Brazil’s Air Quality Crisis: A $1 Billion Issue Worsened by Climate Change
In September 2024, São Paulo’s air quality crisis highlighted urgent pollution concerns. Full-fledged fires led to extensive smoke, turning skies red. Experts estimate Brazil’s economic losses due to poor air quality at $1 billion to $3 billion annually. Recent legislation promotes air quality improvement, but many regions still lack adequate monitoring. Investment in air quality is essential for public health and productivity in Brazil.
In September 2024, São Paulo garnered national attention for its alarming air quality, as it ranked at the top of IQ Air’s list of the world’s most polluted cities for five consecutive days. The primary cause for this disturbing trend was the high number of fires in rural areas, which generated significant smoke, affecting not only the city but also multiple municipalities across the state. This crisis was visually manifested with the sky turning red due to the 156,000 fires recorded nationwide. Although the situation subsided with the onset of summer rains, the issue remains urgent and unresolved.
Experts emphasize the need for both government authorities and Brazilian corporations to prioritize investments in air quality improvements, particularly in residential and commercial buildings. Poor air quality has been linked to serious health repercussions, which in turn affect productivity. According to Paulo Saldiva, a pathologist at the University of São Paulo (USP), without considering the additional health burdens from pollution, Brazil incurs annual losses of about $1 billion due to adverse air quality. When factoring in pollution’s harmful effects, this figure may escalate to $3 billion.
Mr. Saldiva notes that his estimates are based on productive years of life lost, highlighting how early or premature deaths diminish society’s economic and intellectual potential. Globally, the World Health Organization identifies air pollution as a leading cause of death, accounting for approximately 7 million premature deaths every year, with Brazil specifically facing over 50,000 such deaths annually. The risks include respiratory issues, cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, and developmental challenges for children.
Additionally, the impacts of climate change complicate the air quality scenario, as extreme droughts engender forest fires while heavy rainfall promotes bacteria and mold growth. Henrique Cury, CEO of EcoQuest, advocates for enhanced awareness and investment from business leaders regarding indoor air quality’s significance. He indicates that improved air quality leads to reduced employee absenteeism due to illness, presenting both immediate and long-term advantages to businesses.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been heightened awareness around air quality issues. Mr. Cury affirms that natural disasters have catalyzed conversations about the importance of air quality within companies. A legal framework has begun to solidify around air quality monitoring, including terms established by the National Air Quality Policy and ongoing proposals like Senator Mara Gabrilli’s constitutional amendment.
Legislation such as Law 14850/2024, which sets the foundation for a National Air Quality Policy, is crucial for establishing guidelines on atmospheric pollutants and emission inventories. However, David Tsai from the Institute for Energy and the Environment (IEMA) emphasizes that Brazil needs more air quality monitoring stations to validly reference pollution levels. Currently, there exists a severe shortfall in monitoring efforts, essential for effective public policy development.
Despite the existence of 245 monitoring stations, Brazil should ideally have between 46 and 138 additional stations to meet international standards. Countries such as Japan, Germany, and Italy serve as examples of efficient air quality interventions that Brazil can adopt. Senator Gabrilli emphasizes the need for transparency in air quality monitoring, which is essential for facilitating societal accountability and progress.
The Ministry of Health has reportedly been involved in Environmental Health and Air Quality Surveillance since 2001, although they have not provided a specific comment on this matter as of the report’s publication. The overarching theme calls for urgent action to enhance air quality standards and monitoring capabilities to combat the detrimental effects of air pollution on health and economic productivity in Brazil.
In conclusion, Brazil faces significant challenges regarding air quality, leading to severe health implications and economic losses. Without robust investment in monitoring and improving air quality, the nation risks exacerbating these issues amidst climate change. Current legislative efforts aim to establish clearer air quality standards while raising awareness among businesses about the importance of addressing pollution impacts. Long-term solutions must focus on effective collaboration between government, industry, and communities to ensure clean air for all citizens.
Original Source: valorinternational.globo.com
