Greta Jimenez
Pollution is a major threat to global health and prosperity, causing more than 6.5 million deaths each year. It stunts economic growth, exacerbates poverty and inequality, and contributes to climate change. Air pollution is caused by solid and 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.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere |
| Sources | Car and truck exhaust, factories, dust, pollen, mould spores, volcanoes, wildfires, household combustion devices, industrial facilities, forest fires, vehicle emissions, fuel oils, natural gas, by-products of manufacturing and power generation, fumes from chemical production, ash and gases from volcanic eruptions, gases from decomposing organic matter in soils |
| Impact | Stunts economic growth, exacerbates poverty and inequality in both urban and rural areas, contributes to climate change, causes disease and premature death |
| Health Impact | More than 6.5 million deaths each year globally, with the majority due to air pollution |
What You'll Learn
- Air pollution is caused by solid and liquid particles and certain gases in the air
- Vehicle emissions are a primary source of human-made air pollution
- Pollution stunts economic growth and exacerbates poverty and inequality
- Outdoor and indoor air pollution cause respiratory and other diseases
- Natural sources of air pollution include wildfires, volcanic eruptions and gases from decomposing organic matter
Air pollution is caused by solid and liquid particles and certain gases in the air
Air pollution is caused by both human-made and natural sources. Vehicle emissions, fuel oils and natural gas to heat homes, by-products of manufacturing and power generation, particularly coal-fuelled power plants, and fumes from chemical production are the primary sources of human-made air pollution. Nature also releases hazardous substances into the air, such as smoke from wildfires, ash and gases from volcanic eruptions, and gases like methane, which are emitted from decomposing organic matter in soils.
Household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities and forest fires are common sources of air pollution. Pollutants of major public health concern include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Outdoor and indoor air pollution cause respiratory and other diseases and are important sources of morbidity and mortality.
Air pollution happens when solid and liquid particles and certain gases end up in our air. These particles and gases can be bad for the planet and for our health, so keeping track of them is important. Any particle that gets picked up into the air or is formed from chemical reactions in the air can be an aerosol.
Sources of Particulate Matter: A Comprehensive Overview
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Vehicle emissions are a primary source of human-made air pollution
Pollution is a major threat to global health and prosperity, causing more than 6.5 million deaths each year. It stunts economic growth, exacerbates poverty and inequality, and significantly contributes to climate change. Air pollution is a mix of hazardous substances from both human-made and natural sources. Vehicle emissions are a primary source of human-made air pollution.
Vehicle emissions are a major contributor to air pollution, which is caused by solid or liquid particles and certain gases suspended in the air. These particles and gases can come from car and truck exhausts, as well as factories, dust, pollen, mould spores, volcanoes and wildfires. The solid and liquid particles suspended in the air are called aerosols.
Vehicle emissions release hazardous substances into the air, such as nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, which are of major public health concern. These pollutants can cause respiratory and other diseases and are important sources of morbidity and mortality. According to WHO data, almost all of the global population (99%) breathe air that exceeds WHO guideline limits and contains high levels of pollutants, with low- and middle-income countries suffering the highest exposures.
Vehicle emissions are not the only source of human-made air pollution. Fuel oils and natural gas used to heat homes, by-products of manufacturing and power generation (particularly coal-fuelled power plants), and fumes from chemical production also contribute significantly.
While natural sources of air pollution, such as wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and gases emitted from decomposing organic matter in soils, also play a role, human-made sources like vehicle emissions are a primary concern due to their widespread impact on global health and the environment.
Air Quality Alert: Understanding the Factors Affecting Your Air
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Pollution stunts economic growth and exacerbates poverty and inequality
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 solid and liquid particles suspended in our air are called aerosols. Air pollution happens when solid and liquid particles and certain gases end up in our air. These particles and gases can be bad for the planet and for our health, so keeping track of them is important.
Pollutants of major public health concern include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Outdoor and indoor air pollution cause respiratory and other diseases and are important sources of morbidity and mortality. WHO data show that almost all of the global population (99%) breathe air that exceeds WHO guideline limits and contains high levels of pollutants, with low- and middle-income countries suffering from the highest exposures.
Poor people, who cannot afford to protect themselves from the negative impacts of pollution, end up suffering the most. Pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease and premature death. It causes more than 9 million premature deaths, the majority of them due to air pollution. That’s several times more deaths than from AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined.
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Outdoor and indoor air pollution cause respiratory and other diseases
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. Air pollution is a mix of hazardous substances from both human-made and natural sources. Vehicle emissions, fuel oils and natural gas to heat homes, by-products of manufacturing and power generation, particularly coal-fuelled power plants, and fumes from chemical production are the primary sources of human-made air pollution. Nature releases hazardous substances into the air, such as smoke from wildfires, which are often caused by people; ash and gases from volcanic eruptions; and gases, like methane, which are emitted from decomposing organic matter in soils.
Pollutants of major public health concern include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. These particles and gases can be bad for the planet and for our health, so keeping track of them is important.
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Natural sources of air pollution include wildfires, volcanic eruptions and gases from decomposing organic matter
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. Natural sources of air pollution include wildfires, volcanic eruptions and gases from decomposing organic matter.
Wildfires are a natural source of air pollution, as they release hazardous substances into the air. These fires often occur due to human activity, such as arson or accidental fires caused by human negligence. However, they can also be started by natural phenomena, such as lightning strikes or spontaneous combustion in dry conditions. The smoke and ash produced by wildfires can travel long distances and affect air quality over large areas.
Volcanic eruptions are another significant natural source of air pollution. When volcanoes erupt, they release ash, gases, and particulate matter into the atmosphere. These emissions can reach high altitudes and be carried by wind currents over vast distances, impacting air quality globally. Volcanic emissions can contain a variety of gases, including sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and volcanic ash, which can have detrimental effects on human health and the environment.
Gases released from decomposing organic matter, such as methane, also contribute to natural air pollution. This process occurs in soils and natural environments, where organic matter breaks down and releases gases as a byproduct. While this is a natural and essential part of the carbon cycle, human activities, such as improper waste management and land use practices, can exacerbate the release of these gases, leading to increased air pollution.
While natural sources of air pollution are significant, it is essential to recognise that human activities play a substantial role in exacerbating these natural processes. For example, human-induced climate change can increase the frequency and intensity of wildfires, and industrial activities can release additional pollutants into the atmosphere during volcanic eruptions. Therefore, addressing air pollution requires a comprehensive approach that considers both natural and human-made sources and their complex interactions.
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Frequently asked questions
Pollution is the contamination of the environment by chemical, physical or biological agents that modify the natural characteristics of the atmosphere.
The main causes of pollution are vehicle emissions, fuel oils, natural gas, manufacturing by-products, power generation, chemical production, and forest fires.
Pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease and premature death. It causes more than 9 million premature deaths each year, the majority of which are due to air pollution.
Pollution stunts economic growth, exacerbates poverty and inequality, and significantly contributes to climate change.
Reducing pollution requires a systematic approach that addresses the linkages between the environment and health. This includes implementing policies and technologies to reduce emissions, improve air quality, and protect vulnerable populations from the negative impacts of pollution.
