Helena Joyce
Air pollution is a pressing issue that poses significant risks to human health and the planet. It refers to the release of harmful substances into the air, including gases such as ozone and nitrogen oxides, particles like soot, and other chemicals. These pollutants can originate from various sources, including human activities and natural processes. The combustion of fossil fuels for industry, transportation, and heating is a major contributor to air pollution, along with other sources such as nuclear weapons, toxic gases, and industrial processes. The effects of air pollution are far-reaching, causing approximately 6.7 to 8 million premature deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It increases the risk of respiratory diseases, lung cancer, and other health issues, with vulnerable groups such as infants, young children, and the elderly being particularly susceptible. Addressing air pollution through policies and interventions is crucial for mitigating its impact on human health and the environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The presence of harmful substances in the air |
| Sources | Natural sources include wildfires, dust storms, and volcanic eruptions. Human sources include the burning of fossil fuels, industrial processes, waste management, and agriculture. |
| Types of Pollutants | Particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, soot, greenhouse gases, lead, benzene, perchloroethylene, and methylene chloride. |
| Health Effects | Lung disease, asthma, stroke, heart disease, respiratory diseases, lung cancer, and other types of cancer. |
| Global Impact | Around 6.7-8 million premature deaths annually, with 99% of the global population breathing air above WHO guideline limits. |
| Mitigation | Policies to reduce air pollution, sustainable land use, cleaner energy and transport, energy-efficient housing, and better waste management. |
What You'll Learn
Particulate matter
The sources of particulate matter can be both natural and anthropogenic. Natural sources include volcanoes, wildfires, dust storms, and aerosolized sea salt. On the other hand, human activities, such as combustion in mechanical and industrial processes, vehicle emissions, and tobacco smoke, also contribute significantly to particulate matter pollution.
The health impacts of particulate matter pollution are significant and wide-ranging. Both short-term and long-term exposure to particulate matter have been linked to increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Long-term exposure has also been associated with adverse perinatal outcomes and lung cancer. The tiniest particles in particulate matter can penetrate the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, exacerbating respiratory conditions and increasing the risk of heart attacks.
Overall, particulate matter is a critical aspect of air pollution, contributing to premature deaths and adverse health outcomes worldwide. Understanding the sources and impacts of particulate matter is essential for developing effective strategies to mitigate its harmful effects and improve air quality.
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Nitrogen dioxide
The Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) instrument collected its first measurements of nitrogen dioxide air pollution over North America on August 2, 2023. TEMPO measures sunlight reflected and scattered off the Earth’s surface, clouds, and the atmosphere. Gases in the atmosphere absorb the sunlight, and the resulting spectra are used to determine the amounts of several gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, including nitrogen dioxide. TEMPO makes measurements of the atmosphere with unprecedented resolution in both time and space.
In polluted regions, most of the nitrogen dioxide is located near the ground. Detailed views of some regions show high levels of nitrogen dioxide over cities in the morning and enhanced levels over major highways. As the day progresses, the morning pollution often dissipates, only to rise again during the second rush hour of the day.
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Carbon monoxide
Indoor sources of carbon monoxide include gas stoves, malfunctioning or improperly vented gas appliances (such as water heaters, furnaces, and clothes dryers), space heaters, fireplaces, tobacco smoke, and car emissions. The highest levels of indoor CO typically occur during colder months when inversion conditions trap air pollution near the ground. Outdoor sources of carbon monoxide include cars, trucks, and other vehicles or machinery that burn fossil fuels. Higher levels of outdoor CO are generally found in areas with heavy traffic congestion.
Regulators such as the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have established standards and guidelines to control and monitor carbon monoxide pollution. These standards help local agencies ensure that CO levels remain within safe limits. However, carbon monoxide continues to be a significant contributor to air pollution and its associated health and environmental risks.
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Ground-level ozone
Ozone, a gas composed of three oxygen atoms, can be found in both the Earth's upper atmosphere and at ground level. While stratospheric ozone is beneficial as it shields us from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays, ground-level ozone is detrimental to human health. Exposure to ground-level ozone can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory system. It can trigger asthma, reduce lung function, and lead to lung disease. The risk of health problems is particularly high for children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing lung diseases.
The effects of ground-level ozone pollution are not limited to human health but also extend to the environment. Ozone damages trees and plants, impairing their growth and making them more susceptible to insects and diseases. Additionally, ground-level ozone contributes to the formation of smog, which can irritate the eyes and throat and damage the lungs, especially in vulnerable individuals such as children, senior citizens, and people with asthma or allergies.
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Fossil fuel combustion
Particulate matter, composed of inhalable particles such as sulphate, nitrates, black carbon, and mineral dust, poses significant health risks. Fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, can be derived from the combustion of fossil fuels in power generation, industries, and vehicles. Exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, adverse perinatal outcomes, and lung cancer. In 2019, around 265,000 lung cancer deaths globally were attributed to PM2.5 exposure.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx), including nitrogen dioxide (NO2), are released into the atmosphere during fossil fuel combustion. NO2 is a reddish-brown gas soluble in water, and exposure to it can irritate airways and exacerbate respiratory conditions. It is an important precursor to ground-level ozone (O3), a major component of smog. Smog forms when emissions from fossil fuel combustion react with sunlight, and it can cause respiratory issues, trigger asthma, and damage the lungs, especially in vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
Additionally, the combustion of fossil fuels is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global warming and climate change. The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is crucial to mitigate the health and environmental impacts of air pollution.
According to research by Harvard University and other institutions, fossil fuel pollution was responsible for approximately 8 million deaths in 2018, highlighting the severe health consequences of burning fossil fuels. It is evident that fossil fuel combustion has far-reaching impacts on human health and the environment, underscoring the urgency of adopting cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
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Frequently asked questions
Air pollution is the presence of harmful substances in the air, which can be harmful to humans, other living beings, or the environment.
There are six common air pollutants, known as criteria air pollutants, which are regulated by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These include particle pollution, ground-level ozone, and toxic air pollutants, also known as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Examples of HAPs include benzene, perchloroethylene, and methylene chloride.
Sources of air pollution are multiple and context-specific. The major 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, as well as household combustion devices.
Air pollution is responsible for around 6.7 to 8 million premature deaths each year. It is a significant risk factor for various diseases, including stroke, heart disease, respiratory diseases, asthma, and lung cancer. Long-term exposure to particulate matter has also been linked to adverse perinatal outcomes and lung cancer.
Policies and investments that support sustainable land use, cleaner household energy and transport, energy-efficient housing, and better waste management can help reduce ambient air pollution. National air quality laws, such as the Clean Air Act in the US, have also been effective in regulating the emissions of harmful air pollutants.
