Reports of high levels of air pollution in major cities are populating the news. Smog is a problem for business travelers, as many business destinations such as Beijing, Delhi, Moscow or Mexico City are among the most polluted cities.
Over 80% of all global cities exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) limits for safe air. Urban air pollution increased by 8% between 2008 and 2013. Worldwide, only one in 10 people breathe safe air in accordance with WHO guidelines.*
Air quality on your business trip
“BreatheLife,” a Climate and Clean Air Coalition initiative led by the WHO and UN Environment, has created an air pollution database that allows users to easily find out what the air quality is like at over 4,000 destinations. For example, in Delhi, air pollution is 14.3 times higher than recommended by the WHO. Give it a try: breathelife2030.org/air-quality-in-your-city/
Health impact
The BreatheLife campaign clearly explains how harmful air pollution is for each individual: ” Tiny, invisible particles of pollution penetrate deep into our lungs, bloodstream and bodies. These pollutants are responsible for about one-third of deaths from stroke, chronic respiratory disease, and lung cancer, and one-quarter of deaths from heart attack. Ground-level ozone, produced from the interaction of many different pollutants in sunlight, is also a cause of asthma and chronic respiratory illnesses.”
Stay informed
In the coming months, Move will publish more content on air pollution and its impact on business travel, along with information on:
- Air quality at the most popular business travel destinations
- The best time to travel
- Ways to protect yourself or your travelers from the negative consequences of air pollution.
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