Impact of Air Quality Decline on Brazil: Economic and Health…

São Paulo’s air quality crisis has raised alarms as it became the most polluted city globally for several consecutive days in September 2024, mainly due to rural fires. Experts warn that poor air quality inflicts $1 billion in annual economic losses, linked to health impacts and productivity. Recent legislative measures seek to improve air quality management, but challenges in enforcement and public awareness persist, necessitating urgent collaborative efforts from businesses and authorities.

In September 2024, São Paulo’s air quality issues became a critical concern as the city was designated the world’s most polluted for five consecutive days by IQ Air. This alarming situation stemmed largely from rural fires across the state, generating smoke that severely affected urban air quality. The national catastrophe was exacerbated by the considerable number of 156,000 reported fires throughout Brazil, which temporarily turned the skies red before being somewhat alleviated by summer rains.

Experts call for immediate action from both government and business leaders to invest in air quality initiatives in Brazil. Poor air quality contributes harmfully to public health, ultimately affecting productivity. Paulo Saldiva, a pathologist at the University of São Paulo, remarked, “Considering only abnormal temperatures, Brazil’s losses due to poor air quality are $1 billion annually. When the harmful effects of pollution are included, this figure could triple to $3 billion.”

Saldiva, a recognized authority on air quality, explains that his economic loss estimates are grounded in productive years of life lost—a reflection of early mortality rates that rob society of economic potential. The World Health Organization attributes 7 million premature deaths worldwide to air pollution each year, including over 50,000 fatalities annually in Brazil alone. Common health issues arising from poor air quality include respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, plus lung cancer.

Henrique Cury, CEO of EcoQuest, acknowledges the challenges in persuading businesses to prioritize air quality improvements. He emphasizes the immediate benefits, such as reduced employee absenteeism due to illness. Cury notes that awareness has grown since the pandemic, particularly following incidents like major urban fires and floods, generating interest in the correlation between climate disasters and air quality.

Cury asserts it is crucial for society to demand proactive measures from authorities and businesses. He cites progress made through legislation establishing the National Air Quality Policy and Senator Mara Gabrilli’s proposed constitutional amendment aimed at addressing air quality. There has been a historical issue with compliance to air quality monitoring, notably following the death of a government minister attributed to air contamination.

Despite legislative progress, compliance remains poor, and many companies lack adherence to air quality monitoring standards. According to Saldiva’s research, the economic toll of forest fires between 2000 and 2016 reached $81 billion, underscoring the necessity of sustainable investments in air quality prevention. Saldiva stresses that air quality is not just an environmental concern; it is fundamentally about citizens’ rights.

New legislation, Law 14850/2024, imposes requirements on airborne pollutants and the creation of emission inventories. However, IEMA project coordinator David Tsai warns that without sufficient monitoring stations, the effectiveness of this law is compromised. He critiques the lack of reliable data on air quality, noting that many Brazilian states are far behind in pollution monitoring, thus highlighting a dire gap in air quality management.

Currently, Brazil operates 245 air quality monitoring stations, requiring an additional 138 to meet European Union standards. Metropolitan areas like Brasília and Manaus are particularly underserved, lacking the necessary infrastructure for effective air quality assessments. Tsai emphasizes that reliable monitoring is essential to ascertain whether government policies are improving air quality in Brazilian urban centers.

The investment required to enhance air quality monitoring is relatively modest, estimated between R$16 million and R$49 million, a small fraction of the costs incurred from respiratory health issues. Additionally, Senator Gabrilli’s PEC 7/2021 seeks to enshrine the right to air quality in the Federal Constitution, promoting clean air standards in various public environments. Gabrilli recognizes that the pandemic has highlighted the need for healthier air conditions.

Senator Gabrilli expressed optimism regarding the legislative proposal, citing successful air quality initiatives in countries like Japan and Germany as potential models for Brazil. She argues that improved monitoring transparency will enable citizens to hold authorities accountable for air quality improvements. As of the article’s publication date, the Ministry of Health had not provided a response but indicated ongoing collaborations for Environmental Health and Air Quality Surveillance actions.

Brazil’s air quality has emerged as a critical public health concern, underscored by significant economic losses attributed to pollution. Despite recent legislative efforts to establish monitoring and improve standards, compliance remains inadequate. Experts advocate for increased business investment in air quality improvements, emphasizing the necessity of comprehensive state policies. Ensuring clean air is not only an environmental issue but also a fundamental aspect of citizens’ rights, requiring immediate and concerted action from all stakeholders.

Original Source: valorinternational.globo.com