Just as we need energy to live our lives, we also need clean air and water. When my family was in Yosemite National Park last fall, there were wildfires south of the park. The image above shows what we experienced midday. It was surreal and scary. I could feel the smoke entering my lungs, making it difficult to breathe.
What is the quality of the air in your place?
Luckily, the place where I live has relatively clean air and we don’t experience excessive smog or wildfires. I learned some interesting things from the Air Quality Health Index - a health protection tool for Ontario. Using data collected from major cities, it shows the relative risk of a mixture of common air pollutants, known to harm human health. Three in particular are:
Ground-level Ozone (O3) - a colourless, odourless gas that is a major component of smog. Sources: general solvents, transportation, coatings, industrial emissions, etc. Exposure to high levels results in chest tightness, coughing and wheezing. Ozone causes agricultural crop loss and leaf damage in crops, garden plants and trees.
Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) - a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets in the air. It includes aerosols, smoke, fumes, dust, ash and pollen. Sources: Interestingly, it says that more than 50% comes from the U.S. The rest comes from the residential and transportation sectors. Exposure to fine particulate matter penetrates the respiratory system and so is risky for people with asthma, cardiovascular or lung disease. Environmental effects include corrosion, soiling, damage to vegetation, and reduced visibility.
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) - a reddish-brown gas with an irritating odour. Sources: 69% emitted in Ontario in 2012 came from the transportation sector. NO2 can irritate the lungs and lower resistance to respiratory infection. Sensitivity increases for people with asthma and bronchitis. It can contribute to lake acidification and damage trees and crops.
As you can see, the effects of poor air quality impact humans and non-humans alike. So, it’s important to be aware of the air quality in your area, to know who or what contributes to air pollution, and to do what you can to reduce pollution from your own activities.
Practice
For this week, pay particular attention to the air of your place. How clean does it smell? Breathe in and appreciate the air where you are.
What do you know about the air quality of your place and what’s being done to keep it healthy?
What are you doing to keep toxic elements out of the air or to reduce your own emissions? Take one concrete step in that direction this week. Here are some ideas.
Resources
The Meaning of Air by Boyce Upholt in Emergence Magazine, a thoughtful reflection on the unequal access to clean air.