The Dark History Of Air Pollution's Rise

Air pollution has been a problem since at least 400 BCE, when Hippocrates wrote about the issue in 'On Airs, Waters and Places'. However, it was during the Industrial Revolution, which began in the UK in the late eighteenth century, that air pollution became a major issue. The rise of factories, coal consumption, and combustion led to unprecedented levels of air pollution, particularly in cities. Since then, global trade, economic growth, population growth, and increased reliance on personal vehicles have all contributed to the problem. While there have been efforts to reduce air pollution, it remains a serious threat to human health and the environment, causing millions of premature deaths each year.

Ancient sources of air pollution

Air pollution has been recognised as a threat to human health since the time of Hippocrates, around 400 BCE. Written accounts of air pollution from different countries date back to this period, and the earliest known form of air pollution is thought to be ancient indoor wood fires. Mummified remains from Egypt, Peru, and Great Britain show that ancient people in these regions suffered from blackened lungs caused by open fires in poorly ventilated homes.

The ancient Romans were also dealing with smog and noxious smoke, caused by the discharge of smoke from businesses such as cheese shops. The jurist Aristo declared that a cheese shop could not discharge smoke into the buildings above it. The Romans are also thought to be the first to spew metallic pollutants into the air, long before the Industrial Revolution. Lead levels, found in Arctic ice cores, were about ten times higher in the Roman period than in the period before.

Another source of ancient air pollution was early industrial activities such as smelting and mining. During the Middle Ages, smelting introduced lead and copper into the air, increasing the amount of lead present in the atmosphere by a factor of ten.

In addition to human activities, natural sources of air pollution include wildfires, dust storms, and volcanic eruptions.

Industrial Revolution

Air pollution is not solely a modern phenomenon, as humans have been adding pollutants to the air for thousands of years. For example, ancient Romans referred to their city's smoke cloud as "gravioris caeli" ("heavy heaven") and "infamis aer" ("infamous air"). Despite this, the Industrial Revolution, which began around the 18th century, is widely regarded as a major turning point in the history of air pollution.

The Industrial Revolution marked a significant shift from traditional manufacturing processes that relied on agricultural assistance to manufacturing based on heavy industrial machinery, such as steam power, which allowed for the creation of a semi-automated factory system. This revolution introduced electricity, steel production, and the internal combustion engine, driving mass production and the growth of heavy industries. Countries like the UK, Germany, and France rapidly industrialized, leading to exponential increases in energy consumption and resource extraction.

The widespread use of coal, and later oil-powered machinery, led to a sharp increase in carbon emissions. The expansion of factories and the rise in coal consumption and combustion caused unprecedented levels of air pollution due to the dramatic increase in emissions of primary pollutants. Additionally, the growing population contributed to an increase in domestic emissions from burning coal for heating and cooking.

Urban areas became overcrowded, with poor sanitation and air quality leading to serious public health issues. The rapid industrial growth outpaced the ability to manage waste and emissions, resulting in long-term environmental and public well-being damage. The environmental impact of these revolutions, including deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and the continuous rise in greenhouse gases, remains a significant global challenge.

The Industrial Revolution set the stage for large-scale carbon emissions that continue to drive global warming. The consequences of this environmental impact are still felt today, with the focus on productivity and economic growth coming at the expense of environmental sustainability.

Post-World War II economic growth

Air pollution has been a concern since ancient times, with thinkers as early as 400 BCE, such as Hippocrates, identifying substances in the air as harmful to human health. However, it was during the Industrial Revolution that air pollution became a widespread issue, particularly in urban areas, due to increased coal combustion and industrial emissions.

In the post-World War II era, also known as the postwar economic boom or the Golden Age of Capitalism, the world experienced a period of unprecedented economic growth and social transformation. This period, lasting from the late 1940s to the early 1970s, witnessed remarkable economic recoveries in countries devastated by the war, such as Japan, West Germany, Austria, South Korea, Belgium, France, Italy, and Greece. Even countries relatively untouched by the war, like Sweden, experienced significant growth. This era was marked by a unique combination of factors, including the adoption of Keynesian economic policies, increased consumerism, and the influence of developmentalist economics in parts of the world.

The postwar economic expansion laid the groundwork for significant global shifts, including postmodernism, decolonization, the rise of the welfare state, the space race, and the emergence of second-wave feminism. It was a time of financial stability, with fewer and less severe economic crises compared to the preceding and succeeding years.

During this period, air pollution also emerged as a pressing concern. Advancements in detection technology and satellite remote sensing brought the detrimental effects of air pollution on human health to the forefront of political agendas worldwide. The 1952 Great Smog of London, which lasted for nearly a week and resulted in an estimated 10,000 deaths, served as a pivotal moment in the recognition of air pollution's deadly consequences. This event spurred the passing of the UK's first Clean Air Act in 1956 to address pollution from coal burning.

The 1970s marked a turning point in addressing air pollution, with the first international conference on acid rain taking place in 1975, and the emergence of global efforts to tackle this issue. However, despite significant declines in certain pollutants, such as a 90% reduction in SO2 emissions in Europe and North America since the 1970s, new pollutants continue to be discovered, posing challenges to environmental and public health.

Global conferences on air pollution

Air pollution has been a concern for many years, with the first Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health taking place in 2018. This conference was a landmark event, bringing together experts from various sectors to discuss the urgent issue of air pollution and its impact on global health. Since then, there have been significant efforts and conferences aimed at tackling this pressing problem.

First Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, 2018

The first global conference on air pollution, held from 30 October to 1 November 2018, was a pivotal event that brought together ministers of health and environment, government representatives, health professionals, and experts from various sectors. This conference recognised the severe health impacts of air pollution, aiming to reduce the 7 million annual deaths attributed to it by 2030. It also emphasised the need to improve air quality monitoring, especially in low- and middle-income countries, and to integrate air pollution reduction into policies addressing non-communicable diseases.

Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, 2025

The second global conference, scheduled for March 2025 in Cartagena, Colombia, builds upon the momentum of the first. It aims to accelerate action for clean air, clean energy access, and climate change mitigation. This conference will highlight policy solutions and catalyse multi-sectoral actions to prevent diseases and save lives worldwide. Over 50 countries, cities, and organisations have pledged commitments to tackle air pollution and protect public health, with a shared goal of reducing health impacts by 50% by 2040.

Other Notable Conferences and Efforts

In addition to the global conferences, there have been other notable efforts to address air pollution:

• BreatheLife Campaign: Countries, regions, and cities have joined this campaign, committing to reducing air pollution by 2030 and beyond.
• Clean Air Fund (CAF): CAF has committed to supporting WHO's efforts and pledged an additional US$90 million for climate and health initiatives over two years.
• National Initiatives: Various countries, including Brazil, China, and India, have made commitments to strengthen air quality standards, enhance cooperation, and promote clean energy transitions.

These conferences and initiatives demonstrate the global recognition of air pollution as a critical issue and the ongoing efforts to address it through collaboration, policy changes, and concrete actions.

Air pollution today

Air pollution has been a concern since the time of Hippocrates, around 400 BCE. However, the Industrial Revolution, which began in the 18th century, marked a significant turning point, with the rapid growth of coal combustion and other emissions causing unprecedented levels of air pollution in urban areas. This trend continued into the 20th century, with some of the most disastrous air pollution events in human history occurring during this period, such as the Great Smog of London in 1952, which led to thousands of deaths.

Today, air pollution remains a critical issue, often referred to as a "silent public health emergency". According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 91% of the world's population lives in areas where air pollution exceeds recommended guideline limits. The effects of air pollution on human health have become a pressing political agenda worldwide, with new pollutants discovered that contribute to millions of premature deaths and health issues globally.

While there has been a 90% decline in SO2 emissions in Europe and North America since their peak in the 1970s, industrialization continues to impact air quality, particularly in developing urban areas. The expansion of factories and the increased use of coal and other fuels have led to a dramatic rise in emissions, affecting both local communities and, eventually, entire countries. Global trade has further exacerbated this issue, making air pollution a harsh consequence of industrial growth worldwide.

Advancements in technology have played a dual role in this context. On the one hand, satellite remote sensing and improved detection methods have provided valuable data on pollutant distribution and helped monitor real-time air pollution levels globally. On the other hand, industrialization and technological progress have contributed to the discovery of new pollutants and the worsening of air quality in certain regions.

Efforts to address air pollution have been made through legislation and international cooperation. The latter part of the 19th century saw the development of modern laws to control air pollution, reflecting public health concerns. In the 20th century, international conferences on acid rain and sulfur emissions began to address the transboundary issues of air pollution. Despite these efforts, air pollution remains a significant challenge, with wildfires, industrial activities, and domestic emissions all contributing to the ongoing "silent public health emergency".

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