The air you breathe makes a difference

We often hear repeatedly that Manila is one of the most polluted cities in the world. The truth is, air pollution remains a significant problem worldwide, in both developed and developing countries. In the United States, for instance, more than half the population (in California, it’s 90 percent) live in areas where people breathe unhealthy air at least part of the year.

Pollutants in air can irritate lungs and worsen lung disease. In some cases, it may even increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems. Studies link higher levels of air pollution with lower life expectancy. Older people are more sensitive to the effects of air pollution and recent research suggests that women may be at greater risk than men.

Air pollution may be a global problem, but you can take steps to breathe easier when air quality drops in your area.

Air pollution deconstructed

Toxic or hazardous substances enter the air from various sources  including cars, trucks, and other vehicles; power plants that burn fossil fuels; factories and refineries; forest fires and volcanic eruptions. More than 150 air pollutants are known or suspected to cause health problems. To reduce the health effects of air pollution, World Health Organization guidelines limit emission of four major air pollutants: particle pollution, ground-level ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. In other countries such as the United States, the government, in addition, also regulates other pollutants like carbon monoxide and lead. Ozone and particle pollution are the most widespread pollutants and pose the greatest threat to health.

• Ozone. Ozone is a gas that’s naturally present in the earth’s upper atmosphere, where the ozone layer blocks some of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. At the ground level, ozone forms when pollutants released by vehicles, industrial emissions and consumer products react chemically with sunlight. Ground-level ozone  one of the main components of smog  can cause coughing, throat irritation, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. It can aggravate asthma and other lung diseases and damage lungs. Ozone most often forms during warmer months, because heat and sunlight help form ozone. 

• Particle pollution. Particle pollution, also known as particulate matter, consists of tiny solid particles and liquid droplets of various materials. Sources of particle pollution include cars and trucks (especially those with diesel engines), fires, dust, power plants, and factories. The smallest particles, called fine particulate matter, can be seen only with an electron microscope. Particle pollution causes haze  and across the world, clear-sky visibility has declined in the past 30 years. Particle pollution has been shown to increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious heart problems, and may lead to the hardening of the arteries. It can also exacerbate asthma and other lung diseases.

Controlling indoor pollutants

According to experts, these steps can help you keep your indoor air healthy:

• Test for radon and fix if there is a problem.

• Reduce asthma triggers such as dust mites.

• Don’t let people smoke indoors.

• Keep all areas clean and dry. Clean up any mold and get rid of excess water or moisture.

• Always ventilate properly when using products that can release pollutants into the air.

• Inspect fuel-burning appliances regularly for leaks, and make necessary repairs promptly.

• Install a carbon monoxide detector.

There’s a debate over the effectiveness of air purifiers. Those that remove small particles  such as high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters  are effective in removing allergens from the air, without posing any ozone concerns. However, most purifiers are not designed to remove gaseous pollutants, such as those found in cigarette smoke.

Young, Old, and ill most susceptible

Air pollution isn’t just a big-city problem. Although air quality tends to be worse in larger cities, pollution also affects smaller cities and rural areas, especially if they’re downwind of power plants or industrial facilities. Even within one city, exposure to pollution varies. People who live near a major road or highway might face a higher risk of dying of a heart attack or other cardiovascular event, compared to residents who live farther from heavy traffic.

Some groups of people  including children, older adults, and those with heart or lung disease  are more sensitive to the harmful effects of pollution. Women, obese people, and people with diabetes might also be at higher risk of problems.

Reduce your risk

You may not be able to do much on a personal level to tackle large-scale industrial or traffic-related pollution, but you can take practical steps to reduce your exposure to unhealthy air and conserve energy, which helps decrease pollution.

• Check the air-quality forecast for your area. The Air Quality Index (AQI), or other such similar measurements, provides a daily forecast of air quality in your region. Based on the air-quality forecast and your risk category, follow the recommendations for outdoor activities.

Air quality changes from day to day, like the weather. In many countries and cities around the world, the weather forecast includes the daily forecast of the air quality, as well. Sometimes, these forecasts are also printed in national and local newspapers.

AQI levels from 0 to 50 mean air quality is satisfactory, while levels above 100 indicate that air pollution might cause health effects in sensitive groups  children, older adults, and people living with lung and heart disease. When the AQI rises above 150, the air is unhealthy for everyone (see diagram).

• Avoid exercising outdoors during rush hours or next to a major roadway. On poor air-quality days, exercise indoors or early in the morning, when air pollution levels are lower.

• Take precautions when driving in heavy traffic. During rush hour, keep your car windows closed and set the air circulation to recycle indoor air rather than draw in outside air.

• Limit your outdoor activities when ozone levels are high. If you know that smog or ozone is an issue in your area, minimize your exposure by spending less time outdoors and avoiding strenuous outdoor activities, such as jogging.

• Use central air conditioning. To keep particle pollution from getting indoors, keep your windows closed and use an air conditioner, if needed.

• If you have asthma, avoid electrostatic air purifiers. These devices, often marketed to help alleviate allergies, generate and emit ozone and can be especially harmful to people with asthma.

• Think twice about traveling to highly polluted places. If you can, stay away from cities or regions, where air quality is known to be poor, especially if you’re sensitive to pollution.

• Do your part to use less energy. Turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room. Reuse and recycle. Drive less and choose a vehicle with good fuel economy. These and other energy-saving practices not only help reduce air pollution but also can save you money.

The air you breathe really does make a difference in your health. The worsening of air quality in our major cities in the past 30 years may have contributed to an increase in the incidence of pulmonary diseases in our country. As researchers learn more about the risks of polluted air, stay aware of air quality to stay healthy.