In the previous post, we’ve established that food retailers like supermarkets are significant contributors to pollutants and emissions to the environment. However, what people might tend to overlook is the fact that indoor air pollution in these commercial establishments can be very worrying. 

In a study titled Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality in Retail Stores, researchers found that ventilation rates in retail shops were lower than those of bars, restaurants and healthcare facilities. This means that pollutants including hydrofluorocarbons, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter and microbiological contaminants are trapped inside with us.

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We might all know about the fact that energy and transportation industries are major contributors to the world’s carbon emissions. But did you know that the food retail sector comes in fifth among the Top 7 Most Polluting Industries in 2023, with a whopping 3.1 billion greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually?

Much research and attention have been focused on agriculture and the transportation of food production, but not enough has been mentioned regarding the sale and consumption of food.

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It might be common sense that the world is on a mission to reduce or even eliminate air pollution. But are we actually just shifting the problem elsewhere? After all, as the saying goes: out of sight, out of mind. 

Large-scale currents like jet streams do not just carry wind, they also carry pollutant particles across long distances. Transboundary Atmospheric Pollution (TAP), also known as intercontinental transport of air pollution, has been receiving increasing global attention as a result of rapid and widespread industrialisation and urbanisation. The largest source region is East Asia, an area heavily influenced by the Siberian forest fires, westerly flows, and the Indian monsoon trade winds. 

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The next time you feel like you are losing your mind while being stuck in a traffic jam, you probably might be right – in the literal sense. 

A study titled “The impact of exposure to air pollution on cognitive performance” showed that chronic exposure to dirty air, such as inhaling carbon emissions from traffic, can lead to significant reductions in human intelligence. 

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Have you wondered whether unhappiness could perhaps be attributed to poor air quality to a certain extent? Do you find yourself feeling unhappy on days where the air quality index hits the unhealthy range?

Well, numerous studies have evaluated the correlation between happiness and air quality, and they all arrive at the same conclusion – air pollution can contribute to lower levels of happiness, especially among the urban population. 

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