Kiera Jefferson
Air pollution is a significant threat to global health and prosperity, causing approximately 6.5 million deaths annually worldwide. It is caused by solid and liquid particles, known as aerosols, and certain gases suspended in the air. These particles and gases can originate from various sources, including car and truck exhaust, factories, dust, pollen, mold spores, wildfires, and the burning of fossil fuels. The transportation sector, including cars, trucks, ships, trains, and planes, is a significant contributor to air pollution, with over 94% of the fuel used in this sector being petroleum-based. Additionally, industrial activities, power plants, oil refineries, and agricultural areas also play a role in emitting pollutants into the atmosphere. Furthermore, air pollution can lead to water pollution, as the pollutants settle into waterways and oceans, causing harm to aquatic habitats and even making beaches unsafe for humans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main sources of air pollution | Cars, buses, planes, trucks, trains, power plants, oil refineries, industrial facilities, factories, agricultural areas, cities, wood-burning fireplaces, dust, pollen, mold spores, volcanoes, and wildfires |
| Main sources of ocean pollution | Dirt, top soil, or silt from fields or construction sites |
| Greenhouse gas emissions sources | Burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation |
| Health effects of air pollution | Dementia, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, heart and lung diseases, cancers, and other health problems |
| Annual deaths linked to air pollution | 4.5 million deaths linked to outdoor air pollution and 2.2 million deaths caused by indoor air pollution in 2019, according to the 2020 State of Global Air report |
| Global health risk factor | Air pollution is the fourth-largest risk factor for early death |
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Fossil fuels
Burning fossil fuels emits greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere and contribute to climate change. In 2019, fossil fuels accounted for 74% of US greenhouse gas emissions. The combustion of fossil fuels also releases nitrogen oxides, contributing to smog and acid rain formation. These emissions affect air, land, and water quality, with excess nitrogen deposited back onto land and subsequently washing into nearby water bodies. This process harms aquatic life and contributes to harmful algal blooms and oxygen-deprived aquatic zones.
The health impacts of fossil fuel pollution are significant and wide-ranging. Globally, fossil fuel pollution is responsible for one in five deaths. In the United States alone, 350,000 premature deaths in 2018 were attributed to fossil fuel-related pollution, with particularly high numbers in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. Fossil fuel pollution is linked to various health issues, including asthma, cancer, heart disease, and premature death. The combustion of gasoline, a fossil fuel, produces cancer-causing ultra-fine particles and aromatic hydrocarbons.
Children are especially vulnerable to the health impacts of fossil fuel pollution due to their immature defense mechanisms and rapid development. Exposure to fossil fuel combustion by-products can impair cognitive and behavioural development, leading to respiratory illnesses and other chronic diseases. The effects can be seen in utero and can impact a child's health, ability to learn, and potential to contribute to society. Low- and middle-income countries bear the brunt of these health consequences, with communities of colour and low-income communities disproportionately affected.
Beyond health impacts, fossil fuels are closely linked to plastic pollution. Over 99% of plastics are made from fossil fuels, and the plastic industry's greenhouse gas emissions are expected to surpass those of coal-fired power plants by 2030. Additionally, the extraction, transportation, and refining of fossil fuels can lead to oil spills, which harm wildlife, destroy habitats, erode shorelines, and result in closures of beaches, parks, and fisheries. The 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon spill, the largest in history, released 134 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, causing extensive environmental damage and incurring significant cleanup costs.
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Transport
Heavy-duty vehicles, such as lorries and freight trucks, are essential for goods transportation but are also major polluters. These vehicles consume large amounts of diesel fuel, releasing high levels of NOx and PM into the atmosphere. Additionally, non-combustion sources, such as tyre and brake wear, contribute to air pollution, especially in densely populated urban areas with high traffic congestion. This form of pollution not only degrades air quality but also poses risks to public health and the environment, including respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses.
Shipping is a critical component of global trade; however, it significantly contributes to air and water pollution. Large ships run on heavy fuel oil, emitting sulfur oxides (SOx), NOx, and fine particulate matter. Aviation also contributes to air pollution through the combustion of jet fuel, releasing CO2, NOx, and water vapour into the atmosphere. Initiatives like the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) regulations to limit sulfur emissions and the development of LNG-powered ships aim to mitigate the environmental impact of shipping.
Road transport is the largest contributor to climate change within the transport sector. While environmental regulations in developed countries have reduced individual vehicle emissions, this has been offset by an increase in the number of vehicles and their usage. Electric vehicles, shared mobility, and public transport are being promoted to reduce emissions and pollution. Additionally, programs such as the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act and the Clean School Bus Program aim to reduce emissions from diesel engines and promote zero-emission school buses.
Freight transportation is a significant contributor to air pollution and climate change, and initiatives like SmartWay help improve supply chain efficiency to reduce air pollution from their operations. By 2030, it is projected that EPA air quality emissions standards for vehicles will prevent passenger vehicles from emitting harmful pollutants. Overall, reducing transport emissions globally is crucial to improving air quality, mitigating climate change, and reducing the health impacts of air pollution.
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Industrial processes
In addition to energy generation, certain chemical reactions necessary for manufacturing goods from raw materials also produce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, industries such as iron, steel, and rubber product manufacturing, along with power generation, produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as a by-product. PAHs are organic compounds containing carbon and hydrogen, and out of the many known to exist in the environment, 15 are listed in the Report on Carcinogens.
The industrial sector is responsible for a large share of greenhouse gas emissions in many countries, and it is crucial to decarbonize these industries to meet climate goals. The fashion industry, for instance, is the third most polluting sector, producing about 10% of the annual carbon footprint, more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. It also consumes vast amounts of water and generates plastic waste. Similarly, the food retail industry contributes significantly to emissions, with food waste alone accounting for 8-10% of global GHG emissions.
The construction industry is another major contributor to pollution, emitting about 40% of global emissions when considering the extraction and transportation of building materials, construction processes, and the everyday operations of buildings. To achieve net-zero emissions, the construction sector must explore sustainable materials and methods, improve energy efficiency, and offset residual emissions.
Overall, industrial processes, particularly those involving the burning of fossil fuels and certain chemical reactions, have a significant impact on pollution levels and the health of the planet.
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Agriculture
Agricultural air pollution is primarily composed of ammonia, which is released into the atmosphere from heavily fertilized fields and livestock waste. This ammonia combines with pollutants from combustion, such as nitrogen oxides and sulfates from vehicles, power plants, and industrial processes, to create tiny solid particles or aerosols. These aerosols can have serious health consequences, including an increased risk of neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and other dementias.
In addition to air pollution, agricultural practices also significantly impact water quality. Pollutants from farming, such as sediments, nutrients, pathogens, pesticides, metals, and salts, can contaminate lakes, rivers, wetlands, estuaries, and groundwater. High nitrate concentrations from fertilizers can reach levels above the EU Directive limit of 50 mg/litre, causing eutrophication in ditches and river courses. Pesticide leaching, where pesticides dissolve in water and migrate to off-target sites, is another major source of groundwater pollution.
Animal agriculture, in particular, has a significant impact on the environment. The US National Research Council has identified odors as the most pressing animal emission problem at the local level. A dairy farm with 2,500 cows, for example, produces as much waste as a city with approximately 411,000 residents. Bacteria and pathogens in manure can contaminate streams and groundwater if grazing, manure storage, and manure application to fields are not properly managed.
To mitigate agricultural pollution, various management practices can be implemented. These include improving animal management and housing, as well as adopting more sustainable practices for the spread of pesticides and fertilizers. Biopesticides, for instance, are derived from natural sources and could potentially reduce overall agricultural pollution. While their utilization is currently modest, they offer a potential alternative to synthetic pesticides, which often have negative environmental impacts.
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Energy production
The burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities in the United States. Fossil fuel power plants emit harmful chemicals and gases, such as SO2, into the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution and climate change. In addition, the production of electricity from fossil fuels results in solid waste, such as ash, which can pollute water sources if not properly disposed of.
The transportation sector is the largest source of direct greenhouse gas emissions, with over 94% of the fuel used for transportation being petroleum-based, including gasoline and diesel. The electricity sector is also a significant contributor to emissions, with 60% of electricity in the United States being generated by burning fossil fuels, mainly coal and natural gas. Industrial emissions from burning fossil fuels for energy and certain chemical reactions necessary for manufacturing are the third-largest source of direct emissions.
To reduce the environmental and health impacts of energy production, power plants can adopt various measures. These include increasing generation efficiency, installing pollution controls, leveraging cleaner energy sources, and implementing regulations such as the Clean Air Act, which has helped reduce emissions of major air pollutants. Distributed renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, can also help deliver clean and reliable electricity while reducing transmission line losses. Additionally, end-users can play a role by adopting energy-efficient technologies and practices, reducing the overall demand for electricity generation.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for nearly seven million deaths worldwide each year. The largest source of air pollution is the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation.
Mobile sources such as cars, buses, planes, trucks, and trains are responsible for more than half of the air pollution in the United States. Other sources include stationary sources such as power plants, oil refineries, industrial facilities, and factories, as well as area sources such as agricultural areas, cities, and wood-burning fireplaces.
Air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of heart and lung diseases, cancers, neurological disorders, and other health problems. It is also associated with a higher chance of developing Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other dementias.
