? If you have to drive regularly, can you trade in your current car for an electric model? The Clean Space Sensor, the “world’s first personal air pollution smart sensor”, works with an app to track every journey you make. It also allows you to earn CleanMiles by making small changes in the way you travel.
- Invest in anti-pollution. There are already thousands of anti-pollution products available, and market analysts predict that the demand for air quality sensors alone will rise to US$3 billion by 2027.
Airborne molecules that attach themselves to particulate matter like fuel and pesticides are thought to kick-start the skin’s anti-free radical processes, which can lead to premature ageing. In general, really good antioxidant skincare will always have a surface anti-pollution effect, especially when combined with a broad-spectrum SPF of over 30.
recommends: SisleYouth Anti-Pollution; Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defence SPF 50; Allies of Skin 1A All Day Anti-Pollution Repair Mask.
Dyson’s Pure Hot+Cool purifying fan heater is widely considered to be one of the best air purifiers on the market, claiming to capture 99.95 per cent of allergens and pollutants as small as 0.1 microns. Its technology means it’s also capable of filtering out pollen, allergens and some bacteria, as well as car exhaust and industrial emissions. And as the name suggests, it’s also a fan which has both cool and warm settings.
However, not all anti-pollution solutions need to be hi-tech. While there isn’t much recent robust evidence, surrounding yourself with plants is NASA’s go-to for purifying air – advocating bigger and leafier plants such as hostas, Persian ivy and large-leaved ferns.
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For those journeys you do have to take in a vehicle, one of the most exciting new air filters is the Airbubbl, a nano carbon filter which attaches to the headrest of your car and removes up to 95 per cent of nitrogen oxide and gaseous pollutants. Its founders say: “Anyone who drives in any form of traffic will benefit from having an Airbubbl in their car.”