Green Solutions To Air Pollution

Air pollution is a pressing issue that affects both indoor and outdoor environments, with nearly the entire global population (99%) breathing air that exceeds the recommended guideline limits. It arises from various sources, including mobile sources like vehicles, stationary sources like power plants, and area sources such as agricultural regions. Notably, natural sources of air pollution, including wildfires, dust storms, and volcanic eruptions, can also significantly impact air quality. These natural sources release pollutants into the atmosphere, which are then transported by wind and can have detrimental effects on human health and the environment.

Ways to Reduce Air Pollution

Wildfires and forest fires

The thick smoke released by wildfires underscores the severe threat these fires pose to life, health, and the environment from airborne particles. The particulate matter released by wildfires can cause severe health issues, including eye and lung irritation, blood and liver issues, and even cancer. In addition to the immediate health impacts, particulate matter can also have long-term effects, such as slower brain-processing speeds and more pronounced symptoms of ADHD in children whose mothers were exposed to particulate matter during pregnancy.

Wildfires are made worse by climate change, creating a vicious cycle. Climate change leads to increased drought and strong winds, resulting in hotter and longer fire seasons. This, in turn, increases the likelihood of wildfires, particularly by exacerbating drought conditions that make forests more vulnerable to fire. Wildfires also contribute to climate change by releasing greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, and black carbon, a super pollutant that intensifies heatwaves, alters weather patterns, and accelerates the melting of ice and snow.

The impact of wildfires on air pollution is widespread, affecting both people and animals across large areas. In Indonesia, for example, a series of wildfires in 2015 impacted the health of thousands of people and caused significant economic losses. As the climate continues to change, the number of wildfires is expected to increase, leading to more frequent and severe air pollution events. This has been observed in recent years, with devastating wildfires across multiple continents, including Australia, North America, and Siberia.

To break the cycle of wildfires and air pollution, more resources need to be devoted to stopping fires before they happen. This includes planning, prevention, preparedness, and recovery efforts, as well as addressing the underlying causes of climate change through sustainable land use, cleaner energy, and transport solutions.

Volcanic eruptions

Volcanic ash clouds can spread widely, depending on these factors, and have both immediate and long-term effects on the environment and human health. For instance, the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 released a massive amount of sulphur dioxide and ash, causing an international pollution event. The ash cloud reached around the world in just 15 days, and the gas cloud produced acid rain, which is highly detrimental to human health and ecosystems.

Another example is the 1986 eruption of Mt. Kilauea in Hawaii, which released about 2,000 tonnes of SO2 into the lower troposphere. This resulted in persistent acid rain and air pollution, posing significant health risks to those living downwind from the vent.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is another significant pollutant released during volcanic eruptions. While it is lighter than other expelled gases, CO2 is heavier than air, allowing it to remain close to the Earth's surface. High concentrations of CO2 can have detrimental effects on the Earth's biosphere and can quickly lead to unconsciousness and death in humans and animals if inhaled in concentrations above 30%.

Dust storms

The duration of a dust storm can vary, ranging from a few hours to several days, depending on factors such as wind speed, the amount of dust available, and local terrain conditions. During a dust storm, the sky may take on different colours, including brown, yellow, orange, red, or grey, and visibility may be significantly reduced.

To mitigate the health risks associated with dust storms, it is recommended to stay indoors when air quality is poor. If individuals need to go outside, wearing a protective mask, such as a KN95/FFP2 mask, can help reduce the inhalation of airborne pollutants. Additionally, running a high-performance air purifier can help filter particles, gases, and other pollutants from the air.

Radon gas

Radon is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless radioactive gas that is produced from the natural radioactive decay of uranium, which is found in rocks and soils. It can also be found in water. Radon escapes from the ground into the air, where it decays and produces further radioactive particles. As humans breathe, these particles are deposited on the cells lining the airways, where they can damage DNA and potentially cause lung cancer.

Outdoors, radon quickly dilutes to very low concentrations and is generally not harmful. The average outdoor radon level varies from 5 Bq/m3 to 15 Bq/m3. However, radon concentrations are higher indoors and in enclosed spaces with minimal ventilation. In buildings such as homes, schools, and offices, radon levels can vary substantially from 10 Bq/m3 to more than 10,000 Bq/m3. The highest levels are found in places like mines, caves, and water treatment facilities. Radon concentrations indoors can differ among countries and even individual buildings due to factors such as climate, construction techniques, ventilation, domestic habits, and geology.

Radon enters buildings through cracks in the floors, gaps around pipes or cables, small pores in walls, drains, and other openings. It can also be released into the air from household water or building materials. Radon levels are usually higher in basements, cellars, and ground-floor living spaces. However, considerable radon concentration can also be found above the ground floor. Radon concentrations can vary significantly between adjacent buildings and within the same building from day to day and hour to hour.

High levels of radon in buildings can be reduced through various corrective actions. One approach is to prevent radon from entering indoor spaces through isolation and indoor air pressure manipulation. Another important consideration is the thermal retrofitting of existing buildings, as low ventilation rates can decrease indoor air quality and increase radon levels. Straightforward and effective techniques exist to reduce radon concentrations in drinking water supplies, such as aeration or using granular activated carbon filters.

Overall, while radon is a natural source of air pollution, it primarily poses a health risk through indoor exposure, especially in enclosed spaces with inadequate ventilation.

Wind-blown dust

Dust storms, including those caused by wind-blown dust, can result in high levels of PM10 and PM2.5 particles. While PM10 particles are considered coarse aerosol particles, PM2.5 particles are classified as fine particles, which are believed to have more significant health effects. It is important to note that large, "natural" particles in dust storms should not be assumed to be harmless, as they can also carry health risks.

The hazards of wind-blown dust extend beyond human health. Airborne dust can disrupt transportation, renewable energy systems, and transmit pathogens and toxic substances. Additionally, wind erosion and dust emissions can degrade agricultural lands, resulting in the loss of nutrients, soil water retention capacity, and fine fractions of mineral soil and soil carbon.

To address the issues caused by wind-blown dust, various dust control methods are employed in different regions, depending on local soil properties, topography, and meteorology. In Benton County, for example, agricultural practices have been updated to reduce dust storm frequency since the early 1990s. The Columbia Plateau Project has also been working to minimize wind-blown dust in the region, providing insights into wind erosion and dust emissions from farm fields.

Frequently asked questions