As more research is done into the negative effects of air pollution on human health, we’re constantly learning how pervasive these effects are. One area that doesn’t receive as much attention, though, is the question of how much air pollution is actually safe. Most people assume that the standards set by the WHO and similar organizations for air quality constitute safe levels. A new study conducted in Canada, however, challenges that assumption.
In this study, researchers examined how air pollution has affected mortality in Canada, a country with some of the cleanest air in the world today. Surprisingly, the study didn’t find an absence of air-pollution related deaths. The conclusion reached by the researchers was that about 8,000 Canadians die each year due to air pollution.
This calls into question the entire idea of a safe maximum when it comes to air pollution. Even at low concentrations, it appears that particulate matter, a particularly harmful form of air pollution associated with vehicle exhaust, contributes to excess deaths. This effect was even demonstrated in areas where air pollution was about half of the WHO’s suggested limits.
This study is part of a growing body of evidence that suggests much more vigorous improvements in air quality are needed. As we learn the full effects of low air quality on human health and how little pollution it takes to be harmful, it is becoming clear that contaminated air is even more dangerous than previously thought.
While there isn’t much you can do directly about the level of air pollution in outdoor air, you can provide yourself with cleaner, healthier air at home with the use of a home air purifier. Using an air purifier with a combination of HEPA and carbon filtration can help you control several common air pollutants.
Have questions about air purification or need help deciding what air purifier is right for you? We’re here to help! Feel free to contact us with your questions, and we’ll be happy to provide you with answers and product recommendations based on your needs.