Clean Air Matters

Particulates

Particulates are small particles of dust, soot, smoke, acids, organic chemicals, metals, aerosols, droplets, and other materials suspended in the air. They are so small that they can’t be seen with the naked eye.

Smaller particles measure by their diameter (PM1.0 PM2.5 and PM1.0) can penetrate deep into airways potentially causing many health problems.

These particulates can have an acute effect on humans, causing irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as other symptoms such as coughing, sneezing and shortness of breath.

Acute chronic exposure to such irritants can cause or worsen respiratory conditions including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart disease, with children and the elderly being the most vulnerable.

Gases

The major gaseous pollutants with potential to affect human health are ozone (03), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO). While carbon dioxide (CO2) is not a pollutant, its presence in high concentrations indoors (more than 1000 micrograms per square metre) is a proxy for the presence of viruses such as Covid-19.

These gases spread mostly from large-scale sources such as vehicle fuel combustion, industrial and agricultural activity, thermal power plants, industrial wastewater treatment, and natural volcanic eruptions.

Adverse health effects of these gases are mainly related to respiratory and heart-related illnesses. Like particulates, they have been shown to have a negative impact on premature death rates.

VOCs

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are common indoor and outdoor pollutants, some of which have potential to cause harm to human health. While there are thousands of these compounds, the most common include benzene, butanol, ethanol, formaldehyde, terpenes, toluene, and xylene (from traffic emissions, including idling cars).

VOC emissions come from a range of common sources. These include building and furniture materials (such as paints, adhesives, caulks, carpets, vinyl floor covering, foams, wallpapers, plastics, and upholstery), home and personal care products (such as air fresheners, deodorants, candles, joss sticks, cosmetics, nail polishes, furniture polishes, and other cleaners), and from activities such as cooking, smoking, photocopying, and the use of open fires or wood burners.

Outdoor VOC sources include fossil fuels, industrial processes, oil and gas extraction and processing, and wood burning. While total VOC emissions have been reducing in the UK in recent years, indoor emissions from solvents and consumer products now account for around 70 percent of emissions.

The effects of VOC emissions include dizziness, skin irritation, shortness of breath, fatigue, headaches, and irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. Higher concentration exposure can also cause lung and organ damage, and some VOCs have been associated with cancers.

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