Pollution: Questions To Ask To Understand The Issue Better

Air pollution is a pressing issue that affects people all over the world, causing an estimated 7 million premature deaths each year. It is the largest environmental risk to public health globally, and it is important that people are informed about the levels of air pollution where they live and how it affects them. This text will explore the types of questions that can be asked about pollution, to help raise awareness about the problems it is causing. For example, what are the sources of air pollution, and how can people reduce their personal contribution to it?

What are the sources of air pollution?

Air pollution is all around us. Most people in the world live in areas with high levels of air pollution. It harms human health and wellbeing, reduces quality of life, and can negatively impact the economy and ecosystems. These impacts also disproportionately affect the most vulnerable people and communities. Air pollution is the largest environmental risk to public health globally. People are exposed to air pollution in the workplace, during travel, and in their homes.

There are four main types of air pollution sources: mobile sources, stationary sources, area sources, and natural sources. Mobile sources include cars, buses, planes, trucks, and trains. Stationary sources include power plants, oil refineries, industrial facilities, and factories. Area sources include agricultural areas, cities, and wood-burning fireplaces. Natural sources include wind-blown dust, wildfires, volcanoes, conifer forests, forest fires, soil erosion, dust storms, and sea spray.

Mobile sources account for more than half of all the air pollution in the United States, and the primary mobile source of air pollution is the automobile, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Petrol and diesel engines of cars, ships, trains, and other vehicles emit pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Friction from tires and brake wear also create particulate matter emissions. In addition, the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and VOCs released by road vehicles also undergo photochemical reactions to form ozone (O3). In Europe, more than 40% of NOx and almost 40% of primary PM2.5 emissions are linked to road transport.

Sand and dust storms from deserts like the Sahara, the Gobi, and the Taklamakan are responsible for PM2.5 pollution due to the size of the grains spread.

How does air pollution affect human health?

Air pollution is all around us and most people in the world live in areas with high levels of it. It is the largest environmental risk to public health globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), exposure to household and ambient (outdoor) fine particulate matter air pollution causes an estimated 7 million premature deaths each year.

Air pollution increases the risk of respiratory infections, heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer, and more severely affects people who are already ill. People’s health risks from air pollution vary widely depending on age, location, underlying health, and other factors. Many studies show that low-income communities and minority populations are disproportionately exposed to air pollution and are more vulnerable to adverse health impacts.

Sensitive groups (children, older adults, people with heart and lung disease, and people with diabetes) may experience prolonged duration of symptoms, in part due to increased retention of particles. Individuals with respiratory disease such as asthma, allergies, chronic bronchitis and COPD may experience exacerbation and aggravation of symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, tightness of chest, and dyspnea. Exposure to high levels of particle pollution may lead to airway irritation, increased airway reactivity, and inflammation. This may require hospitalization of individuals with moderate to severe pulmonary disease.

Ozone and particle pollution are both linked to increased risk of premature birth and lower birth weight in newborns. If you live or work near a busy highway, traffic pollution may put you at greater risk of health harm. People who work or exercise outside face increased risk from the effects of air pollution.

In 2013, the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (WHO) classified air pollution as a human carcinogen. In 2021, the WHO published new air quality guidelines following a systematic review of the latest scientific evidence demonstrating how air pollution damages human health.

How can individuals reduce their personal contribution to air pollution?

Air pollution is a pressing issue that affects people all over the world. It is the largest environmental risk to public health globally, and it is important that individuals are aware of the levels of air pollution where they live and how it affects them.

One way to reduce personal contributions to air pollution is to choose cleaner modes of transport. This could mean opting for public transport, cycling, or walking instead of using private cars or motorbikes. When buying a car, it is important to consider its fuel economy and nitrogen dioxide emissions.

Another way to reduce air pollution is to put pressure on politicians, leaders, and decision-makers to take action. This could involve writing letters, signing petitions, or attending protests to demand change.

Individuals can also reduce their personal contribution to air pollution by being mindful of their energy consumption. This could include turning off appliances when they are not in use, using energy-efficient light bulbs, and insulating their homes to reduce the need for heating and air conditioning.

Additionally, people can make a difference by supporting businesses and organisations that are committed to reducing air pollution. This could mean choosing to shop at stores that source their products locally or opting for second-hand items to reduce the demand for new goods and the associated emissions.

Finally, education and awareness are key to tackling air pollution. By learning about the different types of pollution and their impacts, individuals can make informed choices and encourage others to take action. This could involve sharing information on social media, talking to friends and family, or participating in community initiatives to raise awareness and find solutions.

What are the effects of particle pollution on sensitive groups?

Particle pollution can have a range of effects on sensitive groups, including children, older adults, people with heart and lung disease, and people with diabetes. These groups may experience prolonged durations of symptoms due to increased retention of particles. For individuals with respiratory diseases such as asthma, allergies, chronic bronchitis, and COPD, particle pollution can exacerbate and aggravate symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, tightness of the chest, and dyspnea. Exposure to high levels of particle pollution can lead to airway irritation, increased airway reactivity, and inflammation, which may require hospitalisation for individuals with moderate to severe pulmonary disease. Particle pollution can also contribute to increased absenteeism in schools and workplaces.

The effects of particle pollution on sensitive groups are particularly concerning given that air pollution is the largest environmental risk to public health globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), exposure to household and ambient (outdoor) fine particulate matter air pollution causes an estimated 7 million premature deaths each year and is responsible for a substantial amount of disability for those living with diseases caused by air pollution.

What are the impacts of pollution on the economy and ecosystems?

Air pollution is a pressing issue that affects every corner of the globe, with detrimental effects on human and environmental health. It harms human health and well-being, reduces quality of life, and can negatively impact the economy and ecosystems.

The economy is impacted by air pollution in several ways. Firstly, there are the healthcare expenditures associated with pollution-related illnesses and deaths. Poor air quality has also been linked to decreased workplace productivity, with 1.2 billion workdays lost globally every year, and this could reach 3.8 billion by 2060. This is due to the increased absenteeism caused by pollution-related illnesses, particularly in sensitive groups such as children, older adults, and people with respiratory diseases. Poor air quality also impacts talent recruitment, as cities with severe air pollution are viewed as less desirable places to work.

In addition, there are the costs associated with environmental damage and lost ecosystem services. Biodiversity and ecosystem services are an essential part of the global economy, providing services such as food production, water purification, flood protection, and climate change mitigation. Research from 2019 estimates that the economic value of these ecosystem services was between $125 trillion and $140 trillion (USD) in 2011, over 1.5 times the global GDP that year.

Ecosystems are also severely impacted by air pollution. Ground-level ozone, for example, decreases plant growth rates, lowers crop yields, and damages agricultural crops. Nitrogen oxides and ammonia can become deposited in bodies of water, contributing to eutrophication, and on land, where they can contribute to ecosystem change and the loss of sensitive species. Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and ammonia can lead to the acidification of soils and bodies of water, which disrupts ecosystems and leads to losses in biodiversity.

To address these issues, it is important for individuals to get informed about the levels of air pollution in their area and to put pressure on politicians, leaders, and decision-makers to reduce air pollution. Individuals can also reduce their personal contribution to air pollution by choosing cleaner modes of transport and considering the fuel economy and emissions of cars when purchasing.

Frequently asked questions