Air Pollution: A Toxic Tale Of Human Impact

Air pollution is a major threat to global health and prosperity, causing more than 6.5 million deaths each year worldwide. It consists of chemicals or particles in the air that can harm the health of humans, animals, and plants. These particles and gases can be solid or liquid and are called aerosols. They can come from car and truck exhaust, factories, dust, pollen, mould spores, volcanoes, and wildfires. Certain gases in the atmosphere, such as ozone, can also cause air pollution. When ozone is closer to the ground, it can be harmful to human health, and when particles in the air combine with ozone, they create smog, which is a type of air pollution that can irritate the eyes and throat and damage the lungs. Air pollution can also contribute to climate change, as greenhouse gases lead to warmer temperatures, causing rising sea levels, more extreme weather, heat-related deaths, and the increased transmission of infectious diseases.

Health risks: respiratory issues, cancers, and cardiovascular problems

Air pollution is caused by solid or liquid particles and certain gases suspended in the air. These particles and gases can come from car and truck exhaust, factories, dust, pollen, mould spores, volcanoes, and wildfires. The main pathway for air pollution to enter the body is through the respiratory tract. Once inhaled, these pollutants can cause inflammation, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and mutagenicity in cells throughout the body, impacting the lungs, heart, and brain, among other organs.

Air pollution has been linked to a variety of respiratory issues. Short-term exposure to high levels of particulate matter can lead to reduced lung function, respiratory infections, and aggravated asthma. Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter, on the other hand, increases the risk of developing respiratory diseases with longer onsets, such as stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. Particle pollution can also worsen pre-existing respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD, triggering asthma attacks and exacerbating symptoms.

The tiniest airborne particles in soot, for example, can penetrate the lungs and bloodstream, worsening bronchitis, increasing the risk of heart attacks, and even hastening death. Additionally, air pollution has been associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, particularly in individuals who have never smoked. This risk is further elevated in pregnant individuals exposed to long-term particle pollution.

The health risks associated with air pollution are not limited to respiratory issues. Exposure to air pollutants can also lead to cardiovascular problems, including ischaemic heart disease, increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, and heat-related deaths. Older adults are at a higher risk of premature death due to short-term exposure to ozone, even at levels below the current standard.

Furthermore, air pollution has been linked to a range of other health issues, including diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, immune system dysfunction, and reproductive problems. It is important to note that certain populations, such as children, the elderly, and pregnant individuals, are more susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution.

Climate change: rising temperatures, sea levels, and extreme weather

Air pollution is caused by solid or liquid particles, known as aerosols, and certain gases suspended in the air. These particles and gases can come from car and truck exhaust, factories, dust, pollen, mould spores, volcanoes, and wildfires. The effects of air pollution are detrimental to human health and our planet.

When we pollute the air, we contribute to climate change, which is causing rising temperatures, sea levels, and extreme weather. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to warmer temperatures. This warming is the primary driver of rising sea levels. As the Earth's temperature increases, polar ice caps and glaciers melt, releasing water into the oceans. Additionally, as seawater warms, it undergoes thermal expansion, taking up more space in the ocean basin and further contributing to rising sea levels.

The rate of global sea level rise is accelerating. Since 1880, the global average sea level has risen by approximately 21-24 cm, with a new record high set in 2023. This rapid increase is largely attributed to human-induced climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels and the resulting increase in greenhouse gas emissions. By 2100, global mean sea level is projected to rise by at least 0.3 meters above 2000 levels, even with significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Rising temperatures due to climate change also contribute to more extreme weather events. Warmer temperatures can lead to heatwaves, droughts, and increased frequency and intensity of storms. These extreme weather events can have devastating impacts on communities, agriculture, and economies worldwide.

Furthermore, air pollution has severe impacts on human health. Particulate matter, such as PM2.5, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be inhaled deeply into the lungs, contributing to respiratory diseases, asthma, and other serious health problems. Long-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to increased mortality rates, with certain pollutants intensifying the symptoms of asthma and allergies and triggering asthma attacks. Additionally, air pollutants such as benzene, mercury, lead, and dioxins can cause short-term and long-term health issues, including eye, skin, and lung irritation, blood disorders, and nervous system damage.

Ecosystem damage: forests, agriculture, and species extinctions

Air pollution is caused by solid or liquid particles and certain gases suspended in the air. These particles and gases can come from car and truck exhaust, factories, dust, pollen, mould spores, volcanoes, and wildfires. Pollutants such as mercury, lead, dioxins, and benzene pose severe health risks and can sometimes be fatal even in small amounts.

Forests are complex ecosystems that are being harmed by air pollution. Sulphur and nitrogen emissions from power plants, agriculture, and vehicles can alter the health of forests. The most well-known form of sulphur and nitrogen pollution is acid rain, which occurs when there are very high levels of these pollutants in the air. A study by the U.S. Forest Service suggests that if the U.S. reduces excess nitrogen deposition by about two pounds per acre each year for the next century, it could offset the loss of species richness predicted by global warming.

Air pollution and climate change together alter the components of forests like C-sequestration, photosynthesis and transpiration rates, biodiversity, species composition, etc., which thereafter alter the environmental processes. Forests provide fibre, fuel, food, wood and other non-wood products, freshwater, ecosystem services like air quality, climate regulation, water regulation, erosion regulation, pollination, and natural hazard regulation.

Agriculture is also impacted by air pollution. For example, ozone is a major cause of air pollution in cities, and while it is beneficial in the upper atmosphere, ground-level ozone is harmful to human health. Ground-level ozone is created when sunlight reacts with certain chemicals that come from burning fossil fuels, such as factories or car exhaust. When particles in the air combine with ozone, they create smog, which is a type of air pollution that can irritate the eyes and throat and damage the lungs.

Air pollution also contributes to species extinctions. A study by NASA found that certain lichens that are sensitive to increased air pollution are also harmed by increased ambient temperatures. As air pollution and climate change alter the components of forests, they can also impact the species that depend on these ecosystems for survival.

Indoor air pollution: radon gas and health issues

Air pollution is caused by solid or liquid particles and certain gases suspended in the air. These particles and gases can come from car and truck exhaust, factories, dust, pollen, mould spores, volcanoes, and wildfires. Climate pollutants, such as greenhouse gases, also contribute to air pollution and lead to climate change and its associated impacts, including rising sea levels, extreme weather, and heat-related deaths.

One significant indoor air pollutant is radon gas, which can have serious health consequences. Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that is invisible, odourless, and tasteless. It is formed by the breakdown of uranium in rocks and soil, and it can enter buildings through cracks in the foundation, basement, or crawl spaces. Radon can also be found in water used in showers and faucets, as well as in building materials like granite countertops or tiles.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States. When inhaled, radon releases radioactive particles that get trapped in the lungs and damage lung tissue over time. Smokers are especially vulnerable, with a 25 times higher risk of developing lung cancer from radon exposure compared to non-smokers.

The concentration of radon indoors can be measured with a small passive detector or a do-it-yourself test kit. If high levels of radon are detected, a mitigation system can be installed to collect and vent the gas outdoors. Radon exposure is a preventable risk factor, and effective policies and regulations can help reduce the health risks associated with indoor radon exposure.

In addition to radon, other indoor air pollutants can also impact health. For example, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in paints, cleaning supplies, and pesticides can contribute to respiratory issues and other health problems. It is important to be mindful of these indoor air pollutants and take appropriate measures to ensure good indoor air quality and maintain optimal health.

Environmental justice: low-income communities and people of colour are disproportionately affected

Air pollution is caused by solid or liquid particles and certain gases suspended in the air. These particles and gases, known as aerosols, can be harmful to the planet and human health. Examples of aerosols include car and truck exhaust, factory emissions, dust, pollen, mould spores, volcanic ash, and wildfire smoke.

Air pollution has been linked to a range of health issues, including respiratory problems, heart disease, asthma, and cancer. It can also contribute to climate change, as certain aerosols trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to rising temperatures, sea levels, and more extreme weather.

Unfortunately, the burden of air pollution is not evenly distributed. Low-income communities and people of colour are disproportionately affected by air pollution due to systemic environmental racism. This refers to the intentional siting of polluting facilities in communities primarily populated by racialised minorities and low-income workers. For example, highways, waste sites, and polluting industries are more likely to be located in or near low-income neighbourhoods and communities of colour. As a result, these communities are exposed to higher levels of harmful pollutants, such as fumes, toxic dust, ash, and soot, leading to increased health risks.

Research has found that people of colour face a higher health burden due to living in proximity to polluting facilities. For instance, a 2018 study showed that people of colour had a 28% higher health burden on average compared to the general population, with Black individuals experiencing a 54% greater health burden. Additionally, more than one million African Americans in the United States live within a half-mile of natural gas facilities, facing increased cancer risks due to unclean air.

The environmental justice movement aims to address these injustices and end the unequal treatment of people of colour. Organisations such as the NAACP's Environmental and Climate Justice Program and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) have been working to develop policies that promote sustainability, uphold the rights of all people, and hold major polluters accountable for their disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities.

Addressing environmental injustice requires recognising the systemic nature of the problem and challenging racist policies and practices that have historically favoured white, affluent communities. It also involves empowering communities of colour to have a voice in decision-making processes and ensuring equitable access to healthy and sustainable environments, regardless of race or income.

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