We consume 1 million breaths of air each month without knowing how the air quality affects our health.
“92% of the world’s population is exposed to harmful levels of air pollution.”
– World Health Organization
“The Indoor air quality we breathe is 2 to 5 times worse than the outdoors.”
– Environmental Protection Agency
Short-term fatigue, headaches, irritation and discomfort are often caused by invisible air pollution. Long-term effects include pulmonary diseases, cardio vascular disease, diabetes, and adverse birth outcomes. If you are experiencing chronic inflammation or chronic diseases, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air you breath maybe the primary cause or at minimum a contributory factor.
PM2.5 refers to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) that have a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, which is about 3% the diameter of a human hair. Particles in this category are so small that they can only be detected with an electronic sensor.
Fine particles come from various sources including power plants, motor vehicles, airplanes, residential wood burning, forest fires, agricultural burning, volcanic eruptions and dust storms.
Some are emitted directly into the air, while others are formed when gases and particles interact with one another in the atmosphere.
Since they are so small and light, fine particles tend to stay in the air longer than heavier particles. This increases the chances of humans and animals inhaling them. Owing to their minute size, particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers are able to bypass the nose and throat and penetrate deep into the lungs and some may even enter the circulatory system and cross the blood-brain barrier.
Studies have found a close link between exposure to fine particles and premature death from heart and lung disease. Fine particles are also known to trigger or worsen chronic disease such as asthma, heart attack, bronchitis and other respiratory problems.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that long-term exposure to PM2.5 may lead to plaque deposits in arteries, causing vascular inflammation and a hardening of the arteries which can eventually lead to heart attack and stroke. Scientists in the study estimated that for every 10 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) increase in fine particulate air pollution, there is an associated 4% to 8% increased risk of all-cause, cardiopulmonary and lung cancer mortality, respectively.
The American Heart Association has also warned about the impact of PM2.5 on heart health and mortality:
“Exposure to PM2.5 over a few hours to weeks can trigger cardiovascular disease-related mortality and nonfatal events; longer-term exposure (eg, a few years) increases the risk for cardiovascular mortality to an even greater extent than exposures over a few days and reduces life expectancy within more highly exposed segments of the population by several months to a few years.”
– American Heart Association
What Can You Do?
Five things you can do to take charge of your air quality:
- Monitor live or at least daily the air quality in your home, office and outdoor environment.
- When selecting where to live, choose locations with the best air quality.
- Minimize your exposure to polluted air by staying indoors when the pollutant levels are high.
- Invest in quality air purifiers and be mindful of asbestos and formaldehyde when renovating old houses and new construction projects.
- Educate yourself and family on the effects and symptoms of exposure to invisible air pollutents.
Your first step is to monitor your local inside and outdoor air quality and use this information to minimize your exposure. Remember, not all air pollution is visible to you. The worst offenders are microscopic solid and liquid particles suspended in the air.
We recommend buying an air quality monitor and using your phone or watch to monitor your local environment in real-time.
Real-Time Air Quality Map
This interactive map shows real-time air quality and air circulation patterns globally. If you are choosing where to live or where to vacations stay informed of local air pollution levels and patterns over time. Take charge of your health!
Real-Time Air Quality City Widgets
Stay informed of your local air quality readings in real-time. Can’t find your city below? Let us know and we will add it!