Helena Joyce
Air pollution is the leading environmental cause of disease and premature death, with 7 million deaths attributed to it annually. It is also the world's fourth-largest risk factor for early death. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal combustion and vehicle emissions, releases harmful chemicals and gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere. These gases are known as greenhouse gases, which trap heat inside the atmosphere, leading to climate change. Climate change, in turn, causes air quality to deteriorate, creating a vicious cycle. Addressing air pollution is key to tackling the climate challenge and protecting vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | "Pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease and premature death." |
| Global Deaths | 7 million per year |
| Cost to Global Health | $8.1 trillion per year |
| % of Global GDP | 6.1% |
| Leading Cause of Death in | Low- and middle-income countries |
| % of Deaths in Low- and Middle-Income Countries | 90% |
| Impact on Children | Children under 5 lost 765 million IQ points due to lead exposure |
| Impact on Biodiversity | Loss of biodiversity and ecosystems |
| Impact on Climate | Air pollution is the main cause of climate change |
| Impact on Weather | Extreme weather events such as heatwaves and droughts |
| Impact on Ozone Layer | Ground-level ozone pollution increases during heatwaves |
| Impact on Agriculture | Decreases agricultural yields |
| Solutions | Use of electric cars, buying food locally, supporting leaders pushing for clean air, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Air pollution and climate change are two sides of the same coin
Air pollution and climate change are typically addressed separately, but they should be tackled jointly, with a focus on protecting people's health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, to strengthen human capital and reduce poverty. Quick action on reducing highly potent, short-lived climate pollutants like methane, tropospheric ozone, hydrofluorocarbons, and black carbon can significantly decrease the chances of triggering dangerous climate tipping points, like the irreversible release of carbon dioxide and methane from thawing Arctic permafrost.
The World Bank has invested about $52 billion in addressing pollution in the past two decades, and their analytical work has helped set environmental priorities, identifying the categories of environmental degradation that are more closely linked with poverty. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also declared air pollution a public health priority, and their director-general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has stated that all countries and cities must commit to meeting WHO air quality guidelines.
Ambitious climate action has the potential to safeguard our health and future, and to reduce the yearly seven million premature deaths from air pollution. Switching to renewable sources of energy is an important part of the solution to both climate change and air pollution.
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The health impacts of air pollution
Air pollution is the presence of one or more contaminants in the atmosphere, such as dust, fumes, gas, mist, odour, smoke or vapour, in quantities and durations that can be harmful to human health. It is the leading environmental risk to health, causing 7 million premature deaths each year. It is also the world's fourth-largest risk factor for early death.
Air pollution is caused by energy use and production, with 90% of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Driving a car on gasoline, heating a home with oil, and running a power plant on fracked gas all release harmful chemicals and gases into the air. These gases include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur oxides. The main pathway of exposure from air pollution is through the respiratory tract, which can lead to inflammation, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and mutagenicity in cells throughout the body, impacting the lungs, heart, and brain, among other organs.
Particulate matter (PM), especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5), is an important source of health risks as these very small particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, enter the bloodstream, and travel to organs, causing systemic damage to tissues and cells. PM2.5 from coal is particularly harmful as it is high in sulfur dioxide, black carbon, and metals. Exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to a mortality risk twice as high as the risk from exposure to PM2.5 from all sources.
Air pollution is associated with a range of health problems, including oxidative stress and inflammation in human cells, which may lay the foundation for chronic diseases and cancer. It has been classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (WHO). Short-term exposure to higher levels of outdoor air pollution is associated with reduced lung function, asthma, cardiac problems, and other respiratory issues. Maternal exposure to air pollution is associated with adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight, pre-term birth, and small gestational age births. Exposure to both ozone and particle pollution during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of premature birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth.
Reducing air pollution is crucial not only for improving health but also for strengthening economies. Interventions for reducing air pollution may require physical investments, policy reforms, or both. Disseminating information about air quality can help individuals reduce their exposure to air pollution and protect vulnerable groups.
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The economic impacts of air pollution
Air pollution is the leading environmental cause of disease and premature death, with 7 million deaths attributed to it annually. It is estimated that this causes a loss of 1.2 billion workdays globally every year, which could reach 3.8 billion by 2060. The World Bank estimates that the health damage caused by air pollution costs $6 trillion a year, or 5% of global GDP. This is due to health impacts, lost productivity, and reduced life expectancy.
The World Bank found that a 20% decrease in PM2.5 concentration is associated with a 16% increase in employment growth and a 33% increase in labor productivity growth. Therefore, addressing air pollution can enhance economic growth, improve resource efficiency, and create employment opportunities. For example, the EU economy has been boosted by €50-60 billion each year since 2014 due to reductions in air pollution.
Furthermore, air pollution disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries, causing 90% of pollution-related deaths. It contributes to poverty and inequality in these areas by exacerbating health issues and hindering sustainable economic growth.
Overall, the economic impacts of air pollution are significant, and addressing this issue is crucial for protecting human health, strengthening economies, and promoting sustainable development.
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The environmental impacts of air pollution
Air pollution has far-reaching environmental impacts that affect the planet as a whole. It is the leading environmental cause of illness and premature death, with 6.4 million deaths attributed to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from the burning of fossil fuels and vehicle emissions annually. About 95% of these deaths occur in developing countries, where people are exposed to higher concentrations of PM2.5. The health damage caused by air pollution costs $8.1 trillion a year, equivalent to 6.1% of global GDP.
Air pollution also affects biodiversity and ecosystems. It contributes to the acidification of aquatic ecosystems and the eutrophication of terrestrial ecosystems, as well as the acidification of oceans due to carbon dioxide dissolving in seawater. This leads to habitat damage and species loss, with many ecosystems changing faster than plants and animals can adapt. For example, increased nitrogen in the soil from ammonia emissions can limit the growth of some plants while increasing the growth of others, disrupting the balance of species within an ecosystem. This has negatively impacted grasslands and other fragile environments.
Ozone pollution, caused by ground-level ozone in the air, harms plants by damaging the stomata, tiny pores on the underside of leaves that allow the plant to "breathe." This has impacted agriculture, with nine billion dollars' worth of soybeans and corn lost in the US between 1980 and 2011 due to ozone pollution. Acid rain, lead toxicity, and exposure to nitrogen oxides also change the chemical nature of the soil, robbing plants of the nutrients they need to grow and survive.
Air pollution also reduces visibility and blocks sunlight. It has been linked to increased hospital admissions and mortality from COVID-19, and it impacts human capital, with a recent World Bank study finding that a 20% decrease in PM2.5 concentration is associated with a 16% increase in employment growth and a 33% increase in labor productivity growth.
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How to reduce air pollution
There are several ways to reduce air pollution, which can affect both our health and the environment. Here are some ways to reduce air pollution:
In your home
- Turn off electrical items when they are not in use.
- Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
- Replace energy-hungry incandescent lights with compact fluorescent light bulbs.
- Opt for a fan instead of air conditioning.
- Install low-flow showerheads.
- Recycle paper, plastic, metals and organic materials.
- Eliminate the use of toxic chemicals and opt for natural substitutes.
- Wash laundry in cold water and line dry.
- Add insulation to your home.
When travelling
- Walk, run or ride a bike when possible.
- Carpool with a colleague, friend or neighbour.
- Use public transportation.
- Plan ahead and consolidate errands and trips to reduce the amount of miles driven.
- When purchasing a new vehicle, consider vehicles that run efficiently and provide the best gas mileage.
- Keep your car well-maintained and ensure your tires are properly inflated.
- Limit idling your vehicle to no more than 30 seconds.
- Refuel your car in the evening when it's cooler.
In your workplace
- Start a recycling program.
- Print and photocopy on both sides of the paper.
- Turn off office equipment, computers, printers, and fax machines when they are not in use.
- Open the blinds and turn off the lights.
In your garden
- Use hand-powered or electric lawn care equipment instead of gas-powered lawnmowers.
- Limit backyard fires in the city.
- Plant and care for trees.
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Frequently asked questions
Human activities such as burning fossil fuels and mass deforestation, which lead to an increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, are the main causes of climate change.
Air pollution has a significant impact on the planet's climate, with some types of air pollution causing the climate to warm and others having a temporary cooling effect.
Air pollution contributes to climate change by increasing the amount of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun, leading to global warming and impacting climate patterns and sea levels.
Air pollution poses serious health risks, including respiratory and cardiovascular issues, and is the leading environmental cause of premature death. It is estimated to cause millions of deaths every year from various diseases.
To reduce the effects of air pollution, individuals can opt for more fuel-efficient or electric vehicles, choose cleaner energy sources, buy local produce, and support leaders advocating for clean air and responsible climate action.
