Pollution - A Growing International Epidemic

Pollutants flow across boundaries like between the United States and its closest neighbours, Mexico and Canada. Between North America and other continents, it spreads via international shipping and aviation. Most air pollutants are known to circulate globally and deposit on land and water bodies. This results in a major threat to health and climate in the form of air pollution.

Around 91% of the world’s population lives under exceedingly high air quality levels as per WHO limits. Outdoor or Ambient air pollution is a major cause of death and disease globally. An estimated 4.2 million deaths per year globally are linked to air pollution, mainly from heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and acute respiratory diseases and infections. While air pollution affects developed and developing countries alike, Western Pacific and South-East Asia regions are the most affected, as per a study done by WHO.

While natural sources contribute a lot to air pollution in more dust storm and forest fire prone areas, the contribution from us humans far exceeds natural sources. It is only us who will suffer the consequences if we don’t stop.

• Burning of Fossil fuel is a major source of release of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In regions where temperatures are projected to change due to climate change, it is likely that the frequency and severity of forest fires will also increase, releasing more air pollutants.
• Fuel combustion from motor vehicles (e.g. cars and heavy duty vehicles). Poor urban planning leads to over-dependence on private vehicle transport.
• Heat and power generation (e.g. oil and coal power plants and boilers).
• Industrial facilities (e.g. manufacturing factories, mines and oil refineries).

All the above factors define the air we breathe in, which in turn has a direct impact on our health. We are already seeing its effects in the form of global warming, contaminated seafood due to toxic chemicals, increased cases of lung diseases and more. Coughing and wheezing have become such common symptoms.

Improving air quality is, therefore, the need of the hour. Large health benefits would occur once measures have been taken for its improvement - for anyone having to step outside their homes for work, as well as children and the elderly - they especially bear the brunt of exposure to air pollution and are most susceptible. Cooperation across sectors and at different levels is crucial to effectively address this issue.

While the governments are trying to understand how to reduce our intake of pollution, what is in our hands is to avoid breathing the hazardous polluted air as much as possible. But as it turns out, we have to be out of the comforts of our homes for work amongst other reasons, so we have to do something more to fight this menace.

This is where Clenare Nasal Filters come to our rescue. They are invisible facemasks that are so discreet that they are barely visible. They filter the air right at the nostrils preventing impurities from entering our lungs. They allow us to breathe clean fresh air. These filters also advocate breathing more from the nose and less from the mouth which results in deep breathing while exercising the lower lung muscles which, as a proven fact, has a calming effect on the human body. This filter does its job with complete effectiveness in keeping the polluted air at bay. By choosing to wear a Nasal Filter, we are protected from pollution and also keep dust and pollen allergies away in a smart and innovative manner.