A recent report on health in cities by England’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, has stated that air pollution is a “major threat” to the health of urban populations. Concentration of polluting activities combined with the large numbers of people using urban areas mean that many more individuals are impacted by poor air quality in cities than in smaller, more rural locations.
It is hoped that Professor Chris Whitty’s report will “encourage action” on the challenges it highlights. Read on to learn more about air pollution and – most importantly – what we can do about it.
What is air pollution?
The air around us is a mixture of gases and tiny particles. With the exception of oxygen, which is vital to life, clean air typically does not affect us. However, our health or the health of the environment can be seriously damaged when air becomes contaminated with dangerous substances. This is air pollution, and it can occur both in and out of doors.
Common air pollutants
Common air pollutants include a group of gases known as nitrogen oxides, as well as the gases sulphur dioxide and ammonia, and vapours called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Air pollution also often comprises tiny, non-gas particles termed particulate matter.
What are the risks?
The World Health Organization states that air pollution was responsible for 6.7 million deaths in 2019. Air pollution has negative effects on health throughout the life-course. These are summarised in the image below. This health burden then has knock-on effects on the economy through healthcare costs and productivity losses. Indeed, a World Bank Report estimated that the global financial cost of air pollution was $8.1 trillion in 2019.
Image source (2022 CMO report on air pollution)
The causes of air pollution
Professor Chris Whitty’s new report outlines the key causes of air pollution. He goes into more detail in a 2022 report dedicated solely to the issue.
- Industry – Industry has historically been a significant cause of air pollution. However, new industrial processes, engineering solutions, and the movement of factories away from areas of high population density have reduced its impact considerably.
- Transport – Transport remains a major contributor to poor air quality. This is via exhaust emissions, particulates from brake and tyre wear, and road abrasion. Train stations and urban areas linked to air and shipping ports are also associated with transport-related air pollution.
- Agriculture – Ammonia is the most significant agricultural air pollutant. Ammonia emissions arise from manure management, grazing livestock, and synthetic fertiliser use. In contrast to the other major outdoor pollutants, ammonia emissions have barely changed over time.
- Indoor air pollution – With individuals typically spending 80% of their time indoors, indoor air pollution is a concern, but it is also less understood than the outdoor equivalent. Heating, cooking, and occupant activities are sources of air pollution indoors, often exacerbated by poor ventilation.
- Remote sources – Many air pollutants can travel long distances, so emissions and air pollution outside of a city – or even a country – can impact local air quality parameters.
- Time of day, weather, and season – While not strictly a source, daily conditions can influence air quality. For example, pollutants often spike during rush hour, when people are commuting, while changes in wind speed and direction can help disperse them. Read Duncan Mounsor, ET’s Managing Director, explain the effects of summer sunlight on another common air pollutant, ozone.
What can we do?
Air pollution affects everyone. In the 2022 report, the challenge was presented as a problem that all of society needs to help solve, and potential solutions were described. Here are some recommendations, depending on what best describes you:
- Citizens – As citizens, we want to ensure the health of ourselves, our families, and our neighbours – the latter is particularly pertinent in urban areas.
- If applicable, consider switching indoor heating away from highly polluting solid fuels to less polluting gas or electrical heating.
- Where possible, use active forms of transport, such as walking or cycling, rather than emission-intensive vehicles.
- Help raise awareness of the importance of addressing air pollution. Take part in initiatives such as Clean Air Day.
- Policymakers – In the new report, Professor Chris Whitty calls on policymakers in local and central government to “be brave” in promoting people’s health.
- Air quality should form a part of urban planning decisions. Urban greening is one strategy, as vegetation can naturally filter air. Building density and well-designed clean air zones are also valuable considerations.
- Every opportunity should be taken to move away from older buses and other highly polluting forms of public transport.
- There should be a shift from curative to preventive approaches and services for air pollution-related ill health.
- Businesses and innovators – It is believed that competitive businesses are vital to solving sustainability challenges such as air pollution, for example, through their productive resources and expertise.
- Ensure compliance with regulations, as these are in place to protect human health and the environment. Read more about understanding your emissions monitoring obligations here.
- Make evidence-based decisions. Underscoring company policies, projects, and processes with empirical evidence ensures that operations are optimised and have validity.
- Focus on research gaps. Lots of knowledge about air pollution exists, but some areas remain understudied. For example, the health effects of certain types of particulate matter, indoor air pollution, and novel interventions.
These societal actors all interact. For example, local authorities need to improve infrastructure for active travel, so that active trips can be taken safely by all; and policymakers’ regulations even the playing field for businesses, encouraging their adoption of sustainable activities.
There are also co-benefits to initiatives that address air pollution. Active travel avoids polluting vehicle emissions, but also has direct physical and mental health benefits; and switching away from highly polluting fossil fuels will also help to mitigate the climate crisis.
How Enviro Technology can help
ET provides instrumentation and bespoke and ready-to-use systems for the measurement of air pollution, including in real-time. This information then empowers clients to make informed decisions, whether they’re about improving public health, environmental health, or advancing scientific knowledge. Our experts have a wealth of expertise to advise you whatever your needs. We’ve also used our state-of-the-art technology, notably the smogmobile, to raise public awareness of air pollution in schools and on local TV.
Read more: Discover some of our past air monitoring projects here.
