From Guest Blogger Devin Morrissey: Facing the Realities of Rising Air Pollution

It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking about environmental concerns in abstract terms. We, as a species, have made enormous mistakes when it comes to pollution. We have a responsibility to future generations to rectify those mistakes and find ways to reduce pollution in the environment. But environmental pollution isn’t an abstract problem, and it isn’t only going to affect those born in the future. It is affecting us here and now, everywhere across the globe.

A recent article published by The New York Times provided statistics from a study by the Journal of the American Medical Association that paint a dark picture of the situation:

• For each daily increase of 10 micrograms of particulate matter — the small particles of pollution that easy enter the lungs and bloodstream — there is a 1.05 percent increase in mortality rates.
• Ozone is a major component of smog, and it increases mortality rates by 0.51 percent for every 10 parts per billion increase.
• Cumulatively, these pollutants are causing approximately an extra 20,000 deaths per year in the U.S. alone. To put this number in perspective, this far exceeds the number of annual deaths attributed to AIDS (12,333). Given that air pollution is rising at an unprecedented rate, especially in rapidly growing cities, these numbers are alarming.

Air pollution is having a dramatic impact on our quality of life today, and the problem is getting worse. There are a wide range of negative effects that air pollution can cause. What can you do, as an individual, to reduce them? Here are a few tips to improve your health in the face of rising air pollution:

Keeping Your Lungs Healthy 

Indoor air pollution can have a noticeable impact on your day-to-day life, especially when it comes to breathing. Short-term effects, like throat irritation and exacerbated issues with allergies, can be annoying. However, potential long-term effects are far more than “annoying” — they can be fatal. These include heart disease, cancer, and the development of serious respiratory diseases.

Fortunately, there are ways you can mitigate these risks in your home. One commonly neglected step to maintaining air quality is to simply replace your air filters on a regular basis. Depending on how often you use your HVAC system, you will likely want to change it either once or twice a year. Improved ventilation can also reduce the number of indoor pollutants, though it is wise to use an air purifier to ensure that outdoor contaminants don’t make matters worse. Finally, prevent contributing to pollution by adjusting or modifying appliances (like gas stoves) to produce fewer emissions and prohibiting smoking in your home.

Protecting Your Eyes

If you’ve ever visited a densely populated city, you probably noticed one symptom of air pollution far before any others: it can seriously irritate your eyes. Dry eyes can be caused by a number of variables, but environmental causes, like air pollution, are a major culprit. Stinging, burning, sore eyes are a huge frustration, and they can make getting through the day a challenge. However, the effects of dry eyes are even more serious than you might think. Over time, it can lead to irreversible worsened light sensitivity, chronic pain, and even loss of vision.

To protect your eyes from air pollution, you need to stay hydrated, wear sunglasses or goggles when possible, and avoid smoking (and secondhand smoke). Depending on the level of pollution in your area, you may want to invest in both an air purifier and humidifier. These can reduce the impact of pollution on your eyes and keep your vision clear.

Preventing Chronic Illness Complications

Chronic illnesses claim more lives than anything else in the world. As noted in the McGill Journal of Medicine, “(c)hronic diseases, especially cancer, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory diseases are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.” This impact will only rise as ambient air pollution increases the rates of such diseases. It can even cause complications for people who already have such problems, worsening their health further.

Stay apprised of the air pollution levels of the areas you reside and visit. Take precautionary measures, like those listed above, to protect your health. Furthermore, travelling with a chronic illness requires communication with your healthcare provider before taking off, keeping an in-depth copy of your health history with you at all times, and remembering to bring all medications you need to take. While not all exposure to air pollution can be prevented, it can be minimized.

There is a clear need for social reform when it comes to pollution and the effects of climate change — but pollution is having a very real effect on our lives today, and you shouldn’t wait for the social tide to turn before addressing these issues. In addition to seeking out ways to personally combat pollution, you must take steps to protect your health. In order to avoid irreversible damage to your eyes or lungs, you need to do what you can to reduce your exposure to air pollution.