“Love is in the air but the air is highly polluted”
Amit Abraham
Air Pollution: Causes, Effects & Solutions
Air pollution can be defined as the introduction of excessive quantities of substances, gases, particles or biological molecules into the earth’s atmosphere.
There are many different indices to measure air pollution across countries, the most popular one being the air quality index in the U.S.
Air pollution may have negative impacts on humans in the form of allergies, diseases or even death.
It also has an adverse effect on animals and plants as well as on the whole ecological system.
Air pollution can be caused by both natural processes as well as by human behavior.
According to the World Health Organization, 7 million people die from air pollution each year.
Thus, more people die each year from air pollution than from automobile accidents.
In the following, we will examine the causes, effects as well as solutions to the air pollution problem.
Audio Lesson
Contents
Types of Air Pollution
- Carbon dioxide
- Sulfur oxides
- Nitrogen oxides
- Carbon monoxide
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Particulate matter
- Persistent free radicals
- Toxic metals
- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
- Ammonia
- Odors
- Radioactive material
Carbon dioxide
Although it is a natural component of the atmosphere and essential for plant life, carbon dioxide can be harmful to the environment in the sense that it is a greenhouse gas and thus contributes to global warming.
Sulfur oxides
Sulfur oxides, especially sulfur dioxide, is produced in various industrial processes like in the combustion of coal and petroleum, as well as in nature through volcanoes.
Nitrogen oxides
Nitrogen oxides, especially nitrogen dioxide, is produced in industrial processes like in high-temperature combustions as well as in natural processes like electric discharge in thunderstorms.
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is produced through the combustion of fuels like wood, coal or natural gas.
It can cause lung diseases and also has an adverse impact on animals and the whole natural environment.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
VOCs are categorized as either non-methane or methane.
Both are rated as greenhouse gases and thus contribute to global warming. Some VOCs are also suspected to cause cancer.
Particulate matter
Particulate matter can be defined as liquid or tiny particles of solid suspended in a gas.
Particulates occur both naturally as well as from man-made behavior.
Natural causes are dust storms, volcanoes, grassland or forest fires, sea spray and living vegetation.
Humans cause particulate matter by the burning of fossil fuels in industrial processes, power plants and vehicles.
An excessive concentration of particles in the air can cause heart and lung diseases as well as cancer.
Persistent free radicals
This group of air pollutants can cause cardiopulmonary diseases.
Toxic metals
Toxic metals such as mercury and lead are also a source of air pollution.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
CFCs are emitted, among others, by aerosol sprays, refrigerators and air conditioning and cause harmful effects to the ozone layer which in turn can lead to skin cancer and eye diseases. It can also hurt plants and other creatures.
Ammonia
Ammonia is mainly produced by agricultural waste.
Although it is important for the production of fertilizer and pharmaceuticals, it can also have caustic and hazardous effects on the environment.
Odors
Odors can be caused by industrial processes, garbage and sewage and may pose negative effects on humans.
Radioactive material
Radioactive material is produced by nuclear explosions as well as through the natural decay of radon.
In high concentrations, nuclear material causes severe health problems like cancer and other diseases.
Causes of Air Pollution
- Dust
- Animals
- Radioactive decay
- Wildfires
- Vegetation
- Volcanoes
- Aircraft
- Vehicles
- Marine vessels
- Waste deposition in landfills
- Military sources
- Fossil fuels
- Mining
- Agriculture
- Industry
- Private households
Dust
Dust is composed of fine particles of solid matter.
Dust is usually emitted through natural processes, usually in areas with little or no vegetation.
Animals
Animals produce methane in their digestion process.
The emission of methane causes air pollution and also contributes to the global warming issue.
Although a big fraction of methane emission can be attributed to livestock from domesticated farming practices, some of it also occurs from wild animals which also emit methane in their daily habits.
Radioactive decay
Radon is a radioactive element that naturally occurs inside our earth.
From there, it can reach our groundwater and eventually also our air.
Radon is produced in the process of radioactive decay and is considered as health hazard.
Wildfires
Wildfires often occur in areas with dry climate.
They are often caused by human behavior like the incorrect disposal of cigarettes.
There are some cases where wildfires are also started intentionally.
For example, it is quite common for farmers in the Amazon Rainforest to burn down large areas of forest in order to get more space for farming purposes.
Wildfires can cause carbon monoxide and smoke.
Large concentrations of carbon monoxide can lead to serious health problems and even death of humans.
Vegetation
Vegetation often emits large amounts of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), especially on warmer days, which react with sulfur-oxides and nitrogen-oxides.
VOCs can thus contribute to an increase in ozone levels.
Volcanoes
Volcanic activity can cause ash particulates, chlorine and sulfur to enter the air.
Especially in eruptions, large amounts of these substances are released into the air which could even lead to a temporary flight stop in the affected area.
Aircraft
Aircraft is a big source of air pollution.
Airplanes emit large amounts of nitrogen-dioxide as well as carbon dioxide which in turn contributes to global warming.
Especially in the last decades, the number of flights increased significantly.
More and more people are traveling to foreign countries. In addition, many people also travel by plane for business purposes.
Thus, the number of flights worldwide and therefore the level of air pollution from aircraft increased substantially in the last decades.
Vehicles
The use of vehicles of all sorts is another great cause of air pollution.
Emissions from cars and other vehicles increase the levels of CO2 and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and thus increase the global warming process.
In our culture, it is quite common that almost everyone of us owns at least one car.
Especially in suburbs or in rural areas, people rely on their cars to be able to commute to work.
However, even in areas where there is good public transport, people are usually more likely to use their cars since this feels more convenient to them.
Therefore, the emissions from cars and other vehicles increase with a steady rate, which leads to an increase in air pollution and also contributes to the global warming problem.
Marine vessels
Marine vessels burn fossil fuels and thus emit several air pollution gases.
These include nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide.
These gases not only contribute to global warming but are also harmful to public health.
Waste deposition in landfills
The deposition of waste in landfills generates methane which even has a much higher global warming potential than CO2 and therefore ranks as one of the most harmful greenhouse gases.
However, the total amount of methane emitted in our atmosphere compared to the amount of CO2 is relatively low.
Thus, CO2 is still the most harmful greenhouse gas in absolute terms.
Military sources
Nuclear weapons, rocketry and toxic gases can also contribute to air pollution.
Many countries do weapon tests on a regular basis, either for training purposes or also to threaten other countries.
By doing so, harmful substances are released into the air, which can cause air pollution and other adverse effects on the environment.
Fossil fuels
The combustion of fossil fuels is a main source of air pollution.
Fossil fuels are used in the production of energy and other products.
Moreover, vehicles like cars, ships, trains and airplanes are heavily dependent on fossil fuels.
Since the burning of fossil fuels is our main source of energy in our daily lives, it has a large adverse impact on air pollution.
When fossil fuels are burned, they release methane, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and particulates into the atmosphere which in turn leads to acid rain, smog and contributes to the greenhouse effect.
Mining
During the mining process through blasting, drilling hauling, collection, and transportation, the air is polluted with chemicals and dust which in turn affects the health of miners and of the residents in the polluted area.
The effect of coal mining is especially serious since large amounts of gases including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and methane (CH4) are released in the air.
Agriculture
The production of ammonia as by-product of agricultural activities heavily contributes to the air pollution problem.
Ammonia is caused by livestock waste and heavily fertilized fields.
In combination with pollutants from combustion of power plants and industrial processes like sulfates and nitrogen oxides they create tiny solid particles or aerosols.
These particles can cause heart and lung diseases.
Industry
Industries and power plants produce large amounts of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and other chemicals.
Since we need these industries for our daily energy demand and food supply, industrial processes contribute heavily to the air pollution issue.
Especially since the industrial revolution period, air pollution from industries has become a serious problem.
Since the prices for goods dropped significantly due to mass production, people were able to afford many more things than prior to the industrial revolution period.
Although this development sounds positive at first glance, it also implies adverse environmental effects.
An increase in production also leads to an increase in air pollution and usually also leads to all other kinds of pollution.
Private households
Private households contribute to the air pollution process through their use of cars and other vehicles as well as through their consumption behavior.
People usually prefer to take their cars even for small distances instead of walking or using public transport since it is usually considered to be more convenient.
Moreover, many people are quite picky regarding their consumption behavior.
Food that would still be good for consumption purposes is often disposed of in the garbage if it has minor blemishes.
This daily behavior of people leads to an enormous level of air pollution and thus harms our environment in a significant way.
Effects of Air Pollution
- Mortality
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Lung diseases
- Cancer
- Effects on the central nervous system
- Acid rain
- Global warming
- Depletion of the ozone layer
- Effects on animals
- Effects on agriculture
- Economic effects
Mortality
According to the World Health Organization, 7 million people die from air pollution each year.
9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants.
The country with the highest death rate from air pollution is India.
Children are more at risk than adults since their respiratory organs are not yet fully developed.
Cardiovascular diseases
Air pollution plays a major role in the development of cardiovascular diseases.
Air pollution can also cause strokes, especially in countries with high pollution concentration.
This problem is especially severe for people working in jobs where they are exposed to high concentrations of harmful substances.
For instance, a construction worker who works in an environment with high levels of dust and doesn’t use protection masks or other mitigating devices may have a high probability for strokes and other cardiovascular diseases since he is inhaling large amounts of harmful substances on a daily basis.
Lung diseases
Air pollution can cause lung diseases like COPD including chronic bronchitis and emphysema or asthma.
Especially people who are exposed to high concentrations of dust or other harmful substances in the air are at a higher risk to suffer from lung diseases.
This is even more true in countries that do not have high protection standards for workers.
For example, in many developing countries, people do not protect themselves properly when they are working with harmful substances or when they are exposed to contaminated air.
Cancer
Exposure to polluted air also increases the probability of lung cancer.
The exposure to contaminated air is considered to be able to affect the human DNA structure and thus to cause health issues like cancer or other diseases.
Effects on the central nervous system
The central nervous system can also be adversely affected by air pollution and thus can, among others, damage the brain and other neurological functions.
Examples of this kind of health problem are Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease.
Acid rain
The combustion of fossil fuels leads to a release of sulfur and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere which in turn leads to the formation of acid rain.
Acid rain can affect the whole ecosystem in an adverse way, since it has harmful effects on humans, plants, animals and the water cycle.
Global warming
Global warming is one of the biggest challenges to humanity.
One cause of global warming is air pollution.
The consequences of global warming are disastrous.
Global warming adversely affects all living organisms.
It contributes, among others, to the melting of ice and thus to a rise in the sea level as well in an increase in temperature.
Depletion of the ozone layer
Through air pollution, the ozone layer is eventually depleted which can cause skin cancer or eye-related diseases.
Through the emission of harmful gases from industrial processes or vehicles, substances related to bromine and chlorine are emitted into the air.
These substances are known to contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer.
Thus, air pollution is a cause of the ozone depletion problem.
Effects on animals
Animals are also affected by air pollution.
Since they have to breathe, they inhale toxic elements in the air and thus are also vulnerable to diseases caused by these toxic substances.
Especially in areas with high concentrations of polluted air, the life expectancy of animals is lower than in clean air areas since these animals are at higher risk for serious diseases related to air pollution.
Effects on agriculture
There can also be agricultural pollution from air pollution.
For example, crop yields could be adversely affected by high concentration of harmful chemicals in the air.
Moreover, air pollution causes acid rain which in turn may harm the growth of plants and also decrease crop yields.
Economic effects
According to a joint study of the World Bank and the University of Washington, the worldwide cost of air pollution amounts to 5 trillion USD per year.
This includes the loss in productivity as well as the loss in life quality through polluted air.
The air pollution issue is especially severe in developing countries.
Small children under age 5 in developing countries are more than 60 times as likely to die from air pollution than children in high-income countries.
Since there are many additional costs of air pollution like health costs that have not been taken into account in this study, the real costs are much higher than 5 trillion USD per year.
Solutions to the Air Pollution Problem
- Change in energy consumption behavior
- Reduce material consumption
- Avoid the use of cars
- Reuse and recycle
- Biodigesters
- Use of energy-efficient devices
- Convince others
Change in energy consumption behavior
To mitigate the air pollution problem, it is crucial to reduce our energy demand since energy production is a cause of air pollution.
This can be accomplished in many forms.
For example, people can turn off their lights or other electronic devices when they don’t use them.
Reduce material consumption
All kinds of products of our daily life are manufactured in industries which use large amounts of energy.
Therefore, if we reduce our need for material things, we could contribute significantly to less air pollution.
Avoid the use of cars
In order to reduce air pollution, using public transport instead of cars can be an effective measure.
Even better would be a switch to bicycles to further reduce the air pollution problem.
Especially in rural areas, switching from cars to public transport can be quite difficult since the public transport infrastructure may often be quite bad.
However, for people living in areas with good public transport infrastructure, a switch from cars to public transport should not be a big deal at all.
Moreover, using car-sharing or other carpooling methods may be a good way to reduce air pollution even further.
Reuse and recycle
Instead of throwing away things you don’t use anymore, try to find another purpose for them.
If you are sure you do not want to use them anymore, find another person who still wants to use your item.
With this procedure, waste and the implied air pollution can be reduced.
Biodigesters
Biodigesters can contribute to a reduction in air pollution, especially in poor countries where slash and burn is prevalent.
This way, a useless commodity can be turned into income through the production of energy out of plants.
Use of energy-efficient devices
Switching to more energy-efficient household appliances would further reduce energy consumption and thus would reduce air pollution.
Energy-efficient devices are usually not much more expensive than energy-consuming devices.
Thus, almost everyone should be able to afford energy-efficient household devices.
Convince others
All the measures mentioned above could reduce the problem of air pollution.
We can all contribute a small part to the reduction in energy consumption and thus to less air pollution.
However, not only our own behavior makes a difference, we also have to convince other people that it is worth to reduce their energy demand.
If everyone convinces enough people, every single person can make a significant direct and indirect contribution to mitigate the air pollution problem.
Conclusion
Air pollution is a serious problem in our nowadays society. It is caused by our industries but also by our own daily behavior.
It is estimated that air pollution is accountable for about 7 million people dying per year.
Children are usually more affected than adults since their respiratory organs are not fully developed yet.
Air pollution can cause several health problems and diseases like cancer.
It also contributes to the global warming issue due to the emission of large amounts of CO2 and methane.
In order to mitigate the air pollution problem and to reduce global inequality, we have to change our daily behavior.
This means switching from the use of cars to public transport and also saving energy if we do not urgently need it.
We all can contribute our part to less air pollution and also raise the awareness of others on this issue.
Thus, the air pollution problem can hopefully be reduced drastically in the future.
If you are interested, please check out further air pollution facts.
Sources
https://www.who.int/news-room/air-pollution
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollution
About the author
My name is Andreas and my mission is to educate people of all ages about our environmental problems and how everyone can make a contribution to mitigate these issues.
As I went to university and got my Master’s degree in Economics, I did plenty of research in the field of Development Economics.
After finishing university, I traveled around the world. From this time on, I wanted to make a contribution to ensure a livable future for the next generations in every part of our beautiful planet.
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