Air Pollution's Impact: Natural Disasters Unveiled

Natural disasters can cause air pollution in several ways. For instance, droughts can increase the likelihood of wildfires, which release smoke and contaminant gases into the atmosphere. Similarly, hurricanes can cause storm surges that result in flooding, which can contaminate waterways with raw sewage and oil. Earthquakes can also cause air pollution, depending on where they strike. For example, the 2008 Sichuan earthquake in China caused factories to collapse and spread pollution on the ground and in the air. In addition, human activities that contribute to climate change and increase the incidence of natural disasters and extreme weather events can further exacerbate the problem.

Wildfires

The impact of wildfires extends beyond air pollution to economic and environmental costs. The 2020 California wildfires caused billions of dollars in losses, and the 2015 Indonesian wildfires resulted in $16 billion in losses. Wildfires also damage natural ecosystems, reducing their ability to provide essential services such as clean water and biodiversity. Additionally, they can disrupt transportation, communications, water supply, and power and gas services.

To mitigate the impact of wildfires, early warning systems, health and air quality advisories, and sustainable emergency prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery measures are crucial. The World Health Organization (WHO) works with member states to build resilient and proactive health systems that can anticipate and meet the challenges posed by wildfires. Additionally, the UN-REDD programme supports developing countries in reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, helping to prevent wildfires.

Furthermore, wildfires can be caused by human actions, both intentional and accidental. Arson is a significant cause of wildfires, as seen in the 2023 Chile wildfires, where many fires were intentionally set. Accidental human actions, such as stubble burning, fertilizer and pesticide applications, and improper manure storage, can also contribute to the occurrence of wildfires. Therefore, addressing human-caused wildfires through education, regulation, and alternative land management practices is essential for reducing their impact on air pollution.

Volcanic eruptions

Volcanic gases, such as sulphur dioxide (SO2), hydrogen fluoride (HF), and carbon dioxide (CO2), are among the most concerning pollutants emitted during volcanic eruptions. Sulphur dioxide, for instance, can lead to acid rain and air pollution, causing respiratory issues and affecting terrestrial organisms, including humans. The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens released approximately 10 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere in just 9 hours, showcasing the magnitude of emissions from volcanic activity.

Additionally, volcanic ash, composed of rock, sand, and silt, can travel thousands of kilometres from the volcano, contributing to air pollution. Inhaling volcanic ash can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, and throat. It may also have long-term health consequences, as silica, sometimes found in volcanic ash, can cause lung scarring (silicosis) when inhaled.

The impact of volcanic eruptions on climate change is also notable. While carbon dioxide released by volcanoes contributes to global warming, sulphur dioxide has a cooling effect on the atmosphere. Large eruptions, like the 1783-1784 Laki fissure eruption in Iceland, released a staggering amount of sulphur dioxide, causing regional cooling in Europe and North America.

Furthermore, volcanic activity can result in what is known as "vog," short for "volcanic smog." This occurs when sulphur oxides react with sunlight, atmospheric gases, and aerosols, converting into fine particles that settle over land. Vog is recognised as a health hazard and can affect air quality across broad areas, even thousands of kilometres away from the eruption site.

Overall, volcanic eruptions can have significant and far-reaching impacts on air pollution, leading to natural disasters. The release of harmful gases and particles can affect both the environment and human health, underscoring the importance of preparedness, monitoring, and response efforts to mitigate the potential consequences of volcanic activity.

Earthquakes

Secondly, earthquakes can lead to industrial accidents and damage to pipelines, storage tanks, and processing equipment. For example, the 1994 Northridge earthquake in California resulted in multiple petroleum pipeline ruptures, natural gas line breaks, and the release of hazardous materials. These incidents can release various contaminants, depending on the affected industrial facilities. Oil refinery fires, for instance, emit particulate matter and harmful gases, while chemical plant disasters release toxic chemicals.

Thirdly, improper waste disposal practices following earthquakes can contribute to air pollution. The large volume of debris and building materials generated during earthquakes must be properly managed to prevent the release of hazardous substances. Heavy machinery and equipment used in post-earthquake clean-up efforts can also increase air pollution levels, particularly NOx emissions from construction work.

Furthermore, earthquakes can trigger the release of trace gases, such as SO2, due to seismic-triggered degassing. They can also create favourable conditions for the growth of moulds and other microbial organisms by increasing moisture and dampness in the environment. Mould spores are known air pollutants that can have acute effects on respiratory systems.

Lastly, earthquakes can exacerbate existing air pollution problems. For example, in areas with mining activities, earthquakes can disturb mining sites, releasing additional dust and powders into the atmosphere. Prolonged exposure to silica particles, commonly found in construction materials, can lead to serious respiratory diseases and cancer.

Floods

Firstly, air pollution affects cloud development and precipitation patterns. Aerosols, which are tiny particles of soot, dust, and other pollutants, influence the formation and properties of clouds. They act as nuclei for water droplets or ice particles, leading to the creation of larger clouds that accumulate more water. These clouds take longer to convert into raindrops, resulting in heavier and more intense rainfall when they do release precipitation. This increased rainfall contributes to flooding, particularly in wet regions or seasons.

Secondly, air pollution can alter the freezing point of water droplets, leading to changes in precipitation patterns. In certain cases, polluted air may cause rainfall in areas that would typically experience snowfall. This additional rainfall accelerates the melting of snowpacks and glaciers, contributing to rising sea levels and increasing the risk of flooding in coastal areas.

Additionally, air pollution can indirectly lead to flooding by exacerbating the impacts of climate change. For example, increased temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events, such as storms and hurricanes, are often linked to air pollution. These factors can intensify rainfall and contribute to flooding events.

Moreover, air pollution can cause physical obstructions in drainage systems, leading to localized flooding. Clogged storm drains, for instance, can prevent stormwater from being adequately channeled away, resulting in water backing up onto streets and into homes.

The consequences of flooding are far-reaching and include contamination of drinking water supplies, the spread of diseases, and adverse effects on the mental health and economic well-being of affected communities. Lower-income populations, people experiencing homelessness, the elderly, and communities of color are often disproportionately impacted by flooding and its aftermath.

Overall, the intricate relationship between air pollution and flooding underscores the urgent need to address air quality issues and mitigate their impact on the environment and human health.

Industrial accidents

One of the most well-known examples of an industrial accident triggering a natural disaster is the Fukushima Daiichi power plant accident in 2011. The accident was caused by a tsunami that disabled the power supply and cooling of three reactors, resulting in a nuclear disaster. Another example is the Ichihara gas tank fire in Japan, where a fire in natural gas containers at an oil refinery injured six people and destroyed storage tanks.

Additionally, natural disasters can cause power outages, forcing industrial facilities to release gases into the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution. An example is the 2021 Texas freeze, where refineries and chemical plants released 3.5 million extra pounds of pollution into the air.

Furthermore, industrial accidents can have far-reaching consequences, such as the Baia Mare accident in Romania in 2000, where extreme snowfall and high temperatures caused the overflow of mine tailings dams, resulting in widespread water pollution that affected multiple countries.

Frequently asked questions