Developing Areas: Air Pollution Sources Revealed

Air pollution is a pressing issue that affects people worldwide, with 99% of the global population breathing air that exceeds the World Health Organization's (WHO) guideline limits for pollutants. While air pollution is a universal problem, it disproportionately impacts people in developing areas, with 90% of air pollution-related deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Various sources contribute to air pollution in these regions, including inefficient cooking, heating, and lighting practices using solid fuels such as wood, charcoal, and coal, which release toxic pollutants. Additionally, lower regulatory standards and the prevalence of coal power plants without basic pollution controls contribute to the issue. Furthermore, people in developing areas are more susceptible to the health risks associated with air pollution, such as respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, and adverse effects on lung development.

Vehicle emissions

Motor vehicles are a significant source of air pollution in developing areas. The increasing utilization of motor vehicles due to urbanization and a growing population has led to a rise in vehicle emissions, which contribute to air pollution and adverse health effects. Cars, bikes, trucks, and auto rickshaws are all part of this, but cars play a significant role in polluting the air.

The emissions from vehicles include harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chlorofluorocarbons, particulate matter, and sulfur oxides. These emissions have both direct and indirect effects on the climate and human health. The pollutants in the air can modify the natural characteristics of the atmosphere, leading to the formation of haze and smog, which reduces visibility and impacts air quality.

In developing countries, the problem of air pollution from motor vehicles is expected to intensify with increasing urbanization and motorization. However, there are measures that can be taken to reduce vehicle emissions. These include:

• Encouraging the use of public transportation: Growing transit ridership can significantly reduce congestion and the number of vehicles on the road, thereby lowering emissions.
• Improving public transportation infrastructure: Investing in Transit Signal Priority (TSP) and providing real-time location feeds can help keep routes efficient and on schedule, reducing idling and emissions.
• Promoting electric vehicles: Municipalities can make electric vehicles more accessible by developing charging infrastructure and offering financial incentives such as tax credits.
• Transit-oriented development (TOD): This approach to urban planning involves creating compact, walkable communities with jobs, housing, and amenities located near transport hubs, reducing the need for long travel.

Industrial processes

The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, in industrial processes is a significant source of air pollution. The combustion of these fuels releases harmful pollutants, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). These pollutants have been linked to various respiratory diseases, including chronic respiratory disease, acute respiratory symptoms, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, and even premature mortality.

Industrial activities, such as manufacturing, power generation, and chemical production, also contribute to air pollution. By-products of these processes, including emissions from coal-fueled power plants, fumes from chemical production, and waste incineration, release hazardous substances into the atmosphere. Additionally, industrial processes can interact with meteorological conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and wind speed, to affect the diffusion and concentration of air pollutants, further impacting air quality.

The impact of industrial processes on air pollution is evident in cities like Delhi, where industrialization has led to high levels of ambient air pollution. Studies have shown that industrial areas in Delhi are cloaked with harmful pollutants, including PM10, PM2.5, NO2, and CO, which have been linked to respiratory morbidities in industrial workers and their families. Similar concerns have been raised about the effects of industrialization in India, with air quality suffering due to industrial agglomeration.

To mitigate industrial air pollution, several strategies can be employed. These include industrial processes upgradation, energy efficiency improvements, agricultural waste burning control, and fuel conversion. Additionally, technologies such as CO2 sequestering, industrial energy efficiency enhancements, and improvements in vehicular engine combustion processes can help reduce pollutants. Collective and individual actions, along with policy interventions, are necessary to reduce the threat of air pollution from industrial processes and improve overall air quality.

Residential energy

In developing countries, the burning of solid fuels like wood, charcoal, coal, dung, and crop residues for cooking, heating, and lighting is a major source of indoor air pollution (IAP). These practices release dangerous particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and other toxic pollutants, leading to indoor air pollution levels that far exceed the WHO's air quality guidelines. For example, the use of unvented bio-fuel cooking stoves is linked to respiratory diseases in many highland areas of developing countries.

The impact of residential energy on air pollution is not limited to indoor environments. Indoor air pollution also contributes significantly to outdoor air pollution, including toxic gases, particulate matter, and black carbon. Black carbon, a byproduct of burning solid fuels, has a much greater climate warming capacity than carbon dioxide, making it a significant contributor to climate change. Reducing black carbon emissions is especially important in mountainous regions, as it accelerates glacial melting and contributes to extreme weather events.

The use of household energy for cooking and heating also contributes to forest degradation and land use changes. The demand for wood fuels can lead to unsustainable harvesting practices, with up to 34% of wood fuel being harvested unsustainably. This, in turn, can result in the loss of wildlife habitats and other environmental and social challenges for communities already vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Improving access to clean cooking technologies and fuels is essential to reducing air pollution from residential energy sources. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, biogas, and electricity are considered cleaner alternatives that have less harmful impact on indoor air quality. Implementing comprehensive action plans that address the contribution of household energy to air pollution can improve public health and environmental quality, particularly in developing areas.

Wildfires

The link between wildfires and climate change is a mutually exacerbating one. Climate change prolongs and intensifies wildfire seasons through increased drought and strong winds, resulting in hotter and longer fire seasons. At the same time, wildfires accelerate climate change by ravaging sensitive and carbon-rich ecosystems, such as peatlands. The burning of peatlands releases vast amounts of organic carbon, further fueling climate change.

The number of wildfires is expected to increase by almost 15% by 2030 and 30% by 2050, according to a UNEP-backed report. This increase will lead to a surge in air pollution from wildfires, posing serious risks to human health and the environment. Wildfires can directly impact public health by releasing harmful pollutants and aggravating respiratory conditions such as asthma and lung disease. Additionally, the economic impact of wildfires can be significant, as seen in Indonesia in 2015, where wildfires caused approximately $16 billion in losses.

To combat the escalating problem of wildfires and their contribution to air pollution, a shift from a reactionary approach to prevention is necessary. Policymakers and experts have proposed interventions and strategies, such as the 'Fire Ready Formula', which advocates for increased spending on planning, prevention, preparedness, and recovery. Additionally, initiatives like the 'REDD+' framework aim to protect forests and reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, helping to mitigate the impact of wildfires on air pollution.

Power generation

In developing countries, the power sector often relies heavily on fossil fuel-based power plants, especially coal-fired power plants, which are a major source of air pollution. For example, in India, about 60% of the total power generated in 2015 came from coal-fired plants, resulting in significant emissions of SO2, NOx, PM2.5, and CO. Similar patterns can be observed in other developing regions, where coal-based power plants contribute to the release of greenhouse gases, particulate matter, and hazardous pollutants.

Thermal power generation, which includes coal-fired and natural gas-based power plants, has been a significant contributor to air pollution in China. Studies analyzing data from 2015 to 2019 found that emissions from thermal power plants have worsened China's air quality, which is already below the global average. To address this issue, China has been working towards reducing its reliance on thermal power and promoting a transition to renewable energy sources.

The impact of power generation on air quality is not limited to the immediate vicinity of power plants. Wind can carry pollutants over long distances, affecting areas downwind, including national parks and urban centers. This transport of pollutants can lead to increased smog and elevated ozone concentrations, further exacerbating air quality issues.

However, it is important to note that not all forms of power generation have the same environmental impact. Renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, and geothermal power, offer cleaner alternatives. Wind turbines, for example, do not release emissions that pollute the air and have a small physical footprint, making them a sustainable option. Solar power generation also has minimal environmental impact and does not release carbon emissions, although the manufacturing of photovoltaic cells can generate hazardous waste. Nuclear power, while not releasing greenhouse gases, faces environmental challenges due to the radioactive nature of the fuel.

Frequently asked questions