São Paulo ranked as the world’s most polluted city in September 2024, primarily due to widespread rural fires. Experts highlight significant economic losses linked to poor air quality, estimated at $1 billion annually, possibly tripling when accounting for health impacts. Legislative measures have been introduced, but gaps in monitoring remain. The urgency for investment in air quality improvement is critical as it directly affects public health and productivity.
In September 2024, São Paulo garnered national attention as it was ranked as the world’s most polluted city for five consecutive days by IQ Air, a Swiss organization. This alarming situation arose from rampant rural fires in the region, which filled the air with smoke, impacting not only São Paulo but also neighboring municipalities. The episode led to a nationwide observation of red skies due to 156,000 fires recorded across the country, although the issue subsided temporarily with the onset of summer rains.
Experts from Valor stress the critical need for Brazilian authorities and businesses to invest in enhancing air quality, particularly within residential and commercial buildings. Poor air quality has detrimental effects on public health and productivity, leading to substantial economic losses. Pathologist Paulo Saldiva, a professor at the University of São Paulo, notes that Brazil’s annual losses due to poor air quality, attributed only to abnormal temperatures, stands at approximately $1 billion. When factoring in pollution-related health complications, this number could rise to $3 billion.
The World Health Organization indicates that air pollution leads to 7 million premature deaths yearly worldwide, with over 50,000 deaths occurring in Brazil annually due to particulate matter (PM2.5). Poor air quality contributes significantly to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, and affects children’s lung development, posing long-term health consequences. The challenges of addressing these issues are compounded by climate change impacts, such as extreme weather conditions that aggravate air quality problems.
Henrique Cury, CEO of EcoQuest, emphasizes the necessity for businesses to recognize both immediate and future benefits of investing in better air quality management, such as lower absenteeism rates. Awareness has risen following disasters like fires and floods, which demonstrate the correlation between climate events and air quality. The urgency for action has transformed previously abstract discussions about air quality into pressing issues that warrant more serious attention from business leaders.
Paulo Saldiva, in a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, highlights that deaths from forest fires resulted in economic losses of $81 billion between 2000 and 2016. He emphasizes the absence of a coherent state policy aimed at improving air quality, framing the issue as one of fundamental rights and citizenship alongside environmental concerns. Recent advancements, such as the establishment of the National Air Quality Policy, signify progress but highlight the need for comprehensive enforcement.
Law 14850/2024 imposes clear guidelines for air quality management, mandating components such as atmospheric pollutant definitions and emission inventories. However, according to David Tsai from the Institute for Energy and the Environment, the law is not thoroughly implemented, with majority of states lacking the necessary monitoring stations to produce reliable data on air quality. The absence of complete emissions inventories hampers effective management strategies.
IEMA reports that Brazil requires a vast improvement in air quality monitoring, with at least 138 additional stations needed for compliance with EU standards. Additionally, major metropolitan areas lack adequate monitoring infrastructure, significantly affecting public awareness regarding air quality issues. A reliable monitoring system is essential to create national indexes and assess whether public policies are effectively improving air quality conditions.
Investment in monitoring stations is relatively modest compared to the extensive public expenditure on health care due to respiratory ailments. David Tsai posits that understanding air quality and implementing proper monitoring could lead to significant savings for public health systems. Other initiatives, such as a proposal by Senator Mara Gabrilli to recognize clean air as a fundamental right, could further encourage businesses and government entities to act on air quality improvements.
Senator Gabrilli stresses the importance of addressing air quality issues post-pandemic, noting how poorly ventilated spaces facilitate virus transmission. She advocates for transparency in monitoring air quality to enable societal demands for change. Examples from countries like Japan and Germany demonstrate that effective and economically viable solutions exist, reinforcing the need for governmental and corporate mobilization to invest in air quality structures and technologies.
The ongoing air quality crisis in Brazil, exacerbated by climate change and natural disasters, necessitates urgent action from both government and private sectors. Poor air quality has significant health and economic implications, leading to billions in losses annually and contributing to various diseases. While recent legislative efforts have been made, the lack of comprehensive monitoring and data hinders effective management. Initiatives aimed at recognizing clean air as a fundamental right and enhancing monitoring infrastructure can pave the way for improved public health outcomes and environmental management.
Original Source: valorinternational.globo.com
