Welcome to our complete file on air pollution.
At R-PUR, we are convinced that a global understanding of air pollution would make it possible to change mentalities more quickly.
We are therefore keen to explain simply what air pollution is, what causes it, and what you can do to protect yourself from it.
You can also discover our mask with filter to effectively protect you from air pollution.
Summary
In this comprehensive article, we will simply explain to you how air pollution works, and you can click to read the section that interests you:
3. Means of measuring air pollution in France
6. Natural causes of air pollution
7. The influence of meteorological conditions on air quality
8. The impact of air pollution on health
9. The impact of air pollution on the environment
10. Recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO)
11. Solutions for better air quality
1. What is the air we breathe made of?
“Air” is the name we give to the mixture of gases that make up the Earth’s atmosphere.
The composition, physical and chemical properties of air are very similar all over the world.
Our air is therefore a gas mixture mainly composed of 78% dinitrogen (N2) and 21% oxygen (O2).
The remaining percentage is given a complex mixture of other gases such as carbon dioxide, helium and argon.
However, the air we breathe is never pure, since it is regularly polluted, largely by human activity but also by nature.
Update on how the air is polluted, measured, regulated, in France and around the world, and the dangers of its pollution for our health.
2. What are the main air pollutants?
There are two categories of air pollutants:
- primary pollutants, emitted directly: nitrogen monoxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, particles (or dust), heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, etc.
It is therefore an air pollutant emitted directly by a given source.
- secondary pollutants resulting from physico-chemical transformations between air pollutants under the effect of particular meteorological conditions: ozone, nitrogen dioxide, particles)
This pollutant is therefore not emitted directly as such, but is formed when other pollutants (primary pollutants) react in the atmosphere.
What is a VOC (volatile organic compound)?
Many pollutants are identified under the acronym VOC, the best known is benzene. It is also the only pollutant regulated to date.
A VOC substance is a substance which is defined both by its composition (organic), and by its volatility (it can pass from a solid state to a gaseous state under normal conditions of pressure and temperature).
Some 400 different types of volatile organic compounds can be found in the air today, and several thousand substances in commerce meet the definition of VOC.
What about heavy metals?
Heavy metals are metallic elements naturally present in the environment, and used massively in industry.
This term is used when we talk about air pollution because it can be found in the form of very fine dust and can be toxic in high concentrations.
To be more precise about their composition, in European law, they are defined as such:
“A heavy metal means any compound of antimony, arsenic, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium, tellurium, thallium and tin, as well as these materials in metallic form, provided they are classified as dangerous substances. »
Now that we have listed the different pollutants that make up our air, let's see which ones are monitored and regulated, and how they are recorded in France.
3. How do we judge air quality in France?
The French territory is covered with networks of pollution measurement stations.
In total, there are 1900 analyzers, on 670 measuring stations.
Optimal pollution measurement is then ensured by mobile stations, or by direct investigations in the field.
These measurements will then be used by all AASQAs, Approved Air Quality Monitoring Associations.
Approved by the State, they have strong expertise in continuous monitoring of the air we breathe and in supporting the ecological transition with public and private actors but also the general public.
Their missions can be summarized in four points:
- Monitor and predict pollution episodes.
- Inform and raise awareness among the population.
- Support decision-makers through actions.
- Improve knowledge about air pollution.
In France, we will therefore identify all this air pollution data and then judge their quality using the ATMO index.
4. What is the ATMO index?
The ATMO index is an index specific to France and was created in 1994. Its aim is to measure air quality on a daily basis.
It lists five regulated air pollutants: sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide NO2, ozone 03 and particles with a diameter of less than 10 µm PM10, as well as 2.5 µm PM2.5.
This index qualifies the state of the air according to 6 classes: Good / Average / Degraded / Bad / Very bad / Extremely bad.
Each of these pollutants have varied characteristics.
Sulfur dioxide SO2
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a gas, formerly called sulfur dioxide. It can also be found in liquefied form.
It is colorless, but has an acrid and pungent odor. Its inhalation is toxic and irritating to the respiratory system.
It is particularly responsible for “acid rain” when combined with nitrogen dioxide.
Nitrogen dioxide NO2
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a member of the nitrogen oxides family, No.
It is easily recognizable since it is visible and odorous. Indeed, it is recognized by its red-brown color and its characteristic pungent and pungent odor.
It is a smell typically found in streets polluted by car traffic.
It can be difficult to understand since it is colorless in the air, which is why we have written an article to easily understand what NO2 gas is .
Ozone O3
Ozone (O3) is the third gas in this index. It is a pale, bluish color, almost colorless. Its smell, quite characteristic, is reminiscent of bleach.
Emitted by industries and road traffic, it is the only pollutant currently increasing in France and Europe.
PM10 fine particles
PM10 is particulate matter less than 10 microns in size and is approximately six times finer than a hair.
Indeed, particulate matter or PM (Particulate Matter in English) is a physical particle: it is therefore defined by a size, unlike a gas.
You can find out more about what PM10 particles are in our comprehensive guide.
PM2.5 fine particles
PM2.5 are fine particles less than 2.5 microns in size.
They observe each other with an entry-level microscope: their sizes are between a bacteria and a red blood cell .
We also observe that PM2.5 is the smallest measured suspended physical particle in this index.
You can discover in more detail the different elements that make up fine PM2.5 particles .
For more information, you can find our article dedicated to the air quality index , an essential tool for our health.
Now that we know which pollutants are identified by the ATMO index, let us now look at their origin.
5. What are the causes of air pollution?
The primary causes of air pollution are mainly anthropogenic: they are created by human activity.
The most polluting human activities are therefore:
Excessive burning of fossil fuels
One of the main causes is the excessive burning of fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. This releases dangerous gases into the air such as nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, and sulfur. Domestic heating is a major contributor to this pollution, as well as automobile traffic and industries.
Agricultural activities
Agriculture is essential in France, but also has its negative aspects. The main sources of air pollution from agriculture are intensive livestock farming, which produces methane (which leads to ozone production), as well as the burning of agricultural waste in the open air.
6. What are the natural causes of air pollution?
This may be surprising, but nature can also play a role (sometimes important) on the quality of outdoor air.
Forest fires, volcanic eruptions, sandstorms, and certain weather conditions are all events that can also lead to pollution peaks.
In France, episodes of pollution are sometimes caused by dust blown from the Sahara Desert. These episodes of dust can be serious for a young child, an elderly person, a pregnant person or a person suffering from a lung condition.
Certain natural elements also, such as pollen, are not pollutants but will considerably influence the quality of the air for a large part of the French population.
Some pollution factors are uncontrollable.
But nature can also improve outdoor air quality, depending on different weather conditions.
7. The influence of meteorological conditions on air quality.
Weather and outdoor weather significantly affect air quality.
So, when for example you want to practice sports outdoors, relying on the weather conditions can also be a good starting point:
The influence of the sun on air quality
The sun and hot weather are not allies for our health because they promote certain pollutants, such as Ozone.
The reactions that create harmful ozone in our atmosphere require sunlight. In summer, and especially during extreme heat waves, ozone often reaches dangerous levels in cities, especially near major roads.
The influence of cold on air quality
When it is cold, we perceive the scents of exhaust pipes and chimneys more clearly. Does this mean that this pollution is more present, or just more visible?
The answer to this question is a bit of both. Through a temperature inversion phenomenon, the pollution will become “blocked” on the surface and will be more difficult to disperse.
The cold therefore promotes air pollution.
The influence of rain on air quality
Rain , on the other hand, can have a positive, cleansing effect on air quality.
Thus, the concentrations of polluting particles are much lower after heavy rains.
The influence of wind on air quality
Wind, for its part, is a double-edged factor. Winds can sweep pollutants and pollen out of an area and reduce their concentrations, quickly improving air quality.
On the other hand, they can transport pollutants from their sources, and raise dust to the ground, which impoverishes the quality of outdoor air.
8. What are the consequences today on our health?
The figures speak for themselves: air pollution kills 7 million people every year. In Europe, this would involve the premature death of 600,000 people each year.
According to the WHO, air pollution has harmful consequences on health, both in the short term and in the long term.
In the short term, the effects of pollution on health are as follows:
- Eye or respiratory irritation
- Cough
- Throat irritation
- Asthma attacks
- Increased risk of acute respiratory diseases
The long-term effects can be even more serious:
- Cardiovascular accidents
- Reduced life expectancy
- COPD: chronic respiratory disease
- Lung cancer
Pollution is not inevitable: in July 2020, the Energy Institute at the University of Chicago published a report on the loss of life expectancy due to air pollution.
This study estimates that if all countries complied with WHO guidelines and recommendations, life expectancy in all countries would increase by 2 years.
It is also important to keep in mind that air pollution not only poses dangers to humans but also to our environment.
You can find our complete file to easily understand the different respiratory diseases and their impact on your health.
9. What is the impact of air pollution on the environment?
Indeed, air pollution not only presents dangers for humans but also for our environment. And the list is not insignificant: here are the main effects.
Acid rains
This phenomenon results in precipitation containing harmful amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids.
These acids are formed mainly by nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides released into the atmosphere during the combustion of fossil fuels.
Dry mists or “smog”
This subject is also covered in our file on NO2.
This visual phenomenon obscures the clarity, color, and shape of what we see. This phenomenon is similar to the effects of fog on a panorama, except that it is caused by pollution.
Eutrophication
Term which designates the degradation of a body of water, too laden with harmful substances such as nitrogen. This will stimulate the proliferation of algae and then cause the death of fish.
This phenomenon, originally natural, is heavily accentuated by human activity.
Degradation of the ozone layer
Although at ground level ozone is a dangerous pollutant for humans, it forms a layer in the stratosphere that protects human life by shielding us from ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Certain chemical agents produced by man deplete this ozone layer every day.
Deterioration of agriculture and forests
UV radiation caused by ozone depletion, terrestrial ozone, and acid rain can reduce agricultural yields and cause other environmental stresses such as increased susceptibility of trees to disease.
Global warming
This negative effect is the best known of all, and has serious repercussions such as rising water levels which threaten coastal areas, the disappearance of hundreds of animal and plant species, agriculture, water resources, forests, and human health.
10. What are the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO)?
In 2005, the WHO established guidelines, also called “information and recommendation thresholds”. This concerns air pollution and the limitation of pollutant emissions.
The World Health Organization has conducted numerous studies showing that air pollution is a major environmental health problem affecting low, middle and high income countries.
The 2005 WHO Air Quality Guidelines provide general recommendations for threshold values for major air pollutants that pose health risks.
Therefore, the limit values to be respected for each of the main pollutants are as follows:
- Fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
10 μg/m 3 annual average
25 μg/m 3 average over 24 hours
- Coarse particulate matter (PM10)
20 μg/m 3 annual average
50 μg/m 3 average over 24 hours
- Ozone (O3 )
100 μg/m 3 average over 8 hours
- Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
40 μg/m 3 annual average
200 μg/m 3 hourly average
- Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
20 μg/m 3 average over 24 hours
500 μg/m 3 average over 10 minutes
*μg/m3: Micrograms per cubic meter
The European Commission also plans to align its directives with WHO recommendations. As a reminder, air pollution still kills between 400,000 and 600,000 people per year in Europe.
11. Solutions for better air quality
In 2017, France released 164,000 tonnes of fine PM2.5 particles.
She is far from being the best student in Europe.
By changing our consumption habits quickly, France could meet the objectives set by the WHO, World Health Organization by 2030, which is far from currently being the case.
We can all, at our own level, contribute to clean air, and here are some actions to take on a daily basis:
- Opt for vehicles that consume little: as you will discover in our article on free floating electric scooters, responsible solutions are gradually emerging.
- Minimize car use by opting for carpooling and public transportation.
- Reduce the need for transportation at source by opting for teleworking.
- Prefer recycled products and opt for selective sorting.
- Do not smoke indoors but outdoors, and especially away from young children or pregnant women.
- Limit emissions from industrial chimneys.
- Promote the use of renewable energy sources.
Of course, improving air quality also depends on the actions carried out by the responsible organizations, whether on a global scale (WHO), but also on a European scale (European Commission) and national scale (Ministry of environment, energy and the sea).
The sources used to write this file
- Improving air quality: ecologie.gouv.fr
- The AASQA: atmo-france.org
- Understanding the types of pollutant thresholds: breathe-asso.org
- WHO report on ambient air quality and health: who.int/fr