The World Health Organization WHO warns that air pollution is increasing worldwide. Does that make exercising outside unhealthy?
The large increase in air pollution is partly due to the fact that only two percent of cities in developing countries meet the standards. But the Dutch air quality also does not meet the standards everywhere. Especially in the major cities of Amsterdam and The Hague, the air quality is unhealthier than it should be.
Does that mean that exercising outside is unhealthy?
No, you can't use air quality as an excuse to stop exercising outdoors. The advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Even in cities where the air is polluted on average, you could still cycle for seven hours or walk outside for sixteen hours a day before the drawbacks outweigh the benefits.
What about the most polluted cities?
Delhi is one of the most polluted cities in the world. The air there is 10 times more polluted than the air in London. Even in Delhi, you could still cycle for five hours a week before the risk of air pollution outweighs the benefits of exercise.
