- Studies predict increase in frequency owing to rapid climate change
Air pollution results in approximately seven million premature deaths across the world annually, impacts respiratory health, leads to missed work and school days, and affects children’s lung development. These are some notable impacts of air pollution.
Every year the number of public health warnings that are issued from countries like India, Singapore, Thailand, and even Sri Lanka seem to be increasing, with some cities even asking employees to work from home to avoid exposure to air pollution, more commonly known as the ‘haze’.
The air quality above Sri Lanka has seen a decline since December, resulting in an increase in respiratory illnesses. On Thursday (15), the Air Quality Index reading over Colombo stood at 122 according to the US Embassy’s AQI monitor, meaning that the ambient air quality above the city was unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena also issued a health warning urging the public to reduce their exposure to pollutants and advised those with respiratory illnesses to wear facemasks when heading outdoors during this period.
“Children are especially vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution. Exposure to air pollution in early childhood, when the lungs are still developing, can lead to reduced lung capacity, which persists through adulthood. Therefore, schools should refrain from having their morning assembly outdoors as well as reduce outdoor activities during this period,” Dr. Gunawardena explained.
Just last week, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), which is the monitoring agency for ambient air quality across the country, warned that the dust particle density in the Badulla District had increased and advised the public to wear face masks, especially when outdoors. Furthermore, the NBRO also urged those with respiratory problems to limit time spent in open environments.
Frequency will increase
While poor air quality can negatively affect human health, the American National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in its research findings said that disruptions to weather patterns could influence air quality by increasing and distributing air pollutants, such as ground-level ozone, fine particulates, wildfire smoke, and dust.
Moreover, changes to weather seasons also affect the production, distribution, and severity of airborne allergens that can affect outdoor air quality. Such pollutants and allergens impair indoor air quality by entering homes, schools, and buildings contributing to the increased prevalence of indoor pollutants like mould.
Studies have also pointed out that exposure to air pollutants or airborne allergens can directly harm our respiratory and cardiovascular systems or exacerbate existing conditions in susceptible populations. Children, older adults, persons with asthma, and immune-compromised persons are most vulnerable to air quality impacts. Respiratory impacts can include asthma, respiratory allergies, and airway diseases, while cardiovascular impacts can include hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Symptoms of ozone and particulate pollution exposure include chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, congestion, and reduced lung function. With higher pollen concentrations and longer growing seasons, consequences of warming temperatures can increase sensitivity to allergens and severe allergic reactions, such as allergy-induced asthma attacks in vulnerable groups.
The increasing frequency of climate-related changes to weather patterns is also contributing to an increase in droughts, which create conditions for dust and dust-borne pathogens such as bacterial and fungal spores to enter homes, buildings, and schools.
Improving air quality
Tackling the ambient air quality as individuals seems to be challenging, however, one may adopt practices to reduce air pollution. For instance, the public could adopt alternative transportation methods such as carpooling, use of public transportation, or even cycling, which could lower the level of emissions of ozone, particulate matter, and other pollutants associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Reducing the use of electricity in areas that burn coal or other fossil fuels for energy production can lower exposure to heavy metals such as mercury and lead, nitrogen oxides, and sulphur oxides. One could also take steps to improve air quality within homes.