News from the Clean Air Fund

As we get toward the end of 2024, let’s look at some of the news from the Clean Air Fund, which did a roundup report on global air quality last month.

These news items will help us evaluate how we’re doing in terms of air quality, and our health.

Some of them are really an eye-opener. They make you think about how to preserve the natural environment and quality of life in the modern age. You can also think about how to promote better longevity and quality of life for yourself, and your family.

Decreases in Emissions, But Concerns on Long-Term Air Quality

First, there’s the Lancet countdown report on health and climate change. This shows how air pollution is connected to health and wellness. Researchers actually document a decrease in the burning of fossil fuels. That’s about 10 percentage points down from 2016 to 2021.

However, what writers call “cascading impacts” are a concern, and experts cite years of delayed action as “reducing the chances of mankind’s long-term survival.”

“Record-high emissions are posing record-breaking threats to our health,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in press comments. “We must cure the sickness of climate inaction – by slashing emissions, protecting people from climate extremes, and ending our fossil fuel addiction – to create a fairer, safer, and healthier future for all.”

All of that will have an impact on our air and water.

WMA Declaration

The Clean Air Fund also reported on the World Medical Association’s “Declaration on Prevention and Reduction of Air Pollution.”

8.1 million premature deaths, researchers find, occur each year due to air pollution. The same contamination raises risks for stroke, lung cancer, and chronic respiratory conditions.

The report enumerates items like sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane and VOCs, as major contaminants. It suggests that 99% of the global population exposed to air pollution above the WHO limits, with the number of pollution-related deaths to increase 50% by 2050.

“Air pollution poses a major global and environmental risk to human health contributing significantly to avoidable morbidity and mortality nationwide worldwide,” they write.

The group calls for more international work, and cites different kinds of combustion emissions, as well as biological pollutants like bacteria and viruses. It calls for engaging with different levels of stakeholders. All of us can work together to advance better air quality.

Company Sustainability

The World Benchmarking Alliance 2024 Urban Benchmark shows the results for 300 companies that are having an impact on human health worldwide.

Often, people don’t factor availability into the sustainability agenda for 75% of urban companies, study authors suggest.

Studies suggest that some 3 billion people will be living without adequate affordable housing and basic services by 2050.

These are just some of the issues included in the Lancet report. The study is a timely look at what we’re doing to deal with air pollution in our communities.

As you take action on pollution and community involvement, you can also take steps to improve your health. Not just your health, but the health of your family inside your home.

Many of the same contaminants that researchers cite lurk in your home’s indoor air.

That includes volatile organic compounds or VOCs that are often industrial byproducts. These particles pop out in off-gassing by furniture and consumer goods, or building materials.

Then, of course, bacteria and virus particles are often introduced into indoor air.

One of the primary lines of defense is to use air monitors in homes and businesses, and then install air purifier machines.

Machines with high-quality medical filters trap 99.97% particles down to .3 microns.

This provides an opportunity to really scrub a lot of contaminants and pollutants out of the air, and contribute to a healthier experience in your home day to day.

Let US Air Purifiers LLC help with selecting your tools and resources and getting air purifier operations into your playbook.