Air pollution: let’s analyse, clean, and deliver | Matthew Johnson | TEDxWarwick

Summary

This talk highlights the severe global impact of air pollution, responsible for 7 million deaths annually, more than traffic accidents, diabetes, and AIDS combined. The speaker emphasizes that most air pollution is man-made and preventable, with severe consequences for health, economies, and agriculture. Air Labs offers innovative solutions such as portable pollution monitors, efficient filters, and clean air delivery systems to combat the issue. By using technology and data, they aim to create clean air zones in cities, advocating for immediate action and investment in clean air to improve health and quality of life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Air pollution is the leading environmental threat, causing 7 million deaths annually, far surpassing traffic accidents, diabetes, and AIDS combined.
• 😀 The nose filters particles, but small particles from air pollution can bypass this defense and enter the bloodstream, causing health issues.
• 😀 Air pollution contributes to obvious diseases like lung cancer, respiratory infections, and less obvious issues like stroke, heart disease, and poverty.
• 😀 Air pollution reduces the GDP of countries, with India losing 8%, China 10%, the UK 5 billion pounds, and the US 45 billion dollars annually.
• 😀 Agricultural production is negatively affected by air pollution, with wheat yields in India dropping by 20% and rice yields by 33%.
• 😀 Air pollution is primarily man-made, resulting from activities like burning fuel and wearing out machinery, but natural sources also contribute.
• 😀 Urbanization and industrialization are major contributors to air pollution, with cities becoming more dangerous due to poor air quality.
• 😀 Air Labs aims to tackle air pollution by analyzing, cleaning, and delivering clean air to specific areas where it's needed most.
• 😀 Traditional air-cleaning methods are energy-intensive and impractical for large-scale urban use, prompting Air Labs to develop a cost-effective solution using nanoscience.
• 😀 Air Labs' small filter technology can remove harmful particles and chemicals from urban air, offering a practical solution to clean the air in cars, buildings, and public spaces.
• 😀 Monitoring air quality is crucial, and Air Labs uses portable air pollution monitors to track pollution levels in real-time, empowering citizens with data to combat air pollution.
• 😀 By using computational fluid dynamics, Air Labs has developed systems like the Air Bubble, capable of purifying air in cars and public spaces, showing that targeted air cleaning is feasible.

Q & A

What is the leading cause of death related to air pollution?

Air pollution kills seven million people every year, making it the largest single environmental threat. It causes respiratory diseases, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and contributes to poverty.

How does air pollution affect the economy?

Air pollution costs economies significantly. For instance, in India, it reduces GDP by 8%, while in China, it reduces GDP by 10%. The United Kingdom loses about five billion pounds annually due to air pollution, and in the United States, the cost is 45 billion dollars per year.

What are some of the health conditions linked to air pollution?

Air pollution is linked to various health conditions, including lung cancer, respiratory infections, stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive lung disease, and even conditions like poverty.

How does air pollution enter the human body?

Air pollution consists of small particles and toxic gases, such as ozone and nitrogen dioxide. These particles enter the lungs and can deposit foreign chemicals directly into the bloodstream, leading to various health problems.

What are the primary sources of air pollution?

Air pollution is mostly man-made, arising from sources like traffic, industrial activities, and the burning of fossil fuels. However, there are also natural sources, such as volcanoes, forest fires, and photochemistry in the atmosphere.

What role does air pollution play in agriculture?

Air pollution negatively affects agriculture, as seen in India, where pollution led to a 1/5 reduction in wheat harvest and a 1/3 reduction in rice yield in certain areas.

What solutions does Air Labs provide for combating air pollution?

Air Labs focuses on three main solutions: analyzing the air to locate pollution hotspots, cleaning the air using innovative filters, and delivering clean air where it is needed most, especially in polluted urban areas.

How do Air Labs' air filters work?

Air Labs uses small filters based on environmental chemistry and nanoscience that can efficiently remove particles, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and formaldehyde from the air. These filters are designed to be energy-efficient and cost-effective.

What is the significance of portable air pollution monitors?

Portable air pollution monitors allow individuals to measure the air quality in their environment, giving them the tools to track exposure to harmful pollutants and raise awareness about air quality in their communities.

How does the 'Air Bubble' technology work to improve air quality?

The 'Air Bubble' technology is designed to remove up to two-thirds of nitrogen dioxide from the air within three minutes. It uses advanced filtration systems to clean the air in vehicles, offices, and other indoor environments, significantly reducing exposure to harmful pollutants.