Air Quality Awareness WeekAs May rolls around each year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency marks a significant event on its calendar: Air Quality Awareness Week (AQAW). This year, from May 6th to 10th, AQAW 2024 is back with a crucial theme: “Knowing Your Air.”

The quality of the air we breathe is often taken for granted so this week serves as a vital reminder of its importance. The focus on “Knowing Your Air” demonstrates the need for increased awareness about what contributes to poor air quality and how we can take proactive steps to mitigate its effects.

We spend 90% of our time indoors, whether at home, work, or school. Yet, the air circulating within these enclosed spaces can harbor pollutants that pose significant health risks and is known to be 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air.

Some sources, such as building materials, furnishings and household products, release pollutants more or less continuously. Other sources release pollutants intermittently and include smoking; the use of unvented or malfunctioning stoves, furnaces, or space heaters; the use of solvents in cleaning and hobby activities; the use of paint strippers in redecorating activities and the use of cleaning products and pesticides in the home.

AQAW offers a platform to explore resources aimed at enhancing indoor air quality awareness. From understanding the sources of indoor air pollution to implementing strategies for improvement, individuals are encouraged to equip themselves with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about their indoor environments.

The week serves as a call to action, urging people to incorporate air quality awareness into their daily lives not just during May but throughout the year. By empowering individuals with the tools and information they need to safeguard their health and well-being, AQAW plays a crucial role in creating healthier indoor environments and communities.

AQAW 2024 daily topics are: