Earth Watch: The Deadly Effect of Air Pollution

Earth Watch: The Deadly Effect of Air Pollution: Air Pollution Causes Over 100,000 Deaths Annually

Thirty-five times smaller than a grain of sand, you can't see the microscopic particles that penetrate deep into your lungs and can enter your bloodstream, with potentially lethal outcomes.¹ Where do you encounter them? On the street. At the park. In your backyard. Wherever you breathe, and they congregate. Officially known as PM2.5, it is the fine particulate matter that makes air pollution deadly.² The negative health impacts of exposure—including respiratory infections, lung cancer, stroke, and cardiopulmonary disease—result in an estimated 100,000 fatalities annually in the U.S., according to a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The human health cost in dollars equals around $886 billion per year!³

We know that transportation and coal-fired power plants are major sources of air pollution and fi ne particulate matter, but what may be surprising to some is that conventional industrialized agriculture is also a significant contributor. In fact, the PNAS study found that it is responsible for 12 percent of air pollution-related deaths annually and is also the single largest contributor to health and economic damages from ground level emissions from the release of ammonia (a secondary form of fine particulate matter), emitted from the application and storage of manure on factory farms and synthetic fertilizer use. Within this category, conventional corn production is a major contributor, generating around one-quarter of emissions.⁴ The PNAS study concludes that “PM2.5 is the largest environmental risk factor in the United States, causing >100,000 premature deaths per year—more than traffic accidents and homicides combined.”⁵ Additionally, the American Lung Association’s 2019 annual State of the Air report warns that 4 in 10 of us are living with the risks of unhealthy air quality and those numbers show an increase of 7.2 million Americans from the year before.^{6 7}There are widespread ramifications across the country, but the burden of the health and economic consequences disproportionately affects regions with high population densities, and African American, Latino, and low-income communities.^{8 9 10}

What Can You Do

Take responsibility for consumption wherever possible. Be energy conscious at home, with your transportation choices, and your purchases. If you consume dairy, eggs, and meat, choose organic and/or pasture based whenever you can—the vicious cycle of conventional livestock production contributes significant amounts of toxins to the environment.^{11 12}Supporting organic and regenerative agriculture reduces the negative environmental impacts of food production.¹³ Finally, pay attention to local and national policy makers and support initiatives that reduce emissions and address climate change in real ways.

What We're Doing

Natural Grocers has joined a group of more than 330 companies calling on Congress to prioritize a climate-friendly path forward in the economic recovery strategy from the COVID-19 crisis. Innovations that reduce emissions could create millions of jobs, contribute billions to economic growth, and improve the quality of life for all Americans.¹⁴ At Natural Grocers, our dedication to supporting the wellbeing of our environment, our neighbors, and our economy is how we do business, from our stringent standards to our everyday practices. We believe that good health—and clean air—are fundamental human rights.