Air Pollution
Air pollution findings around the globe
91% of the world’s population breathes polluted air! Yet over one-third of countries have no laws protecting outdoor air quality! The World Health Organization (WHO) released updated air quality guidelines and targets for common air pollutants. WHO’s new guidelines aim to push governments to reduce pollution levels, protect the health of children and adults, and prevent climate change.
We recognizes this as a large step towards protecting children from air pollution globally! #BreatheLife
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Air pollution doesn't just smell bad
In 2019, air pollution contributed to nearly 500,000 deaths of newborns; 90% of these deaths were in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. ISCHE scientist, Dr. Beate Ritz from UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, featured in this video, describes the impact of air pollution on a population level: “the whole population’s birth weight is shifted by 10 grams to a lower weight… it means a lot at the end of the curve, those children who are already vulnerable”.
Watch how babies’ survival depends on clean air in the latest video by the State of Global Air.
Air pollution stunts lung development in children
Children exposed to roadside air pollution could have their lung growth stunted by up to 14%, a study suggests. Living within 50m of a major road could increase the risk of lung cancer by up to 10%, the paper also found.
The exposure from children’s commutes next to congested traffic and exhaust pipes of idling vehicles for 190 school days a year for 14 years of nursery & school is overwhelming. We can and we must reduce children’s air pollution exposure.
Researchers also said if air pollution was cut by a fifth, there would be thousands fewer cases of children with symptoms of bronchitis across those UK cities. #LittleThingsMatter. SOURCE
COVID deaths and air pollution
A recent study out of Detroit examining over 2,000 adults has found that those who needed ventilators and intensive care during hospitalization were more likely to live in neighbourhoods with higher levels of air pollution and lead paints. Researchers estimated that about 15% of deaths worldwide from COVID could be attributed to long-term exposure to air pollution. The proportion was around 19% in Europe, 17% in North America and 27% in East Asia. Researchers wrote that these proportions are an estimate of “the fraction of COVID-19 deaths that could be avoided if the population were exposed to lower counterfactual air pollution levels without fossil fuel-related and other anthropogenic [caused by humans] emissions”. SOURCE
Ways to reduce and avoid air pollution
Air pollution isn’t made up of one thing – it’s a cocktail of toxic gases and particles. These minuscule particles are comprised of a complex mixture of carcinogens, sulfates, nitrates, elemental carbon and toxic metals, like lead and arsenic. The key to protecting people from the deadly impact of airborne particles is to produce less air pollution. We need to consume less, promote cleaner technologies, regulate sources of pollution and redesign our cities. If every city around the world took these steps, we would be closer to fulfilling our right to a healthy environment.
Recent studies on air pollution
A new study found that infants exposed to low levels of air pollution (lower than what is deemed acceptable by European standards) experienced reduced lung function as children and teenagers. Clean air campaigners are arguing that it is “wrong to think everything is okay as long as pollution levels are within legal limits. There’s no such thing as a safe level.”
Author: Alex Mistlin, Jul 2021
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In a new study of 300,000 mothers and children in California, researchers found that exposure to air pollution chemicals during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of autism in children, especially boys. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3H7YhkO
Dr. Oulhote, an environmental health scientist from UMass Amherst who wrote a commentary about the new study, said “this study strengthens the evidence for a potential causal role of air pollutants in the etiology of autism.”
Author: Raanan Raz, Jan 2022
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RESEARCH: Prenatal air pollution exposure linked to infants' decreased heart rate response to stress
New ISCHE research is linking Air #Pollution during #Pregnancy to HRV (Heart Rate Variability) in #infancy. This research is the first of its kind to show air pollution in utero affecting HRV, a well-known risk factor for #health. Lead author, Dr. Rosalind Wright, MD, MPH, Dean for Translational Biomedical Research, and Professor of Pediatrics, Environmental Medicine and Public Health, and Medicine (Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine), at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, says: “These findings, in combination with increasing worldwide exposure to particulate air pollution, highlight the importance of examining early-life exposure to air pollution in relation to negative medical, developmental, and psychological outcomes.”
Dr. Oulhote, an environmental health scientist from UMass Amherst who wrote a commentary about the new study, said “this study strengthens the evidence for a potential causal role of air pollutants in the etiology of autism.”
Author: Rosalind Wright , Aug 2021
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A national study on long-term exposure to air pollution and COVID-19 mortality in the United States.
A recent study found that a small increase in long-term exposure to #airpollution (PM2.5) led to a large increase in #COVID-19 death rate. Authors of the study, from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, urge “the importance of continuing to enforce existing air pollution regulations to protect human health both during and after the COVID-19 crisis.” Unfortunately, air pollution can negatively impact our health in the short and long term.
Author: X Wu, Mar 2021
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Microplastics result from plastic breaking down into fine particles often containing hazardous toxins. They exist throughout the environment.
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PFAS chemicals are known as “forever chemicals” because they never completely break down, leaving them in our soils, our water and our bodies.
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Air pollution is a major risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. We can’t escape it, it’s all around us.
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Pesticides can cause short-term adverse health effects as well as chronic adverse effects that can occur months or years after exposure.
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Allergic disorders have risen dramatically over the last 30-40 years as has our understanding of what causes them and the toxic chemicals that have the greatest impact.
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Endocrine disrupting chemicals are found in many common household products and can increase the risk of many diseases.
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Allergic disorders have risen dramatically over the last 30-40 years as has our understanding of what causes them and the toxic chemicals that have the greatest impact.
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Over a billion children live at extremely high risk for climate change events that can lead to disease and death.
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Lead exposure can reduce IQ and slow behavioral development in children.