Air Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Solutions Overview

Air Pollution Causes Effects and Solutions Overview

According to The World Health Organization estimates, “Almost seven million people around the world die each year because of indoor and outdoor air pollution”.

The reason behind such death tolls is air pollution. This kind of pollution occurs when harmful substances are released into the air, posing risks to both human health and the environment.

Almost the entire global population (99%) breathes air that exceeds WHO air quality limits, and threatens their health.

WHO

In the United States, there’s a law called the Clean Air Act that started in 1970. The Act allows Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make rules to stop the release of harmful and unwanted substances in the air. The basic guideline followed is to keep humans and biodiversity healthy.

Air pollution, soil pollution, and water pollution are environmental issues caused by the release of harmful substances into the atmosphere, soil, and water bodies, respectively.

Air pollution arises from natural means and by human activities. Results, it affects both human health and the environment.

Causes of Air pollution:

Natural sources of air pollution include volcanic eruptions, dust storms, wildfires, and biological processes like methane production by animals.

These events can emit various pollutants into the atmosphere, impacting air quality and human health.

Natural Means of Air Pollution:

Natural forms of pollution are those that arise from naturally occurring events or phenomena like volcanoes, wildfires, and dust storms. These sources of pollution are not caused by human activity.

1) Volcanic Activity:

During a volcanic eruption, large quantities of sulfuric acid, chlorine, and ash particles are emitted into the atmosphere and they are carried by winds and spread over vast areas.

But shockingly compounds like sulfur dioxide and volcanic ash can have a natural cooling effect by reflecting solar radiation and causing global cooling.

2) Dust and Wildlife:

Dust storms and wildfires are natural events that happen when it’s very dry. In places without many plants, the wind can pick up dust and cause heavy storms. When there’s dust in areas with plants, it can stop them from getting sunlight.

Wildfires happen in forests when it’s really dry for a long time. The smoke and gas from these fires can put more carbon in the air, making the Earth warmer.

SectorPercentage of Total EmissionsSource/Activity
Electricity and Heat Production25%Burning of coal, natural gas, and oil for electricity and heat
Industry21%Fossil fuel combustion, industrial processes
Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use24%Agriculture, deforestation, land use changes
Transportation14%Fossil fuels burned for road, rail, air, and marine transportation
Buildings6%Onsite energy generation, burning fuels for heat in buildings
Other Energy10%Fuel extraction, refining, processing, and transportation
Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector – Source: Source: IPCC (2014)

Anthropogenic Air Pollution:

These are those air pollution that are man-made.

Human activities contribute significantly to air pollution. Agriculture, mining, and the burning of fossil fuels are key contributing factors.

Burning of crops and deforestation, mining operations, burning fossil fuels, etc have detrimental effects on air quality and contribute to climate change.

1) Agriculture and Animal Husbandry:

According estimate agriculture, forestry, and other land use accounts for 24% of annual greenhouse emissions. That results from the burning of crops, chopping down of trees, and many more.

Animal husbandry, when animals that are raised for meat, fibre, milk, or other products, produces wastes which are a major contributor of ammonia emissions.

However, this estimate does not include the CO2 that ecosystems remove from the atmosphere by sequestering carbon in biomass, dead organic matter, and soils, which offset approximately 20% of emissions from this sector.

2) Mining:

In the process of mining, large equipment is used to extract minerals beneath the Earth’s surface. The release of dust and chemicals during this process not only pollutes the air but also poses health risks to workers and people living in nearby areas. The workers in this mine are often affected by lung and cardiovascular diseases.

3) Fossil Fuels:

Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gasoline is a big cause of air pollution.

When they don’t burn completely, they release not just carbon dioxide but also other bad stuff like nitrogen oxides. Breathing in this polluted air can seriously harm our lungs and hearts, making it harder for our hearts to pump oxygen and causing different sicknesses. Plus, these nitrogen oxides lead to acid rain and smog.

4) Domestic Sources:

Domestic sources of air pollution include household cleaning products, paints, and cooling materials.

Household cleaning products and paints often contain toxic chemicals that can be released into the air. When we use cleaning products and paints at home, they can have chemicals that aren’t good for the air and can make us sick.

You know that smell when you paint a room? That’s from these chemicals.

Effects of air pollution:

The effects of air pollution are widespread and can include respiratory and cardiovascular issues, reduced visibility, damage to ecosystems, acid rain formation, ozone depletion, and harm to wildlife and plants.

It can have dramatic impacts on our well-being, causing respiratory and cardiovascular issues and other health problems.

AspectDescription
DefinitionAir pollution is a mix of hazardous substances from both human-made and natural sources. It includes vehicle emissions, industrial by-products, nature-induced smoke and gases, and various chemicals.
TypesTraffic-Related Air Pollution (TRAP) Ozone (Smog) Noxious Gases (CO, CO2, NOx, SOx) Particulate Matter (PM) Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)
Health ImpactsRespiratory Diseases (Asthma, COPD) Cardiovascular Diseases Cancer (Breast, Lung, Leukemia) Neurological Disorders (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s) Birth Defects and Low Birth Weight Osteoporosis
Population GroupsChildren Pregnant Women Older Adults Rural Dwellers
Air Pollution Overview – Source: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

Additionally, air pollution reduces visibility and blocks sunlight, leading to decreased visibility and potentially harmful effects on ecosystems. It contributes to the formation of acid rain, which damages forests, harming wildlife, and marine life.

1) Global Warming:

Global warming is when the Earth gets warmer because of pollution in the air and the increase in greenhouse gases. This makes the ice at the North and South Poles melt, causing the sea levels to rise. This, in turn, has resulted in habitat loss and loss of land.

We need to take action to address global warming and protect our environment for future generations.

2) Acid Rain:

The acidic gases that mix with rain make it acidic, which is harmful to people, animals, plants, and water. So, we need to find ways to stop these gases from getting into the air and hurting our environment.

3) Ozon Depletion:

The ozone layer is like a shield that keeps us safe from the sun’s harmful rays. When the ultraviolet rays strike on earth then it’s ozone that protects us from them. But some human-made chemicals are making a hole in this shield, letting these rays reach us. This can cause problems for our skin and eyes. It is good news that ozone can recover its holes but it is time taking.

4) Harming Animals and Plants:

Wildlife experience many negative health effects from air pollution as humans do. The most common effect on animals is damage to their respiratory systems, just like in humans. Additionally, animals can also suffer from neurological problems and skin irritations as a result of air pollution. Many animals will lose their habitat.

5) Effects on Humans:

Breathing in dirty air can give us infections in our lungs causing lung cancer and putting our cardiovascular health in danger.

Air Pollution – Solutions

Mitigating air pollution is crucial for the well-being of our planet and all its inhabitants.

Mitigating air pollution is the need of hour. It is critical for protecting human health and nature.

Common strategies would include the use renewable energy sources, practicing the principles of reduce, reuse, recycle, implementing pollution control measures in industries and factories, promoting eco-friendly transportation options, and, most importantly, afforestation.

1) Renewable Resources:

Renewable energy sources such as solar, geothermal, and wind are much more sustainable compared to fossil fuel alternatives. it’s quite feasible to incorporate wind or solar electricity sources into our homes.

2) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:

“Reduce, reuse, recycle” is a powerful way to protect our environment.

Instead of simply throwing things away, we can find alternative purposes for them or donate them to those in need.

By reducing waste and donating items, we can make a positive impact on the environment and help those who may benefit from our generosity. It is better to use public transport.

3) Industrial Level Control:

Industries can employ pollution control devices that help remove pollutants through methods like absorption, filtering, dilution, or dispersion. These devices play a crucial role in reducing the emissions of harmful substances into the environment.

Government licensing and regulations are highly effective in minimizing emissions from industries. Industries need to prioritize sustainable practices and work in harmony with regulations to protect our environment for future generations.

4) Eco-friendly Transportation:

Switching to electric cars and hydrogen cars, and supporting shared ways of getting around like carpooling and buses, can help cut down on dirty air. By using these green transportation choices and promoting sharing rides, we can all do our part to keep the air cleaner and healthier for everyone.

5) Implement Afforestation:

Afforestation, the process of planting trees in areas that haven’t recently had any tree cover, is indeed beneficial for the environment. It helps in improving soil quality, water quality, and providing a habitat for wildlife.

Afforestation benefits include mitigating climate change by absorbing CO2, preventing desertification and soil erosion, supporting ecosystems, improving air quality, and providing economic opportunities through timber products and sustainable infrastructure.

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