Air pollution is a silent killer and it is the number one cause of lung cancer among other cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. A report by the World Health Organization released in 2014 concluded that “Air pollution kills about 7 million people a year and is linked to 1 in 8 deaths worldwide” (Barboza, Tony 2014). I will inform you about the impact air pollution has on human health, how you can contribute on preventing air pollution and what you can do to stay healthy amid the irreversible environmental changes that are inevitable to happen unless action is taken immediately. Living in South Florida could make us oblivious to air pollution since we do not see the haze that is often associated with it, in fact is all around us whether we are indoors or outdoors. Now it is the time to become aware on how air pollution affects everyone regardless of income, race and age and hopefully with this information you can become a change agent in this matter.
To understand the severity of air pollution it is important to note that there are two kinds of air pollution; indoor and outdoor. Indoor air pollution is carried out by air conditioning systems, air fresheners such as Plugins and aerosols, candles with paraffin, old carpets on schools and offices, buildings that were constructed with asbestos and even mattresses (American Lung Association 2016). Outdoor air pollution on the other hand is much more harmful and it manifests in the form of particular matter and poisonous gas ozone. It is formed as a reaction between sunlight and emissions from industrial facilities, motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents (EPA Ozone Pollution 2016). Unfortunately, many do not realize the dangers both indoor and outdoor air pollution can have on the human body and the most harmful form manifests as outdoor air pollution. The American Lung Association has enabled for anyone to track levels of air pollution by county so that people can look up the levels of air pollution and realize the effects of everyday choices that contribute to air pollution in their area. In their most recent air pollution study, the American Lung Association presented that Palm Beach, Broward and Miami Dade counties were among the “B” levels which is less severe than those in Orange county, however, air pollution travels (American Lung Association 2016). It is a matter of “when” Palm Beach, Broward and Miami will have large amounts of Ozone pollution given the amount of sun Florida receives in a daily basis.
There has been major progress regarding air pollution in the United States thanks to the Clean Air which was originally passed in 1973 and later amended in 1990. This federal law is designed to protect human health and the environment from the effects of air pollution. Under the Environmental Protection Agency “The Clean Air Act is required to regulate emission of pollutants that endanger public health and welfare” (The Clean Air Act 2010). This legislation is said to have a “40-year track record of cutting dangerous pollution and has prevented more than 400,000 premature deaths and hundreds of millions of cases of respiratory and cardiovascular disease” (The Clean Air Act 2010). Even though the Clean Air Act has made strides in providing a better environment, diseases and premature deaths due to air pollution is still a reality that not many are aware of. The Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants released a report in 2014 urging people to act and help reduce outdoor air pollution, they provided worldwide facts on outdoor air pollution which is the most harmful type and can easily spread out (Climate & Clean Air Coalition SLCP’s 2014). These short lived climate pollutants are responsible for heart attacks, strokes, heart disease, congestive heart failure, lung cancer, bronchitis, asthma, emphysema and in pregnant women low birth weight. In recent studies by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, air pollution has been classified as legitimate carcinogenic and even more alarming, people that never smoked were targets of the deadly condition (Loomis, Dana). This is an alarming fact, usually non-smokers associate lung cancer to smoking but what it is most interesting is that outdoor ozone air pollution is huge contributor and it goes to show that no one is safe from the deadly disease.
Often clean air is taken for granted, it is the symbol of life for humans, animals and vegetation and it forms the basis on how food is processed. For many, the way fruits, grains and vegetables are harvested is overlooked. It is obvious that in order for agricultural companies to succeed they must grow and deliver as much produce as possible in as little time as possible, however what most people do not realize is the extend of processing that the produce they are about to consume goes through in order to make it to their table. Agricultural companies are known to spray toxic pesticides to keep bugs at bay but at the same time it gets not only ingested by the consumer the polluting gases linger in the air and have a direct effect on air pollution. According to Cornell entomologist David Pimentel, “It has been estimated that only 0.1% of applied pesticides reach the target pests, leaving the bulk of the pesticides (99.9%) to impact the environment. Harmful environmental impacts of pesticide use include: Loss of biodiversity and elimination of key species such as bees, water and air pollution as well as soil contamination (Horrigan, Leo 2002). Therefore it is important for consumers to know where and how their produce is being harvested so that the unknowingly ingestion of chemicals and contribution of air pollution keep on affecting our communities.
Anyone can be a change agent in this matter, contributing to the prevention of air pollution both indoor and outdoor can make a huge impact on quality of life. The easiest way to prevent air pollution indoor is by conserving energy, simply turning off lights when they are not in use, unplug electronics when they are fully charged and purchasing LED lightbulbs, they’re energy efficient and over time it can shrink electric bills. Also using environmentally friendly cleaners will aid in keeping the home clean and free from possibly inhaling toxic ingredients, they are easily accessible and after their use the container can be recycled. Also recycling can make a huge impact on air pollution. Since motor vehicles are one of the main contributors to air pollution getting used to carpooling can have positive effects on the environment and if that is not an option try not to idle or the opposite—speed. Not only money will be saved on gas but also contributing to keeping the air cleaner.
There are several ways to stay healthy amid the inevitable repercussions from air pollution. Luckily enough Florida’s weather allows people to do outdoor activities almost year-round. By doing outdoor activities such as camping in the Florida Keys or discovering a new state park, biking to the beach or the FAU campus, paddle boarding and running will keep your body active and you will see first-hand the impact air pollution has and it will incline you to help reduce it. Being outdoors often not only promotes healthy habits but it will allow you to discover parts of your community that you may not know. And in the prevention of ingesting toxic foods try and purchase produce from the local farmer’s market, in the area they are at least three of them that have fresh produce for a low price and it will contribute to the economy of your local community as well as give you the certainty that you’re not ingesting pesticides or adding on to the release of toxic gases into the air from these. If you are a smoker, have courtesy for others and step aside of you are surrounded by non-smokers. Most cigarette smokers might think that it is a personal choice whether they chose to smoke or not but what they don’t realize is that others are affected by second hand smoking, including pets.
I informed you about the impact air pollution has on human health, how to contribute on preventing excessive air pollution and what you can do to stay healthy amid the repercussions air pollution has on human health. Air pollution is a hazard that affects our health, it has become a prevalent gateway for lung cancer among other alarming health risks. Now that you have gained new knowledge about air pollution it is up to you to become a change agent and practice the prevention of air pollution and pass the knowledge it on to others.
Works Cited
- Barboza, Tony. “1 in 8 Deaths Linked to Air Pollution”. Los Angeles Times, 2014. Web. 18 June 2016.
- “Healthy Air Indoors.” American Lung Association. American Lung Association, 2016. Web. 26 June 2016.
- Horrigan, Leo, Robert S Lawrence, and Polly Walker. “How Sustainable Agriculture Can Address the Environmental and Human Health Harms of Industrial Agriculture.” Environmental Health Perspectives 110.5 (2002): 445–456. Print.
- Loomis, Dana, et al. “The Carcinogenicity of Outdoor Air Pollution.” The Lancet. Oncology 14.13 (2013): 1262-3. Web (search wise)
- “Ozone Pollution.” EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 18 May 2016. Web. 19 June 2016.
- “Short Lived Climate Pollutants”. Climate & Clean Air Coalition. Web. 26 June 2016.
- “The Clean Air Act.” Union of Concerned Scientists. 3 Apr. 2010. Web. 19 June 2016.
- Theophanides, Michael, Jane Anastassopoulou, and Theophile Theophanides. “Exposure to Various Air Pollutants and Health Effects.” Air Polluted Environment and Health Effects. InTech, 22 Sept. 2011. Web (search wise). 19 June 2016.