Athlete respiratory health in the spotlight thanks to new sensor in Nice | News | Athletics Better World | World Athletics

Protecting Athletes’ Health with Hyperlocal Data

Building on its experience in measuring air quality in stadiums, the Health & Science Department at World Athletics has taken a new step in protecting the health of athletes. 

Introduction

Following the installation of a Kunak air quality sensor at the Parc des Sports Charles Ehrmann stadium in Nice, a Lify-Air pollen measurement sensor has also been added. This development provides athletes who use the stadium with access to essential hyperlocal information to help them manage their respiratory health. 

The Impact of Airborne Pollen on Athletes

Exposure to airborne pollen is a significant health concern during outdoor sporting events, posing a risk to a large number of athletes who may experience allergic responses. Asthma and related allergy symptoms are commonly reported by athletes after competing in endurance events. A study conducted during the Comrades Marathon between 2014 and 2019 shows that respiratory diseases, including asthma and allergenic rhinitis, were the most frequently reported chronic diseases among athletes (Brill et al. 2023).

Link to Sustainable Development Goals

The initiative to measure air quality and pollen levels aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations. These goals include:

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The project aims to protect the health of athletes by providing them with accurate and timely information about air quality and pollen levels.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – By installing sensors in stadiums, the project contributes to creating sustainable and healthy environments for athletes.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action – The project recognizes the impact of air pollution, greenhouse gases, and global warming on pollen allergies, highlighting the need for environmental action to mitigate these effects.

The Relationship Between Air Pollution and Pollen Allergy

Air pollution and global warming are major contributors to the increase in pollen allergies. Air pollution not only increases the allergen content of pollen but also damages its surface, releasing more allergens. This likely exacerbates respiratory diseases experienced during the peak of the pollen season. Consequently, the prevalence of respiratory allergic diseases among athletes can be attributed to increased exposure to outdoor atmospheric pollutants and allergens (Helenius et al. 1997; Gisler 2021; Orellano et al. 2017).

The Importance of Hyperlocal Data

For allergic athletes, access to pollen and air quality information is crucial for managing their allergies effectively. Pollen allergy bulletins and forecasts provide valuable insights that help athletes limit their exposure to allergens and adjust their treatments accordingly. It is essential for athletes to understand the timing, quantity, and specific type of pollen they are exposed to or might be exposed to. Airborne pollens are not evenly distributed over the territory due to differences in topography and vegetation, making each athletics stadium unique in terms of pollen specificity.

Benefits of Hyperlocal Data Recording

The Health & Science Department aims to educate athletes about environmental risks and enable them to minimize their level of exposure, thereby maintaining optimum performance levels. By recording hyperlocal data on air quality and pollen levels, athletes can make informed decisions regarding their training and competition schedules.

Accessing the Data

Air quality data monitoring in the Nice stadium is available here. To consult pollen levels data, please visit: live-pollen.com.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

The article discusses the health concerns related to exposure to airborne pollen during outdoor sporting events. It highlights the risk of allergic responses and respiratory issues faced by athletes. SDG 3 aims to ensure good health and well-being for all, and addressing respiratory health issues aligns with this goal.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The article mentions that air pollution, greenhouse gases, and global warming contribute to an increase in pollen allergies. This connection between air quality and allergies is relevant to SDG 11, which focuses on creating sustainable cities and communities by addressing environmental impacts, including air quality.

SDG 13: Climate Action

The article emphasizes the impact of air pollution and global warming on pollen allergies. This aligns with SDG 13, which aims to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. By addressing the connection between air pollution, allergies, and climate change, progress can be made towards SDG 13.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.

The article highlights the health risks associated with exposure to airborne pollen during outdoor sporting events. By addressing this issue and providing athletes with essential hyperlocal information, progress can be made towards reducing illnesses caused by air pollution.

Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

The article mentions that air pollution contributes to an increase in pollen allergies. By focusing on air quality management and reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities, progress can be made towards reducing the prevalence of respiratory allergic diseases among athletes.

Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

The article highlights the impact of global warming on pollen allergies. By addressing climate-related hazards and strengthening resilience, progress can be made towards reducing the incidence of symptoms caused by changes in the flowering of plants and pollen grains.

Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.

The article emphasizes the importance of understanding pollen exposure and adapting treatments accordingly. By improving education and awareness about environmental risks, athletes can minimize their level of exposure to allergens and maintain optimum performance levels.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not explicitly mention any indicators related to the identified targets. However, the following indicators can be used to measure progress:

Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution.

This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 3.9, which aims to reduce deaths and illnesses from hazardous air pollution. By monitoring the mortality rate attributed to air pollution, the effectiveness of measures taken to improve air quality can be assessed.

Indicator 11.6.2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g., PM2.5 and PM10) in cities (population-weighted).

This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 11.6, which focuses on reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities, including air quality. By monitoring the levels of fine particulate matter in cities, the effectiveness of air quality management strategies can be evaluated.

Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.

This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 13.1, which aims to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards. By tracking the number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters, the effectiveness of resilience-building measures can be assessed.

Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula.

This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 13.3, which focuses on improving

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Fuente: worldathletics.org

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