Air pollution is the changing of the natural features of the atmosphere by any chemical, physical, or biological factor in either the indoor or outdoor environment. These chemical, physical or the biological ingredients responsible for the change in natural quality of air are air pollutants. Common causes of air pollutants include smoke from motor vehicles, industrial operations, household combustion appliances, and forest fires. Particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide are pollutants of great public health concern. Indoor and outdoor air pollution are significant contributors to morbidity and mortality because they cause respiratory and other illnesses.
Multiple and situation-specific sources contribute to air pollution. Residential energy use for heating and cooking, transportation, power production, agriculture/waste incineration, and industry are the main causes of outdoor pollution. Key sources of ambient air pollution can be efficiently reduced by policies and investments that support cleaner household energy and transportation, energy-efficient housing, power generation, industry, and better municipal waste management.
There are two types of air pollutants: primary and secondary.
While secondary pollutants are created in the atmosphere from precursor gases through chemical reactions and microphysical processes, primary pollutants are released directly into the atmosphere. Depending on the origins of the air pollutants or the sources of their precursors, the origin of the pollutants may be natural, anthropogenic, or mixed. Particulate matter (PM), black carbon (BC), sulfides (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX) (including nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, NO2), ammonia (NH3), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), including benzene, and specific metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including benzo[a]pyrene, are among the main primary air pollutants (BaP).
PM, ozone (O3), NO2, and many oxidized volatile organic compounds are important secondary air pollutants (VOCs). Sulfur dioxide (SO2), NOX, NH3, and VOCs are important precursor gases for secondary particulate matter. Both anthropogenic and natural sources of these pollutants and their precursor gases are possible. Examples include:
--> Combustion of fossil fuels for transportation, industrial, home, and energy production;
--> Industrial procedures and the use of solvents, for instance in the mining and chemical industries;
--> Farming methods that involve just so many pesticides and chemicals, and don't manage their agricultural waste disposal
--> waste management
--> Natural sources, such as plant emissions of volatile organic compounds, wind-borne dust, sea-salt spray, and volcanic eruptions.
According to the data published by WHO, 99 percent of the world's population breathes air that contains high levels of pollutants and exceeds WHO guideline limits, with low- and middle-income nations seeing the worst exposures. Globally, the climate and ecosystems of the planet are closely related to air quality. The burning of fossil fuels is one of the main causes of air pollution and also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, reducing the burden of sickness linked to air pollution while also assisting in the short- and long-term mitigation of climate change, policies to reduce air pollution offer a win-win strategy for both climate and health.
Here's the data showing the top 30 most polluted cities in the world in 2022:
Air pollution poses a serious hazard to health and the environment, from smoke in the house to smog hanging over cities. Fine particulate matter from ambient air pollution causes acute and chronic respiratory illnesses, heart disease, lung cancer, and strokes in both urban and rural regions. Additionally, when cooking over open flames or basic stoves powered by kerosene, biomass (wood, animal manure, and agricultural waste), or coal, about 2.4 billion individuals are exposed to dangerously high levels of indoor air pollution. Every year, 7 million premature deaths are attributed to the impacts of household and ambient air pollution combined.
High amounts of air pollution can have a number of negative health effects. Lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory infections are all at increased risk because of it. Air pollution exposure, both short-term and long-term, has been linked to negative health effects. People who are already unwell are subject to more severe effects. The elderly, children, and those in poverty are more vulnerable. The most dangerous pollutants for your health are tiny PM2.5 particles that get deep inside your lungs and are intimately linked to excessive premature mortality.
Here's are some other major health affects of air pollution
1) Lung cancer
Lung cancer, the primary cause of cancer-related fatalities ,can be brought on by air pollution particles. some of the air pollutants may be oncogenic and when they are inhaled by us then they may lead us to Lung cancer. Lung cancer is responsible for about 6% of fatalities worldwide associated with outdoor air pollution. Other varieties of the disease, like bladder and urinary tract cancer, may also be impacted by dirty air.
2) Chronic bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchi which is generally common among the smokers but at present it is most of the people are suffering from it due to the bad quality air. The air is contaminated by the exhaust from cars, trucks, and other vehicles and If you frequently live in the cities and breathe the traffic fumes and other industrial smokes you may have chronic (long-lasting) bronchitis. The bronchial tubes, which deliver air to your lungs, become irritated at this point. You might experience shortness of breath and cough up thick mucus that could be white, yellow, or green if you have it.
3) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are frequent illnesses that cause COPD, also known as chronic obstructive lung disease. These conditions prevent the lungs from receiving air. The biggest contributing factor is prolonged exposure to gases, particulates, or smoke. According to studies, COPD is more prevalent in locations with significant air pollution. If you have COPD, you can discover that breathing in filthy air is considerably more difficult. Serious cases could result in a trip to the hospital or possibly death.
4) Pneumonia
Your risk of developing pneumonia or is increased by nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide in air pollution. Chest pain, a cough, exhaustion, shortness of breath, and fever are possible symptoms. People who are older or have chronic illnesses may not experience a fever. The elderly and children are particularly vulnerable. The biggest cause of death among children worldwide is pneumonia. After prolonged exposure to air pollution, older persons are more likely than younger adults to need hospital treatment for pneumonia.
5) Asthma
Some pollution, such smoke, is visible. Some cannot, such as carbon monoxide. Any gas or particle in the air that isn't a natural component of it is considered to be an air pollutant. Your asthma may be impacted by two types of pollution. Smog is caused by the gas ozone. Breathing patterns may be impacted. Tiny particles, such as those in smoke or dust, might lodge in your lungs. They may weaken your lungs and increase the frequency of your illness.
6) Heart diseases
A increased risk of heart attack, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), heart failure, and stroke can result from air pollution. The pollution contains microscopic particles that can enter blood vessels and irritate them. They may hasten the onset of heart disease over time. People are more at danger if they reside close to industry or busy streets. However, even brief exposure might be harmful to your heart.
7) Miscarriage and premature birth
Preterm or premature birth is connected to air pollution exposure. The amount of harmful substances in the blood might increase due to pollution. The immune system of a pregnant woman is strained by this. This may result in an early birth and a fragile placenta. This may cause short-term or long-term health issues for the infant. Low birth weight may also result from air pollution.
The first half of pregnancy may be more susceptible to miscarriages due to ozone and air pollution. Although they are unsure of the precise mechanism, researchers believe that inflammation near the placenta may be to blame. A study on traffic-related air pollution in the United States and Israel found a connection between it and miscarriages that occur between the tenth and twentieth weeks of pregnancy.
8) Problem related to mental Health
There is a clear correlation between air quality and mental health, according to studies. In the US and Denmark, researchers looked at more than 150 million medical data. They discovered that the prevalence of bipolar disorder increased by 27% and the incidence of major depression increased by 6% among residents of the U.S.'s poorest air quality locations.
Some research suggests that air pollution can negatively impact the brain. The growth of a baby's brain and behavior can be slowed by air pollution brought on by traffic. It increases dementia risk in the elderly. According to research, air pollution from traffic may affect the gray matter, white matter, and basal ganglia in the brain. Development is assumed to be impacted by these alterations to the brain brought on by pollution.
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