🌫️ What is air pollution?

Air pollution is the contamination of the atmosphere with substances harmful to human health, other living beings, and the natural environment. Although the air may seem clean, it often contains an invisible mix of particles, toxic gases, and chemical compounds that directly impact life on Earth.

It’s not always visible or easy to detect. Sometimes it appears as thick smog, but most of the time it’s invisible—a silent yet persistent threat.

🛑 Where does pollution come from?

• Road traffic – nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and fine particles.
• Industry and energy production – gases and dust with a major environmental impact.
• Household activities – burning waste, chemicals.
• Construction – harmful inhalable dust.
• Natural sources – volcanoes, wildfires, Saharan dust.

🔬 What does polluted air contain?

• PM10 and PM2.5 – dangerous microscopic particles.
• Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) – an irritating gas.
• Carbon monoxide (CO) – a deadly, odorless gas.
• Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) – affects breathing and soil quality.
• Tropospheric ozone (O₃) – toxic at ground level.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – solvents, paint, gasoline.

🫁 How does it affect us?

Health effects:

• Worsening respiratory conditions
• Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases
• Leads to lung cancer and neurological disorders
• Impaired development in children and fetuses

Environmental effects:

• Acid rain, soil and water degradation
• Loss of biodiversity
• Contribution to climate change

Impact on quality of life:

• Discomfort and reduced visibility
• Negative effects on mental health
• Reduced life expectancy

📉 What do the data say?

Millions of premature deaths are directly linked to air pollution. In many cities, pollutant levels exceed recommended limits — often without the public being aware.

🧭 Why must we act?

Air is a shared resource essential to life. Awareness is the first step towards change. We need to understand it, measure it, and then take action.

🌱 What does the Lichenary project do?

Lichens – sensitive to pollution – tell a silent story about the air. Through mapping, Lichenary reveals affected areas and engages citizens, especially young people, in environmental science.

Air pollution is invisible, but its effects are very real.
The future lies in the hands of those who choose to look up and pay closer attention to the sky.