Learn more about why we must improve our air quality.
We all want to breathe clean air. But too many of us breathe dirty air every day, especially in our towns and cities. Air pollution is a hidden killer and it hits children, the elderly and our most in need hardest.
Here are some of the disturbing facts about our air pollution: what causes it, how it impacts us, how to avoid it and how to help make positive changes to improve our air quality.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that 9 out of 10 people across the world are breathing polluted air.
Air Pollution is responsible for 16% deaths worldwide each year.
7 million die prematurely from air pollution related diseases every year. Increases in air pollution have been scientifically linked to increases in coronary heart disease, stroke, asthma, COPD and premature death.
Many scientists believe air pollution is a contributing factor to the COVID-19 pandemic. Research suggests people in polluted areas are far more likely to die from the coronavirus than those living in cleaner areas.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental threats to health.
Children whose lungs are still developing are particularly vulnerable to poor air quality. Air pollution can harm the normal growth of the lung function and cause or aggravate respiratory problems and allergies.
Air pollution is linked to low fertility. Exposure to pollutants during pregnancy can increase the risk of premature birth and low birth weight.
We spend 90% of our time indoors and yet 77% are unaware that indoor air can be more polluted than the air outside.
The average person receives 72% of their toxic chemical exposure in the home. Domestic items such as traditional paints, furniture and household hygiene products release VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and other toxins into the air we breathe.
The most polluted room in your home is probably your child’s bedroom. A standard coat of paint may contain toxic and potentially harmful toxins which can be released into the air. New furniture can release harmful gasses for weeks after they have been unpacked.
