People underestimate how air pollution can damage our long-term health, but the new WHO (World Health Organization) global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) are proof of the harm air pollution jeopardizes human health. To protect the health of the world’s population and the planet’s health, the WHO recommends new air quality levels. The last guideline update was in 2005, but since that year, there has been a significant increase in evidence demonstrating how air pollution impacts several areas of our health. After analysing the information of the poor air, WHO lowered the AQGs, warning that surpassing the new guidelines of air quality will highly risk the health of the world’s population. This article will explain the new guidelines that need to be implemented by governments and big corporations to reduce air pollution and the deaths it causes.
The new air quality guidelines will save lives.
The new WHO guidelines will not only mitigate the reduction of air pollution but also will save millions of lives. Studies show that air pollution is the cause of 7 million premature deaths per year and the loss of millions of healthy years of life. Air pollution also affects children and young people’s lung growth and function, and it also causes asthma and respiratory infections. The cause of early deaths in adults due to outdoor air pollution are ischemic heart diseases and strokes, but new evidence points out that diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders are developing.
What are the new guidelines?
The WHO’s new guidelines recommend regulating the six contaminants most harmful to our health that linger in our outdoor and indoor air. The new guidelines recommend controlling and reducing the amount of particulate matter (PM), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and carbon (CO). Particulate matter with diameters of 10 or 2.5 microns (PM10 and PM2.5) can quickly enter our bloodstream. Still, PM 2.5 can also reach the circulation, causing cardiovascular and respiratory effects and affecting other organs. The primary sources of PM are fuel combustion (transportations), energy, household products, agriculture, and more.
The implementation of the guidelines and how can we contribute to the movement?
The purpose of the WHO’s new air guidelines is to reduce deaths caused by outdoor pollution contaminants and reduce global warming. Politicians and big corporations worldwide are the first ones that need to start implementing the new measurements. Still, small companies and individuals can also begin the journey of a cleaner and safer air.
What can we do to help?
Look for methods to reduce pollution, such as burning less gasoline.
When possible, telecommute, carpool, vanpool, bike, or walk. Also, investing in a high-quality air purifier is another solution. AIR8 air purifiers will not reduce the pollution of the outdoors, but they will improve the quality of your personal space. Air purifiers will keep you and your family safe, protecting you from all the small pollutants that most of your household products emit.
