Natural Air Pollution: What's The Real Extent?

how much natural air pollution occurs

Air pollution is the contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical, or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere. Natural sources of air pollution include wildfires, dust storms, and volcanic eruptions. While natural sources of air pollution can be significant, they do not usually create ongoing air pollution problems like other source types. Mobile sources, such as cars, buses, planes, trucks, and trains, and stationary sources, such as power plants, oil refineries, and factories, are the primary contributors to ongoing air pollution. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for nearly seven million deaths worldwide each year, with 99% of humans currently breathing air that exceeds the WHO's guideline limits for pollutants.

Characteristics Values
Definition The contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere
Sources Mobile sources (cars, buses, planes, trucks, and trains), stationary sources (power plants, oil refineries, industrial facilities, and factories), area sources (agricultural areas, cities, and wood-burning fireplaces), and natural sources (wind-blown dust, wildfires, and volcanoes)
Effects Respiratory and other diseases, morbidity, and mortality. It is a significant risk factor for stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and lung cancer.
Impact on Agriculture A 2020 study showed that ozone pollution in California may reduce yields of certain perennial crops such as table grapes by as much as 22% per year, translating to economic damages of over $1 billion per year.
Impact on Climate Change Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to rising sea levels, more extreme weather, heat-related deaths, and increased transmission of infectious diseases.
Global Exposure According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the world population is exposed to harmful air pollution.
Annual Deaths Air pollution is responsible for approximately 7 million premature deaths annually worldwide.

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Natural sources of air pollution

Volcanic eruptions can spew massive amounts of sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere. In the past, volcanoes were the main source of atmospheric sulphur dioxide. Wildfires and bonfires are also a natural source of outdoor carbon monoxide. Indoors, carbon monoxide comes from cooking and heating. Wind-blown dust from natural sources can also contribute to air pollution.

Livestock is another natural source of air pollution, as animals like cows and sheep release a massive amount of methane through belching and flatulence. Methane is a colourless gas that is produced in their stomachs when bacteria break down the food they eat. Livestock is the biggest source of methane worldwide. Methane is the second most important greenhouse gas, which can cause climate change.

Ozone is one of the most common natural air pollutants. It is a product of the combustion of fossil fuels, which are used for electricity and transport.

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The impact of air pollution on agriculture

Air pollution is the contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any physical, chemical, or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere. It is a well-known environmental crisis that negatively impacts human health and the planet as a whole. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly seven million deaths occur annually due to indoor and outdoor air pollution.

Agriculture has a two-way relationship with air pollution, as both can significantly impact each other. Agriculture is a major contributor to air pollution, especially in the form of particulate matter pollution. In some parts of the world, it is the largest sectoral source of damages from particulate air pollution. This is primarily due to emissions from livestock manure and chemicals, which comprise 95% of ammonia emissions, a significant component of particulate matter air pollution. Additionally, agricultural practices such as the burning of fossil fuels for electricity and transport, waste management, and the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers contribute to air pollution.

On the other hand, air pollution negatively impacts agriculture by reducing crop yields and causing damage to crops. A 2020 study found that ozone pollution in California reduced yields of certain perennial crops, resulting in economic losses of over $1 billion per year. Similarly, research by David Lobell and Jennifer Burney revealed that high levels of nitrogen oxides pollution, commonly found in car exhaust and industrial emissions, lead to significant declines in crop yields. This is because nitrogen oxides can directly damage crop cells and are precursors to the formation of ozone, which is known to reduce crop yields. Additionally, air pollution can cause "yellowing" in plants, indicating reduced growth, injury, or premature crop death due to disruptions in crop cycles and development.

The COVID-19 lockdown in India provided a natural experiment to observe the links between air quality and agriculture. The improvement in air quality during the lockdown resulted in enhanced surface greenness and photosynthetic activity, demonstrating the positive response of vegetation to reduced air pollution. However, it is important to note that wildfire smoke, an increasing form of particulate pollution, can also impact crop yields. While low levels of smoke exposure can increase yields by providing refracted sunlight, high levels of smoke exposure reduce yields by blocking sunlight and reducing photosynthesis.

To address the impact of air pollution on agriculture, policymakers and farmers can work together to implement sustainable practices. This includes adopting tillage techniques that reduce soil disturbance, such as no-till practices, which have been found to reduce particulate pollution and improve air quality for downwind communities. Additionally, reducing nitrogen oxides pollution through vehicle electrification and energy transformations can have substantial benefits for agriculture and help improve food security.

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The role of fossil fuels

The burning of fossil fuels is a significant contributor to air pollution. Fossil fuels are used for electricity, heat, and transportation, and the combustion of these fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, accounts for about 79% of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions, and methane comprises more than 11%. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change. The health effects of air pollution from fossil fuels are severe, with exposure to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) causing approximately 8.7 million deaths worldwide in 2018. This type of pollution particularly affects children, older individuals, those on low incomes, and people of colour, with urban areas bearing the brunt of the impact.

Nitrogen oxides, released from burning fossil fuels, contribute to the formation of smog and acid rain. Smog, or ground-level ozone, irritates the eyes and throat and damages the lungs, especially in children, the elderly, and those who work or exercise outdoors. It also exacerbates asthma and allergy symptoms, triggering asthma attacks. The combustion of fossil fuels releases toxic pollutants such as soot, a type of particulate matter composed of tiny particles of chemicals, soil, smoke, dust, or allergens. These fine particles linger in the air, are easily inhaled, and can penetrate deep into the lungs, entering the bloodstream and causing or worsening respiratory issues and other health problems.

Additionally, the burning of fossil fuels has broader environmental consequences that indirectly impact air quality. For example, melting glaciers and rising sea levels, caused by global warming, can further influence atmospheric conditions. The transition to cleaner fuels and industrial processes is crucial for mitigating air pollution and its associated health and environmental risks. This includes adopting renewable energy sources, improving fuel efficiency, and electrifying transportation.

While natural sources of air pollution, such as wildfires, volcanoes, and sea spray, contribute to air quality issues, human activities, particularly the combustion of fossil fuels, play a predominant role in degrading air quality worldwide. The health and environmental crises driven by fossil fuel pollution underscore the urgency of implementing sustainable practices and policies to reduce emissions and mitigate the impacts of air pollution.

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The health impact of air pollution

Air pollution is a mix of hazardous substances from both human-made and natural sources. It is the presence of one or more contaminants in the atmosphere, such as dust, fumes, gas, mist, odour, smoke or vapour, in quantities and durations that can be harmful to human health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that nearly seven million deaths occur globally each year due to indoor and outdoor air pollution. Ninety-nine per cent of people currently breathe air that exceeds the WHO's guideline limits for pollutants, with those in low- and middle-income countries suffering the most.

The health impacts of air pollution are far-reaching and affect almost every organ in the body. 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, and brain, among other organs. Fine particulate matter, such as soot, is of particular concern as these tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, enter the bloodstream, and travel to organs, causing systemic damage to tissues and cells. This can lead to respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Ozone, another air pollutant, is a powerful lung irritant that can cause inflammation and other damage to the lungs, impacting multiple body systems. Exposure to ozone can lead to respiratory symptoms such as chest tightness, coughing, and shortness of breath, even within hours of exposure.

Maternal exposure to air pollution is associated with adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight, pre-term birth, and small gestational age births. Research also suggests a link between air pollution and diabetes, neurological development in children, and an increased risk of cancer. Additionally, psychosocial stress, such as poverty and racial/ethnic discrimination, can amplify the harmful effects of air pollution.

The sources of air pollution are multiple and context-specific. Outdoor pollution sources include residential energy for cooking and heating, vehicles, power generation, agriculture/waste incineration, and industry. Indoor air pollution is often caused by the use of biomass (e.g., wood) for cooking and heating. Policies and interventions that support sustainable land use, cleaner energy, and improved waste management can help reduce key sources of air pollution.

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Air pollution and climate change

Air pollution is the contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical, or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere. It is caused by the release of pollutants that are detrimental to human health and the planet as a whole. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that nearly seven million deaths occur globally each year due to indoor and outdoor air pollution.

Outdoor air pollution is caused by industrial processes, the burning of fossil fuels for electricity and transport, waste management, and agriculture. Common sources of outdoor air pollution include residential energy for cooking and heating, vehicles, power generation, and industry. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, gasoline, or natural gas, releases emissions that react with sunlight to form smog (ground-level ozone) and soot (particulate matter). These pollutants can irritate the eyes and throat, damage the lungs, and worsen respiratory and heart diseases.

Climate change can also impact air quality, and certain air pollutants can contribute to climate change. For example, hot sunny days associated with a warming climate can increase ground-level ozone, a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, leading to rising temperatures, sea levels, and more extreme weather. Regulatory initiatives, partnership programs, and individual actions can help reduce air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, thereby mitigating climate change.

In addition, air pollution and climate change are closely linked through their impact on agriculture. Air pollutants, such as ozone, can reduce crop yields and affect agricultural waters and soil. On the other hand, agriculture contributes to air pollution and climate change through the emission of trace gases like atmospheric ammonia.

Furthermore, indoor air pollution, often caused by the use of biomass for cooking and heating, is also influenced by climate change. Increases in outdoor air pollutants can lead to higher indoor exposures, and climate change-related precipitation and storms can create damp indoor environments conducive to the growth of harmful pollutants like mold and bacteria.

Frequently asked questions

Air pollution is the contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere.

Natural sources of air pollution include wildfires, dust storms, volcanic eruptions, and gases like radon and methane emitted from decomposing organic matter in soils.

It is difficult to quantify the exact amount of natural air pollution that occurs, as it can vary depending on factors such as geographical location and climate conditions. However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the global population breathes air that exceeds the recommended guideline limits for pollutants.

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