Air Pollution, What Do You Really Know

Making small changes to reduce exposure to pollutants will lead longer, healthier lives

By Wendy Thomas, Residential Product Manager, July 2018

Claiming 40,000 deaths each year and creating long-term health problems for hundreds of thousands of people, air pollution is a topic that’s hard to avoid. Just five days into 2017, the annual air pollution limits in London were breached, so what about the other 360 days to come?

Air pollution is made up of harmful substances and gases which are released into the atmosphere. 2 main pollutants are Nitrogen Oxide (NOX) and Particular Matter (PM2.5 & PM10). But what are these and how do they get into our air?

NOX Gases

NOX are a group of gases formed when fossil fuels are burned and during the combustion process. Diesel engines are the biggest culprit on the roads, but NOX is also produced by gas boilers and cooking with gas at home.

Particulate Matter are dust particles which are rated based on their size in diameter. They can be disturbed by vehicles on the road and produced as a result of wood burning. Both sizes, PM2.5 and PM10, are small enough to be inhaled into our lungs causing major health problems.

Exposure to NOX and PM2.5 can, over time, cause damage to your body through lung and heart disease, stroke, cancer and even dementia. Because they’re generated by everyday activities like driving, and by cooking and heating at home, it’s difficult to escape them.

A common misconception is that our indoor air is clean and healthy. Many don’t realise that when stepping through the front door at night the ill-effects of air pollution don’t go away. Air pollution can build up inside the home as a result of opening and closing doors and windows, allowing ‘fresh air’ into the home; and by cooking, cleaning, heating and using a wood-burning stove on those cold winter nights. All of these activities pollute our homes.

So, how do you protect yourself from air pollution and the damaging effects it can have?
Unfortunately this can be difficult. Outside, it’s hard to avoid the car fumes as we travel around cities and towns. Although this can be minimised by pledging to drive less, walking more or using public transport.

Combat Against Air Pollution

Every step taken to combat against air pollution and its effects on the human body can bring positive effects for your health and that of others.

On a daily basis we consider the food we eat and strive to put healthy nutrients into our bodies. Exercise is equally important as it helps us to remain healthy and active and is said to be part of a healthy balanced lifestyle. But what about the air we breathe? This is just as significant due to the effects it can have on our health.

The effects of air pollution are cumulative. By making small changes to reduce our exposure to pollutants, both in the home and outside, will lead to us living longer, healthier lives.