International Day of Clean Air
Last year, for the first time in decades, we saw the skies above some of the most polluted cities in the world clear. This was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but it portrayed a striking image of what the planet once was. The abrupt and forced halt that came to many human activities showed us what the world might be like without us. Unfortunately, the smog-filled skies above cities all over the world have become our norm, but the detrimental effects that this has on both human and environmental health cannot be ignored. This year, the UN is again celebrating the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies in order to encourage conversation about how to mitigate air pollution on behalf of our planet.
Poor air quality is a huge issue for the environment. It affects millions of plants and animals, and it even stunts crop growth to the point of causing food insecurity issues. Air pollution also affects the health of the individual human. According to the United Nations:
‘Аir pollution is the single greatest environmental risk to human health and one of the main avoidable causes of death and disease globally, with some estimated 6.5 million premature deaths (2016) across the world attributed to indoor and outdoor air pollution.’
The consequences of air pollution display a very scary reality. It is long overdue that we set stricter regulations and standards, and the fashion industry is not exempt from this.
The fashion industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions, not to mention the tons of other greenhouse gases and volatile organic compounds released into the air as well. Synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester are especially carbon-intensive as they are made from petroleum. The issue is intensified by our supply chain. The vast majority of our clothes are made in countries that still rely heavily on coal to power their factories, which is arguably the most destructive form of energy.
Textile manufacturers also produce large amounts of Volatile Organic Compounds. These compounds are released very easily into the air due to their low boiling point and high evaporation rate. A potent source of VOCs is solvent-based coatings that are applied to clothing, shoes, and gear. When these coatings are applied, VOCs are released and combine with nitrous oxide to create ground-level ozone. This is the main pollutant in smog and also traps a huge amount of heat.
At PolyCore, we are committed to tackling air pollution. We focus on creating fabrics that do not use any virgin materials, and our Eco-Coating does not release any greenhouse gasses or VOCs when applied. It’s time for the fashion industry to make drastic changes for the environment, and we’re here to help every step of the way. Happy International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, and check out our sustainability mission to read more about Polycore’s values!
