Conclusion exposure to heat and air pollution affects body. Methodology for valuing the health impacts of air pollution. Effects of air pollution on human health and practical measures for. Because air pollution is mainly caused by the human activity on the planet, it is in our power to do something to stop this scourge that is ruining our health and the environment. Air pollution in its most basic definition is the introduction of harmful substances into the earths atmosphere. Air pollutions causes and effects remain serious worldwide problems despite efforts to curb them. The effects of air pollution on the health of children. Air pollution is a leading risk factor for premature death in ghana. Air pollution is the presence of one or more disadvantageous content in such quantity and for such duration, as it is catastrophic, or tend to be catastrophic, to human health and welfare, animal or plant life. Well it looks like the paris talks on climate change and air pollution have let the aircraft industry and the polluting big ships that use the lowgrade fuel off the hook for now, and its a crying shame because they are responsible for a very big proportion of our atmospheric air pollution. Air pollution and climate change institute for advanced. Air pollution deaths run into the millions every year but according to reports by the world health organisation, more deaths are linked to indoor sources of air pollution than to outdoor sources. Identify activities that relate to the levels of the air quality index.
Track changes publication series 4 book 5 impacts of. When it rains, the water droplets combines with these air pollutants, becomes acidic and then falls on the ground in the form of acid rain. It can also lead to acid rain, global warming, and smog. Air pollution is becoming a major health problem that affects millions of people worldwide. Environmental impacts of air pollution lisa phinney. Particulate matter can cause respiratory disease, and carbon emissions are a form of air pollution that contribute to the greenhouse effect and anthropogenic climate change. Air pollution and health the energy and resources institute.
It creates smog and acid rain, causes cancer and respiratory diseases, reduces the ozone layer atmosphere and contributes to global warming. Air pollution, climate and health world health organization. The causes include fossilfuel burning and greenhouse gases. Health effects of air pollution deohs university of washington. Air pollution is defined as the introduction of pollutants, organic molecules, or other unsafe materials into earths atmosphere. Report 6353 air pollution and childrens respiratory health 7 summary in children, air pollution may cause, contribute to or aggravate respiratory diseases, which are a major cause of their illhealth. Air pollution causes and effects on human health the term pollution is a negative term we frequently hear used by the media and those in our community. Human health effects of air pollution marilena kampa, elias castanas laboratory of experimental endocrinology, university of crete, school of medicine, p. Air pollution threatens the health of humans and other living beings in our planet. As for the effects of water pollution, these include a large number of waterborne diseases, ranging from diarrhea and.
This paper looks at the effects of air pollution on migration in china using changes in the average strength of thermal inversions over fiveyear periods as a source of exogenous variation for mediumrun air pollution levels. Air pollution contributes to climate change, hence air pollution. In children, air pollution is linked to asthma and bronchitis, increases in school absences and er visits. Pollution from natural occurrences is not very often. We say indoor air pollution if indoor air is contaminated by smoke, chemicals, smells or particles unlike outdoor air pollution, the effect of indoor air pollution is health related and less of an environmental issue. Reduce your risk by using the air quality index aqi to plan outdoor activities. Different groups of individuals are affected by air pollution in different ways depending on their level of sensitivity. Air pollution is now a serious problem for those living in big, congested, industrialized cities with heavy vehicular traffic. Jul 26, 2014 this presentation gives the complete detail of air, air pollution, air pollutants and their types, each pollutant in detail and its causes and effects, acid rain, methods of prevention,smog,acidification,indoor pollution and so on. Sources of air pollution include gases such as ammonia, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides, methane and chlorofluorocarbons, particulates both organic and inorganic, and biological molecules. Short paragraph on air pollution causes and effects. Air pollution, facts and information national geographic. The present article is intended to inform paediatricians about the associations between ambient air pollution and adverse health outcomes in children within the context of current epidemiological evidence. Air pollution facts, causes and the effects of pollutants.
Plan strenuous outside activities when air quality is better. These substances linger and cause many adverse effects. In most areas of europe, these pollutants are principally the products of combustion from space heating, power generation or from motor vehicle traffic. The economic consequences of outdoor air pollution oecd. Air pollution is suspended particles and gases including carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds vocs, nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxide, and ozone. A variety of air pollutants have known or suspected harmful effects on human health and the environment. It is the contaminants of air by the discharge of detrimental substances. Natural events that pollute the air include forest fires, volcanic eruptions, wind erosion, pollen dispersal, evaporation of organic compounds and natural radioactivity.
Air pollution is a real danger to not just the environment, but also to human health. Learn about what causes air pollution and how to help reduce the effects. Childhood exposure to trafficrelated air pollution is therefore of great concern, and has been discussed as a key aetiological factor. Air pollution reduces plant biodiversity and affects other ecosystem services, such as clean water, recreational activities and carbon storage. Dec 26, 2017 according to the epa, only one atom of chlorine is enough to destroy hundred of thousands of ozone molecules.
Air pollution centers for disease control and prevention. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of air pollution, their effects, and possible ways to control them. It outlines the evolution of the scientific evidence on the health effects of air pollution and of its interpretation, supporting policy and other decisionmakers in setting outdoor and indoor air quality management strategies worldwide. The reason that we are taught measures like turn off the lights when you leave the room and are encouraged to buy energy saver appliances, the reason why halogen bulbs were phased out in favor of leds, the reason for turning down back the thermostat at night. Air pollution facts, causes and the effects of pollutants in. The major historical air pollution episodes all occurred during stagnant inversions in regions that had significant sources of combustionrelated air pollutants see chapter 1. Children living near diesel trucking routes are more likely to have decreased lung function, bronchitis and allergies.
Air pollution can affect human health in a number of ways with both acute shortterm and chronic longterm effects. How to reduce air pollution of the earths air, water and soil resources is an ongoing problem facing world governments. Air pollution occurs when harmful or excessive quantities of substances are introduced into. The cost of air pollution consequences on the economy. Harmful gases like nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides are released into the atmosphere during the burning of fossil fuels. Airway inflammation influx of white blood cells abnormal mucus production fluid accumulation and swelling edema death and shedding of blood cellcells that line airways. Causes, effects, and solutions for today and tomorrow since people living in the twentyfirst century have the likelihood of experiencing the effects of harmful pollution, looking at the causes of this water and air pollution is definitely vital in halting its devastating consequences. Air pollution has negative impacts on the environment in which we live.
The following are some of the primary causes and effects of air pollution in our world. The atmospheric deterioration of materials are caused due to moisture, temperature, sunlight, air movement and the position of the materials. Since then we have gone on to pollute more of the earths surface. Well it looks like the paris talks on climate change and airpollution have let the aircraft industry and the polluting big ships that use the lowgrade fuel off the hook for now, and its a crying shame because they are responsible for a very big proportion of our atmospheric airpollution. Air pollution reduces the economic value of crops and leads to expensive cleaning of cultural heritage. As you know, humans and other living creatures rely on the atmosphere for respiration. Cardiovascular effects of air pollution strasbourg respire. Environmental effects along with harming human health, air pollution can cause a variety of environmental effects. Air pollution occurs when harmful or excessive quantities of substances are introduced into earths atmosphere. Watch a short video about air quality changes, and learn what communities can do to prepare. In relation to the air, there are different kinds of pollution that occur indoors as opposed to outdoors and vice versus. Communicating health impact of air pollution intechopen. This can be in the form of excessive gases like carbon dioxide and other vapours that cannot be effectively removed through natural cycles, such as the carbon cycle or the nitrogen cycle. Health effects of transportrelated air pollution the world health organization was established in 1948 as the specialized agency of the united nations responsible for directing and coordinating authority for.
Air pollution is directly responsible for economic losses in urban areas. Pdf causes, consequences and control of air pollution. Health aspects of air pollution with particulate matter. Until recently, environmental pollution problems have been local and minor because of the earths. Sep 21, 2012 air pollution is becoming a major health problem that affects millions of people worldwide. The effects of air pollution on the environment and on people are real and need to be addressed. Air pollution and climate change are among the most frequently discussed topics in the contemporary european environmental debate. Trends in ambient air pollution exposure and health impacts.
Air pollution causes and effects on human health home. Air pollution is caused by harmful manmade and natural substances being introduced into the earths atmosphere. Box 2208, heraklion, 71003, greece received 4 june 2007. People who breathe in bad air are developing chronic health problems and even dying prematurely due to air pollution exposure. According to the world health organization, six major air pollutants include particle pollution, groundlevel ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides. The majority of the current literature pertains to adverse respiratory health outcomes. The economic consequences of outdoor air pollution en oecd.
Air pollution has multiple sources, including natural as well as manmade sources. In support of this observation, the world health organization estimates that every year, 2. The market impacts of outdoor air pollution are projected to lead to significant. Both causes of death are associated with exposure mainly to pm, ozone and sulphates. In this industrial age, air pollution cannot be eliminated completely. The earth we abuse and the living things we kill will, in the end, take their revenge. It causes health problems in humans and animals, damages plants, pollutes water, threatens aquatic life, deteriorates infrastructure, and reduces visibility. Find out how to use the air pollution index chart from bixy. A significant reduction of black carbon emissions would help to combat climate change and improve air quality. Indoor air pollution indoor air is air within a building such as your home, classroom, office, shopping center, hospital or gym. Causes and effects of environmental pollution help save nature. Apr 03, 2020 air pollution has multiple sources, including natural as well as manmade sources. These acids are formed primarily by nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned. An air pollutant is a material in the air that can have adverse effects on humans and the ecosystem.
Burning of fossil fuels like coal, petroleum and other factory combustibles is one major cause of air pollution, also vehicles like cars, trains and airplanes cause a big amount of air pollution. Although local differences in air temperature and the earths rotation. However, some groups of people are especially sensitive to common air pollutants such as particulates and ground level. Air pollution is an undesirable change in the physical, chemical or biological characteristics of air. The interaction effect of air pollution and wetbulb temperature on the ear temperature was also significant f 3. Pollution can be classified into two sections, visible air pollution and invisible air pollution. Detailed knowledge on the effects of air pollutants on human health is a prerequisite for the development of effective policies to reduce the adverse impact of. Climate change decreases the quality of the air we breathe pdf. This booklet will provide an overview of the effects of air.
Air pollution can result from both human and natural actions. What are the causes of air pollution pollutant description and main uk sources potential effects on healthenvironment particulate matter pmpm 10 and pm 2. Air pollution occurs when gases, dust particles, fumes or smoke or odour are introduced into the atmosphere in a way that makes it harmful to humans, animals and plant. Air pollution also has further consequences on human health, leading in particular to an increasing number of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Mortality attributable to exposure to air pollution occurs mainly in individuals who suffer from cardiac andor respiratory diseases.
Causes and effects of air pollution go green academy. So air pollution exposure and effects contribute to social inequalities in health. When considering air pollution and its sources in the causation of lung cancer, its combined effects with these other causes of lung cancer are inevitably an issue. Air pollution and its effects discusses the cause, effect, transport, measurement, and control of air pollution. The effects of air pollution on humans are quite severe. Air pollution causes damage to human health, crops, ecosystems and cultural heritage the scientific data presented in this brochure have been collated by the working group on. Air pollution is composed of particulate matter pm and gaseous pollutants, such as nitrogen. Detrimental effect of air pollution, corrosion on building. Many healthharmful air pollutants also damage the climate. Air pollution s causes and effects remain serious worldwide problems despite efforts to curb them. Plan strenuous outside activities when air quality is.
Pollutants from these sources may not only prove a problem in. Causes and effects of environmental pollution help save. Our findings suggest that air pollution is responsible for large changes in inflows and outflows of migration in china. Globally, air pollution is responsible for about 25% of all adult deaths from stroke, 24% from heart disease, 43% from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease copd and 29% from lung cancer, who estimates show.
It is considered the main cause of ever rising cases of respiratory system problems and diseases, like asthma and cancer. Environmental impacts of air pollution nova scotia. This presentation gives the complete detail of air, air pollution, air pollutants and their types, each pollutant in detail and its causes and effects, acid rain, methods of prevention,smog,acidification,indoor pollution and so on. Tell the difference between fresh air and polluted air. Air pollution can be divided into fine particles, groundlevel ozone, lead, oxides of sulfur and nitrate, and carbon monoxide. B 1 abstract pollution may be defined as any direct or indirect alteration of the physical, thermal, biological or radioactive properties of the environment that creates an actual or potential hazard to the health safety or welfare of any living species. The effects of air pollution wreck havoc on human health and our planet as a whole. In the second section, the consequences of air pollution on health are. We need more research in this area, but what we already know should urge us to go beyond a summary indicator of health impact of air pollution, be it number of attributable cases or life expectancy. Increased mortality in these groups occurs within 1 to 5 days. Air pollution causes and effects on human health home air. Air pollution may be defined as the occurrence of any foreign materials or gases such as oxides of carbon, sulphur and nitrogen in the air beyond prescribed limit, which are harmful for man, vegetation, animals or buildings.
Environmental impacts of air pollution lisa phinney air quality sciences meteorological service of canada steve beauchamp, david waugh, rob tordon environment canadas green lane. Causes and effects of air pollution air pollution threatens the health of humans and other living beings in our planet. Black carbon, or soot, is a crucial substance in this context. Lets begin todays discussion by defining the term air pollution at a broader level. Acid rain is precipitation containing harmful amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids. Download the policy highlights pdf version lessentiel. Impacts of air pollution on human health, ecosystems and cultural heritage.