Causes and Effects of Air Pollution
Air pollution is defined as the contamination of air due to the presence of substances called pollutants in the atmosphere that are harmful to the health of humans and other living beings, cause damage to the climate, or materials. It also refers to the contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by chemicals, physical, or biological agents that alter the natural features of the atmosphere. Another definition of air pollution is the presence of materials (like gases or particles) or forms of energy in the atmosphere that can pose a risk, damage, or nuisance of varying severity to living beings. These materials come from different natural and human sources.
There are causes that lead to air pollution in our environment, including, for example, fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are burned for automobiles, power plants, and industrial plants. These do not always burn completely, and incomplete chemical reactions create pollutants. The pollutants include carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and hydrocarbons. Another example of a cause of air pollution is biomass burning. Burning animals and plants directly can also cause pollution. Biomass is the total amount of living material found in an environment. Biomass is mainly burned through slash-and-burn agriculture, and it can produce the same pollutants as burning fossils. Another cause is evaporation. This comes from human-made products such as paint thinners, cleaning solvents, preservatives, and other liquids.
There are facts about air pollution, including: less than 1% of the global land area has safe air pollution; at least 1 in 10 people die from air pollution-related diseases; air pollution is a greater threat to life expectancy than smoking, HIV, or war; death rates from air pollution are highest in low-to-middle-income countries; climate change increases risks of wildlife and air pollution; air pollution also contributed to the spread of Covid-19, and only 7 countries in the world met WHO air quality standards in 2023, which are Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, and New Zealand.
Air pollution affects both people and animals. For example, it has led to cancer. One of the most prevalent health issues caused by exposure to air pollution is cancer. Lung cancer rates in industrialized areas also show the effects of pollution on human health. Not only lung cancer is caused by air pollution, but there are also other diseases like Covid-19, liver diseases, skin diseases, asthma, kidney diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, and gastrointestinal disorders. Also, air pollution can harm animals and plants. Wildlife can experience many of the same negative health effects of air pollution that humans do. Damage to the respiratory system is the most common effect on animals.
There are several ways to reduce air pollution in our environment, including using public transport. This is a surefire way of contributing to less air pollution as it provides less gas and energy. Even carpools contribute to it. Another way to reduce it is to turn off lights when not in use. The energy that lights consume also contributes to air pollution, so less consumption of electricity can save energy. The third one is to avoid using plastic bags. The use of plastic products could be very harmful to the environment as they take a very long time to decompose due to their material made up of oil. Fourth, the reduction of forest fires and smoking, collecting garbage and setting it on fire in the dry season or dry leaves catching fire is a huge factor causing air pollution. Others include using fans instead of air conditioners, using filters instead of chimneys, avoiding the use of crackers, avoiding using products with chemicals, and implementing afforestation.
Air pollution poses a major threat to human health and the environment. Immediate action is needed to implement stringent emissions regulations, promote clean energy, and adopt cleaner technology. Individuals can help by reducing energy use, taking public transit, and supporting eco-friendly products. Collaborative efforts across all of society are vital to address this complex issue.
By: Linda Bahati
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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