Air Pollution Disproportionately Affects Underdeveloped Nations and People of Color
By The ISNA Green Initiative Team
May/Jun 25
Fresh air is not as fresh as many may think. A majority of the world’s population is exposed to polluted air. It is one of the world’s largest health and environmental concerns and is the second-largest risk factor for early death according to a recent report by the Health Effects Institute.
Those living in cities with chronically bad air have no choice but to inhale toxins. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), while air quality varies dramatically depending on specific location, natural geography, and other key factors, about 99% of the global population at some point has been exposed to air that doesn’t meet the organization’s standards for air quality.
“Clean air is a human right. Unfortunately, it is not a reality for a large proportion of the world’s population,” said Dr. Maria Neira, Director of the WHO Public Health, Environment, and Social Determinants of Health Department.
Air Pollution and its Impacts
Air pollution is the introduction and contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by harmful materials. Inhaling fine particles is among the most damaging form of air pollution to human populations. The tiniest of these particles, measured as PM 2.5 (less than 2.5 microns in diameter), can travel deeply into the human respiratory system. The most common sources of PM 2.5 include vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants, and particulates created by fire, especially crop burning in rural areas. Coarser particles, known as PM 10 (less than 10 microns diameter), are linked to agriculture, roadways, mining, or simply wind. Air pollution is also caused by other factors like forest fires and volcanic ash. The Clean Air Act, environmental protection legislation initially enacted in the United States in 1963, lists 187 hazardous air pollutants which are defined as any chemical, physical, or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere. Household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities, and forest fires are common sources of these pollutants.
The combination of outdoor and indoor particulate matter and ozone is one of the leading causes of heart disease, stroke, lower respiratory infections, lung cancer, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These pollutants not only take years from people’s lives but also infringe substantially on the quality of life for those struggling to breathe polluted air.
According to the United Nations Health Agency, air pollution kills about 7 million people every year. For the millions living in some of the world’s smoggiest cities – New Delhi, India, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Bangkok, Thailand, Lahore, Pakistan, and Jakarta, Indonesia – bad air is inescapable. During the winter of 2024, smog in New Delhi and Lahore were the highest ever recorded on the Air Quality Index (AQI). Schools and other institutions were forced to close and respiratory illnesses spiked. A recent analysis by the U.N. children’s agency found that more than 500 million children in East and South Asia breathe unhealthy air. 100 children under five die every day as a result of this toxic exposure.
About 7 million people die every year due to ambient or household air pollution. Research shows that those at the greatest risk from particulate air pollution include:
- Individuals who are pregnant
- Infants, children, and people over the age of 65
- People with respiratory illnesses
- People with cardiovascular disease
- Black, Indigenous, and other people of color
- Current or former smokers
- People from low-income backgrounds
- People who are obese or have diabetes.
Most air toxins originate from manmade sources such as automobiles, industrial facilities, and small area sources. Stationary sources like power plants, chemical manufacturing, aerospace manufacturing, and steel mills also emit air toxins. Air toxins are also released from natural sources such as large forest fires.
But the burden of air pollution remains greatest in low and middle-income countries. Indoor pollution rates tend to be highest in low-income countries due to a reliance on solid fuels for cooking and heating. Outdoor air pollution tends to increase as countries industrialize and shift from low to middle income economic status.
Primary Causes of Indoor Air Pollution
- Wood, coal, or fuel-burning combustion appliances
- Tobacco products
- Building materials and furnishings such as:
- Deteriorated asbestos-containing insulation
- Newly installed flooring, upholstery or carpet
- Cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products
- Products for household cleaning and maintenance, personal care, or hobbies
- Central heating and cooling systems including humidification devices
- Unvented malfunctioning appliances
- Outdoor sources such as:
- Radon
- Pesticides
- Outdoor air pollution
Other sources of indoor air pollution include outside air, natural ventilation, and mechanical ventilation. Pollution can enter the home through openings, joints, and cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings, and around windows and doors.
Air movement associated with infiltration and natural ventilation is caused by air temperature differences between the indoors and outdoors and by the movement of wind. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the area. When there is little infiltration, the air exchange rate is low, and pollutant levels increase. Pollutant concentrations can also remain in the air for long periods of time. If too little outdoor air enters indoor locations, pollutants can accumulate to levels that can pose health and comfort problems.
Indoor Air Quality and Environmental Justice
Neither is the problem of air pollution isolated to communities in Asia. The American Lung Association’s State of the Air 2024 report found that despite decades of progress toward clean air, 39% of Americans live in places with unhealthy levels of air pollution, a number that was up from the previous year.
In U.S. counties with the worst air quality, 63% of the nearly 44 million residents are people of color.
This discrepancy reflects the systemic environmental injustice toward the people of color in the United States. It negates The Principle of Environmental Justice (EJ) as defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.” Solutions to this environmental injustice in communities of color in the United States require that the state and local governments involve the affected communities in devising and implementing local solutions for environmental health problems including the persistent problem of poor air quality.
There are many ways individuals can reduce their role in the creation of air pollution. These include using public transportation, reducing energy consumption, moderating waste, and using air filtration and purification systems to improve indoor air quality. Additionally, to protect their own respiratory health, people can limit outdoor activities when air quality is at unhealthy levels and stay informed about real-time air quality conditions using apps.
However, the problem of air pollution requires the collective efforts of individuals, communities, and governments worldwide. Governments must facilitate the investment in energy-efficient power generation, improve waste management, and promote greener and more compact cities with energy-efficient buildings. Universal access to clean, affordable fuels and technologies including building safe and affordable public transport systems is necessary to reduce air pollution in vulnerable communities across the globe.
There are many ways an everyday person can work toward a cleaner future. Join local grassroots organizations focused on environmental justice, urge your representatives to push clean air policies, run for office and be the change you wish to see in the world. We must work towards a future where clean air is a fundamental human right, and every individual can live a healthy and fulfilling life.
The ISNA Green Initiative Team is your voice to advocate a better environment for all. We would appreciate your support for raising the voice for clean air for all.
The ISNA Green Initiative Team is Huda Alkaff, Saffet Catovic, Nana Firman, Uzma Mirza, and S. Masroor Shah (Chair).
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