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Air quality is an important issue that affects everyone. Air pollution can cause serious health problems such as asthma, lung cancer, and heart disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year1.
Recently, the WHO released new global air quality guidelines (AQGs) that provide clear evidence of the damage air pollution inflicts on human health, at even lower concentrations than previously understood2.
Improving air quality is key to confronting global environmental crises. A new global report on air pollution published by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) underscores that improved air quality is essential to achieving sustainable development goals3.
Air pollution can come from many sources such as household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities, and forest fires1. Pollutants of major public health concern include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and ozone.
There are several ways to reduce your exposure to air pollution. Here are some tips:
- Stay indoors when air quality is poor.
- Use an air purifier.
- Avoid exercising outdoors when air quality is poor.
- Use public transportation or carpool.
- Reduce energy consumption at home and at work.
- Plant trees and shrubs around your home.
You can check the air quality in your area by visiting the World Air Quality Index (AQI) website at waqi.info. You can also download the AirVisual app on your mobile device to get real-time air quality data for your location.
You can check the air quality index (AQI) in your area by visiting the AirNow website. It provides current and forecast air quality for your area and tells you how clean or polluted your outdoor air is, along with associated health effects that may be of concern. You can also find an air pollution sensor near your location by visiting the MyAirly website. Here are the links to both websites:
- AirNow: https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/
- MyAirly: https://airly.org/map/en/ air quality index my area