International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
Today is the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies! The United Nations General Assembly, the group of policy and rule makers for the world’s only truly universal, global organization, deemed September 7th this special day to help increase an international interest in better air quality and to protect human health.
In 2020, the first-ever day with a rights-based theme of “Clean Air for All” was celebrated internationally. This year’s theme is “Healthy Air, Healthy Planet”.
Did you know that not everyone has access to clean air? As many as nine out of ten people breathe polluted air worldwide, unless important measures are taken by all, the impacts of air pollution could double by the year 2050.
There are six common pollutants found in air, and they include:
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
Nitrogen dioxide is a gas and is a major component of urban air pollution episodes. Nitrogen dioxide comes from man-made sources including vehicles, power stations, and hating. Diesel vehicles are major contributors in urban areas.
Ozone (O3)
Ozone is a gas composed of three atoms of oxygen. In the upper level of the Earth’s atmosphere, it absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation. Ozone can be found near the ground as it is made by a chemical reaction between the sun’s rays and organic gases and oxides of nitrogen made by cars, power plants, plants, chemical plants, and other sources. Levels of ozone tend to be highest in the spring and summer, and lowest in the winter. It is more common to see higher ozone levels in the country than in towns.
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
Sulphur dioxide is a colourless gas, with a pungent, suffocating smell. It is produced by burning sulphur-containing fuels such as coal and oil. This includes, vehicles, power generation and heating. Most sulphur dioxide comes from electric industries that burn fossil fuels, and also from petrol refineries and cement manufacturing. It can be transported over long distances and contributes to the formation of ozone.
Particulate Matter
Particulate matter is also known as particle pollution. It is a complex mixture of extremely small particle and liquid droplets. These particles can come from sources such as forest fires, or they can form when gases emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles react in the air.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas formed by the incomplete combustion of fuels. Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels such as gas, oil, coal and wood do not burn fully. Burning charcoal, running cars, and the smoke from cigarettes also produce carbon monoxide gas.
Lead (Pb)
Lead is an elemental heavy metal found naturally in the environment as well as in manufactured products. Lead can be released directly into the air, as suspended particles. In the past, it was common to see major sources of lead air emissions in motor vehicles and industrial sources. Nowadays, motor-vehicle emissions have been reduced by phasing out the use of leaded gasoline, though this form of gas is commonly used for airplanes and aviation type vehicles. Other industrial sources of lead include the processing of metals, iron and steel foundries, copper smelters, glass manufacturers, and cement manufacturers.
Did you know that 92% of our world is exposed to polluted air? That is a big percentage of people, animals, and their homes that are exposed to poor air quality. Air pollution is an environmental risk to human health and is an avoidable cause of death and disease worldwide.
Poor air quality can have serious impacts on the climate, biodiversity and ecosystems, and quality of life in general. From smog hanging over cities to smoke inside the home, there are examples of air pollution everywhere you look. It is important to learn about air pollution and the effects for humans, animals, and all different biomes on our planet. This special day of recognition reminds us to keep the conversation about air pollution alive and to collectively align efforts and claim the right to clean air.
Keep the conversation going! Share what you have learned here with us with your friends and family. The United Nations has a special Instagram filter that you can use to spread the word about healthy air and healthy planet. Use the hashtags #ClearTheAir and #WorldCleanAirDay to raise awareness about air pollution, which is not always visible to the naked eye.