Air Pollution & Policy
A closer look at global air quality and international guidelines/policy
The quality of the air you breathe relies heavily on where you live in the world. Some people wake up to fresh air everyday while other places are so smoggy you can feel your chest get tight when you walk outdoors.
In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) states:
In 2016, 91% of the world population was living in places where the WHO air quality guidelines levels were not met.
This brings up many questions such as:
What are the WHO air quality guidelines?
Are there policies in place to help reduce air pollution?
How effective are these policies?
Let's explore these questions by investigating international agreements that have been set in place to help protect the world's population. We will see historical and current trends in air quality to help us better understand if these policies have been effective. We also see future initiatives and explore areas where intervention may be needed.
World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines
Air quality and pollution can be measured in many different ways. For example, you can measure the concentrations of pollutants such as particulate patter (PM), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
WHO states, "PM is a common proxy indicator for air pollution. It affects more people than any other pollutant. The major components of PM are sulfate, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, black carbon, mineral dust and water. It consists of a complex mixture of solid and liquid particles of organic and inorganic substances suspended in the air. While particles with a diameter of 10 microns or less, (≤ PM10) can penetrate and lodge deep inside the lungs, the even more health-damaging particles are those with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less, (≤ PM2.5). PM2.5 can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the blood system. Chronic exposure to particles contributes to the risk of developing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as of lung cancer."
In 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) set an annual guideline of 10 micrograms per cubic meter to measure if air quality is suitable or safe for the population to breathe. The guideline aims to reduce air pollution-related deaths. The map below shows average annual PM 2.5 concentrations in 2016 derived from NASA SEDAC data . We can clearly see areas that do not meet the WHO guideline and shows which areas are below the threshold. Click on the map to learn more about the data and patterns for each country.
2016 Global Air Quality (PM 2.5 Concentrations) derived from NASA SEDAC data
This is just one example of a guideline for air quality. There are many multinational agreements set in place to encourage change and set similar guidelines and thresholds. Let's explore some of the agreements that have been in place for many years and see if they have been effective.
1979 Geneva Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP)
Air pollution ignores human-made administrative divisions like country boundaries. It follows the winds, becomes trapped in valleys, and settles near factories and other sources.
In 1979, various parties joined an agreement to address the fact that air pollution effects humans across boundaries, or "transboundary". The agreement aims to tackle major environmental problems through scientific collaboration and policy negotiation. The convention, which currently includes 51 parties , meets annually to gradually reduce and prevent air pollution.
In 1998, an executive body of the convention adopted the Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) to ban, limit, and reduce certain substances. These POPs set a foundation of policy to hold the parties accountable for their pollutants and overall environmental impact.
Who agreed to make a change?
This map shows us which countries entered the convention. They either agreed with signature, ratification, or both.
Next, let's compare this against which countries have seen results since entering the agreement.
Is the agreement working?
When looking at the 19-year statistical trends of air quality from 1998 to 2016, we can see which areas saw improved air quality and which areas had a decline in air quality. Click on an area to learn more, and zoom in to see regional and local patterns.
Many of the parties which entered the agreement and POPs Protocol have seen decreases in PM 2.5 concentrations.
(Data in map also derived from NASA SEDAC's gridded PM 2.5)
As shown by the maps above, we can see that this convention has made a real impact over its many years of efforts. The convention continues to exchange information, consult, research, and monitor air pollution in order to reduce the damage to human health. As stated by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE):
It is a successful example of what can be achieved through intergovernmental cooperation.
2015 World Health Assembly Resolution
More recently, the World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted a resolution to redouble efforts to protect the population from the impacts of air pollution. The Member States who endorsed the agreement are encouraged to do many things such as:
- Raise awareness of the health risks caused by air pollution
- Facilitate research
- Survey diseases related to air pollution
- Follow WHO guidelines (which will now be updated more regularly)
- Collect air quality data
In the map below, swipe to see which countries are part of the 194 countries considered Member States. Compare this to the current air quality conditions being recorded by OpenAQ, which are shown by the daily WHO PM 2.5 guidelines :
- Meets guideline - under 25 µg/m3
- Interim Target 3 - 25 - 37.5 µg/m3
- Interim Target 2 - 37.5 - 50 µg/m3
- Interim Target 1 - 50 - 70 µg/m3
- Meets no target (unsafe air) - over 75 µg/m3
Notice a few things in the map above:
Not all Member States have points on the map. This could be because they are not included in this particular collection of data, but may also reflect areas of opportunity where Member States could be collecting data to raise awareness.
Also notice which areas are not meeting the WHO guidelines currently. Come back and check on the patterns tomorrow. Are they the same? Are there areas where there are distinct patterns? These may be areas where new action or policies can be instated.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
As we look forward to the future, policy and awareness can help bring us all toward breathing cleaner air. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) create goals for the world to collectively reach by 2030. Of the 17 goals, two of them address air pollution: goal 11 and goal 3 .
Goal 11.6.2
Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Target 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
Indicator 2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities (population weighted)
Like the map we saw earlier, the map below shows concentrations of PM 2.5. However this map shows it slightly different. The pattern of PM 2.5 is averaged over 19 years (1998-2016), showing the overall pattern over time. The concentrations are also population weighted, meaning that areas with high populations have a higher human impact from PM 2.5.
The map highlights areas that do not meet the WHO guideline and shows which areas are below the threshold. Zoom in to your area to explore regional and local patterns. Where are there area of higher human impact due to air pollution that may require change as we get closer to 2030?
What is the population weighted impact of air quality globally? (data derived from NASA SEDAC gridded PM 2.5)
Goal 3.9.1
Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Target 9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination
Indicator 1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution
According to the World Health Organization:
Ambient (outdoor air pollution) in both cities and rural areas was estimated to cause 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide in 2016.
Explore the map below containing data from the 2016 WHO burdens of disease from the joint effects of household and ambient air pollution . The map shows the mortality rate caused by air pollution. Globally, there are 95 deaths per 100,000 people caused by air pollution. Areas in red are above this figure. Where is there room for improvement as we move toward 2030?
How many people have died from air pollution causes?
Knowing that PM 2.5 can cause fatal outcomes, investigating where people are suffering the most can help instill change and future policies/regulations.
Conclusions
International policies and agreements have made an impact over the past 40 years, and are in place to continue this forward progress. While we have seen positive change, there is still work to be done so that all humans can breathe clean, safe air.
Policies and investments supporting cleaner transport, energy-efficient homes, power generation, industry and better municipal waste management would reduce key sources of outdoor air pollution.
Studying PM 2.5 is just the start. While this story focused primarily one one type of pollutant, there are many others to be controlled and regulated. There are many other ways to measure air pollution so that we can work toward cleaner air for the generations to come.
Learn more
Make an Impact - Get Involved!
Aside from policymakers, we can all make an impact on the air we breathe by being conscious about our everyday decisions. As consumers we can choose to recycle, buy our products from sustainable sources, and make more sustainable choices everyday.
You can also demand change in your area by writing to your local, regional, or national policymakers. If your area stood out on the maps you saw, use your voice and demand clean and breathable air. If you area didn't have data, demand that air quality be recorded. Every voice matters!
Use the maps
Learn more about the layers seen above. Use and share them to promote change and educate others about air quality patterns.