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Researchers have found that the quality of the air that we breathe can affect how we perform in the office. As pollution increases, labor productivity may decrease due to the fact that inhaling polluted air can hinder our “respiratory, cardiovascular, and cognitive function”. China, along with many other industrialized countries, have experienced a decline in worker productivity due to the extensive air pollution and climate change.
Pollution from the burning of fossil fuels is one of the main causes of global warming due to the excess amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) released into the air causing changes in temperature. Studies have found that as CO2 levels rise there appears to be reductions in worker output, especially with the rise in temperatures. Researches at Harvard have also found that “CO2 levels have a direct and negative impact on human cognition and decision-making.” People and workers are exposed to these environmental conditions every day and it has proven to decrease energy efficiency in our bodies.
The air we breathe plays an essential role in our body’s production of energy and organ functionality. The gases released into the air from the burning of fossil fuels, industrial emissions, and even poor disposal of wastes can lead to the inability to think clearly. Long-term exposure to these types of environments can cause health problems, such as asthma, lung cancer, heart disease, respiratory disease, and even brain damage. In comparison to other countries, China has a major pollution problem where levels of air pollution, especially in urban cities, are much higher and the nation seems to be suffocated in toxic fog.
As one of the leading economic countries, China relies heavily on its fossil fuel usage. With its “cheap coal and cheap labor”, air pollution levels have soared in the populated country causing dirty air and crowded streets and even acid rain. Although China’s economy may be successful, it is harming the health of its people who are exposed to contaminated air, food, and water in their daily lives. The ability to even think clearly for indoor and outdoor workers is affected by air pollution.
Countries have been so hungry for power and immersed in their competition for talent that they have overlooked the basic health conditions of their workers. If we don’t have efficient and healthy workers, it will be harder to achieve economic growth. As countries are finally starting to realize that long-term exposure to air pollution is a substantial concern and can lead to serious chronic health problems, the push for a greener environment is slowly growing.
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