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Written by: Mareike Van Wie
Ambient air pollution is the 4th leading cause of pre-mature deaths globally; while this particularly affects low to middle income countries, the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution ranked the United States 7th by air pollutant related premature deaths. Children are especially vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution as their bodies’ defenses are still developing. It also impacts health prior to birth as high levels of air pollution are linked to neonatal mortality. These deaths are largely preventable through stricter air quality controls, making it a crucial environmental justice issue. While the burden of change lies with governments, individuals can also minimize their risk by reducing near-roadway exposure and wearing facemasks in areas of lower air quality. It is advised to utilize air quality alert systems, such as those provided by AirNow, and minimize outdoor activity during peaks of exposure. Individual action can also be used to improve alert systems through citizen science with the EPA even partnering with communities to establish sensor networks and loans.
Sources
– https://www.epa.gov/air-sensor-toolbox
– https://gahp.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/PollutionandHealthMetrics-final-12_18_2019.pdf
– https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/12/climate/air-pollution-health.html
– https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health
https://www.stateofglobalair.org/sites/default/files/documents/2020-10/soga-2020-report-10-26_0.pdf
https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/55/6/1902056
