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Introduction: Air Pollution Assessment
Background on Air Pollution
Air pollution occurs due to the presence of harmful substances in the air and atmosphere which is caused by both the natural processes and human activities. The pollutants include different gases (such as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds), biological molecules, and particulate molecules ((PM2.5 and PM10). There are diverse sources of air pollution that range from industrial emissions, chemical solvents, and vehicle exhaust to different natural events like volcanic eruptions and wildfires.
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Importance of Studying Air Pollution
There is a significant importance of studying air pollution due to its adverse impact on health, economy, and environment.
Health impact: There are serious health risks and issues associated with air pollution that contribute to different respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and lung cancer (Duan, Hao, & Yang, 2020). The exacerbation of cardiovascular diseases are also associated with it and it also can lead to strokes and heart attacks. The individuals with co-morbidity and pre-existing health issues are at a higher risk due to air pollution. A long-time exposure to the air pollution can lead to reduced quality of life and reduction of life expectancy significantly.
Environmental impact: The biodiversity and ecosystem are highly affected by the issue of air pollution. The pollutants like nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide can lead to acid rain by which the water body, soil, and plant lives are also being harmed. The explosion of Ozone gas can damage the forests, crops, and native vegetation that compromises the food security and reduces the agricultural activities significantly (Emberson, 2020). Moreover, the different particulate matter can make an impact on the leaves that hampers the plant growth and the process of photosynthesis.
Economic impact: There is a substantial impact of air pollution on economic growth. The expenses of healthcare treatment rise due to the number of increased hospital admissions and diseases caused by the air pollution. Moreover, increased absenteeism and reduced labor productivity due to air pollution can impact the economic conditions significantly. Additionally, the tourism and property values can also be affected by air pollution and there are significant costs of mitigating and managing the pollution levels.
Overview of Key Topics Covered
There are several sections that will be covered in this report.
Sources of Air Pollution: The primary sources of air pollution will be detailed in this section that will distinguish between natural sources and anthropogenic (human-made).
Health Effects of Air Pollution: The different adverse health impacts of air pollution will be reviewed comprehensively by focusing on both the short and long-term consequences.
In addition to these, the economic and environmental impacts of air pollution will also be discussed in this study. The different case studies will also be analyzed in which the implications of air pollutants will be discussed with the help of real-world data. Mitigation plus policy measures for minimizing the air pollution will also be reviewed in this study.
Body
Understanding Air Pollution
Definition and Types of Air Pollutants
Air pollution can be defined as the integration of harmful and pollutant substances into the air atmosphere which can make adverse impacts on the health and well-being of human beings and also on the environment.
Particulate Matter (PM): PM is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets that are present in the air. PM2.5 and PM10 are the concerned pollutants as they have the ability to penetrate deep into the lungs and also in the bloodstream that can lead to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2): NO2 is a toxic gas which is produced from the different combustion processes such as industrial activities and vehicle engines (Güney & Aladağ, 2022). It can reduce lung function significantly and also can disturb the respiratory system leading to health crises.
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2): It is a gas which is emitted from the burning of fossil fuels containing sulfur such as oil and coal. It contributes to the formation of acid rain that can harm the ecosystem significantly.
Carbon Monoxide (CO): Due to the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels, a colorless and odorless gas is formed which is known as CO. Oxygen is prevented by it from entering into the bloodstream which leads to different symptoms like dizziness, headaches, and increased mortality levels.
Ozone (O3): Ozone at the ground level is a harmful air pollutant which is formed by the reaction of different pollutants such as NO2 and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with sunlight. It can have an adverse impact on the respiratory system and cause conditions like asthma.
Measurement and Monitoring of Air Quality
There are different tools and methods that are involved in measuring and monitoring the air quality.
Air Quality Indices (AQI): AQI is a standardized system by which the communication of air pollution to the public can be done (Ravindra, Singh, & Mor, 2024). It aggregates data from multiple pollutants to provide a single index value by which understanding of the air quality levels are being done that are associated with health risk.
Satellite Monitoring: Measurement of atmospheric pollutants over large areas can be done by satellites equipped with sensors. They provide valuable information and data regarding movement and distribution of different pollutants that also helps to track and manage the air quality.
Ground-Based Monitoring Stations: Different instruments are being used by these stations such as particle counters, gas analyzers, and spectrometers for measuring the concentration of air pollutants. Accurate and localized information on quality of air are being provided by these monitoring stations.
Hence, by the application of these methods, understanding of the air pollution levels, their sources and trends facilitates effective policy-making and management of air-quality.
References
- Duan, R. R., Hao, K., & Yang, T. (2020). Air pollution and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Chronic diseases and translational medicine,6(04), 260-269. https://mednexus.org/doi/pdf/10.1016/j.cdtm.2020.05.004
- Emberson, L. (2020). Effects of ozone on agriculture, forests and grasslands. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A, 378(2183), 20190327. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsta.2019.0327?download=true
- Güney, B., & Aladağ, A. (2022). Microstructural analysis of liquefied petroleum gas vehicle emissions, one of the anthropogenic environmental pollutants. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 19(1), 249-260. https://earsiv.kmu.edu.tr/xmlui/bitstream/handle/11492/5340/G%C3%BCney%2C%20Bekir.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
- Ravindra, K., Singh, V., & Mor, S. (2024). Why we should have a universal air quality index?. Environment International, 187, 108698. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412024002848
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