Breathing clean air is vital to our health and well-being, yet air pollution remains one of the environmental risks to our health. In December 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) posted the following facts about air pollution:
- Air pollution is one of the greatest environmental risks to health. Countries can decrease the number of people affected by diseases such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, asthma, and other respiratory diseases, both chronic and acute, by taking action to reduce air pollution levels.
- In 2019, 99% of the world’s population was living in places where the WHO air quality guidelines levels were not met.
- The combined effects of ambient air pollution and household air pollution are associated with 6.7 million premature deaths annually.
- Ambient (outdoor) air pollution is estimated to have caused 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide in 2019.
- Some 89% of those premature deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries and the greatest number in the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions.
- Policies and investments supporting cleaner transport, energy-efficient homes, power generation, industry, and better municipal waste management would reduce key sources of outdoor air pollution. Access to clean household energy would also reduce ambient air pollution in some regions.
This highlights the alarming impact of air pollutants on public health and emphasizes the urgent need for better air quality monitoring. In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a study that found a link between exposure to pollutants (such as fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone) and various health issues (such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and lung cancer). These pollutants are commonly found in vehicle emissions, industrial processes, and burning fossil fuels.
Air Quality Sensors and Monitoring – It Can Make a Difference
WHO’s findings call for the implementation of effective air quality monitoring systems to reduce exposure to air pollutants. High-tech air quality sensors and monitoring networks, like Aeternum, are now available to provide real-time information on air quality in a specific area. This allows authorities to take immediate action and reduce pollution levels, protecting the health and well-being of their communities.
Be Smart -Utilize the Latest Technology for Optimum Air Quality Monitoring
To sum it all up – air pollutants have devastating effects on public health and this spotlights the need for better air quality monitoring. By utilizing the latest technology, governments and organizations can work towards reducing pollution levels and creating a healthier environment for everyone.
