Air quality

Air quality is one of the most visible and persistent environmental health concerns worldwide. Poor air quality, whether driven by industrial emissions, transportation, energy production, or natural phenomena such as wildfires, is directly linked to respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, and premature mortality. Beyond health, degraded air quality undermines economic productivity, reduces quality of life, and erodes public trust in governments’ ability to safeguard basic environmental protections.

The complexity of managing air quality lies in the variety of sources, the regional and transboundary nature of pollutants, and the differential impacts across populations. Vulnerable groups — such as children, the elderly, and individuals with preexisting conditions — bear disproportionate risks. Urban areas face particular challenges, balancing economic growth with emission reductions, while rural and Indigenous communities contend with unique exposures from resource extraction, agricultural activities, or wildfire smoke.

Effective interventions demand rigorous monitoring, modeling, and forecasting to understand pollutant dynamics. Policy-makers require reliable evidence to set standards, industries must adopt cleaner practices, and the public needs clear, trustworthy communication about risks and protective measures. Climate change further complicates the issue, intensifying the frequency and severity of events that compromise air quality.

Risk sciences bring clarity by integrating exposure data, health outcomes, and predictive models to assess both acute and chronic risks. They also provide evidence frameworks to guide policies, evaluate interventions, and support transparent communication with affected communities.

RSI is committed to advancing solutions in air quality, leveraging its scientific depth and applied experience to help safeguard populations and environments.