São Paulo’s alarming air quality in September 2024 raised concerns as it topped global pollution rankings largely due to rural fires. Experts indicate that Brazil faces $1 billion in annual losses due to poor air quality, which could triple when factoring in pollution. Legislative efforts are underway to establish monitoring and improve comprehensive air quality policies amidst ongoing challenges exacerbated by climate change. The dire health implications and economic costs underscore the urgency for action and investment in air quality improvements.
In September 2024, São Paulo’s air quality captured national attention, as the city was ranked by IQ Air as the world’s most polluted for five continuous days, predominantly due to rural fires contributing to large volumes of smoke enveloping the region. This unsettling rise in pollution levels coincided with nationwide reports of over 156,000 fires, leading to dramatic red skies away from the flames. Although the onset of summer rain alleviated the situation, the underlying issues persisted, unnoticed.
Experts from Valor stress the necessity for Brazilian authorities and businesses to invest in enhancing air quality, particularly in indoor environments. Current research indicates a dire correlation between poor air quality and public health, alongside significant economic repercussions stemming from reduced productivity. Dr. Paulo Saldiva, a pathologist and researcher at the University of São Paulo, estimates that even with only temperature considerations, Brazil incurs losses of $1 billion annually due to air quality issues, with potential tripling of costs when evaluating pollution effects.
Dr. Saldiva elaborates that these figures reflect years of productive life lost, emphasizing the broader impact of premature deaths occurring during vital life stages. The World Health Organization identifies air pollution as responsible for approximately 7 million premature deaths per year worldwide, with over 50,000 of these deaths occurring annually in Brazil. Respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and lung cancer are predominantly linked to poor air quality, contributing to hindered child lung development and escalating health system costs.
Additionally, climate change exacerbates these challenges, with extreme weather patterns leading to both drought-induced forest fires and heavy rainfall fostering environments conducive to bacterial growth. Mr. Henrique Cury, CEO of EcoQuest, acknowledges the difficulty in persuading business leaders of the immediate and long-term benefits of improving air quality, even as awareness rises following natural disasters, such as the 2024 Rio Grande do Sul flooding.
Mr. Cury notes that the challenges associated with climate disasters often draw attention to air quality, altering the previously skeptical stance of some business executives toward investing in air quality measures. He cites new legislation establishing clearer National Air Quality Policy standards as a significant advancement, even though prior regulations were largely ignored. The efficacy of recent initiatives, such as the amendment by Senator Mara Gabrilli, establishes more robust legal criteria for air quality monitoring and management.
A study co-authored by Dr. Saldiva indicates substantial economic losses due to forest fires, amounting to $81 billion from 2000 to 2016. He highlights the need for investments that mitigate extreme events negatively impacting air quality. Despite recent progress in implementing Law 14850/2024 to guide air quality policies, there remains a lack of comprehensive state policies addressing the issue effectively. Businesses must transition from viewing air quality as an abstract concern to a vital public health issue.
Mr. David Tsai from IEMA points out that establishing reliable air quality monitoring systems is crucial. Brazil currently operates 245 monitoring stations but requires significantly more to meet international standards. He emphasizes that the absence of adequate monitoring impedes the ability to implement effective public policies aimed at improving air quality. Nonetheless, he notes that investment in this area is relatively minor and could yield substantial savings in healthcare costs related to respiratory illnesses.
Senator Gabrilli is advancing PEC 7/2021 to incorporate the right to air quality in Brazil’s Federal Constitution. This legislative effort, strengthened by recent experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to ensure that clean air is recognized as a fundamental right across various public spaces, thereby addressing health implications. She believes that Brazil should follow examples set by countries with successful air quality innovations and emphasizes the importance of transparency in monitoring efforts.
As of the latest reports, the Ministry of Health has not provided feedback regarding its collaborative efforts to enhance air quality monitoring, but it has been engaged in such initiatives since 2001, working alongside environmental sectors to improve health and air quality surveillance.
The article outlines the critical state of air quality in Brazil, highlighting the annual economic impact of pollution and its dire health consequences. Despite recent advancements in legislation and public awareness, significant challenges in monitoring and compliance remain. The experts advocate for urgent actions to improve indoor air quality, recognizing it as a fundamental health and citizenship issue that demands collaboration across multiple sectors. Increased transparency and investment in infrastructure could yield significant long-term benefits for public health and the economy.
Original Source: valorinternational.globo.com
