Clean Air Day Really Hits Home this Year

Clean Air Day is important every year. But I'm sure I'm not the only one that realizes this annual air pollution awareness day has taken on a whole new level of importance in 2020.

California is hosting their event on Weds 7th Oct (https://www.cleanairday.org/) and the nationwide UK event is taking place on Thurs 8th Oct (https://www.cleanairday.org.uk/) Here are my top reasons for making sure you get involved:

1) Air Pollution is STILL the Biggest Environmental Health Threat We Face 

91% of the world’s population live in areas where air pollution exceeds the guidelines considered safe by the World Health Organization. Further, 4.2 million deaths each year are attributed to ambient air pollution. 

2) Lockdowns Highlighted Possibilities for a Cleaner Future

Our busiest cities became quieter than they had for a generation, leading thousands to note the improvements in air quality.  There is cause for hope that increased air quality awareness will help lead to permanent behavior change and further action.

3) Bigger Wildfires, Bigger Health Threat

During a wildfire,  PM2.5 poses the greatest risk to our health, especially for vulnerable groups such as heart and respiratory disease sufferers. We recorded this video to show the dramatic spread of wildfire smoke across the Pacific North-West in September 2020: 

Larger wildfires and their devastating smoke impact represent a disturbing trend - not just in the US. (More on this from my colleague here).

4) COVID-19 + Poor Air Quality = More Dangerous

Battling COVID 19 means hospitals and emergency departments are stretched and ventilators are in short supply. The combined threats of Coronavirus and air pollution and pollen also risk putting vulnerable groups at increased risk.

5) Our Houses might be more Polluted than the Outdoors

Due to COVID-19 restrictions and the transition to colder weather, many of us are likely to be inside more over the next weeks and months. The EPA states that concentrations air pollutants can be up to 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations.

COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of healthy indoor environments, and I predict a world of change for IAQ regulation and innovation over the coming months and years.

Last but not Least...

6) We CAN Protect Ourselves from Air Pollution!

Noone is immune to the health impacts of air pollution exposure. But, we’re also not powerless!

In the same way as wearing a mask, regular hand-washing and social distancing reduce COVID-19 infection risk, we can also adjust our habits to avoid unhealthy air:

• Check the air quality in real-time - plan exercise when the air is clean.
• Open windows when the air outside is clean.
• Shut your windows when the air quality is poor.
• Consider a connected indoor air purifier or HVAC system - one that connects indoor & outdoor intelligence.
• If you’re a respiratory disease or seasonal allergy sufferer, consider a connected health solution -- one that connects environmental conditions to your symptoms.