Unbreathable Air, Wildfires

Question 1

what is air pollution?

Answer 1

• composed of various gases and particles that vary in concentration from one geographical area to another
• human-induced & natural occurring phenomenon
• contributes to overall air quality

Question 1

what is the air we breath mostly made up of?

Answer 1

• 78% nitrogen
• 21% oxygen
• 1% argon, carbon dioxide, etc.

Question 2

how will climate change contribute to air pollution?

Answer 2

• projected to worsen as a result of climate change
• higher temperature and less precipitation can lead to worse air pollution

Question 3

what are the different types of air pollution?

Answer 3

ambient and household pollution

Question 4

what is ambient pollution? what is driving ambient pollution?

Answer 4

• commonly referred to as outdoor air pollution
• increasing, especially in fast-developing Low & Middle-Income Countries
• fossil fuel combustion is the primary driver in high-income & middle-income countries (coal, oil, gas)
• burning of biomass is the primary driver in low-income countries:

Question 5

what is household pollution? what is driving household pollution?

Answer 5

• pollution from cooking, heating, and lighting sources
  
  • especially due to inefficient technologies
• biomass burning in open fires and simple stoves
  
  • from dung, charcoal, wood, coal, crop residues

Question 6

what are the main sources of air pollution?

Answer 6

• industry and energy supply
• transportation
• waste management
• dust
• agricultural practices
• household energy

Question 7

how does climate change impact air quality?

Answer 7

1. warmer temperatures contribute to ground-level ozone formation
2. altered forests and drier weather conditions with minimal precipitation serve as catalysts to wildfire formation

Question 8

what are the most common air pollutants?

Answer 8

• ground-level ozone
• particulate matter
• SO2, NO2, CO
• aeroallergens

Question 8

what is ground-level ozone

Answer 8

• created when gases in the environment react in the presence of heat and sunlight
• is a component of smog

Question 9

what is particulate matter? what are the different types?

Answer 9

• tiny particles form natural and man-made sources that are suspended in the air
• from dust, fires, vehicles, industry
• PM 10 - **any inhalable particles with 10 micrometers or less
• PM 2.5 - very fine inhalable particles with diameters 2.5 micrometers or smaller
  
  • the most dangerous type of particulate matter

Question 10

why are wildfires so bad for air pollution?

Answer 10

• pollutants contained in wildfire smoke: CO,CO2,NOx, O3,PM2.5,PM 10, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), metals (mercury)
• expected to double by 2050

Question 11

what are the significant public health impacts of wildfires?

Answer 11

• injuries
• respiratory impairment
• displacement of people
• isolation
• long-term mental health effects
• evacuations, damage to properties and wildlife

Question 12

how do we monitor air quality?

Answer 12

• in Canada, we use the Air Quality Health Index Scale
• identifies the level of risk there is to a person’s health

Question 13

who is at the highest risk of exposure to air pollution?

Answer 13

• the less abled, pregnant, or already sick
• the poor, displaced, and homeless
• children and the elderly
• athletes
• outdoor and manual workers

Question 14

how does air pollution impact children’s health?

Answer 14

• stunts lung growth and reduces lung function
• impaired mental and motor development
• behavioural disorders
• childhood cancers
• increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke in adulthood

Question 15

what are the short-term health effects of climate change?

Answer 15

• vary with population demographics and any pre-existing health conditions they may have
• eye and throat irritation
• wheezing or difficulty breathing
• lower respiratory infection

Question 16

what are the long-term health complications of climate change?

Answer 16

• chronic lung disease (cancer, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder [COPD])
• chronic heart disease (i.e. ischemic heart disease, stroke)
• death

Question 17

what can we do to prevent the effects of air pollution at an individual level?

Answer 17

• regularly monitor the AQI/AQHI
• try to minimize your exposure to high-pollution areas
• consider using HEPA air filters indoors (especially during wildfires)
• monitor your own health – listen to your body and seek immediate medical attention if your respiratory function is impaired

Question 18

what can we do to prevent the effects of air pollution at the community level?

Answer 18

• minimizing driving (walk/cycle/public transport)
• use of hybrid + electric cars when possible
• advocating for planting of more trees in our cities
• supporting our local governments to:
  
  • implement renewable energy
  • enforce stricter emissions standards for vehicles
  • make public transportation more accessible & effective
  • take urban planning design into account