Air Pollution
What is Air pollution?
Air pollution is the presence or introduction into the air of a substance which has harmful or poisonous effects. To explain further, it is the presence of chemicals or compounds in the air that are typically not there and lower the quality of the air or posing a risk to the quality of life. This is connected to ozone depletion and global warming. Air quality is determined by the total pollution in a given area in, contrast with the humidity, temperature, and wind to calculate the overall air condition.
The picture above shows excess amounts of CO2 in the atmosphere.
What Causes it?
There are two ways to pollute, direct and indirectly. The main cause of air pollution is direct and is CO2, known as carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is emitted into the air in many ways such as, burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. In an everyday perspective, fossil fuels are burned in many power plants to be converted into energy, and industrial facilities may also use them for various reasons. Another way the humans have increased CO2 levels is through deforestation, plants absorb CO2 and in return release oxygen, destroying them causes more carbon dioxide to be left in the atmosphere. Another pollutant emitted from cars is nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compounds, these pollutants are also formed from fuel combustion and paint. Sulfur dioxide is created from burning coal that has traces of sulfur. Lead and mercury can also be produced in all of these ways as well as smelting.
Effect on the Environment
A major problem we are facing currently is global warming and climate changes, these are closely connected to the amount of CO2 being emitted into the atmosphere. It may not seem as much of a threat now, but if it continues to dramatically increase the glaciers will start to melt away and increase sea levels which will then increase the frequency of severe weather like hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves, precipitation causing floods. Pollutants like sulfur can cause acid rain or smog which will further pollute lakes, other bodies of water, and soil quality and deteriorate buildings.
Effect on All Living Things
All of these pollutants not only harm the environment but also pose a threat to the health of all living things. The following pollutants nitrogen oxide, ozone(O3), and sulfur dioxide are known to damage the respiratory system, lungs, and in many cases cause cancer. Lead and sulfur offer more fatal health effects with damage to the brain, nervous system, liver kidney, this may also effect the digestive system. According to the World Health Organization, “About 7 million people die every year from exposure to fine particles in polluted air that lead to disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections.” It is more common to see folks that live in larger condensed cities to face these effects. The world counts did “One study that showed when exposed to ground ozone for 6 to 7 hours, scientific evidence show that healthy people’s lung function decreased and they suffered from respiratory inflammation.” This demonstrates how quickly a being can be affected by these pollutants. The pollutants also effect life under water too, pollutants get absorbed into the water however just like air, it can contain too much for example excess nitrogen stimulates large plant growth of algae and other underwater plants. These plants then absorb all of the oxygen killing the animals.
What Have we Done to Reduce it?
Today we have a Clean Air act in place, this originated from the air pollution control act passed in 1955. Back then the act was created to fund research about the topic. It wasn’t until 1963 that there were actual restrictions put in place to monitor air pollution. In 1967 another act was passed called the Air Quality Act, this act was different from then clean air because it enforced procedures in areas facing high amounts of air pollution, this included studies and inspections. In 1970 and 1977 they added amendments to the act. In 1990 a major problem regarding the ozone in the atmosphere came about, this created rules controlling the use of NAAQS. Since the Act has been passed and expanded, fewer deaths in relation to the subject have been recorded.
Air Pollution Around the World
In an article by USA Today it is stated that, “90% of pollution-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, mainly in Asia and Africa.” This is because most lower income countries use solid fuel from plant material or coal for everyday uses like cooking, lighting, and heating. Along with that most of the home have poor ventilation systems exposing the residents, mostly women and children, to high amounts of polluted air. Nine out of Ten of the most polluted cities in the world are in India the air pollution is measured by the average amount of PM2.5, which is a particles that enter the lungs and causes disease.It may also be measured in P10 which is larger less harmful particles. Kanpur, India has PM2.5 level of 173, Faridabad, India has a level of 172 micrograms per cubic meter of PM2.5.,Varanasi, India has 151 micrograms per cubic meter, Gaya, India measured out 149 micrograms per cubic meter, Patna, India has 144 micrograms of PM 2.5, Delhi, India PM2.5 levels of 143. Lucknow, India coming in 7th has a PM2.5 average of 138, Bamenda, Cameroon is is measured 132 levels, Agra, India averages out to 131, and lastly Muzaffarpur, India in 10th with a PM2.5 average of 120. Below is a world map of recorded air pollutions levels, green is good, yellow, is moderate, orange is slightly unhealthy, red is unhealthy, purple is very unhealthy and burgundy is hazardous. When zoomed in, most cities in the U.S are labeled as good, or moderate, there are a few scattered cities hazardous areas in New York and one in New, Mexico. The Air quality is labeled similarly In the UK as well, however as you move east the number begin to increase.
Everyone at some point in their life has contributed to polluting the Air. Below is a list of ways to minimize you’re contribution to polluting the air.
- Avoid Smoking
- Carpool, or if possible ride a bike or walk from destination to destination
- Use natural lighting/Turn of lights, this uses less energy
- Use manual tools and equipment
- Reduce water use
- Use environmentally safe paints and cleaning products
- Look for an Energy Star label when buying products
