Air Pollution And Atmospheric Pollution: What's The Difference?

Air pollution is a pressing issue that poses significant risks to human health and the planet. It refers to the release of harmful substances into the Earth's atmosphere, including gases, solid particles, and liquid droplets. These pollutants are detrimental to human health, ecosystems, and the environment, causing approximately 7 to 8 million deaths annually worldwide. The primary sources of air pollution are human activities, such as burning fossil fuels for energy, transportation, manufacturing, and agriculture. This raises the question: are air pollution and atmospheric pollution interchangeable terms, or do they have distinct meanings?

Air pollution's impact on human health

Air pollution is the presence of one or more contaminants in the atmosphere, such as dust, fumes, gas, mist, odour, smoke or vapour. These contaminants are released at rates that exceed the natural capacity of the environment to dissipate and dilute or absorb them. Air pollution is a mix of hazardous substances from both human-made and natural sources. Human-made sources include vehicle emissions, fuel oils, natural gas, by-products of manufacturing and power generation, and fumes from chemical production. Natural sources include smoke from wildfires, ash and gases from volcanic eruptions, and gases like methane, which are emitted from decomposing organic matter in soils.

Air pollution has a detrimental impact on human health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), indoor and outdoor air pollution is responsible for nearly seven million deaths worldwide each year. Ninety-nine per cent of people currently breathe air that exceeds the WHO's guideline limits for pollutants, with those living in low- and middle-income countries suffering the most. Air pollution is now the world's fourth-largest risk factor for early death.

The health impacts of air pollution depend on the types, sources and concentrations of the pollutants in the mixture to which an individual is exposed. The main pathway of exposure is through the respiratory tract, which can lead to inflammation, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and mutagenicity in cells throughout the body, impacting the lungs, heart, brain and other organs. Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) is of particular concern as it can be inhaled deeply into the lungs and contribute to serious health problems. It can also enter the bloodstream and travel to organs, causing systemic damage to tissues and cells. Long-term exposure to air pollution has been associated with diseases of the heart and lungs, cancers and other health problems. Short-term exposure to higher levels of outdoor air pollution is associated with reduced lung function, asthma, cardiac problems, emergency department visits, and hospital admissions.

Certain groups are more susceptible to air pollution-related diseases, including children, the elderly, and pregnant women. Maternal exposure to air pollution is associated with adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight, pre-term birth and small for gestational age births. Research has also suggested a link between air pollution and diabetes and neurological development in children.

Natural sources of air pollution

Air pollution and atmospheric pollution are the same thing. They refer to the release of pollutants into the air—pollutants that are detrimental to human health and the planet as a whole. Natural sources of air pollution can sometimes be significant but do not usually create ongoing air pollution problems like other source types.

Some natural sources of air pollution include organic compounds from plants, sea salt, suspended soils, and dust (e.g. from the Sahara). Other natural sources are released during catastrophes such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires. Large amounts of harmful gases and smoke are released during these events, increasing background pollution levels for years, even in areas far away from the original source.

Volcanic eruptions, for example, can spew massive amounts of sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere. In the past, volcanoes were the main source of atmospheric sulphur dioxide, but today, human activity has taken over as the primary source.

Another natural source of air pollution is wind-blown dust, which can be transported by wind over short or long distances before causing harmful impacts.

Animals like cows and sheep are also natural sources of air pollution, releasing large amounts of methane through belching and flatulence. Methane is a colourless gas produced in their stomachs when bacteria break down the food they eat. Livestock is the biggest source of methane globally, and it is the second most important greenhouse gas, capable of causing climate change.

Ozone is another common natural air pollutant. It is a major cause of air pollution in cities, contributing to smog, which is a type of air pollution that looks like smoky fog and makes it difficult to see. Ground-level ozone is considered harmful to human health, whereas ozone higher up in the atmosphere helps block harmful radiation from the sun.

Human sources of air pollution

Air pollution and atmospheric pollution are the same thing. It refers to the release of pollutants into the air, which are detrimental to human health and the planet.

Burning of Fossil Fuels

The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, petroleum, and wood, releases harmful chemicals and gases into the air. This includes carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide. These emissions come from sources such as car exhausts, factories, power plants, and residential heating systems.

Industrial Processes

Various industrial processes, including oil and gas development, contribute to air pollution. This includes the release of hazardous chemicals, such as lead fumes, and the formation of secondary smaller particles, known as particulate matter, which can be harmful to human health.

Agriculture

Agricultural practices, such as the use of synthetic fertilizers and manure, can lead to the formation of harmful particulates in the air. Ammonia (NH3), formed from the reaction of nitrogen in the soil, has been linked to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths.

Wildfires

While wildfires can be natural, human activities, such as car emissions and industrial processes, increase the risk and impact of wildfires, which release pollutants into the atmosphere.

Residential Activities

Residential activities, such as heating systems and cooking, can contribute to air pollution, particularly in households that burn fuel oil, gasoline, or natural gas. Household air pollution accounts for millions of deaths each year.

Air pollution's impact on the environment

Air pollution refers to the release of pollutants into the atmosphere in the form of gases, finely divided solids, or finely dispersed liquid aerosols. These pollutants are released at rates that exceed the environment's capacity to dissipate, dilute, or absorb them. The impact of air pollution on the environment is significant and far-reaching.

One of the key effects of air pollution is its contribution to climate change. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and black carbon, trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to global warming. This, in turn, results in rising sea levels, more extreme weather events, and other hallmarks of climate change. These changes in climate have a profound impact on ecosystems and biodiversity, threatening the survival of many species.

Air pollution also affects the quality of water resources. Acid rain, a product of air pollution, can contaminate lakes, rivers, and other water bodies, making them uninhabitable for aquatic life and disrupting entire ecosystems. Additionally, air pollution can contribute to the degradation of soil quality, reducing its fertility and productivity. This has a direct impact on agriculture and food security, threatening the livelihoods of farmers and the availability of resources.

The release of pollutants into the atmosphere also has a direct impact on the air we breathe. Particulate matter, such as soot, dust, and smoke, can cause respiratory issues and other health problems. Hazardous chemicals and gases, such as nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide, emitted from burning fossil fuels, can have detrimental effects on human health, leading to cardiovascular and respiratory issues, cancers, and other health complications.

Furthermore, air pollution knows no borders and can travel long distances, affecting areas far from the sources of pollution. Wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and industrial activities can release pollutants into the atmosphere, which can then be carried by wind patterns to reach even remote regions. This transboundary nature of air pollution highlights the global impact it can have on the environment and the interconnectedness of ecosystems.

To mitigate the impact of air pollution on the environment, it is crucial to transition to cleaner fuels and industrial processes, adopt renewable energy sources, and improve fuel efficiency. By addressing air pollution, we not only improve public health but also contribute to the long-term mitigation of climate change, protecting our planet for future generations.

How to reduce air pollution

Air pollution and atmospheric pollution are the same thing. It refers to the release of pollutants into the air, which are detrimental to human health and the planet as a whole.

Reduce energy consumption

• Turn off electrical items when not in use.
• Opt for a fan instead of air conditioning.
• Install low-flow showerheads.
• Wash laundry in cold water and line dry.
• Choose efficient appliances and heating systems.
• Get an energy audit and follow the advice.

Choose sustainable products

• Opt for natural substitutes to toxic chemicals.
• Choose the most efficient, lowest-polluting vehicle or a zero-emission electric car.
• Use hand-powered or electric lawn care equipment instead of gas-powered ones.

Reduce emissions

• Limit idling your vehicle.
• Walk, ride a bike, or take public transport when possible.
• Support local initiatives and government regulations to reduce emissions.
• Plant and care for trees, as they filter pollutants and absorb carbon dioxide.

Frequently asked questions