Today is World Environmental Health Day – clean air is important for health

Air quality has a significant impact on human health, and there are ways to reduce exposure to air pollution. Today, 26 September, is World Environmental Health Day, and this year’s theme is ‘Clean Air, Healthy People’. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of issues affecting our living environment and health.

There may be various pollutants in the air. In an urban environment, small-scale burning of wood and road transport are the main sources of air pollution. Burning wood produces fine particles, which are particularly harmful to health due to their size. In road transport, pollution is generated by exhaust fumes and road dust.

Air quality has a significant impact on our health. Air pollution can cause various symptoms from cough and nasal congestion to shortness of breath, asthma symptoms and respiratory irritation.

Some people are more sensitive to air pollution, and the most sensitive population groups experience symptoms at lower pollution levels than healthy individuals. Children, people with asthma and elderly people with coronary artery disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are particularly sensitive to air pollution.

In the capital region, air pollution does not usually cause significant health hazards for the majority of people.

We spend most of our time indoors – at home, work and school. Therefore, indoor air quality also has a major impact on our wellbeing, and indoor air pollution can cause various health problems.

If you suspect that poor indoor air quality in your home is affecting your health, you can contact the health protection authority. The health protection authority will assess the quality of indoor air in your home and support you when there is concern about indoor air quality. Based on the inspection, officers may issue orders to eliminate the problem. In Espoo, Kauniainen and Kirkkonummi, the housing health unit of Espoo Region Environmental Health Services is responsible for issues related to housing health.

The housing health unit also offers advice on matters related to indoor air quality and housing health.

It is not possible to avoid all air pollutants. However, we can all make choices to reduce our exposure to pollution in our daily lives.

How to reduce your exposure to air pollution:

• Monitor air quality in your neighbourhood and areas you travel through on the HSY website: www.hsy.fi/en/air-quality-and-climate/air-quality-in-the-helsinki-metropolitan-area(external link, opens in a new window)
• Avoid strenuous physical activity in areas with heavy traffic.
• If necessary, use supply air filters in your home and maintain them regularly.
• If your home is located in an area with heavy traffic, avoid keeping your windows open, especially during rush hour.
• If you burn wood in a fireplace, make sure to do it properly. HSY’s instructions for burning wood: www.hsy.fi/en/burn-wood-cleanly(external link, opens in a new window)