Paraguay Investing in Clean Air Now

We inhale air 12 times a minute, relying on it to sustain us, yet unaware of the dangers it might carry. What should nourish us is increasingly becoming a threat. Today, 99% of the world’s population breathes polluted air, and the consequences are profound.

Air pollution is more than just a distant environmental issue—it’s the most significant health risk we face today. It’s an invisible killer that respects no borders, knows no boundaries, and affects us all. Whether we live in bustling cities or rural communities, we share the same atmosphere, and with it, the same responsibility to protect it.

This year, on the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, the call to action is clear: Invest in #CleanAirNow. It’s a plea for survival. From governments to corporations, from civil society to individuals, we all have a role to play. The stakes are high, but the rewards—a healthier, more sustainable world—are within reach if we act now.

In Paraguay, like many other countries, the clean air sprint is ongoing. Despite having an electricity matrix powered entirely by renewable sources, the country faces significant challenges. The burning of biomass, vehicle emissions, and methane from agriculture and untreated waste are major contributors to air pollution. These short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) are not just environmental issues; they’re public health crises.

Efforts to combat this are already underway. Through initiatives like the #Respirate campaign, young people in Paraguay are learning about air quality and its impact on their health through art and music. Another project aims to improve waste treatment in small communities and regulate vehicle emissions, particularly for imported used cars.

But the problem runs deep, as Dr. Jaime Guggiari, an expert on allergies and asthma in Paraguay, explains. “In Paraguay, the high levels of humidity and heat throughout much of the year, combined with significant environmental pollution from particulate matter (PM) emissions due to an outdated vehicle fleet and the burning of biomass, have led to a prevalence of allergic rhinitis of approximately 42% and bronchial asthma around 20%. It’s important to note that this rate of allergic rhinitis is the highest in all of Latin America.”

“Epidemiological evidence indicates that exposure to particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide is associated with a higher prevalence of noncommunicable diseases. Among these pollutants, particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen for the development of lung cancer,” he notes. 

“A systematic review of birth cohorts assessed the impact of traffic-related air pollution during the first 1,000 days of life on the development of wheezing and asthma in childhood. Out of 9,681 records reviewed, 26 studies from 21 cohorts were included. The most common sources of pollution were related to motor vehicle traffic, with the primary markers being particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Exposure to PM and NOx during pregnancy (across 10 cohorts) was consistently associated with an increased risk of developing asthma, while the link between these pollutants and the development of wheezing was less clear. The second trimester of pregnancy appeared to be particularly critical for asthma risk. Regarding exposure during early life (across 15 cohorts), most studies found a positive association between PM (7 out of 10 studies) and NOx (11 out of 13 studies) and the risk of developing asthma.”

By tackling air pollution proactively, we can transform the health of our communities and secure a brighter, healthier future for all.

As we observe this International Day of Clean Air, let’s remember: our first contact with the world is through the air we breathe. It sustains us or it poisons us. The choice is ours, and the time to act is now.