Everybody has experienced air pollution first-hand; we’re exposed to it on a daily basis. In an age where air pollution has reached record levels, it is vital that we understand its impact on not only the environment, but also on us.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “air pollution is the contamination of the indoor or outdoor air by a range of gases and solids that modify its natural characteristics”. Put simply, air pollution is the presence of a substance in the air that shouldn’t be there, negatively impacting the air quality. We often associate air pollution with greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, which are responsible for causing global warming and climate change. However, air pollution refers to more than just the greenhouse gases - it also includes dust, toxic fumes and, of particular concern to humans, fine particulate matter, better known as PM2.5. A study by the WHO reveals that 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants. In fact, less than 1% of the entire Earth’s surface contains safe levels of air pollution.
So, where exactly is this air pollution coming from? The main source of air pollution comes from the combustion of any type of fuel, whether that’s coal in a power station, petrol in a car engine or a gas stove in someone’s kitchen. Natural sources of air pollution include smoke from wildfires and ash and gas from volcanic eruptions, but these account for very little of the pollution in the air. It is also worth noting that air pollution doesn’t just come from outside: an often overlooked source of air pollution is in fact our houses. The most common sources of indoor air pollution are insulation materials, mould and burning fuels such as wood for heat. While unassuming in appearance, they can cause just as much, if not more, damage as air pollution originating from a big factory.
Air pollution can cause damage of all sorts. Because all pollutants will eventually fall back down to Earth, they can directly contaminate the soil and bodies of water. Sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, mostly emitted from vehicle exhaust pipes, can also mix with water vapour in the air to form acid rain. This can alter the pH of the environment where the rain falls, which can have serious repercussions on the ecosystem. Acid rain is also corrosive to buildings and statues that are made of limestone.
Air pollution is also a major health hazard. It is estimated that outdoor and indoor pollution collectively account for around 7 million premature deaths every year. We are primarily exposed to air pollution by inhaling it. Therefore, most health complications surrounding air pollution are to do with the respiratory system. However, because of their small size, pollutants can also pose other serious health risks as they are small enough to enter our bloodstream. From there, they can reach every organ in our bodies. Here are just some of the possible complications:
Respiratory diseases - emphysema, asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis
Cardiovascular disease
Cancer - particularly breast, lung, colorectal and prostate
Among the most vulnerable are children, pregnant women and the elderly:
Children - studies have suggested that air pollution can impair cognitive development and greatly increase the chances of children developing asthma or lung damage
Pregnant women - air pollution can cause a lower birth weight, increase the risk of premature births and postpartum depression as well as a number of issues in the developing foetus, including neurological conditions such as ADHD and even autism
Elderly - air pollution has been associated with increasing the risk of dementias, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and bone damage
Those living in poorer countries also tend to be more vulnerable to air pollution due to a lack of adequate healthcare.
The greatest threats are often the ones we can’t see. Air pollution isn’t just harmful to the natural environment, it’s also extremely detrimental to our health. Climate change isn’t just a battle for the environment, it’s also a battle for our own health and wellbeing.
Credits:
Image - Global Action Plan
Information - WHO, WHO, WHO, National Geographic, NIEHS, Earth.org
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