The invisible killer lurking in the air of our cities
The invisible killer lurking in the air of our cities Eco-Business
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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Air Pollution
Bushfires and emissions put Australians’ health at risk
Australia usually enjoys excellent air quality, being one of only seven countries that meet the clean air standards set by the World Health Organization.
But there’s a catch. Sometimes, Australia’s air pollution levels jump significantly — and breathing in that polluted air can make us sick.
Short-term exposure can be serious
Air pollution can affect everyone, but it is especially risky for kids, pregnant women, and old folks. This is true especially when cities get hit with short, intense bursts of dirty air. (Both long-term and short-term exposure are harmful to human health. Long-term exposure is generally thought to contribute to a larger mortality burden than short-term exposure due to its cumulative effect on health.)
Asia suffers the worst
Asia faces the heaviest toll in terms of deaths linked to short-term fine particulate air pollution, shouldering about 65.2 per cent of those deaths (“global mortality”). Africa and Europe follow, with 17 per cent and 12.1 per cent of the global deaths. The Americas saw a relatively lower impact, accounting for 5.6 per cent of such deaths.
What can we do about air pollution?
The solutions to air pollution don’t involve simply cleaning up the air; they’re also about protecting ourselves from the harm pollution can cause.
- Cut down on air pollution by switching to cleaner energy sources, making things run more efficiently, and reducing emissions from cars and factories.
- Implement emergency plans for when pollution levels spike, such as limiting car travel, pausing factory work, or closing schools temporarily.
- Establish warning systems to inform people about poor air quality and provide guidelines on how to protect themselves.
- Stay indoors and keep windows closed when the air outside is bad. Consider wearing a mask when going outside. Use air purifiers to clean the air inside homes. Limit outdoor exercise until the air quality improves.
Yuming Guo is Professor of Global Environmental Health and Biostatistics & Head of the Monash Climate, Air Quality Research (CARE) Unit, Monash University, Australia.
Wenhua Yu is a PhD candidate focusing on global environmental health and data science at Monash University, Australia.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | – Short-term exposure to high levels of air pollution kills more than one million people every year. – Bushfires and emissions contribute to air pollution spikes in Australia. – Air pollution can harm the heart, blood vessels, and brain. – Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is one of the most health-damaging particles. – Short-term exposure to air pollution can lead to health issues with lungs and heart. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 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. | – Asia and Africa account for almost 80% of all air pollution-related deaths, with a significant portion occurring in cities. – Dust storms, emissions from industries, and vehicles contribute to air pollution peaks in urban areas. – Urban heat island effect in cities can worsen air pollution impacts. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | – Climate change, including smog and bushfires, contributes to air pollution and increases the risk of deaths from air pollution. – More frequent and intense extreme air pollution events, such as bushfires and dust storms, have led to an increase in short-term air pollution-related deaths in Australia. |
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Fuente: eco-business.com
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