Clean Air Month
Clean Air Month is an annual observance in May, supported by the American Lung Association (ALA), aimed at raising awareness about the significance of clean air for public health. Originally initiated as a week-long event in 1972, it was expanded to a full month in 1994. The event emphasizes the health risks associated with poor air quality, including respiratory issues, heart disease, and other serious health conditions, particularly affecting vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and those with preexisting health problems.
During Clean Air Month, the ALA promotes various activities, such as bike-to-work days, to encourage cleaner commuting options and celebrates the progress made since the Clean Air Act's implementation in 1970. Despite significant improvements in air quality, challenges remain, including climate change and its impact on air pollution levels. The ALA encourages individuals to take actionable steps towards cleaner air, such as using renewable energy, reducing vehicle use, and advocating for stronger air quality standards. A key component of the month is Air Quality Awareness Week, which provides further resources and information to the public. Each year, the event has a specific theme, enhancing its focus on specific aspects of air quality awareness.
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Clean Air Month
Supported by the American Lung Association (ALA), National Clean Air Month is observed in the United States each year. The month-long event raises awareness about the importance of clean air and encourages people to take positive steps to improve air quality. National Clean Air Month started as a week-long event in 1972 but was lengthened to an entire month in 1994.
Brief History
Poor air quality can cause many health problems in both children and adults. Respiratory conditions linked to poor air quality include wheezing and coughing, shortness of breath, asthma attacks, worsening chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. Other serious health problems that can be linked to air pollution include susceptibility to infections, heart attacks, strokes, impaired cognitive functioning, metabolic disorders, premature births and low birth weights, and premature death.
Air pollution also threatens the environment causing damage to plants and long-term forest health, soil nutrient deterioration, accumulation of toxic chemicals in the food chain, and harm to aquatic life.
Both gas and particle contaminants can cause air pollution. Generally, air pollution comes from stationary fuel combustion sources such as electric utilities and boilers; industrial sources such as metal smelters, petroleum refineries, cement kilns and dry cleaners; highway vehicles; or non-road mobile sources such as recreational and construction equipment, marine vessels, aircraft, and locomotives. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists the “six common pollutants” as carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide.
In 1970, the United States passed the Clean Air Act (CAA), a federal law regulating air emissions to help protect public health and welfare. Since the introduction of the act, levels of the six common pollutants as well as numerous toxic pollutants have dropped by 78 percent. As a result, Americans now suffer fewer air pollution-related health problems such as chronic bronchitis, according to the EPA. The CAA was also projected to have prevented more than 230,000 deaths in 2020 alone. Cutting air pollution through the CAA has helped boost the US economy, saving nearly two trillion dollars in 2020, the latest year for which statistics are available.
Despite the progress gained from the CAA, more than 40 percent of Americans, or 137 million people, live in areas with unhealthy air. Major risk factors for health consequences due to air pollution include exposure, susceptibility, access to health care, and psychosocial stress. Populations that are more susceptible to air pollution include pregnant women and their fetuses, children, older adults, and people with chronic conditions like heart and lung disease. People who do not have health care or who have poor health care cannot get the care they need to combat health problems caused by air pollution.
Mounting evidence suggests that psychosocial stress can amplify the effects of air pollution on people. Such stress can be caused by many factors including poverty, discrimination, and fear of deportation. Additionally, those who work or exercise outside face are more likely to suffer the effects of air pollution.
Overview
The ALA has supported National Clean Air Month since 1973. The month-long national event is dedicated to increasing public awareness about the relationship between clean air and respiratory health. Local ALA chapters host events such as bike-to-work days, which promote a cleaner commute. The event also provides an opportunity for the organization to celebrate the achievements that have been made since the implementation of the CAA in 1970. These include lower levels of the six common pollutants identified by the EPA as well as economic gains.
However, the ALA notes that climate change, increasing wildfires, and e-commerce shifts are emerging threats to air quality. Climate change has far-ranging effects on air quality. First, it increases the risk of air pollution because warmer weather makes it more difficult to clean up widespread pollutants. This, in turn, intensifies droughts, increasing particle pollution from dust and fires. Second, climate change may increase the number of allergens in the air because rising temperatures can cause certain plants to produce more pollen. Third, an increase in flooding and other extreme weather events caused by climate change forces people to evacuate their homes. Upon return, they may be exposed to indoor air pollution because of polluted floodwater residue or other damage. Fourth, the increased chances of heat and drought associated with climate change cause an uptick in frequency and intensity of wildfires. The particles from wildfire smoke can cause many health problems including coughing, asthma flare ups, heart attacks, and premature death.
The ALA encourages the public to contribute to cleaner air through its Stand Up for Clean Air Initiative. Some actionable steps promoted by the organization include choosing clean, renewable electricity, reducing energy usage, driving less, choosing an electric vehicle, biking, or using public transit, and choosing not to burn wood or trash. The ALA also advocates for the public to call on the EPA for more protective air pollution standards.
Part of National Clean Air Month is Air Quality Awareness Week, which takes place during the first week of May. It is sponsored by AirNow, an organization that is part of the US government. AirNow partners with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US Forest Service (USFS), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the US Department of State. Each year, the month has a theme. In 2024, the theme was "Knowing Your Air."
Bibliography
“Air Quality Awareness Week.” US Environmental Protection Agency, 2024, www.epa.gov/air-quality/air-quality-awareness-week. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
“Air Quality Facts.” American Lung Association, 2024, www.lung.org/research/sota/air-quality-facts. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
“National Clean Air Month 2024.” Awareness Days, 2024, www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/national-clean-air-month-2024. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
Romano, Sara. “What Is Clean Air Month?” IAQ Works, 1 May 2022, www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview/progress-cleaning-air-and-improving-peoples-health. Accessed 27 June 2024.
“Stand Up for Clean Air.” American Lung Association, 2024, www.lung.org/clean-air/stand-up- for-clean-air. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.