10 ways to reduce air pollution essay

The best ways to reduce air pollution and tackle climate change together

Electrifying public transport is one way to lower both air pollution and carbon emissions Image: REUTERS/Rodrigo Garrido

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Stay up to date:, air pollution.

Prevailing wisdom holds that measures to reduce air pollution will also tackle climate change, and vice versa - but this is not always the case.
A new report has identified the most effective interventions for addressing both issues at once.

When we look at air pollution and climate change, we see two dire situations:

1. People, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), are becoming ill and dying prematurely because of the poor quality of the air they breathe. Air pollution is linked to an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths a year , according to the World Health Organization. When indoor air quality is considered, that number rises by an estimated 2.9 to 4.3 million deaths a year, according to The Lancet Commission .

2. Glacial ice is melting, droughts are becoming more prolonged, extreme weather events are more common, and cities around the world are reporting record-breaking heat, all against a backdrop of predictions from the International Panel on Climate Change of temperature increases between 2.5˚C and 10˚C over the next century.

Have you read?

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For years, the prevailing wisdom has argued that the same adverse conditions that propel climate change also are responsible for air pollution, and that by correcting one problem we can also solve the other.

Unfortunately, it's not as simple as that. Some interventions that can massively improve air quality and the health of people in affected communities, such as using lower-sulphur diesel fuel, have little or no impact on climate change. Others produce benefits for the climate but do not significantly impact health. And still other popular and often costly interventions do little to improve air quality or slow the pace of climate change.

With our partners – AirQualityAsia, The Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society at Boston College, and with support from the Clean Air Fund – we set out to identify the most successful and practical actions that can improve health by reducing air pollution and impact climate change . Because very little analytical data is available about outcomes for specific interventions, our researchers and consultants went directly to those deeply involved in air pollution projects around the world to learn what had worked, what had not, and why.

The result of these efforts – a new report entitled Air Pollution Interventions: Seeking the Intersection between Climate and Health – is intended to help governments and policy-makers identify and implement the most effective interventions for their communities and particular situations.

reduce-air-pollution-interventions-have-the-greatest-impact

When we talk about adverse health effects from air pollution, our report focuses primarily on particulate matter 2.5 microns and smaller in size (PM2.5), which are largely produced by carbon burning. These microscopic particles, less than one-thirtieth the width of a human air, pass through the lungs and into the bloodstream where they are carried throughout the body to cause damage to respiratory, cardiovascular, and other systems, and according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation account for more than 85% of air pollution-related mortality .

With regard to climate change, the report mainly looks at activities that increase atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and black carbon.

PM2.5, black carbon and CO2 are largely the byproducts of carbon burning. The three primary sources are:

1. Energy generation from coal and natural gas

2. Public and private transportation of people and goods using diesel or gasoline

3. Open fires, mostly crop burning and forest fires, but also uncontrolled waste incineration

Coal-fired power plants are the granddaddies of air pollution and climate change – and we've known this for some time. Likewise, the single most effective action governments can take to improve air quality and to impact climate change is to phase out the use of coal and other fossil fuels, such as tar and lignite, for power generation.

If you take a big coal-fired power plant in the middle of a city and replace it with renewable energy, that's a huge step to reduce air pollution. Converting coal-fired power plants to natural gas or installing scrubbers reduces PM2.5 emissions – and so benefits health – but the carbon-burning power plants are still producing CO2 and climate-changing emissions. While moving that coal-fired power plant outside the city may be politically popular with millions of city dwellers (less so, perhaps, with people near the new plant), the action is costly and does nothing to benefit health or climate change.

Mortality rates from air pollution around the world

Best ways to reduce air pollution

Other significant interventions that improve both health by reducing PM2.5 and impact climate change by reducing CO2 emissions include:

• Replacing diesel and gasoline-powered vehicles with electric vehicles. Shenzhen, China, for instance, has switched from diesel-powered public transportation to an electric bus fleet with an expected 48% reduction in CO2 emissions and significant reductions in particulate matter.

• Eliminating uncontrolled diesel emissions. Studies have found that reducing vehicle fleet levels from the equivalent of Euro I to Euro IV can reduce fleet emissions by about 80% and moving up to Euro V standards further reduces the remaining emissions by 80%. This is a great step to remove air pollution and CO2 levels.

• Preventing crop burning. Specific technologies and education can improve outcomes for farmers without burning – creating win-win situations. Education and support for agricultural extension programmes in developing countries are key to their success. Poland, for example, has largely phased out the practice of burning the stubble left after the wheat harvest. Government initiatives in Delhi to combat crop burning, a significant source of air pollution, include awareness and capacity building, technological interventions, and subsidies for farmers to purchase straw management machines. Still, the twice-annual traditional crop burning contributes significantly to Delhi's notorious haze.

Our team considered 22 interventions with dozens of supporting case studies with the goal of helping governments and policy-makers determine which interventions may be most practical and beneficial for their particular problems.

Climate change poses an urgent threat demanding decisive action. Communities around the world are already experiencing increased climate impacts, from droughts to floods to rising seas. The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report continues to rank these environmental threats at the top of the list.

To limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C and as close as possible to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, it is essential that businesses, policy-makers, and civil society advance comprehensive near- and long-term climate actions in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

The World Economic Forum's Climate Initiative supports the scaling and acceleration of global climate action through public and private-sector collaboration. The Initiative works across several workstreams to develop and implement inclusive and ambitious solutions.

This includes the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders, a global network of business leaders from various industries developing cost-effective solutions to transitioning to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. CEOs use their position and influence with policy-makers and corporate partners to accelerate the transition and realize the economic benefits of delivering a safer climate.

We know that exposure to PM2.5 makes people more susceptible to respiratory illnesses; preliminary studies and anecdotal reporting early in the COVID-19 pandemic suggest that infection rates initially were higher and illnesses more severe in cities with poorer air quality. We also know that increasingly the citizenry is demanding that its leaders take swift and sure action to combat air pollution, as underscored by a recent survey by the Clean Air Fund of people in the UK, Bulgaria, India, Nigeria and Poland. As The New York Times reports , the survey, which was conducted during the pandemic between 22 May 22 and 2 June, found overwhelming support for stricter air quality regulations and better enforcement of existing rules. In Nigeria and India, for instance, 90% of those surveyed said they wanted improved air quality.

The most important step for municipal and national agencies to reduce air pollution is to raise their level of ambition in achieving their air quality and climate objectives. The overall aim must be an economy where development is uncoupled from resource use and energy provision is de-carbonized. Short-term actions can then be selected and implemented within that framework.

The solutions exist – and with technical support, strategic funding, and public and private initiatives, we can successfully improve public health and combat climate change.

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License and Republishing

World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

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Air Pollution Essay

Essay on Air Pollution

Environmental changes are caused by the natural or artificial content of harmful pollutants and can cause instability, disturbance, or adverse effects on the ecosystem. Earth and its environment pose a more serious threat due to the increasing pollution of air, water, and soil. Environmental damage is caused by improper resource management or careless human activities. Therefore, any activity that violates the original nature of the environment and leads to degradation is called pollution. We need to understand the origin of these pollutants and find ways to control pollution. This can also be done by raising awareness of the effects of pollutants.

Air pollution is any physical, chemical, or biological change in the air. A certain percentage of the gas is present in the atmosphere. Increasing or decreasing the composition of these gasses is detrimental to survival. This imbalance in gas composition causes an increase in global temperature which is called global warming.

Introduction to air pollution

The Earth and its environment are facing a serious threat by the increasing pollution of the air, water, and soil—the vital life support systems of the Earth. The damage to the environment is caused by improper management of resources or by careless human activity. Hence any activity that violates the original character of nature and leads to its degradation is called pollution. We need to understand the sources of these pollutants and find ways to control pollution. This can be also done by making people aware of the effects of pollutants.

Air with 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, and 1% of all other gasses support life on Earth. Various processes take place to sustain the regular percentage of gasses and their composition in general.

Atmospheric pollution can have natural sources, for example, volcanic eruptions. The gaseous by-products of man-made processes such as energy production, waste incineration, transport, deforestation and agriculture, are the major air pollutants.

Although air is made up of mostly Oxygen and Nitrogen, mankind, through pollution, has increased the levels of many trace gasses, and in some cases, released completely new gasses to the atmosphere.

Air pollution can result in poor air quality, both in cities and in the countryside. Some air pollutants make people sick, causing breathing problems and increasing the likelihood of cancer.

Some air pollutants are harmful to plants, animals, and the ecosystems in which they live. Statues, monuments, and buildings are being corroded by the air pollutants in the form of acid rain. It also damages crops and forests, and makes lakes and streams unsuitable for fish and other plant and animal life.

Air pollution created by man-made resources is also changing the Earth’s atmosphere. It is causing the depletion of the ozone layer and letting in more harmful radiation from the Sun. The greenhouse gasses released into the atmosphere prevents heat from escaping back into space and leads to a rise in global average temperatures. Global warming affects the average sea-level and increases the spread of tropical diseases.

Air pollution occurs when large amounts of gas and tiny particles are released into the air and the ecological balance is disturbed. Each year millions of tons of gasses and particulate matter are emitted into the air.

Primary air pollutants are pollutants, which are directly released into the air. They are called SPM, i.e., Suspended Particulate Matter. For example, smoke, dust, ash, sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide, and radioactive compounds, etc.

Secondary Pollutants are pollutants, which are formed due to chemical interactions between the atmospheric components and primary pollutants. For example, Smog (i.e. Smoke and fog), ozone, etc.

Major gaseous air pollutants include Carbon Dioxide, Hydrogen Sulfide, Sulfur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxide, etc.

Natural sources are volcanic eruptions, forest fires, dust storms, etc.

Man-made sources include gasses released from the automobiles, industries, burning of garbage and bricks kilns, etc.

Effects of Air Pollution on Human Health

Air pollution has adverse effects on human health.

Breathing polluted air puts you at higher risk of asthma.

When exposed to ground ozone for 6 to 7 hours, people suffer from respiratory inflammation.

Damages the immune system, endocrine, and reproductive systems.

A high level of air pollution has been associated with higher incidents of heart problems.

The toxic chemicals released into the air are affecting the flora and fauna immensely.

Preventive Measures to Reduce Air Pollution

We can prevent pollution by utilizing raw materials, water energy, and other resources more efficiently. When less harmful substances are substituted for hazardous ones, and when toxic substances are eliminated from the production process, human health can be protected and economic wellbeing can be strengthened.

There are several measures that can be adopted by people to reduce pollution and to save the environment.

Carpooling.

Promotion of public transport.

No smoking zone.

Restricted use of fossil fuels.

Saving energy.

Encouraging organic farming.

The government has put restrictions on the amount of fossil fuels that can be used as well as restrictions on how much carbon dioxide and other pollutants can be emitted. Although the government is attempting to save our environment from these harmful gasses, it is not sufficient. We as a society need to keep the environment clean by controlling the pollution of air.

FAQs on Air Pollution Essay

1. State the Causes of Air Pollution ?

The following are the causes of air pollution.

Vehicular pollution consisting of Carbon Monoxide causes pollution.

Emission of Nitrogen oxide by a large number of supersonic transport airplanes causes deterioration of the Ozone layer and also causes serious damage to the flora and fauna.

The release of Chlorofluorocarbons into the Stratosphere causes depletion of Ozone, which is a serious concern to animals, microscopic, and aquatic organisms.

Burning garbage causes smoke, which pollutes the atmosphere. This smoke contains harmful gases such as Carbon dioxide and Nitrogen oxides.

In India, brick kilns are used for many purposes and coal is used to burn the bricks. They give out huge quantities of Carbon dioxide and particulate matter such as smoke, dust that are very harmful to people working there and the areas surrounding it.

Many cleansing agents release poisonous gases such as Ammonia and Chlorine into the atmosphere.

Radioactive elements emit harmful rays into the air.

Decomposed animals and plants emit Methane and Ammonia gas into the air.

2. What Does Global Warming Mean?

Global warming is the gradual rising average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere due to the concentration of methane in certain toxic gasses such as carbon dioxide. This has a major impact on the world climate. The world is warming. The land and the sea are now warmer than they were at the beginning and temperatures are still rising. This rise in temperature is, in short, global warming. This temperature rise is man-made. The burning of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere which capture solar heat and raise surface and air temperatures.

3. Name the Alternative Modes of Transport. In What Way Does it Help to Reduce Air Pollution?

Public transport could be an alternative mode of transport. Public transport like trains, buses and trams, can relieve traffic congestion and reduce air pollution from road transport. The use of public transport must be encouraged in order to develop a sustainable transport policy.

4. Mention other means of transportation! How can I help reduce air pollution?

Public transportation can be another mode of transportation. Public transport such as trains, buses and trams can reduce traffic congestion and reduce air pollution from road transport. The use of public transport and to develop sustainable transport policies should be encouraged. While one passenger vehicle has the convenience factor, other modes of transportation reduce travel costs, spend less time, reduce stress, improve health, and reduce energy consumption and parking. Other trips for work include walking/cycling, public transport, hybrid travel and transport.

5. What are the effects of pollution?

Excessive air pollution can increase the risk of heart attack, wheezing, coughing and difficulty breathing, as well as irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. Air pollution can also cause heart problems, asthma, and other lung problems. Due to the emission of greenhouse gases, the composition of the air in the air is disturbed. This causes an increase in global temperature. The damaging ozone layer due to air pollution does not prevent harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun, which cause skin and eye problems in individuals. Air pollution has caused a number of respiratory and heart diseases among people. The incidence of lung cancer has increased in recent decades. Children living in contaminated areas are more likely to develop pneumonia and asthma. Many people die every year due to the direct or indirect effects of air pollution. When burning fossil fuels, harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides are released into the air. Water droplets combine with these pollutants and become acidic and fall as acid rain, which harms human, animal and plant life.

6. What is the solution to air pollution?

Production of renewable fuels and clean energy. The basic solution to air pollution is to get away from fossil fuels and replace them with other energies such as solar, wind and geothermal. The government limits the amount of fossil fuel that can be used and how much carbon dioxide and other pollutants it can emit. While the government is trying to save our environment from this harmful gas, it is not enough. We as a society need to keep the environment clean by controlling air pollution. To more in detail about air pollution and its causes. To learn more about air pollution and its impact on the environment, visit the Vedantu website.

Essay on Air Pollution for Students and Children

500+ words essay on air pollution.

Essay on Air Pollution – Earlier the air we breathe in use to be pure and fresh. But, due to increasing industrialization and concentration of poisonous gases in the environment the air is getting more and more toxic day by day. Also, these gases are the cause of many respiratory and other diseases . Moreover, the rapidly increasing human activities like the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation is the major cause of air pollution.

How Air Gets Polluted?

The fossil fuel , firewood, and other things that we burn produce oxides of carbons which got released into the atmosphere. Earlier there happens to be a large number of trees which can easily filter the air we breathe in. But with the increase in demand for land, the people started cutting down of trees which caused deforestation. That ultimately reduced the filtering capacity of the tree.

Moreover, during the last few decades, the numbers of fossil fuel burning vehicle increased rapidly which increased the number of pollutants in the air .

Causes Of Air Pollution

Its causes include burning of fossil fuel and firewood, smoke released from factories , volcanic eruptions, forest fires, bombardment, asteroids, CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons), carbon oxides and many more.

Besides, there are some other air pollutants like industrial waste, agricultural waste, power plants, thermal nuclear plants, etc.

Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is also the cause of air pollution because air pollution produces the gases that greenhouse involves. Besides, it increases the temperature of earth surface so much that the polar caps are melting and most of the UV rays are easily penetrating the surface of the earth.

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Effects Of Air Pollution On Health

Moreover, it increases the rate of aging of lungs, decreases lungs function, damage cells in the respiratory system.

Ways To Reduce Air Pollution

Although the level of air pollution has reached a critical point. But, there are still ways by which we can reduce the number of air pollutants from the air.

Reforestation- The quality of air can be improved by planting more and more trees as they clean and filter the air.

Policy for industries- Strict policy for industries related to the filter of gases should be introduced in the countries. So, we can minimize the toxins released from factories.

Use of eco-friendly fuel- We have to adopt the usage of Eco-friendly fuels such as LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), bio-gas, and other eco-friendly fuels. So, we can reduce the amount of harmful toxic gases.

To sum it up, we can say that the air we breathe is getting more and more polluted day by day. The biggest contribution to the increase in air pollution is of fossil fuels which produce nitric and sulphuric oxides. But, humans have taken this problem seriously and are devotedly working to eradicate the problem that they have created.

Above all, many initiatives like plant trees, use of eco-friendly fuel are promoted worldwide.

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Air Pollution Solutions

While air pollution is a serious problem, it is a problem that we can solve! In the United States and around the world, people are taking action to reduce emissions and improve air quality.

The Clean Air Act: How Laws Can Help Clean Up the Air

Creating policies and passing laws to restrict air pollution has been an important step toward improving air quality. In 1970, fueled by persistent visible smog in many U.S. cities and industrial areas and an increase in health problems caused by air pollution, the Clean Air Act paved the way for numerous efforts to improve air quality in the United States. The Clean Air Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set air quality standards for several hazardous air pollutants reported in the Air Quality Index (AQI) , requires states to have a plan to address air pollution and emissions reduction, and also addresses problems such as acid rain, ozone holes, and greenhouse gas pollution which is causing the climate to warm.

Since the Clean Air Act was passed:

The amounts of the six common pollutants in the atmosphere measured by the EPA (particulates, ozone, lead, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide) are declining.
The risks of premature death, low birth weight, and other health problems due to air pollution have decreased.
Vehicle emissions have decreased, despite increases in the number of miles driven each year, due to stricter emissions standards and increased efficiency in vehicle engines.
Emissions and toxic pollutants (such as mercury and benzenes) from factories and power plants have decreased, due to new technologies.
There is less acid rain, due to decreased power plant emissions.
The ozone hole continues to shrink as a result of banning the use of CFCs.
Pollution-caused haze in cities and wilderness areas has decreased.

Source: EPA

Most industrialized countries have laws and regulations about air quality. The United Kingdom first passed its Clean Air Act in 1956 following a deadly smog event that killed many London residents. In China, where rapid industrial and urban growth in recent decades resulted in a sharp decrease in air quality, numerous laws about air pollution have been passed, including a frequently updated five-year national plan to meet target reductions in air pollution.

It is important to note that while laws and regulations are helping, the effects of air pollution are still apparent. The decline of toxic air pollutants and health improvements are welcome changes, yet the growing threat of climate change due to fossil fuel emissions remains a problem that still needs to be solved.

There Are Many Solutions to Air Pollution

In order to improve air quality and slow climate warming, change needs to happen on a national and global scale. However, actions at the individual and community level are also important.

Burn less coal. Pollution from burning all fossil fuels is harmful to the atmosphere, but burning coal has a larger impact on air pollution than burning oil or gas because it releases more carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and heavy metal pollutants per unit of energy. Also, over one-third of the electricity produced in the world comes from burning coal. As of 2014, the global demand for coal is beginning to decline. In North America, coal plants are being replaced by natural gas. Some countries, such as Japan and South Korea, rely more on nuclear energy, and there is a global increase in electricity supplied by clean, renewable sources like wind, solar, and water.

This is an illustration showing ways that you can help reduce air pollution: wind turbines are a source of renewable energy; drive low pollution vehicles; choose alternative transportation modes, such as walking, riding the bus, or riding a bicycle; refueling in the evening; and around the house choose low VOC products, use less energy, forgo the fire, and mow the grass in the evening.

Conserve energy — at home, work, and everywhere! The demand for electricity, which is most often produced by burning fossil fuels, has grown exponentially over the past decades. Conserve energy by turning off lights, buy appliances rated for energy efficiency, and keep the thermostat set higher in the summer and lower in the winter. Whenever possible, invest in renewable energy sources to power your home. Several countries are using renewables, nuclear power, or lower-emission sources like natural gas to meet their increasing power demand. And many countries plan to significantly increase their use of renewable energy sources in the future.
Monitor air quality warnings and take action on poor air quality days. On days when pollution levels are high, taking action can help reduce the risk of harm to those who are most vulnerable. Reducing overall car usage and avoiding idling your car can help on days with high levels of ozone pollution. Save refueling and use of gas-powered yard equipment for the evening when it is cooler and ozone levels are lower. On days when particle pollutants are high, avoid burning yard waste and wood. Choosing to carpool or using a clean transportation method is always helpful, especially on days with high levels of air pollution. Check on the air quality in your area at the AirNow website .
Take action within your community to find solutions to air pollution. Around the world, many of the current solutions are the result of communities coming together to demand change. Citizens in Shenzhen, China, inspired a switch to electric buses in their city. In Brussels, Belgium, a movement started by parents concerned about poor air quality in schools led to a plan to invest in public transportation and bicycling, along with a ban on fueled cars by 2030. And in many countries, governments are closing coal plants and exploring new sources of energy because of citizens who are concerned about climate warming.

Check out the EPA's website to learn more about actions you can take to reduce air pollution.

Air Quality Activities
Air Quality Gallery
Solving Climate Change

Essay on How to Reduce Air Pollution

Students are often asked to write an essay on How to Reduce Air Pollution in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on How to Reduce Air Pollution

Understanding air pollution.

Air pollution is harmful substances in the air. It harms our health and the environment. It’s mainly caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels.

Ways to Reduce Air Pollution

1. Use Public Transport: Using buses, trains, or carpooling reduces the number of vehicles on the road, reducing air pollution. 2. Save Energy: By turning off lights and electronics when not in use, we save energy and reduce pollution. 3. Plant Trees: Trees absorb harmful pollutants and release clean oxygen. 4. Recycle: Recycling reduces the need to burn waste, reducing air pollution.

Remember, every small action counts in fighting air pollution.

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Paragraph on How to Reduce Air Pollution

250 Words Essay on How to Reduce Air Pollution

Understanding the gravity of air pollution.

Air pollution, a global environmental menace, poses severe risks to human health and ecosystems. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that approximately 7 million people die annually due to exposure to polluted air. Consequently, it is imperative to devise strategies to mitigate this issue.

Adopting Sustainable Transportation

A significant contributor to air pollution is vehicular emissions. To address this, we must shift towards sustainable modes of transportation. Encouraging public transit, carpooling, biking, or walking can significantly reduce the number of vehicles on the road, thus curbing pollution. Additionally, promoting electric vehicles can help eliminate exhaust emissions.

Embracing Renewable Energy

The energy sector, particularly coal-based power plants, significantly contributes to air pollution. Transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power can significantly reduce air pollution. These energy sources are not only sustainable but also emit no pollutants, making them an ideal replacement for fossil fuels.

Improving Waste Management

Improper waste disposal, especially burning, releases harmful pollutants into the air. Implementing effective waste management strategies, such as recycling and composting, can minimize waste burning. Additionally, promoting waste-to-energy technologies can help transform waste into useful energy while reducing pollution.

Enforcing Strict Regulations

Governmental bodies must enforce stringent air quality standards and regulations. Strict penalties for non-compliance can deter potential polluters, ensuring cleaner air.

In conclusion, reducing air pollution requires a collective, concerted effort. Through sustainable transportation, renewable energy, effective waste management, and strict regulations, we can significantly mitigate this global issue.

500 Words Essay on How to Reduce Air Pollution

Introduction.

Air pollution is a pressing issue that threatens the health of our planet and its inhabitants. It is primarily caused by harmful gases and particles released into the atmosphere, mostly from human activities. Addressing this problem requires a multi-faceted approach, involving both individual and collective actions.

One of the primary sources of air pollution is vehicular emissions. As such, it is crucial to promote sustainable transportation methods. Individuals can contribute to reducing air pollution by utilizing public transport, cycling, walking, or carpooling. On a larger scale, governments and corporations can invest in infrastructure for electric vehicles and renewable fuels, which produce fewer emissions than traditional fossil fuels.

Energy Conservation and Efficiency

Energy production, particularly through burning fossil fuels, significantly contributes to air pollution. Therefore, energy conservation is an effective strategy to combat this issue. This can be achieved by using energy-efficient appliances, reducing energy usage, and promoting renewable energy sources. On an institutional level, energy producers can transition to cleaner technologies, such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power.

Waste Management

Improper waste disposal, including open burning of waste, contributes to air pollution. Therefore, effective waste management strategies are essential. This includes recycling, composting, and reducing waste production. On a larger scale, governments can implement policies to regulate waste disposal and encourage recycling.

Legislative Actions

Governments play a crucial role in air pollution reduction by enforcing regulations that limit emissions from various sources. This includes setting stringent standards for industries and vehicles, promoting clean energy, and implementing pollution-control laws. Governments can also incentivize businesses to adopt environmentally friendly practices through tax benefits and subsidies.

Public Awareness and Education

Public awareness and education about air pollution and its impacts are vital for promoting environmentally friendly behavior. This can be achieved through campaigns, workshops, and incorporating environmental education in school curriculums. An informed public is more likely to make sustainable choices and support environmental policies.

Air pollution is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach to address effectively. While individual actions are important, large-scale changes driven by governments and corporations are crucial. Through the combined efforts of individuals, governments, and businesses, we can work towards a future with cleaner air and a healthier planet. It is not just a matter of environmental concern but a significant health and economic issue that, if unchecked, will have far-reaching consequences for future generations. Hence, it is our collective responsibility to reduce air pollution and safeguard our planet.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Essay on Causes of Water Pollution
Essay on Problem of Pollution
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Happy studying!

Essay on Air Pollution

Essay on air pollution is a crucial topic for students from an academic perspective. Moreover, an essay is one of the most effective ways to educate students about the plight of nature and the repercussions of human activities. Creating awareness for future generations is important if we have to undo decades of ignorance and neglect.

Furthermore, air pollution essay helps students to realize the gravity of the scenario and enable them to take action. Some as simple as using public transport or even carpooling will help reduce a significant amount of air pollution. Read on to discover how to write an engaging essay on air pollution.

Essay on Air Pollution – Important Points to Note

Please consider adopting the following points when writing an essay on air pollution. These tips are also helpful for other essay topics as well:

Always begin with an introductory paragraph about the topic, preferably detailing its origin.
Unless the topic is technical, try to avoid jargons.
Present content in bulleted points wherever possible
Insert factual data, such as important dates, places or name wherever possible.
Avoid writing the content in a large monotonous block of text. Remember to break up the content into digestible chunks
Always conclude the essay with a closing paragraph.

Essay on Air Pollution – Sample 1 (200 Words)

Air pollution is a serious issue and a cause for major concern in today’s world. A report published in 2014 by the World Health Organisation states that 4.21 million individuals died prematurely in 2012 as a result of air pollution. Air pollution existed much before humans, in the form of volcanic eruptions and forest fires. However, it became much more prevalent after the Industrial Revolution.

Rapid industrial growth, unregulated emissions and a host of other issues significantly contributed to the rise in air pollution. In some cases, the severity of air pollution reached an extent where government intervention was necessary. The Great Smog of London, 1952, was an extreme case of air pollution where visibility was severely hampered. It also caused a host of illnesses and the consequent deaths of countless civilians. In November 2017, the levels of air pollution in Delhi were ten times above the safe limits. For reference, the healthy air quality index is between 0 to 50, but during that particular time period, the air quality index hit 500+. This event is now called the Great Smog of Delhi.

An air quality index of 500 and above indicates that the air is heavily polluted and will cause irreversible lung damage and a host of other illnesses to everyone who is exposed to it. Therefore, to avoid such situations in the future, relevant actions must be implemented.

Essay on Air Pollution – Sample 2 (500 Words)

Air pollution may seem like the result of anthropological activities, however, it has been around even before humans evolved. Places which are naturally arid and have minimal vegetation are prone to dust storms. When this particulate matter is added to the air, it can cause health issues in animals exposed to the dust storms.

Furthermore, active volcanoes pump extremely large amounts of toxic plumes and particulate matter into the atmosphere. Wildfires also pump large amounts of carbon monoxide into the atmosphere and hamper photosynthesis for plants. Even animals, especially ruminants such as cows contribute to global warming by producing large quantities of methane, a greenhouse gas.

However, air pollution was never a major concern until the industrial revolution. Industries grew rapidly, untreated emissions were pumped into the atmosphere, and the rise of automobiles significantly contributed to air pollution. Such activities continued without any restrictions until they started to cause a wide range of repercussions.

In humans, air polluted with contaminants can cause a wide array of illnesses ranging from asthma and bronchitis the various forms of cancer. Air pollution is not only present outdoors; interior air pollution is also a great concern. Recent research has actually found credible evidence that room fresheners have the many compounds within them, some of which are classified carcinogens. This means some of those compounds present in the aerosol has the potential to cause some forms of cancer. Other sources of air pollution can include gases such as carbon monoxide and radon.

Radon, in particular, is quite alarming. It is an odourless, colourless gas that occurs naturally. It is found in the soil as Uranium, which breaks down and eventually turns into radon gas. Radon has limited repercussions on health if exposed to low concentrations, however, when this gas gets trapped indoor, the higher levels of concentration can have wreak havoc or ultimately be lethal. Radon is also reported to be released from building materials such as granite. Exposure to radon causes no immediate health effects, but long term exposure has the potential to cause lung cancer.

Air pollution not only affects the lungs but the central nervous system too. It has been linked to a lot of diseases such as schizophrenia and autism. A study also implied that it can cause short-term memory losses or distortion of memory.

Historically, air pollution has caused many crises with the worst ever being the Bhopal Disaster in 1984. Fatalities were estimated at 3,800, with at least 600,000 injured. Next in severity was the Great Smog of 1952 which formed over London, killing an estimated 4,000 civilians over the course of four days.

Though measures have been taken to reduce the effects of air pollution, a lot of irreversible damage has been done. For instance, the effects of global warming have drastically increased; this is very apparent with the rise in sea levels and melting glaciers. If the ice caps continue to melt, then we will have to face drastic repercussions. Scientists have proposed a hypothetical scenario where the greenhouse effect becomes “uncontrolled.” Here, greenhouse gases build up and temperatures continue to rise steeply. Oceans will start to evaporate, adding more water vapour into the earth’s atmosphere. This intensifies the effect, reaching a point where temperatures are sufficiently high for rocks start sublimating. Though this scenario is hypothetical, some speculate that this phenomenon already occurred on Venus. The supporters of this theory back this up by claiming Venus has an atmosphere composed primarily of carbon dioxide. The theory also explains why Venus has an extremely high surface temperature of 462 degrees Celcius; which is in fact, the hottest planet in the solar system.

Hence, we need to reduce our impact on the planet and make a conscious effort to reduce air pollution. Explore more essay topics or other fascinating concepts by registering at BYJU’S

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How to Reduce Exposure to Air Pollution

While most of us do not have the power to make the air cleaner, there are some ways to protect yourself.

By Beth Gardiner

Hot summer days can bring spikes in air pollution, as traffic exhaust and other emi ssion s bake in the sun.

Scientists have linked dirty air to a long list of health problems, and the danger can seem all the more frightening because, unlike with many other risks, we have no choice about breathing. But while most of us do not have the power to make the air cleaner, there are some things individuals can do to protect themselves.

Steps like changing travel and exercise routes, buying an air purifier and choosing not to light a fire at home can reduce your exposure to air pollution in any season, experts say.

“It’s basically about awareness,” said Frank Kelly, director of the Environmental Research Group at King’s College London. “You need to understand where you’re being exposed the most, and then you need to be able to take measures to avoid that.”

Doing so is especially important for those most vulnerable to dirty air’s effects — children, older people and those with heart or lung conditions.

The evidence on pollution’s dangers is powerful. It is linked not just to breathing problems but also to increased rates of heart attacks, strokes, cancer, dementia, premature birth and much more. Those who live with polluted air are more likely to die prematurely .

While the United States’ air quality has improved significantly since the 1970 Clean Air Act became law, dirty air still cuts short more than 100,000 American lives every year.

Here are some things you can do to help protect yourself and your family.

Choose Your Route Wisely

As researchers have focused recently on hyper-local variations in pollution levels, they have come to understand that within the same city — even the same neighborhood — individuals take in different amounts of contamination, depending on exactly where they live, and where their routines take them.

That insight offers a measure of control. When walking, running or biking, “the things you can vary are, where do you go and when do you go,” said Darby Jack, associate professor of environmental health at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. “With both of those, some relatively small changes in behavior can result in meaningful changes in exposure.” Limiting exposure is particularly important during exercise, when we take in more air.

Steering clear of the busiest roads, even just by choosing a parallel route a block away, can halve the pollution you breathe, Dr. Kelly said. The Environmental Defense Fund, an advocacy group, analyzed data from Oakland, Calif. , and found pollution levels can vary by as much as eight times in the space of one block.

Route choice is as important for drivers as for pedestrians, since exhaust fumes can become concentrated inside a car. “It’s just like a mini-gas chamber,” Dr. Kelly said.

While it is easy to feel protected inside a sealed car, walking on a traffic-clogged road generally exposes you to less pollution than driving on one, he said.

Testing the air along New York’s bike paths , Dr. Jack — in research conducted with Steven Chillrud, of Columbia’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory — found levels of sooty black carbon were 25 percent lower on those more than 50 meters away from roads designated as truck routes than those on or near truck routes, he said.

Time of Day Matters

Traveling at less polluted times also helps. Rush hours, of course, generally bring pollution peaks. Less obvious is that in many places air quality is worse in the morning, because of a meteorological condition known as temperature inversion, in which a warm layer of air holds down a colder one, trapping pollution in place.

Inversions do not happen everywhere, so researching local conditions is important.

Dr. Jack suggested using one of the new generation of portable or wearable monitors to learn when and where air is most breathable. “You can do some little experiments,” he said, and see what readings are “if I ride at 7 in the morning, if I ride at 9 in the morning, if I ride on this route.” In New York, he said, “you do see pretty significant differences riding the bike path that goes along the river versus riding the bike path that goes in the street canyon” of Midtown.

Avoid Wood Fires

While they may seem more natural than cars and trucks, wood fires are also a pollution source , producing smoke that is thick with the tiny pollution particles that penetrate deep into the body and are dangerous to health. Choosing not to light one is a simple way to reduce the pollution you — and your neighbors — breathe.

A Reality Check on Masks

Pollution masks may seem like an easy fix, but the reality is murkier. While many successfully filter out pollution in the lab, they are less effective in practice, because if they do not seal tightly to the face, dirty air can seep around them, said Miranda Loh, head of environmental and public health at the Institute of Occupational Medicine, a research firm based in Edinburgh.

Even masks that fit well at first often shift when the wearer moves around or talks, said Dr. Loh, who has tested masks available commercially .

“I wouldn’t say don’t bother” wearing one, she said. But know that even a high-quality mask may not live up to its label’s promises. “If you wear it and it fits you, even if it moves a little bit, you’re still getting some protection. But what we don’t want people to think is they shouldn’t take other protective measures, they shouldn’t be cautious.”

Consider an Air Purifier

Home air purifiers may provide some benefits . They can be particularly useful in the western United States, where smoke from increasingly frequent and intense wildfires has blanketed cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, pushing pollution dangerously high, said Dr. Kari Nadeau, director of the Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy & Asthma Research at Stanford University, who has studied the devices’ effectiveness.

It is important to choose the right purifier — HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance) models are best — and use it in a room of the size it is intended for, Dr. Nadeau said.

[ Read Wirecutter’s guide to air purifiers . ]

“They can’t get out everything,” and are unable to remove some of the toxins that wildfire smoke carries, she warned. “Nevertheless, it’s better to have one than not. “

No protective measure, though, can substitute for policies and regulations that make the air cleaner. The best advice for combating pollution, Dr. Jack said, can be summed up in one word: “Vote.”

Beth Gardiner is the author of “ Choked: Life and Breath in the Age of Air Pollution .”

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Published: 04 October 2021

Clean air for a sustainable world

Nature Communications volume 12 , Article number: 5824 ( 2021 ) Cite this article

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Air pollution is a cause of disease for millions around the world and now more than ever urgent action is required to tackle the burden of its impacts. Doing so will not only improve both life expectancy and quality of life, but will also lead to a more just and sustainable world.

Recently, we announced that we will publish a new series of collections focused on issues related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We start this series with a multidisciplinary collection on air pollution. As tackling air pollution is not one of the core SDGs, this may seem like an unusual choice. It is, however, a pressing environmental hazard affecting an ever increasing part of the world’s population. Currently, 91% of the world’s population live in locations where pollution levels exceed WHO guidelines, and in a recent announcement the WHO have further cut the recommended limits. Air pollution kills around 6.7 million people per year mainly through respiratory and cardiovascular diseases 1 , and has significant impacts on mental health. The main pollutants are sourced from fossil fuel combustion for transport, industry, agriculture and cooking stoves and, therefore, air pollution is linked directly with fulfilling many of our basic needs. As the SDGs aim to tackle the issue of how humanity can live sustainably, it is thus no surprise that addressing air pollution is related to the SDGs in many different ways. Promoting specific SDGs will lead to improved air quality as a side-effect, while reducing emissions will also progress a number of SDGs directly.

The high air pollution levels that we live with today is another demonstration of how our unsustainable lifestyles are one of the key challenges that needs to be overcome to create a more just and liveable world, which is the ultimate goal of the SDGs.

Although air pollution is a global issue, exposure is often not distributed equally. Industrial processes related to the production, trade and consumption of goods is a key source of air pollution. Much of this pollution is released in low- and middle-income countries while they manufacture goods that are traded abroad, allowing rich countries to outsource the air pollution and health effects of their consumption. Hence, global implementation of responsible consumption and sustainable production practices—the focus of SDG9 (“Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure”) and SDG12 (“Responsible Consumption and Production”)—will be key to reduce this unequal responsibility and exposure to dangerous environmental conditions.

Inequality in exposure does not only occur at an international level, but also within countries. Systematic and historical forms of discrimination often translate into higher exposure levels and, hence, enhanced health burdens to marginalized groups around the world. This is probably best studied in the US, where people of colour are shown to live under poorer air quality, independent of other factors like income 2 . In a commentary for our collection Viniece Jennings highlights that whilst green infrastructure has the potential to reduce air pollution, unequal access can limit improvements for marginalised communities 3 . While we often think of air pollution as an outdoor issue, much of the exposure to harmful particles actually happens inside houses. Household air pollution is mainly related to cooking, heating or lighting, often through the combustion of solid fuels. This exposure affects women and children disproportionately, especially in the developing world 4 . Consequently, targeting SDG10 (“Reduce inequality within and among countries”) and SDG 7 (“Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.”) will be of vital importance to tackle embedded inequalities within and among countries to reduce air pollution exposure.

Air pollution and climate change are closely intertwined as they share the same root cause of human emissions. Even though ambitious climate mitigation policies do not come for free, they will in many cases also lead to improved air quality and lower health costs. The societal costs of air pollution avoided through reduced exposure levels as a result of climate mitigation measures alone are thought to outweigh the initial costs of these policies 5 . Air pollution also physically interacts with the climate system; particles in the atmosphere affect surface temperatures as well as clouds and precipitation. Climate change thus has the potential to “worsen air pollution, even in areas where it has been improving”, as pointed out by Denise Mauzarell in a Q&A for our Clean Air collection 6 . An example of this are the dangerous pollutants released by wildfires that are expected to become ever more frequent and intense in many parts of the world.

Similarly, to climate mitigation, improving air quality depends on strict and ambitious regulatory policies and controls, which must be implemented equitably. In this regard, there are reasons to be optimistic, as strict air quality policies like the Clean Air Act in the US and similar policies in Europe have resulted in reductions in pollution since the 1970s even though levels are still too high and continued efforts are crucial. These efforts show that ambitious policy supported by technological advances like improved filtering and modernization can be successful. These efforts should not only be done at national levels, but also need international collaboration, technology and knowledge transfer in order to acknowledge the shared responsibilities of air pollution. As part of the Clean Air collection we highlight papers Nature Communications has published that look at how policy and technology can be part of the solution to air pollution.

The high air pollution levels that we live with today is another demonstration of how our unsustainable lifestyles are one of the key challenges that needs to be overcome to create a more just and liveable world, which is the ultimate goal of the SDGs. Of course, reducing air pollution on its own will not meet the aims of all the other SDGs. Still, it is an illustrative example of how an interdisciplinary focus on a measurable and technologically approachable issue can help to also achieve other goals. It is in this spirit that our collection brings together research from different disciplines, such as applied scientists, economists, political scientists, health scientists and climate scientists as it is this interdisciplinary collaboration that Nature Communications wants to support will be vital in informing policy and decision makers. We envision that our collection on Clean Air will continue to grow and we welcome submissions across disciplines in this area.

GBD Global Risk Factors Collaborators. Global burden of 87 risk factors in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2019. Lancet 396 , 1223–1249 (2020).

Tessum, C. W. et al. PM 2.5 polluters disproportionately and systemically affect people of color in the United States. Sci. Adv. 7 , 18 (2021).

Jennings, V., Reid C. E., & Fuller C. H. Green infrastructure can limit but not solve air pollution injustice. Nat. Commun. 12 , 4681 (2021).

Gordon, S. B., et al. Respiratory risks from household air pollution in low and middle income countries. Lancet Respir. Med. 2 , 823–860 (2014).

Vandyck, T. et al. Air quality co-benefits for human health and agriculture counterbalance costs to meet Paris Agreement pledges. Nat. Commun. 9 , 4939 (2018).

Nat. Commun. (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-25491-w .

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School Education /

Essay on Air Pollution for Students: Check Samples of 100 Words to 250 Words

Updated on
Mar 30, 2024

Essay on Air Pollution : Invisible but insidious, air pollution silently infiltrates our lives, impacting health, the environment, and future generations. Through this blog, let’s explore its roots, repercussions, and remedies, which are essential in our quest for cleaner, healthier skies. Essay writing here becomes more crucial, to raise awareness about air pollution’s dire consequences and drive action for cleaner air.

This Blog Includes:

10-line essay on air pollution, what are the causes of air pollution, what are the effects of air pollution, essay on air pollution: how to tackle air pollution, essay on air pollution sample (100 words), essay on air pollution sample (250 words).

Must Read: Essay On Environment

Below mentioned is a 10-lined essay on air pollution:

Air pollution is caused by harmful substances known as pollutants.
The pollutant come from various sources, like vehicle gasses, forest fires, and other human activities.
The two of the biggest sources of air pollution are burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.
Air pollution is harmful to humans because it can cause skin and respiratory diseases.
Air pollution is equally harmful to plants and animals.
Air pollution can also damage non-living things, such as ancient monuments constructed from marbles and limestone.
Air pollution leads to ozone layer depletion, climate change and global warming.
Air pollution can damage ecosystems in forests.
We must take effective steps to reduce air pollution.
We can reduce air pollution by planting more trees and burning less fossil fuels.

Air pollution is caused by various factors, including:

Industrial Emissions: Factories and manufacturing processes release pollutants like chemicals and particulate matter into the air.
Vehicle Emissions: Combustion engines in cars, trucks, and aeroplanes emit exhaust gases, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides.
Burning Fossil Fuels: The use of coal, oil, and natural gas for energy generation and heating releases pollutants and greenhouse gases.
Agricultural Activities: Pesticides and fertilizers release chemicals, while livestock emit methane.
Deforestation: Cutting down trees reduces the planet’s capacity to absorb pollutants.
Waste Disposal: Improper disposal of waste leads to the release of harmful substances into the air.
Natural Sources: Volcanic eruptions, dust storms, and wildfires can also contribute to air pollution.

Air pollution poses severe health and environmental risks. Short-term exposure can lead to respiratory issues, eye irritation, and exacerbation of pre-existing conditions. Long-term exposure is linked to chronic diseases such as lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory disorders.

Additionally, air pollution harms ecosystems, causing acid rain, damaging vegetation, and polluting water bodies. It also contributes to climate change by increasing greenhouse gas concentrations. Addressing air pollution is crucial to safeguard human health and protecting the planet’s ecosystems and climate.

Addressing air pollution is paramount for a healthier planet. By curbing emissions, adopting clean technologies, and fostering sustainable practices, we can safeguard our environment and public health. Here are some key points on how to tackle air pollution:

Reduce Vehicle Emissions:
Improve Industrial Practices
Increase Green Spaces
Monitor and Regulate
Reduce Indoor Air Pollution
Promote Renewable Energy
Encourage Sustainable Practices
Raise Public Awareness:
Reduce Open Burning:
International Cooperation:

Tackling air pollution requires a multi-faceted approach involving government policies, community engagement, and individual responsibility.

Must Read: Essay On Global Warming

Air pollution is a pressing environmental issue with far-reaching consequences. It occurs when harmful substances, such as particulate matter and toxic gases, contaminate the atmosphere. These pollutants result from various sources, including industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, and agricultural activities.

The consequences of air pollution are severe, impacting both human health and the environment. Prolonged exposure to polluted air can lead to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, and even premature death. Additionally, air pollution harms ecosystems, leading to reduced crop yields and biodiversity loss.

Mitigating air pollution requires collective efforts, including stricter emission regulations, cleaner energy sources, and promoting public awareness. By addressing this issue, we can safeguard our health and preserve the environment for future generations.

Air pollution is a pressing global issue that affects the health and well-being of people and the environment. It occurs when harmful substances, such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds, are released into the atmosphere. This pollution can have dire consequences for both humans and the planet.

First and foremost, air pollution poses a significant threat to human health. Particulate matter and toxic gases can enter the respiratory system, leading to various respiratory diseases like asthma and bronchitis. Long-term exposure to polluted air has also been linked to cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, and premature death. Vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions are at higher risk.

Additionally, air pollution has adverse effects on the environment. It contributes to climate change by increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, leading to rising global temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events. Moreover, pollutants can harm ecosystems, contaminate water bodies, and damage crops, impacting food security.

The sources of air pollution are diverse, including industrial processes, transportation, agriculture, and energy production. To combat this problem, governments, industries, and individuals must take collective action. Implementing stricter emission standards for vehicles and industrial facilities, transitioning to cleaner energy sources, and promoting public transportation are essential steps in reducing air pollution.

In conclusion, air pollution is a critical issue that affects human health and the environment. Its detrimental effects on respiratory health and its contributions to climate change necessitate urgent action. By adopting sustainable practices and reducing emissions, we can mitigate the impact of air pollution and create a healthier and more sustainable future for all.

Amisha Khushara

With a heart full of passion for writing, I pour my emotions into every piece I create. I strive to connect with readers on a personal level, infusing my work with authenticity and relatability. Writing isn't just a skill; it's my heartfelt expression to touch hearts and minds.

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20 Ways to Prevent Indoor and Outdoor Air Pollution

Since the Industrial Revolution, people have been polluting the Earth like never before. There is rarely a place today that has not been subjected to pollutants in one form or another.

Some pollution comes in a visible form, like pieces of plastic washed up on our beaches or illegal dumpsites in groves nearby large cities, other pollution comes in a hidden and perhaps even more dangerous form, in the air we breathe daily.

Our continuous existence depends on the clean air and yet our activities are constantly releasing extremely toxic particles that contaminate our atmosphere.

Polluted air is costing us lives

The issue has become so serious that scientists attribute a large number of deaths to ever increasing effects of air pollution. In fact, polluted air kills each year more people than malaria or tuberculosis [1] . Some cities are even shut down during certain parts of the year because the air is so toxic that it is impossible to function.

Another alarming record comes from New Delhi in India, infamous for its pollution exceeding safe air quality levels by 20 times on days when thick smog wraps around the city. According to a study by the Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, almost half of Delhi’s children develop irreversible lung damage during their childhood years [2] .

To imagine the severity of the global pollution even better, there is an animal in the remote Arctic whose body contains one of the highest level of pollutants of any organism on this planet. The word is about a polar bear who is due to the global distillation effect exposed to anthropologically created pollution even in the most remote corner of the planet.

Although increasing number of countries enforce stricter regulations to prevent further emissions of air pollutants, there is still a lot to do on an individual level.

The key to have a healthier life is to adopt measures that do not pollute air so much because we all have a role to play when it comes to creating healthy environment for living.

Simple ways to reduce outdoor air pollution

Being aware and changing our habits is the only way to reversing negative actions we have adopted in our modern lifestyles. Even though some initiative needs to be taken by authorities, individual habits still can make a big impact. If not globally, they will make impact locally – directly in the environment where you live.

The following list will help you get started with the transition to improving the quality of your life by addressing the problem of air pollution and learning about ways of reducing it.

#1 Minimize air pollution from cars

Road transportation is one of the biggest emitters of nitrogen oxides. Oxides of nitrogen are closely monitored air pollutants with an adverse effect on the healthy lung development and the overall lifetime expectancy.

The problem of harmful emissions from cars can be felt especially in cities with heavy traffic. Personal diesel cars and smaller vans top the list of the dirtiest polluters in such instances.

As a driver you can help reduce the pollution from your car by sticking to a few of simple rules.

When you are out for a drive, do not idle your vehicle.
Drive less by combining trips, telecommuting, carpooling, or carsharing. A great idea is to bring your lunch to work, so you do not have to drive out during the lunch break, or agree with your co-workers on going to get lunch together.
Do not speed up or drive aggressively because that only produces more emissions.
If possible avoid driving out during rush hours.
When you are in the market to buy a new vehicle, consider buying a car that has done well on emission tests. In general, newer models have better fuel economy than older models because they are developed with the latest technologies.
Go away from diesel cars. Diesel cars emit more nitrogen oxides than petrol cars. That’s why some of the largest European cities have banned or are preparing to ban older diesel cars from their downtown .
If you want to choose the cleanest option, look into hybrid or all-electric cars. These cars should have a smaller ecological footprint than conventional cars do. Although it is important to realize that there are still some emissions involved. These are emissions from power plants that supply the electricity to power your e-drive.
Be sure to keep your car tuned and regularly replace air filters at recommended intervals.
Even something so easily overlooked as keeping your tires properly inflated plays a role in the amount of gases your car will emit. When the tires are not properly inflated, your car needs to burn more fuel and therefore pollutes the environment on a larger scale.

By following this advice you will definitely help reducing air pollution caused by cars, but you should still be aware that any car with an exhaust pipe will emit some amounts of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide into the air. Therefore, the most effective strategy to keep the air clean is to avoid driving your car when possible .

#2 Walk, bike or use public transportation to reduce air pollution

When you have the option, take public transportation to get to work. Many cities have already invested in a good public transportation network and by choosing public transportation (even just one or two days a week) you are helping to reduce the number of cars on the road.

Many municipalities also offer great benefits to encourage people to use their public transportation. Some commonly applied advantages are cheap long-term fares, shorter times to reach your destination, short waiting times, punctuality, and fares for free at certain hours, weekends or for seniors and students.

For example, the city of Vienna, Austrian capital, offers a yearly ticket to their extensive public transportation network for only 1 Euro a day (that is USD 1.14). This means that as a holder of the yearly card you can travel as much as you want in one day for just 1 Euro. Isn’t that wonderful?

*And a little insider tip: Your pup can travel with you for free when you have this card… 😉

Or German city Stuttgart lets students travel for free on weekends and after 6 pm every day.

Additional benefit to consider is that many cities place emphasis on lowering carbon emissions of their public transportation means. They invest in electric buses and other modern vehicles that enable them to do so. The website of the abundantly used public transportation in Vienna mentions that every person who switches to public transportation prevents 1,500 kg of carbon dioxide from being released into the air each year [3] .

Walking or riding a bike to get to work comes with numerous benefits for your wellbeing. You can take less frequent roads and backstreets to arrive to work sooner and less stressed than you would be if stuck in traffic. Both of these activities also contribute to maintaining active lifestyle and improving your self-confidence and health.

However, when biking or walking you should take into consideration the level of already existent air pollution along your route. If you cannot avoid too busy roads, it’s better to stick with public transportation because on bike you would directly breathe all the emissions produced by the heavy traffic.

#3 Save energy and make sure you use energy efficiently

In 2016, the International Energy Agency released a report with the key statement that “air pollution is an energy problem.”

Similar concept repeats in other scientific papers. For example, the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health published a study that lists a myriad of health problems arising from the air contamination due to the combustion of fossil fuels.

Burning of fossil fuels for energy production releases potent pollutants such as:

Sulphur dioxide
Nitrogen oxide
Black carbon
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Carbon dioxide
Particulate matter [4]

All of these substances are known to have negative impacts on human health and the environment.

That is why being mindful about your energy consumption matters . Decreasing your energy need will not only save you money on utility bills but more importantly will benefit your health in the long-term.

When you save energy, whether it is at home, at work, or while you are traveling, you are reducing production of many polluting substances as well as carbon emissions that make the air dirty and cause global warming.

Some effective strategies to lower your energy consumption to set you on the right track are:

Increase energy efficiency of your home Make sure you use energy efficiently. For a detailed information on energy efficiency, check our article on 10 Tips on How to Improve Energy Efficiency at Home .
M inimize the use of air conditioners Use air conditioners in the summer only when absolutely necessary. Air conditioners need much more power than fans do. Give a try to strategically placed fans and open windows at night to cool down your room.
Use appliances smartly Run your dishwasher and washing machine only when full and if possible at night. When running these appliances outside the peak hours, it is more likely that the biggest (and the most polluting) power plants won’t work because the demand for power is lower and can be covered from smaller power plants that often use newer technologies.
Switch to renewable energy Renewables are much cleaner version of power generation. The technology has made such a great progress that there are many affordable options and programs available for the residential use of renewable energy nowadays. For example, photovoltaic solar panels produce energy without emitting gases. So, if you switched to solar energy, you would lower your personal amount of emissions significantly – the exact number depends on how much of your total energy demand would be covered entirely from solar power.

#4 Take a good care of your wood stove or fireplace

If you own a wood burning stove or a fireplace, be sure to keep it well-maintained. When burning fire-wood in wood stoves, incomplete combustion often releases particulate matter of a very small size (less than 2.5 micrometer). These tiny particles are the most harmful to our respiratory tracts because they can easily get deep into our lungs, and for their small size may even enter our bloodstream.

Other noxious gases released from fireplaces and wood stoves are:

Carbon monoxide
Nitrogen oxides [5]

What amount of emissions your stove produces depends on:

The efficiency of the wood stove

Newer models are usually more efficient than older, improperly maintained models. Old wood stoves from 80s release three to six times more particulate air pollutants than newer stoves [5] . This is due to lower burning temperature and insufficient aeration.

You should also preferably have the stove (fireplace) installed by a professional with a necessary certification. This ensures that your stove will perform with the best efficiency and at the lowest risk of unwanted accidents.

The type and the condition of fuel you are burning

Dry firewood burns better than humid wood. It will thus emit less air pollutants. Also make sure you don’t burn wood with paint, glue or other coating because it could release additional toxins into the air.

Pellets made of compacted sawdust and wood waste are a less polluting and more heat-producing alternative to wood.

#5 Recycle and buy recycled products

Imagine all complex processes needed to create new items from scratch. You need to begin with mining for raw materials. Mined materials then need to be transported, cleaned from impurities, processed and treated until they can finally be transformed into desired products.

Each stage of the manufacture from raw materials is accompanied by emissions of polluting particles, heavy metals, chemicals and greenhouse gases.

It also takes more energy to make new items from raw materials, increasing the environmental footprint (including the air pollution that is produced) of those products, compared with those products that are made from recycled materials.

Since recycled products have already been extracted and processed once, manufacturing the same products the second time is much less-energy intensive and polluting.

#6 Consume less and choose sustainable products

A 2017 study published in the International Journal of Science highlighted that 22 percent of premature deaths caused by air pollution happened in countries that produce (cheap) goods for export to developed countries [6] .

European and North American love of cheaper gadgets from China actually killed more than 100,000 people in Chinese towns where factories manufacturing many of our favorite products are located [6] .

Higher levels of environmental pollution in these regions are often due to weak or lacking emission restrictions in place (which is also why these goods can be produced at a lower cost), but the air they are polluting is still part of the same air you are and will be breathing for as long as you are on this planet.

So, our consumption patterns affect pollution levels globally. Even if you haven’t ever traveled to China, your choice of products in your local supermarket will decide whether you encourage polluting businesses abroad.

Consuming less and thinking twice before buying new item is the best you can do for the environment and the air quality. If you need to buy new products, whatever they are, support local companies that are committed to sustainable manufacturing practices and reducing pollution in the air.

#7 Eat local and organic produce & eat less meat

In countries with intensively farmed lands, agriculture is the main emitter of ammonia and other nitrogen-containing compounds like nitrous oxide or nitric oxide. Livestock farming also emits high concentrations of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and non-methane volatile organic compounds.

Agricultural pesticides and fertilizers release Persistent Organic Pollutants, such as hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorocyclohexane and pentachlorophenol in the air [7] . Those names don’t sound that good, do they? Now, consider that the air you breathe may contains also these compounds with their complex names. There is nothing natural about that…

A study by the Earth Institute of Columbia University warns over health-damaging effects of gases emitted from conventional agriculture in combination with industrial emissions. The research says that when these pollutants combine together, they form fine particles that easily damage our respiratory system, leading to chronic health problems [8] .

Organic agriculture is not entirely emission-free as well, but the amounts of many pollutants are lower.

This is due to a number of reasons:

Nitrogen input to organic soils is lower, so even nitrogen compounds escaping into the air decrease.
Sustainable soil conservation practices such as no-tilling, green manuring and crop rotation help preserve nutrients in soils where they are utilized by plants instead of being lost into the environment as often happens in heavily tilled crops.
Healthy, well-aerated soils with good microbial activity have improved methane uptake.

If possible, consider buying organically-grown produce over the conventional one, and look for local products because this way you cut down emissions from transportation and energy needed to get the food on your plate.

A very important step to take in regard to your consumption pattern is to eat less meat . You may have heard already about the significant greenhouse gas footprint of the modern livestock industry. By going meatless some days a week or eating maximum 90 grams of meat a day, you will lower air pollution and will even benefit your health (and wallet – since plant-based diet is cheaper).

#8 Grow your own food and eat seasonal products

It is easy to get produce from all over the world these days. Just a quick trip to supermarket opens up a world of a great variety of exotic fruits, vegetables and spices. Although, having such a great diversity is wonderful, it always comes with a cost – in this case the cost of polluting the air we breathe by long-distance transportation.

Just think about it. Bananas imported from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras or other exotic destinations. Kiwis from Italy, Chile, New Zealand… Mangoes brought from Thailand, Philippines, India or Pakistan. These favorite fruits have to travel really long distances to make it to your supermarket.

One easy and fun way to make sure you have a nutrient-rich diet, which even helps offset some of the harmful emissions of the food industry, is to grow your own food. This way you will have direct access to fresh produce of your preference, and you will even be sure that what you eat is chemical-free.

If you are unable to grow fruits and vegetables due to time and/or space limitations, stick to the rule of eating mostly seasonal products that are native to your area. The reason for this is very simple – when in season, products will be more likely sourced from regional farmers.

#9 Plant trees

Trees around your house and in your neighborhood help reduce air pollutants significantly. Researchers from the University of Southampton measured the ability of trees in London to remove particulate pollutants from the air. Their findings were truly astonishing. Trees remove between 850 to 2,000 tons of harmful particles from the urban air each year [9] .

Except of removing the particulate matter, trees also decrease levels of nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and monoxide, ozone, benzene and dioxin.

Some of the most efficient tree “air cleaners” are large-growing species with leaves. For example, common ash, ginkgo biloba, oak, various linden trees and elms [10] .

Trees planted alongside roads or on the boundaries of your property also slow down polluted air from being carried far by wind. You can think of it as a protective shield formed by tree canopy. This way trees prevent spreading of air pollution over large distances. Then, they gradually filter the pollution at the spot without giving it much chances of contaminating neighboring areas.

But trees are not only natural air filters, they also cool down summer temperatures by a few degrees. Even the slightest temperature reduction can make a real difference in keeping the air clean, because many compounds and ground-level-ozone-forming chemicals are temperature dependent [11] . This means that they transform into pollutants only when outdoor temperature reaches certain level.

Additionally, cooler temperatures are more comfortable for our wellbeing, which makes trees a great substitute for energy demanding air conditioners.

#10 Raise awareness and become interested in local matters

Awareness-raising can be the first step to increase the knowledge of people around you and start the change in their attitudes towards mitigating the problem of poor air quality in affected areas.

As you can see most of these ways on dealing with air pollution are rooted in the consumer behavior. Often, all it takes is just being a little bit more aware of the impact of your personal decisions as a consumer on the air quality–even so far from you as on a different continent.

By making conscious consumer choices, your initiative can serve as a good example to your friends, family and community. This way you can become one of the initiators of a bigger change in your area.

Equally important is to express your support to public policies and representative politicians who work to protect the air and the environment. If you care about the quality of life in the place you call home, it is necessary to stay informed and take supportive actions for good causes.

Preventive measures of indoor air pollution: How to clean the air in your home?

When we think of air pollution, most of us think of poor outdoor air quality. However, did you know that indoor air is on average two to five times more polluted than outdoor air? This happens because the air circulation indoors is much lower than outdoors, which allows toxins from dust particles, vapors from cooking, painting or furniture dyes to accumulate inside our houses.

And since most of us spend so much time indoors, we are at a higher risk of developing health issues from the toxic indoor air . In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that 30 percent of global diseases are a result of indoor air pollution [12] .

For example, one of the most common indoor pollutants is formaldehyde. Sources of formaldehyde are everywhere around us. It can be found in furniture, insulation, textiles, wallpapers, glues, detergents, softeners, disinfectants, cosmetic products and even in electronics [13] . But did you also know that increased concentrations of formaldehyde cause irritations, asthma and eczema?!

It’s time to become more cautious about what pollutants you introduce to your life. And since you have already learned how to help reduce outdoor air pollution, it is time to have a look at some preventative measures that will teach you how to improve air quality in your home and office.

#1 Keep air purifying indoor plants

Very elegant solution to improving air indoors, that would also have a beneficial effect on our health, is keeping houseplants.

Many houseplants have the same ability as trees to metabolize air pollutants from indoor spaces as well as refresh air by removing carbon dioxide and replenishing oxygen levels. Plants with large leaves that originate from tropics and rainforests are especially effective in doing so.

Some examples of the best houseplants for cleaning indoor air are:

Spider Plants
Peace Lilies
Snake Plants (“Mother-in-Law’s Tongue”)
Elephant Ears
Weeping Figs
Rubber Plants
Bamboo Palms
Heartleaf Philodendron

Common indoor toxins these plants can absorb include compounds such as formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, trichloroethylene, toluene, octane and carbon monoxide [14] .

Can there be any easier solution how to get better air quality in your home than surrounding yourself by pretty flowers?

#2 Open your windows

Opening your windows fully at least once a day for three to five minutes can replace stagnant and polluted indoor air with fresh air from outside.

It is important to let the air in your house circulate even for short periods of time because this way you let accumulated toxins out and decrease humidity that gathers from many indoor activities like cooking, doing laundry or taking a steamy shower.

One of the common issues of well-insulated houses is that indoor-outdoor air exchange is entirely disabled. While this is a desired effect when it comes to preserving heat and energy, it is not the best for maintaining healthy air quality inside. If that’s the case, the stagnant air in your house needs to be refreshed once a while by opening windows to create a little draft.

Do not forget to open your windows to ventilate a room if you must use any volatile chemicals, such as those found in paint strippers and paints. Better yet, look for low- or no-VOC products to avoid being exposed to the toxic fumes from these products in the first place.

#3 Use natural products and non-toxic cleaners

When purchasing household products for your home and your yard, opt for the cleanest and greenest products that don’t contain any harmful polluting chemicals.

The majority of the air fresheners, detergents, paints, and cleaners on the market contain toxic substances, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), that easily vaporize into indoor air.

VOCs represent a variety of chemicals derived from petroleum, for example, formaldehyde, benzene, perchloroethylene and chlorofluorocarbons.

These chemicals not only pollute indoor air, they can be detrimental to your and your pets’ health. Some symptoms include irritations, nausea, dizziness, asthma, liver and kidney failures, central nervous system damage and cancer [15] .

To minimize your exposure to these chemicals, choose products that have been made with natural substances, and do not produce harmful fumes.

When seeking out natural products, resources such as the Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning and the United States Environmental Protection Agency Safer Choice page are great places to learn about the product safety. A few great tips to stick to:

Opt for no-VOC or low-VOC paints, stains, finishes, paint strippers, and glues. Paint with a brush rather than spray.
Instead of using chemical-filled air fresheners, use essential oils, herbs and flowers to make your home smell nice.
Use green cleaning products instead of conventional chemical-filled products.
Use perfumes moderately or not at all. Perfumes consist of a number of synthetic chemicals that when being sprayed in the air break down into harmful compounds. You can learn more here .

#4 Use essential oils

Essential oils are potent plant extracts that can be used for many purposes, including cleaning, purifying and freshening indoor air. They also offer an eco-friendly, healthy, and often more effective alternative to many chemical and synthetic products.

Using high quality essential oils in a diffuser will not only produce a nice scent throughout a room, you will also gain many health benefits from the complex natural compounds that the essential oils contain. For example, lavender oil with eucalyptus oil have calming properties; peppermint and chamomile oils are good for digestion and relieving symptoms of cold; rosemary oil improves concentration and memory.

You can also use essential oils to make your own homemade cleaning products and personal care products. Some favorite oils that have been used for skin and hair are rose, cedarwood, thyme or clary sage oils.

For purposes of purity, safety, and to experience the most benefits, be sure to use only therapeutic grade essential oils from a reputable company.

#5 Test your home for radon

Radon is an invisible, odorless and radioactive gas that naturally seeps up from the soil and bedrock of the Earth. It is one of the products of the radioactive decay of uranium, which can be found naturally in all rocks on this planet.

Most houses draw less than one percent of their indoor air from subjacent soils, but when your house is built on a highly permeable soil and foundations are not properly sealed, more than 10 percent of indoor air can come from the ground. This can lead to increased radon accumulation in the indoor air, even though its concentration in the soil is within safe limits.

It is good to know that radon can also seep from some building materials, such as granite countertops, alum shale concrete or volcanic tuff [13] .

Radon is after smoking the second most frequent cause of lung cancer [13] , so it is important to have your home tested for it. The testing procedure is very simple and inexpensive.

When radon levels in your house are above limits, some mitigation strategies for reducing its concentration need to be applied. One reliable technique is ‘ Active soil depressurization , ‘which draws radon from beneath the foundation and emits it outside.

#6 Do not smoke indoors

Do not smoke inside your home. Cigarette smoke contains up to 70 carcinogenic substances and toxins that remain in the indoor air for a long time.

Passive exposure to the cigarette smoke can also cause serious health problems to other family members and pets.

Some of the health deteriorating compounds found in smoke include lead, arsenic, ammonia, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. By smoking in a confined space, the level of these compounds quickly exceeds safe limits without you even realizing the danger associated with inhaling them.

For example, nitrogen dioxide contributes to seemingly unrelated health problems such as ear infections and development of food allergies in children.

#7 Keep indoor humidity low

We do many activities at home that make rooms damp. But did you know that in humid environments hundreds of different bacteria species, fungi and molds thrive? And that breathing their spores affects the health of your skin and respiratory tract?

Keep your home dry to prevent mold and mildew from proliferating. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends keeping an indoor humidity level of 30 to 60 percent.

You can do this by opening windows to exchange air inside your house. Remember that stagnant air retains all the moisture from your activities, so you should allow proper air movement by creating a draft inside at least once a day.

Use exhaust hoods or fans to reduce the level of moisture that can travel throughout the air when you cook or take shower. When showering, keep the bathroom door closed to not let excess humidity out. Rather leave the fan remove the moisture after you finish the shower.

Also, when possible dry your clothes outside.

If necessary, use a dehumidifier to reduce the humidity level of your home. If anything else have failed, this could be the solution to your problem with high humidity.

#8 Vacuum clean with a HEPA filter

It may sound surprising, but some vacuum cleaners actually contribute to indoor air pollution.

Yes, that’s right.

Vacuum cleaners without a proper filter, that would allow small particles escape back into the air, only worsen home air quality by stirring and redistributing pollutants.

To be sure you are not causing more harm when cleaning your house, use a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) or ULPA (Ultra Low Penetration Air) filter.

HEPA filters should be able to capture 99.7 percent of particles as small as 0.3 micrometers. ULPA filters perform even better by retaining 99.9 percent of particles of 0.12 micrometers in size [16] .

The design and cleaning efficiency are also important criteria. No HEPA filter will perform as promised if the vacuum cleaner is not properly sealed. Only well-sealed vacuum cleaners direct all collected particles to pass through the filter.

When looking for a new vacuum cleaner, make sure that it contains the real HEPA filter and not something labelled misleadingly as “HEPA-like” or “HEPA-type” filters. Beware of this marketing trick to confuse customers, as these types of filters might not comply with the standards of removing the most harmful particles.

#9 Keep your home dust free

Do you know where dust comes from and how come it always reappears in your home?

According to researchers, most household dust is a mixture of organic matter and particulate matter from outdoor air, which is brought inside every time you, other family members or your pets come from the outside [17] .

What should you imagine under this label?

Well, let’s see… It includes tiny particles like dead skin cells, pet dander, microscopic soil particles from your shoes, decomposing organic materials, microfibers from clothing, bacteria, molds, and dust mites.

Scientists have also found traces of many chemicals in common household dust. These chemicals usually originate from cleaning products, plastic items, paints, oil, cosmetics, pesticides or other products commonly used at home.

No one can write down a precise list of compounds contained in dust since they differ based on the area where you live, your lifestyle and your household, but every time you walk across a room, your kids play, pets run around, dust gets suspended into the air, from where it can be easily inhaled by you and your children.

You cannot prevent dust from entering your house, but you can minimize chances of your exposure to it by regular cleaning. Vacuum cleaners with HEPA filter should help in retaining most of the harmful particles (read the previous section to learn more about them).

Do not forget to clean your heating and air conditioning filters, ducts, and vents regularly as well. It will reduce particles accumulated over the time from re-circulating throughout the air in your home.

#10 Use air purifiers with HEPA filter

If you live in an area with poor outdoor air quality, it’s worth considering the use of air purifier at home. On critical days when authorities issue health warning, you should keep your windows closed and use air purifier to minimize the risk of breathing polluted air.

For example , a two-year study in Salt Lake City , which chokes under a thick blanket of smog on cold winter days when inversion hits in, has found out that air purifiers with HEPA filters reduced fine-particulate matter (PM2.5) in observed households by 55 percent.

Similar results were confirmed by other studies, coming to a conclusion that at least 50 percent of particulate matter can be removed by a high-efficiency air filtration system [19] .

Most modern air purifiers work with a multilayer filter system, consisting of a prefilter, a carbon filter, an antibacterial filter and a HEPA filter [19] . You can even find some ENERGY STAR purifiers on the market that offer better energy efficiency.

So, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Final words

Do not take the quality of the air you breathe every day lightly. It is easy to overlook your own health when other daily chores demand your immediate attention. But do not forget that throughout one day around 10,000 liters of air enter your lungs and take part of the most important metabolic processes in your body [18] .

Was this article helpful?

About greentumble.

Greentumble was founded in the summer of 2015 by us, Sara and Ovi . We are a couple of environmentalists who seek inspiration for life in simple values based on our love for nature. Our goal is to inspire people to change their attitudes and behaviors toward a more sustainable life. Read more about us .

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Air Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Proposed Solutions

Categories: Air Pollution Pollution

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Published: Feb 7, 2024

Words: 645 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Causes of air pollution, effects of air pollution, current measures to control air pollution, shortcomings of current measures, proposed solutions.

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Air Pollution Essay for Students in English: 100, 200 and 500 Words

Air pollution is becoming a serious issue that’s affecting human health, flora and fauna and overall well-being of Earth. As responsible citizens of the world, it’s our duty to take care of anything that’s harming the planet and leave it in better condition for future generations. Here are a few sample essays children can use to write about air pollution and learn about different ways to mitigate this crisis.

100 Words Essay on Air Pollution

200 words essay on air pollution, 500 words essay on air pollution.

Air Pollution Essay for Students in English: 100, 200 and 500 Words

Any physical, chemical, or biological alteration in the air is referred to as air pollution. The atmosphere contains a specific portion of the gas. It is harmful to survival to change the makeup of these gases. “Global warming” is the term used to describe the rise in global temperature caused by this imbalance in gas composition. Hazardous pollutants, whether present naturally or artificially, can modify the environment and have a negative impact on the ecosystem. Ineffective resource management and reckless human activity are harming the environment and therefore it is our responsibility as inhabitants of Earth to take care of it.

Pollution is any activity that tampers with the environment's fundamental characteristics and causes damage. The air we breathe is no longer clean and fresh, it has been contaminated by pollutants. The threat to Earth and its ecosystem is getting worse as a result of the contamination of the air, water, and soil. These pollutants are causing a number of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases—our immune system is getting affected negatively, and children are at a high risk of developing asthma and other breathing problems. There are numerous factors that frequently increase this air pollution. Automobiles, transportation methods, industrialization, expanding cities, etc. are the main causes of air pollution. The contamination of the entire atmosphere is brought on by the release of various toxic gases or dangerous components from such sources.

Air pollution, which has a negative impact on the environment, also has a significant impact on the ozone layer. The primary contributor to pollution is the ever-increasing demands of the human population. Daily human activities pump harmful chemicals into the atmosphere, making it more polluted than ever and accelerating climate change. The flora and fauna are also being severely impacted by the airborne harmful chemical releases. The rising contamination of the Earth's air, water, and soil—the essential life support systems of the planet—poses a major threat to the planet and its environment.

One of today's top environmental concerns is air pollution. There are numerous factors that frequently increase this air pollution. Toxic gases, particulates, paint, and batteries containing lead are released throughout the industrialization process. The ozone layer is also being destroyed and the world is being exposed to dangerous solar rays as a result of all the contaminants in touch with the atmosphere.

Ozone is a contaminant that exists at the ground level and can be harmful to human health. But the same ozone creates a layer of defence in the stratosphere. The "good" ozone, however, is being destroyed by ozone-depleting substances—such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and chlorofluorocarbons. These chemicals were once used in coolants, foaming agents, insecticides, solvents, and fire extinguishers and occasionally still are.

Primary and secondary pollutants are the two categories that have emerged as a result of the growing number of air pollutants. Primary pollutants, which include smoke, ash, dust, fumes, mist, spray, inorganic gases, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and radioactive substances, have a direct negative impact on fresh air. Secondary pollutants are those that interact chemically with primary pollutants, as well as other elements in the atmosphere, such as sulphate trioxide, ozone, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen dioxide.

Causes of Air Pollution

The disposal of solid wastes that release methane gas and the breakdown of trash landfills are major sources of air pollution. This problem has become a severe environmental and health issue as a result of the population's rapid development, industrialisation, and greater use of cars, planes, and other transportation.

Common Effects of Air Pollution

Pollutants in the air we breathe every minute enter our bloodstream and travel to our lungs and entire body, producing a plethora of health issues. Animals can have health issues similar to people if they are exposed to air toxics in high enough quantities over an extended period of time. Air toxics also play a role in animal sickness, infertility, and birth abnormalities. Therefore, both directly and indirectly, pollution of the environment harms both plants, animals, and people.

What Can We Do

Using public transportation is a surefire short method to reduce air pollution because it uses less gas and electricity, even carpools help with the situation. A permanent, non-polluting, and extremely secure source of energy is the sun or solar power. Solar panels, which are special in design and simple to install, are also a technical benefit to society and the planet. They take in solar energy and store it to power various equipment and electronics. Another step you can take on this path is to plant more trees and live a simplistic life. Minimalist living is not only a trendy millennial lifestyle, but it also has significant societal and environmental benefits.

Air pollution may reach one million tonnes annually in the next decades if environmental protection measures are not taken seriously and effectively enforced. We need to drastically alter our everyday routines if we want to lower the level of air pollution. By making better use of raw materials, water energy, and other resources, we can reduce pollution. Human health can be safeguarded and economic wellbeing can be increased when less harmful compounds are exchanged for hazardous ones.

Explore Career Options (By Industry)

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Information Technology

Data Administrator

Database professionals use software to store and organise data such as financial information, and customer shipping records. Individuals who opt for a career as data administrators ensure that data is available for users and secured from unauthorised sales. DB administrators may work in various types of industries. It may involve computer systems design, service firms, insurance companies, banks and hospitals.

Bio Medical Engineer

The field of biomedical engineering opens up a universe of expert chances. An Individual in the biomedical engineering career path work in the field of engineering as well as medicine, in order to find out solutions to common problems of the two fields. The biomedical engineering job opportunities are to collaborate with doctors and researchers to develop medical systems, equipment, or devices that can solve clinical problems. Here we will be discussing jobs after biomedical engineering, how to get a job in biomedical engineering, biomedical engineering scope, and salary.

Ethical Hacker

A career as ethical hacker involves various challenges and provides lucrative opportunities in the digital era where every giant business and startup owns its cyberspace on the world wide web. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path try to find the vulnerabilities in the cyber system to get its authority. If he or she succeeds in it then he or she gets its illegal authority. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path then steal information or delete the file that could affect the business, functioning, or services of the organization.

GIS officer work on various GIS software to conduct a study and gather spatial and non-spatial information. GIS experts update the GIS data and maintain it. The databases include aerial or satellite imagery, latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates, and manually digitized images of maps. In a career as GIS expert, one is responsible for creating online and mobile maps.

Data Analyst

The invention of the database has given fresh breath to the people involved in the data analytics career path. Analysis refers to splitting up a whole into its individual components for individual analysis. Data analysis is a method through which raw data are processed and transformed into information that would be beneficial for user strategic thinking.

Data are collected and examined to respond to questions, evaluate hypotheses or contradict theories. It is a tool for analyzing, transforming, modeling, and arranging data with useful knowledge, to assist in decision-making and methods, encompassing various strategies, and is used in different fields of business, research, and social science.

Geothermal Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as geothermal engineers are the professionals involved in the processing of geothermal energy. The responsibilities of geothermal engineers may vary depending on the workplace location. Those who work in fields design facilities to process and distribute geothermal energy. They oversee the functioning of machinery used in the field.

Database Architect

If you are intrigued by the programming world and are interested in developing communications networks then a career as database architect may be a good option for you. Data architect roles and responsibilities include building design models for data communication networks. Wide Area Networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), and intranets are included in the database networks. It is expected that database architects will have in-depth knowledge of a company's business to develop a network to fulfil the requirements of the organisation. Stay tuned as we look at the larger picture and give you more information on what is db architecture, why you should pursue database architecture, what to expect from such a degree and what your job opportunities will be after graduation. Here, we will be discussing how to become a data architect. Students can visit NIT Trichy , IIT Kharagpur , JMI New Delhi .

Remote Sensing Technician

Individuals who opt for a career as a remote sensing technician possess unique personalities. Remote sensing analysts seem to be rational human beings, they are strong, independent, persistent, sincere, realistic and resourceful. Some of them are analytical as well, which means they are intelligent, introspective and inquisitive.

Remote sensing scientists use remote sensing technology to support scientists in fields such as community planning, flight planning or the management of natural resources. Analysing data collected from aircraft, satellites or ground-based platforms using statistical analysis software, image analysis software or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a significant part of their work. Do you want to learn how to become remote sensing technician? There's no need to be concerned; we've devised a simple remote sensing technician career path for you. Scroll through the pages and read.

Budget Analyst

Budget analysis, in a nutshell, entails thoroughly analyzing the details of a financial budget. The budget analysis aims to better understand and manage revenue. Budget analysts assist in the achievement of financial targets, the preservation of profitability, and the pursuit of long-term growth for a business. Budget analysts generally have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a closely related field. Knowledge of Financial Management is of prime importance in this career.

Underwriter

An underwriter is a person who assesses and evaluates the risk of insurance in his or her field like mortgage, loan, health policy, investment, and so on and so forth. The underwriter career path does involve risks as analysing the risks means finding out if there is a way for the insurance underwriter jobs to recover the money from its clients. If the risk turns out to be too much for the company then in the future it is an underwriter who will be held accountable for it. Therefore, one must carry out his or her job with a lot of attention and diligence.

Finance Executive

Product manager.

A Product Manager is a professional responsible for product planning and marketing. He or she manages the product throughout the Product Life Cycle, gathering and prioritising the product. A product manager job description includes defining the product vision and working closely with team members of other departments to deliver winning products.

Operations Manager

Individuals in the operations manager jobs are responsible for ensuring the efficiency of each department to acquire its optimal goal. They plan the use of resources and distribution of materials. The operations manager's job description includes managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and performing administrative tasks.

Stock Analyst

Individuals who opt for a career as a stock analyst examine the company's investments makes decisions and keep track of financial securities. The nature of such investments will differ from one business to the next. Individuals in the stock analyst career use data mining to forecast a company's profits and revenues, advise clients on whether to buy or sell, participate in seminars, and discussing financial matters with executives and evaluate annual reports.

A Researcher is a professional who is responsible for collecting data and information by reviewing the literature and conducting experiments and surveys. He or she uses various methodological processes to provide accurate data and information that is utilised by academicians and other industry professionals. Here, we will discuss what is a researcher, the researcher's salary, types of researchers.

Welding Engineer

Welding Engineer Job Description: A Welding Engineer work involves managing welding projects and supervising welding teams. He or she is responsible for reviewing welding procedures, processes and documentation. A career as Welding Engineer involves conducting failure analyses and causes on welding issues.

Transportation Planner

A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.

Environmental Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as an environmental engineer are construction professionals who utilise the skills and knowledge of biology, soil science, chemistry and the concept of engineering to design and develop projects that serve as solutions to various environmental problems.

Safety Manager

A Safety Manager is a professional responsible for employee’s safety at work. He or she plans, implements and oversees the company’s employee safety. A Safety Manager ensures compliance and adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines.

Conservation Architect

A Conservation Architect is a professional responsible for conserving and restoring buildings or monuments having a historic value. He or she applies techniques to document and stabilise the object’s state without any further damage. A Conservation Architect restores the monuments and heritage buildings to bring them back to their original state.

Structural Engineer

A Structural Engineer designs buildings, bridges, and other related structures. He or she analyzes the structures and makes sure the structures are strong enough to be used by the people. A career as a Structural Engineer requires working in the construction process. It comes under the civil engineering discipline. A Structure Engineer creates structural models with the help of computer-aided design software.

Highway Engineer

Highway Engineer Job Description: A Highway Engineer is a civil engineer who specialises in planning and building thousands of miles of roads that support connectivity and allow transportation across the country. He or she ensures that traffic management schemes are effectively planned concerning economic sustainability and successful implementation.

Field Surveyor

Are you searching for a Field Surveyor Job Description? A Field Surveyor is a professional responsible for conducting field surveys for various places or geographical conditions. He or she collects the required data and information as per the instructions given by senior officials.

Orthotist and Prosthetist

Orthotists and Prosthetists are professionals who provide aid to patients with disabilities. They fix them to artificial limbs (prosthetics) and help them to regain stability. There are times when people lose their limbs in an accident. In some other occasions, they are born without a limb or orthopaedic impairment. Orthotists and prosthetists play a crucial role in their lives with fixing them to assistive devices and provide mobility.

Pathologist

A career in pathology in India is filled with several responsibilities as it is a medical branch and affects human lives. The demand for pathologists has been increasing over the past few years as people are getting more aware of different diseases. Not only that, but an increase in population and lifestyle changes have also contributed to the increase in a pathologist’s demand. The pathology careers provide an extremely huge number of opportunities and if you want to be a part of the medical field you can consider being a pathologist. If you want to know more about a career in pathology in India then continue reading this article.

Veterinary Doctor

Speech therapist, gynaecologist.

Gynaecology can be defined as the study of the female body. The job outlook for gynaecology is excellent since there is evergreen demand for one because of their responsibility of dealing with not only women’s health but also fertility and pregnancy issues. Although most women prefer to have a women obstetrician gynaecologist as their doctor, men also explore a career as a gynaecologist and there are ample amounts of male doctors in the field who are gynaecologists and aid women during delivery and childbirth.

Audiologist

The audiologist career involves audiology professionals who are responsible to treat hearing loss and proactively preventing the relevant damage. Individuals who opt for a career as an audiologist use various testing strategies with the aim to determine if someone has a normal sensitivity to sounds or not. After the identification of hearing loss, a hearing doctor is required to determine which sections of the hearing are affected, to what extent they are affected, and where the wound causing the hearing loss is found. As soon as the hearing loss is identified, the patients are provided with recommendations for interventions and rehabilitation such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and appropriate medical referrals. While audiology is a branch of science that studies and researches hearing, balance, and related disorders.

An oncologist is a specialised doctor responsible for providing medical care to patients diagnosed with cancer. He or she uses several therapies to control the cancer and its effect on the human body such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and biopsy. An oncologist designs a treatment plan based on a pathology report after diagnosing the type of cancer and where it is spreading inside the body.

Are you searching for an ‘Anatomist job description’? An Anatomist is a research professional who applies the laws of biological science to determine the ability of bodies of various living organisms including animals and humans to regenerate the damaged or destroyed organs. If you want to know what does an anatomist do, then read the entire article, where we will answer all your questions.

For an individual who opts for a career as an actor, the primary responsibility is to completely speak to the character he or she is playing and to persuade the crowd that the character is genuine by connecting with them and bringing them into the story. This applies to significant roles and littler parts, as all roles join to make an effective creation. Here in this article, we will discuss how to become an actor in India, actor exams, actor salary in India, and actor jobs.

Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats create and direct original routines for themselves, in addition to developing interpretations of existing routines. The work of circus acrobats can be seen in a variety of performance settings, including circus, reality shows, sports events like the Olympics, movies and commercials. Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats must be prepared to face rejections and intermittent periods of work. The creativity of acrobats may extend to other aspects of the performance. For example, acrobats in the circus may work with gym trainers, celebrities or collaborate with other professionals to enhance such performance elements as costume and or maybe at the teaching end of the career.

Video Game Designer

Career as a video game designer is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. A video game designer is someone who is involved in the process of creating a game from day one. He or she is responsible for fulfilling duties like designing the character of the game, the several levels involved, plot, art and similar other elements. Individuals who opt for a career as a video game designer may also write the codes for the game using different programming languages.

Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.

Radio Jockey

Radio Jockey is an exciting, promising career and a great challenge for music lovers. If you are really interested in a career as radio jockey, then it is very important for an RJ to have an automatic, fun, and friendly personality. If you want to get a job done in this field, a strong command of the language and a good voice are always good things. Apart from this, in order to be a good radio jockey, you will also listen to good radio jockeys so that you can understand their style and later make your own by practicing.

A career as radio jockey has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. If you want to know more about a career as radio jockey, and how to become a radio jockey then continue reading the article.

Choreographer

The word “choreography" actually comes from Greek words that mean “dance writing." Individuals who opt for a career as a choreographer create and direct original dances, in addition to developing interpretations of existing dances. A Choreographer dances and utilises his or her creativity in other aspects of dance performance. For example, he or she may work with the music director to select music or collaborate with other famous choreographers to enhance such performance elements as lighting, costume and set design.

Social Media Manager

A career as social media manager involves implementing the company’s or brand’s marketing plan across all social media channels. Social media managers help in building or improving a brand’s or a company’s website traffic, build brand awareness, create and implement marketing and brand strategy. Social media managers are key to important social communication as well.

Photographer

Photography is considered both a science and an art, an artistic means of expression in which the camera replaces the pen. In a career as a photographer, an individual is hired to capture the moments of public and private events, such as press conferences or weddings, or may also work inside a studio, where people go to get their picture clicked. Photography is divided into many streams each generating numerous career opportunities in photography. With the boom in advertising, media, and the fashion industry, photography has emerged as a lucrative and thrilling career option for many Indian youths.

An individual who is pursuing a career as a producer is responsible for managing the business aspects of production. They are involved in each aspect of production from its inception to deception. Famous movie producers review the script, recommend changes and visualise the story.

They are responsible for overseeing the finance involved in the project and distributing the film for broadcasting on various platforms. A career as a producer is quite fulfilling as well as exhaustive in terms of playing different roles in order for a production to be successful. Famous movie producers are responsible for hiring creative and technical personnel on contract basis.

Copy Writer

In a career as a copywriter, one has to consult with the client and understand the brief well. A career as a copywriter has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. Several new mediums of advertising are opening therefore making it a lucrative career choice. Students can pursue various copywriter courses such as Journalism , Advertising , Marketing Management . Here, we have discussed how to become a freelance copywriter, copywriter career path, how to become a copywriter in India, and copywriting career outlook.

In a career as a vlogger, one generally works for himself or herself. However, once an individual has gained viewership there are several brands and companies that approach them for paid collaboration. It is one of those fields where an individual can earn well while following his or her passion.

Ever since internet costs got reduced the viewership for these types of content has increased on a large scale. Therefore, a career as a vlogger has a lot to offer. If you want to know more about the Vlogger eligibility, roles and responsibilities then continue reading the article.

For publishing books, newspapers, magazines and digital material, editorial and commercial strategies are set by publishers. Individuals in publishing career paths make choices about the markets their businesses will reach and the type of content that their audience will be served. Individuals in book publisher careers collaborate with editorial staff, designers, authors, and freelance contributors who develop and manage the creation of content.

Careers in journalism are filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. One cannot afford to miss out on the details. As it is the small details that provide insights into a story. Depending on those insights a journalist goes about writing a news article. A journalism career can be stressful at times but if you are someone who is passionate about it then it is the right choice for you. If you want to know more about the media field and journalist career then continue reading this article.

Individuals in the editor career path is an unsung hero of the news industry who polishes the language of the news stories provided by stringers, reporters, copywriters and content writers and also news agencies. Individuals who opt for a career as an editor make it more persuasive, concise and clear for readers. In this article, we will discuss the details of the editor's career path such as how to become an editor in India, editor salary in India and editor skills and qualities.

Individuals who opt for a career as a reporter may often be at work on national holidays and festivities. He or she pitches various story ideas and covers news stories in risky situations. Students can pursue a BMC (Bachelor of Mass Communication) , B.M.M. (Bachelor of Mass Media) , or MAJMC (MA in Journalism and Mass Communication) to become a reporter. While we sit at home reporters travel to locations to collect information that carries a news value.

Corporate Executive

Are you searching for a Corporate Executive job description? A Corporate Executive role comes with administrative duties. He or she provides support to the leadership of the organisation. A Corporate Executive fulfils the business purpose and ensures its financial stability. In this article, we are going to discuss how to become corporate executive.

Multimedia Specialist

A multimedia specialist is a media professional who creates, audio, videos, graphic image files, computer animations for multimedia applications. He or she is responsible for planning, producing, and maintaining websites and applications.

Quality Controller

A quality controller plays a crucial role in an organisation. He or she is responsible for performing quality checks on manufactured products. He or she identifies the defects in a product and rejects the product.

A quality controller records detailed information about products with defects and sends it to the supervisor or plant manager to take necessary actions to improve the production process.

Production Manager

A QA Lead is in charge of the QA Team. The role of QA Lead comes with the responsibility of assessing services and products in order to determine that he or she meets the quality standards. He or she develops, implements and manages test plans.

Process Development Engineer

The Process Development Engineers design, implement, manufacture, mine, and other production systems using technical knowledge and expertise in the industry. They use computer modeling software to test technologies and machinery. An individual who is opting career as Process Development Engineer is responsible for developing cost-effective and efficient processes. They also monitor the production process and ensure it functions smoothly and efficiently.

AWS Solution Architect

An AWS Solution Architect is someone who specializes in developing and implementing cloud computing systems. He or she has a good understanding of the various aspects of cloud computing and can confidently deploy and manage their systems. He or she troubleshoots the issues and evaluates the risk from the third party.

Azure Administrator

An Azure Administrator is a professional responsible for implementing, monitoring, and maintaining Azure Solutions. He or she manages cloud infrastructure service instances and various cloud servers as well as sets up public and private cloud systems.

Computer Programmer

Careers in computer programming primarily refer to the systematic act of writing code and moreover include wider computer science areas. The word 'programmer' or 'coder' has entered into practice with the growing number of newly self-taught tech enthusiasts. Computer programming careers involve the use of designs created by software developers and engineers and transforming them into commands that can be implemented by computers. These commands result in regular usage of social media sites, word-processing applications and browsers.

Information Security Manager

Individuals in the information security manager career path involves in overseeing and controlling all aspects of computer security. The IT security manager job description includes planning and carrying out security measures to protect the business data and information from corruption, theft, unauthorised access, and deliberate attack

ITSM Manager

Automation test engineer.

An Automation Test Engineer job involves executing automated test scripts. He or she identifies the project’s problems and troubleshoots them. The role involves documenting the defect using management tools. He or she works with the application team in order to resolve any issues arising during the testing process.

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Air pollution: Impact and prevention

Martha patricia sierra-vargas.

1 National Institute for Respiratory Diseases ‘Ismael Cosío Villegas’, México

LUIS M TERAN

2 Biomedicine in the Post-Genomic Era, Huitzilac, Morelos, Mexico

Air pollution is becoming a major health problem that affects millions of people worldwide. In support of this observation, the World Health Organization estimates that every year, 2.4 million people die because of the effects of air pollution on health. Mitigation strategies such as changes in diesel engine technology could result in fewer premature mortalities, as suggested by the US Environmental Protection Agency. This review: (i) discusses the impact of air pollution on respiratory disease; (ii) provides evidence that reducing air pollution may have a positive impact on the prevention of disease; and (iii) demonstrates the impact concerted polices may have on population health when governments take actions to reduce air pollution.

INTRODUCTION

Environmental pollution has been a matter of concern for many years. The Mellon Institute of Pittsburgh, PA, USA, sponsored the first broad scientific study of smoke abatement, which resulted in legislation designed to decrease the effects of smoke. 1 It is now well known that environmental contamination impacts on health; the World Health Organization estimates that every year, 2.4 million people die from causes associated with air pollution. It is increasingly recognized that implementation of strategies to reduce pollution can have substantial health benefits. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed that the implementation of measures to reduce emissions from diesel e ngines could result in 12 000 fewer mortalities and prevent 15 000 heart attacks and 8900 hospital admissions in the United States each year. 2 The aim of this review is to provide information on the impact of pollution on respiratory health, as well as to discuss strategies for reducing air pollution, as proposed in a number of clinical reports. Particulate matter (PM) and ozone (O 3 ) pollution are major causes of concern in the community.

PARTICULATE MATTER (PM)

PM is a complex mixture of solid and liquid particles suspended in air that is released into the atmosphere when coal, gasoline, diesel fuels and wood are burned. It is also produced by chemical reactions of nitrogen oxides and organic compounds that occur in the environment. Vegetation and livestock are also sources of PM. In big cities, production of PM is attributed to cars, trucks and coal-fired power plants.

The health effects of PM depend on several factors, including the size and composition of the particles, the level and duration of exposure, and the gender, age and sensitivity of the exposed individual. Symptoms of exposure may include persistent cough, sore throat, burning eyes and chest tightness. PM may also trigger asthma or lead to premature death, particularly in elderly individuals with pre-existing disease. 3,4 In addition, people who are active outdoors are at higher risk, as physical activity increases the amounts of PM penetrating into the airways. People with disease (e.g. diabetes mellitus, malnutrition) are also at increased risk. 5–7 A comprehensive review on diesel PM by Ristovski et al . was published in an earlier issue of this review series on air pollution and lung disease. 8

OZONE (O 3 )

O 3 is mainly formed by the interaction of ultraviolet light with both nitrogen oxides and organic compounds. O 3 exhibits potent anti-oxidant properties and induces alterations in the airways that depend on concentration and the duration of exposure.

EFFECTS ON RESPIRATORY HEALTH

The airways are a point of entry for pollutants, which in turn may cause lung disease. For example, PM may be deposited into any of the three respiratory compartments: the extrathoracic, tracheobronchial and alveolar regions. 9 PM > 10 µm in diameter (coarse particles) is deposited in the extrathoracic region, PM with a diameter between 5 and 10 µm is deposited in the tracheobronchial region and particles <2.5 µm in diameter (fine particles) are deposited in the alveolar region ( Fig. 1 , Table 1 ). 10 For particles between 3 and 5 µm in diameter, the total deposition fraction is greater for women than for men. 11 The potential health effects of greatest concern are associated with particles that penetrate to the tracheobronchial and alveolar regions. 12 The deposition rate may also be increased in individuals with pre-existing respiratory disease, as compared with healthy individuals. 13 It has been suggested that particles ≤0.1 µm in diameter (ultrafine particles) are more toxic than larger particles as they may cover a greater area of the alveolus. One host defence mechanism is phagocytosis of ultrafine particles by alveolar macrophages ( Fig. 2 ). However, due to their small size, ultrafine particles overwhelm macrophage phagocytosis, resulting in increased penetration, which causes deleterious effects in other organs (e.g. brain, heart, bone marrow, etc.). 14,15

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Regional deposition of particles in the human respiratory tract.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) terminology for particle sizes

d pa , aerodynamic particle diameter.

Data taken from http://www.epa.gov/apti/bces/module3/category/category.htm

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Alveolar deposition of particles and cell activation. Particles deposited in the bronchoalveolar region may be trapped and are cleared by the mucus layer (1); particles phagocytosed by alveolar macrophages follow the lymphatic clearance pathway, can impair phagocytosis and trigger the release of inflammatory mediators (2, 3) and neutrophil chemotactic factors, which in turn results in the release of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (4). Furthermore, soluble particle components (e.g. metals) can cross the epithelial barrier and be distributed to other organs where they can cause adverse effects (5). ICAM, intercellular adhesion molecule; IL, interleukin; MPO, myeloperoxidase; VCAM, vascular cell adhesion molecule (6).

Toxicological studies have demonstrated the translocation of particles from the olfactory mucosa via axons to the olfactory bulb of the brain. 16,17 Indoor activities in the home that result in the generation of particles include cooking (in ovens, toasting, frying, barbecuing), cleaning (dusting, sweeping, vacuuming) and the movement of people. Ozkaynak et al . reported that cooking resulted in the generation of 4.1 ± 1.6 mg/min of PM 10 , with the fine fraction contributing 40% of the total PM. 18 Once PM enters the body, it affects different organ systems.

The source and composition of particles determine their toxicity, 19,20 but size is a major factor determining toxicity in the lungs due to the generation of reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species. Particle size may also physically hinder macrophage clearance, 21 thereby increasing toxicity. In general, particles exacerbate acute and pre-existing respiratory diseases, including viral infections, asthma, bronchitis and chronic respiratory disease. 22–24 Many transition metals present on particles serve as catalysts for a Fenton-like reaction that initiates the production of reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species, resulting in an inflammatory response. Using electron microscopy, Brauer et al . 25 showed significantly higher particle concentrations in the lungs, at autopsy of Mexican females who had never smoked, as compared with control Vancouver residents. Interestingly, Budinger et al . 26 reported that inhalation of PM 2.5 was sufficient to activate coagulation and inhibit fibrinolysis. Traffic particles appear to be more strongly associated with these effects, 27 as they are rich in elemental carbon, which can cause an increase in respiratory symptoms in children 28,29 and women living in urban areas. 30

It is now well established that exposure to O 3 impairs lung function. In healthy individuals, O 3 causes reductions in vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s and lung resistance. The effects of O 3 exposure increase with physical exercise. Patients with respiratory diseases are more susceptible to the effects of O 3 . Under conditions of oxidizing air pollution, as in summer, O 3 exposure may lead to asthma exacerbations.

ALLERGIC DISEASES

Allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis are very common in children and young adults. In most cases, asthma in these groups of patients is characterized by increased synthesis of immunoglobulin E against common allergens. 31 Exposure of these patients to specific aeroallergens such as pollens leads to a series of immunological changes culminating in the symptoms of asthma. It is now well established that increased air pollution affects pollen production, which in turn impacts negatively on the prevalence and severity of allergic asthma.

Diesel exhaust contains numerous pollutants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which enhance allergenicity and asthma symptoms by acting in synergy with allergens. Experimental studies conducted by Muranaka et al . 32 showed that diesel-exhaust particles act as an adjuvant for immunoglobulin E production in response to specific allergens (ovalbumin or Japanese Cedar pollen). Moreover, inhalation of diesel-exhaust particle leads to a typical asthma phenotype, characterized by pulmonary inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. 33,34 It has been proposed that when diesel-exhaust particles are engulfed by macrophages, a Th2-type inflammatory response is induced, whereas diesel-exhaust particles that are not engulfed produce a Th1-type inflammatory response. 35–37

High carbon dioxide concentrations in the environment increase both pollen production and the allergenicity of pollen. Indeed, Singer et al . 38 showed that high concentrations of carbon dioxide enhanced the production of Amb a 1, an allergenic protein in ragweed pollen, while Ziska et al . 39 reported that in urban locations where carbon dioxide concentrations are higher, ragweed produces greater amounts of pollen (which contains the Amb allergen) than it does in rural locations. The enhanced allergenicity of pollen may be explained by the synergistic association between allergen-loaded pollen debris and aromatic hydrocarbons contained in fine particles. 40

On the other hand, traffic-related pollutants (nitrogen dioxide, O 3 ) can trigger the release of allergens from pollen granules, leading to an increase in the concentration of airborne pollen allergens. 41 For example, Dutch children attending schools that were within 400 m of a major roadway showed increased sensitization to outdoor allergens; the relationship between symptoms and traffic-related pollution was observed mainly in children who were sensitive to allergens. 42 Similarly, increased levels of O 3 and PM 2.5 in summer were found to be associated with a higher prevalence of respiratory allergy symptoms in US children living in urban areas. 43 D'Amato et al . 44 hypothesize that air pollutants: (i) allow easier penetration of pollen allergens into the airways; (ii) increase the release of antigens from pollen grains, thereby leading to allergic responses; and (iii) absorb pollen grains, leading to prolonged retention of pollen grains in the body. A recent prospective birth cohort study involving over 2000 children showed that exposure to ambient PM increased the risk of atopic diseases. 45

MECHANISMS OF LUNG DAMAGE

Oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress plays a central role in the mechanisms by which air pollutants damage human health. In addition, reactive nitrogen species are generated in the lungs following exposure to particles. Nitric oxide released by inflammatory cells reacts with superoxide anion radicals to form peroxynitrite, which then initiates the nitration of tyrosine residues on proteins. These changes contribute to the progression of disease. 46,47 On the other hand, the endogenous pool of H 2 O 2 reacts with some enzymes such as myeloperoxidase to produce highly reactive metabolites (hypochlorous acid). 47,48 Vujovic et al . reported an increase in malondialdehyde concentrations, whereas there was a reduction in superoxide dismutase activity (anti-oxidant defence) in children exposed to air pollution. 49 Similarly, increased plasma levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances have been associated with exposure to black carbon and PM 2.5 . 50 Individuals living in a polluted environment also showed increased plasma levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. 52

In animals, intratracheal instillation of PM causes a significant increase in serum levels of cytokines such as interleukin-6. 53 Human macrophages exposed to particles, release a range of cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, macrophage inflammatory protein-1-α and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor. 54 These cytokines activate nuclear factor kappa B and/or activator protein 1. 55,56 Ultrafine black carbon is also involved in the activation of nuclear factor kappa B via protein kinase C. 57,58 Metals contained in PM can induce a series of redox reactions causing oxidative DNA damage.

We have shown that exposure to O 3 results in the release of increased levels of growth-related oncogene-α into the airway lining fluid in normal subjects. 59 Interestingly, in a separate study, we demonstrated that neutrophils from asthmatic patients exposed to fine particles (PM 2.5 ) generated reactive oxygen species. 60 There is also a relationship between air pollution and cancer; pollutants may increase the risk of cancer through the formation of reactive oxygen species, especially hydroxyl and superoxide anion radicals, which may induce oxidative damage to cellular membrane lipids, protein enzymes and DNA. 61

PREVENTION OF AIR POLLUTION

Clinical studies.

It is well understood that pollution has a profound effect on health; therefore, reduction of pollution has a positive effect on health, particularly the health of susceptible individuals. The first population-based study that showed significant improvements in life expectancy in relation to reductions in PM 2.5 concentrations was conducted in the United States, 62 and showed a clear relationship between reduction in fine-particle concentrations and life expectancy. This observation was confirmed in a cohort study of Swiss adults, which demonstrated that decreases in ambient PM 10 levels were associated with reductions in respiratory symptoms. 63

Reductions in the levels of air pollution can be achieved in many ways, and governments can play a key role. Figure 3 shows PM 10 levels in some of the most polluted countries. For example, during the 2008 Olympic Games, the Chinese government was able to control air pollution. 64 This resulted in a 41.6% decrease in the average number of outpatient visits for asthma during the Olympics, as compared with before the games started. A separate study of 36 fourth-grade Beijing children, before, during and after the Beijing Olympics, showed that fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels were significantly lower during the period of the Olympics and increased by 16.6% in the first hours after exposure, suggesting that rapid inflammatory changes took place. 65

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Pollution in 37 cities selected from 91 countries, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Particulate matter (PM) 10 levels >20 µg/m 3 may pose health risks (data taken from http://apps.who.int/ghodata/?vid=4201 ).

In rural Mexico, a randomized trial of properly vented wood-burning cooking stoves versus open fires showed reductions in the longitudinal decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s and improvements in respiratory symptoms, when proper cooking stoves were used. 66 The use of improved cooking stoves has also been found to halve the exposure to carbon monoxide and resulted in a lower rate of diagnosis of pneumonia. 67

Evidence is accumulating that polymorphisms in several genes involved in oxidative stress play an important role in susceptibility to O 3 . 68–70 These genes include those coding for phase II enzymes, including glucuronosyl transferases, glutathione S -transferases (GST), NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductases and N -acetyltransferases, all of which mediate the detoxification and elimination of toxic products.

GSTM1 and GSTP1 have been the most frequently studied enzymes. A study of Mexican children exposed to high concentrations of O 3 showed an association between polymorphisms in the oxidative stress-related GSTM1 gene and the development of asthma. 68 Interestingly, children with the GSTM1-null genotype were more susceptible to the effects of O 3 . However, taking supplements containing the anti-oxidant vitamins C and E conferred protection against O 3 exposure. 68 Similarly, sulforaphane, a potent inducer of phase II enzymes, was also shown to enhance enzyme expression and downregulate inflammatory responses in human bronchial epithelial cells; 69 sulforaphane increased GSTM1 and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 expression, as well as GST activity while decreasing cytokine production. More recently, long-term supplementation with D-α-tocopheryl acetate, a natural vitamin E anti-oxidant, was shown to inhibit oxidant stress in the airways of mild atopic asthmatics exposed to segmental allergen challenge; improvements in allergic inflammation and bronchial hyperreactivity were observed. 70 Studies of additional genes involved in the oxidative stress response have been reviewed previously. 71

AIR POLLUTION AND CLIMATE-CHANGE MITIGATION

Climate change can enhance the levels of some environmental pollutants, including O 3 and PM 2.5 . For example, the formation of photochemical smog and O 3 increases with higher temperatures. Doherty et al . quantified the burden of heat and O 3 on mortality in 15 UK conurbations during the 2003, 2005 and 2006 heatwave periods. 72 The results indicated that the number of deaths attributable to O 3 was higher than the number attributable to heat. Furthermore, O 3 concentrations rose significantly during the summer of 2003, reaching a maximum of 100 ppb. 72 Ambient concentrations of particles may increase due to forest fires that are a consequence of a dry environment and other climatological effects such as El Niño. During 1998 in Indonesia, forest fires linked with El Niño resulted in the exposure of some 20 million people across South-East Asia to harmful smoke-borne pollutants. Monthly PM 10 values, which usually fluctuate between 30 and 50 µg/m 3 , increased to between 60 and 110 µg/m 3 during September–October 1997. The incidence of medical complaints rose by about 30% during this period.

Some of the planned climate-change mitigation strategies include more efficient use of fossil fuels for industrial processes and electricity generation, switching to renewable energy (solar/wind/wave power), increasing the fuel efficiency of vehicles, improving the insulation of buildings, growing new forests, nuclear power and carbon sequestration. It is generally accepted that efforts in all these areas will, at best, prevent further warming but not reverse existing warming.

The Mexican Government recently introduced significant measures aimed at reducing climate change, including a law to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30% by 2020 and by 50% below 2000 levels by 2050. 73 Furthermore, it aims to generate 35% of the country's energy from renewable sources by 2024. At the beginning of 2001, the authorities in Monterrey, Mexico, built a 7-megawatt plant that converts 214 million m 3 of landfill gas into electricity and powers the light rail transit system and city street lighting at night. Despite these changes, Mexico still faces some hurdles, including enforcement of the new laws; current problems include urban planning, excessive industrialization and traffic jams in large cities. In this regard, the United Kingdom has implemented some measures in London, to take taxis older than 15 years and private hire vehicles older than 10 years off the road, build bicycle superhighways (cycle revolution) and introduce 300 hybrid buses by the end of 2012.

Urban forests and green roofs have also been proposed as strategies for reducing pollution in urban areas. 74 Vegetation removes pollutants in several ways; by absorbing gaseous pollutants, through interception of PM by leaves, and by breaking down organic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. 75 Transpirational cooling also reduces temperatures indirectly, which results in a reduction in photochemical reactions that form O 3 and other air pollutants in the atmosphere. It has been estimated that in the United States, trees remove 711 000 metric tonnes of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, O 3 , PM and sulphur dioxide per year. 76 However, in many urban areas, there is little space for planting trees or cultivating urban forests. For example, in the mid-Manhattan, west section of New York, 94% of the land is covered with concrete, leaving little space for planting trees at ground level. 77 However, rooftops, which often comprise nearly half the impermeable area in a city, provide an opportunity for growing vegetation. 78 Two thousand square metres of uncut grass on a green roof can remove upto 4000 kg of PM. 79

Public policy and individual action are both required to reduce the effects of pollutants on respiratory health. Interventions at the individual level may include the avoidance of exercise or cycling near busy roadways to reduce exposure, and improvements in the ventilation of homes in which biomass fuels are used. Moreover, public policies can encourage or mandate engineering solutions that drastically reduce emissions from cooking stoves and vehicles. Trials such as those performed during the Beijing Olympics have demonstrated how such changes may have implications for human health. Taken together, these observations suggest that reducing the levels of air pollutants will have a substantial impact on health, particularly the health of patients with respiratory diseases.

The main public health responses to the projected health impacts of climate change are mitigation and adaptation. Adaptation is not an effective risk management strategy for poor air quality, because physiological mechanisms for decreasing susceptibility to O 3 and other air pollutants are limited. Therefore, if improved modelling experiments continue to predict higher O 3 concentrations with changing climate, rapid reductions in emissions from the burning of fossil fuels are needed, in order to protect the health of current and future generations. Evidence suggests that reducing current tropospheric O 3 concentrations reduces morbidity and mortality, with significant savings in the costs of medical care. 80

CONCLUSIONS

Air pollution currently affects the health of millions of people. We have presented evidence on the effects of pollutants on patients with limitations in their respiratory capacities. For example, O 3 and PM may trigger asthma symptoms or lead to premature death, particularly in elderly individuals with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular disease. In addition, pollutants enhance the release of allergenic pollen grains, which results in an increased prevalence of pollen-induced asthma. Thus, the case for action to reduce air pollution is overwhelming and this action can take many forms. Some of these include urban planning, technological developments (e.g. the design of new vehicles that produce less pollution), and at the government level, the introduction of new laws. It has been estimated that reducing both black carbon and O 3 levels would prevent over 3 million premature deaths and increase crop yields by around 50 million tonnes annually. Improvements to cooking stoves would also decrease demand for firewood and reduce deforestation in the developing world. Similarly, improved brick kilns that are used in parts of Latin America and Asia use 50% of the fuel used by traditional kilns. 81

If air pollution levels in heavy traffic areas were reduced, the incidence of asthma and other respiratory diseases would be significantly reduced. 28 While it is generally accepted that efforts to reduce air pollution will prevent further environmental changes, they will not reverse existing warming. Interestingly, an increasing number of studies show that in individuals with low anti-oxidant levels, dietary supplements could be used as a promising approach to reducing susceptibility to air pollution, and providing an alternative strategy for neutralizing the effects of pollutants on health.

Environment

Ways To Reduce Pollution Essay Example

In order to keep a healthy and clean neighborhood, we must prevent pollution. Pollution such as air and water pollution can affect living things. Here are some ways to reduce pollution around your neighborhood.

The first way to start reducing pollution is by cleaning up rubbish. It does sound boring, so a fun way to do it is by having a gotong - royong with your neighbors. Not only would cleaning be 10 times faster, but the bond between you and your neighbor would also be closer and stronger. A few ways to do gotong - royong is by cleaning rubbish in the drain to prevent disease such as dengue and planting more trees. By planting trees, we can increase the oxygen in our neighborhood, making us breathe cleaner air and prevent air pollution.

Open burning is also the cause of pollution. Based on research, toxic gasses such as methane are released during an open fire. This causes respiratory problems to people, especially the elders. An easy way to prevent this is by spreading information about the bad effects of open burning. In this way, people would get to understand about it more and proceed to not do anymore open burnings. We can spread it by handing out pamphlets or through social media posts.

People who have a bad habit of littering everywhere such as at the side of the road and in the river should be punished. Therefore, a thing that the authorities should do is by imposing hefty fines. This step should be done to stop people from throwing rubbish everywhere. This will also make them start to throw rubbish properly into a trash can that has been provided in order to prevent them from getting fined.

We can also practice recycling. This activity helps us to prevent pollution too by reducing the need to collect new raw materials. We can recycle by organizing recyclable items like newspaper, aluminum, glass and more. We then drop them off to the recycling station in order for the manufacturer to collect them and make them into new items.

The last way is to buy second hand items from bazaars. Second hand items are cheaper since they're used, but that doesn't mean the quality is bad. Some of the qualities are even as good as new. Moreover, it's affordable and saves us more money. We can also sell our own second hand items. One example is old clothes. Instead of throwing them away, we sell them at a reasonable price.

In conclusion, they're many ways to reduce pollution in our neighborhood. If we work together to do these steps, we can ensure a better lifestyle.

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Five Ways to Reduce Air pollution in Cities | Article & Essay

1.1 1. Controlling of Air Particulates
1.2 2. Scrubbers
1.3 3. Electrostatic Precipitators
1.4 4. Bag-house Filters
1.5.1.1 5.1.1 Wet Scrubbers and Packed Scrubbers
1.5.1.2 5.1.2 Flue Gas Desulphurization
1.5.2 5.2 Adsorption
1.5.3 5.3 Incineration
1.6 6. Carbon Sequestration

5 Ways to Control Air Pollution in 2021

Control of air pollution basically means adopting ways and technique to stop the harmful emissions of gases into the ecosystem, thus creating a balanced ecosystem and thus establishing pillars for a healthy life. The control of air pollution is definitely one of the major principles adopted apart from control of land and water pollution.

Air is polluted only when there is a presence of certain substances in high concentrations and exposure for long durations causes harmful or undesirable effects. Adverse effects on human life, health, ecosystem, property, and atmospheric visibility are its major drawbacks. Natural sources or manmade activities both can be the common reason for pollution. Volcanic eruption or forest fires or any other natural phenomena may not an immediate effect on local or regional ecosystem but has an effect globally or worldwide.

However natural occurrence such as industrialisation or excessive emission from vehicles aren’t in our control but only the man made reasons can be mitigated or eliminated Combustion is the major reason for pollution or contamination of air. Burning of fossil fuels such as coal was the major cause of pollution in London and other European cities in middle age. With the wake up of Industrialisation in the 19th century, burning and use of fossil fuel increased which intensified the harmful effects caused.

The invention of mobile sources of pollution which is gasoline powered highway vehicles—had a disastrous impact on air quality and was the reason of pollution in cities. Not before the middle of 20th century the level of pollution was realised and attempts were made for its mitigation. Protecting and preserving ambient, or outdoor, air quality is the primary focus of air pollution control in industrialized lands, cities and countries.

Control of a small number of specific pollutants who contribute to smog and life threatening public health problems. The pollutants include fine particulates, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and lead. Since the end of the 20th century, there also has been a trace of air toxics which basically cause hazardous effect on air. Most air toxics are organic chemicals containing carbon, hydrogen and other molecules.

Specific emission regulations are installed against those pollutants. In addition, the greenhouse effects are observed which has an everlasting and long term effect on the environment. The greenhouse gases ozone, methane, CFCs, nitrous oxide etc.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency implanted that greenhouse gases cause threat to human health and should be subject under regulation as a major source of air pollution. The most suitable way to protect air quality is to reduce the emission of pollutants by making a swift change to cleaner fuels and processes.

Pollutants which are not eliminated must be collected or filtered by a best air-cleaning device as soon as it is generated and before it can escape into the atmosphere polluting it. Such types of devices are described below :

1. Controlling of Air Particulates

A variety of physical processes can help to trap the air borne particles and later filter them. Cyclones, electrostatic precipitators, scrubbers, bag house filters are common types of equipment for collecting fine particulates.

Agglomerates are formed after collection where particles adhere to each other which can be later filtered and eliminated from the equipment and disposed of, in a landfill mostly. Each air pollution control level is separate and distinct and it is usually impossible to decide on the best type of particle collector device, it must be decided on case by case protocols.

Corrosivity, shape, density, reactivity and size distribution are the important characteristics which decides the selection of collector device. Temperature, viscosity, pressure, removal efficiency, flow rate are other factors kept in consideration.

Cyclone collectors are often used for controlling the emission of industrial dust. Whereas wet scrubbers are preferred in case of flammable or explosive dusts. Electrostatic precipitators and baghouse filters are used in power plants mostly. A dirty airstream is allowed to flow in a spiral pattern within a cylindrical chamber in a cyclone.

A vortex is formed as the dirty air enters the chamber from a tangential direction. It basically swirls within the chamber. The particles having greater inertia which is a dependent factor on its size are forced against the chamber walls. They gradually slide downwards into a conical pattern at the bottom which happens because it is slowed by friction. The cleaned by air swirls in a narrower spiral and within the inner cylinder. The dust accumulated is periodically removed and disposed.

2. Scrubbers

Wet scrubbers are devices responsible for trapping particles by spraying water or any other liquid. Basically, a scrubber does the job of washing the particles out of the airstream that contains dirt. This happens because they come in contact with various tiny water droplets.

Scrubbers with variety of configurations are in use and depending on its need we can easily opt for the best one. Spray tower scrubber is known to remove 90 percent of particulates and is about 8 μm in diameter. Characterised by an upward flowing air stream that is washed by water sprayed from a collection of nozzles.

In orifice, diameter is about 2 or even large. Efficiency is as high as 90 percent. Here the air and water mixture collides with a solid surface. Venturi scrubbers the most trusted scrubbers has a diameter of about 0.5 or larger and efficiency goes as high as 98%. It uses the principle of relative velocity that exists between the droplet and the particle.

3. Electrostatic Precipitators

For removing of fine particles from the airstream this method is preferred to a great extent. In this method the suspended particles in the airstream are given an electric charge on entering the unit and later with application of the phenomenon of electric field they are removed.

The unit comprises of baffles, electrodes and a dust clean out aperture and hoppers. The baffles are meant for distributing airflow. The electrodes are meant for discharge and collection. The hoppers are meant for collection. A direct current which is as high as 10000 volt is subjected to the discharge electrodes to charge the particle, on doing this they become charged negatively. As a result the particles get trapped and are eliminated.

The architecture of a typical electrode consists of large rectangular metal plates which are suspended vertically and stand parallel to each other. This forms a boxlike structure. In most cases, there exists hundred of such plates occupying a large area.

The plates being grounded are negatively charged whereas the wires which hang between the collection plates are negatively charged, and thus gets attracted. Particles sticking to the collection plates are periodically shaken. This is also termed as rapping. Rapping is thus a technique of separating the trapped particles from the plate.

4. Bag-house Filters

For removing suspended particles from polluted air, the most easiest method is an assembly of fabric filter bags called as baghouse. A traditional baghouse is all about an collection of narrow or long bags. This bags are about 10 inches in diameter and are suspended in an upside fashion. By the help of the bottom enclosure of fan the dust laden air is blown upwards.

Trapping of particles happens inside the bags, whereas through the fabric the clean air passes and exists at the top of baghouse. The efficiency of this is nearly about 100 percent and is thus preferred. The size ranges from 1 to as small as 0.01. They offer relatively higher resistance to airflow, which eventually ends up to substantial energy for the fan system. The air needs to be cooled in order to prolong the lifetime of fabric bag.

At a single baghouse installation, several compartments of filter bags are often used. This allows cleaning of individual compartments while others remain in service. Regularly these bags need to be cleaned by eliminating the layers of dust. The ways of doing it are done either by mechanically shaking them,that is reversing the flow of air and leads to collapse. Not too much of the built up dust must be eliminated entirely.

5. Control of Gases

There are major three methods namely absorption, adsorption,and incineration when it comes to controlling gaseous criteria pollutants as well as volatile compounds. Apply them either in an individual way or in combination, they work both ways. Control of major greenhouse gases can be combated that way. On top of this, there is another fourth technique known as carbon sequestration. It is mainly used as a means for controlling carbon dioxide levels.

5.1 Absorption

This involves the transfer of a gaseous pollutant from air into a contacting liquid,such as water. The liquid acts as a solvent for the chemical reaction that is ought to happen.

5.1.1 Wet Scrubbers and Packed Scrubbers

Wet scrubbers are those which is used for absorption of particulate matter by dispersing water droplets. Whereas packed scrubbers are used for gas absorption.

5.1.2 Flue Gas Desulphurization

Flue gas from fossil fuel can be controlled by means of an absorption process called as flue gas desulphurisation.

5.2 Adsorption

Gas adsorption can be different from absorption and is a surface phenomenon. On the surface of the solid the gas molecules are sorbed and attracted and thus held.This is mainly used for odour control.

5.3 Incineration

It is used to convert VOCs and other gaseous hydrocarbons pollutants to carbon dioxide and water. Hydrocarbon fumes usually is attained in a special incinerator called an after burner. To achieve the best proper amount of turbulence and burning time must be maintained at a sufficiently high temperature.

6. Carbon Sequestration

This is the principle of reducing the levels of carbon dioxide concentration in air and to use energy in a more productive way and reducing the emission of fossil fuels due to combustion by using alternative energy sources. These are the few ways which can be used to control or reduce air pollution.

10 Causes of Air Pollution

What the Experts Say

“Together, our recent studies represent both ends of the spectrum. In our previous study we showed associations between residential exposure to air pollution and Alzheimer’s-related changes in the brain in an autopsy cohort and now, we found similar results in a study of living adults who were on average 15 years younger and cognitively healthy. This is important because it shows that residential air pollution can negatively affect our brain even decades before we actually develop Alzheimer’s disease. This points to a sensitive time period for both exposure and opportunity, because that is time when prevention strategies and interventions are most effective.” — Anke Huels, PhD , the study’s lead author and an assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology at Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health. “We know that air pollution is generally bad for human health, including brain health. By showing a relationship to levels of the amyloid protein in the cerebrospinal fluid, this study suggests that air pollution might increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The flip side of that is that by cleaning up our environment, we might also help reduce the burden of Alzheimer’s disease.” — James Lah, MD/PhD , principal investigator of the Emory Healthy Brain Study and an associate professor in the Department of Neurology at Emory’s School of Medicine.

Ways to Reduce Air Pollution Exposure

Limit time and avoid physical activity outside on days when your local air quality index reports air quality is poor.
If you must be outside on poor air quality days, consider wearing a mask, such as an N95 mask.
Practice eating a healthy diet.
Engage in regular physical activity.
Prevent/manage high blood pressure and blood sugar.
Quit smoking and avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
Get plenty of sleep.
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Africa's fight against urban air pollution

Cities are growing rapidly in Africa, but many countries lack effective technologies to measure the associated air pollution. Experts are finding new ways to track air quality in hopes of reducing health risks.

Cameroon's capital, Yaounde, vibrates with the hum of engines. Exhaust from cars and factories mingles with the smoke from burning garbage and envelops the city in a gray smog.

"With urbanization and economic development, there is more pollution of air in urban areas, which exposes people to diseases that are linked to this polluted air," Felix Assah, a member of the population health research group at the University of Yaounde, told DW. Such diseases include cardiovascular and respiratory ailments, along with cancer.

Experts and organizations working for cleaner air in Africa recently met in Yaounde to discuss how they can cooperate to monitor air quality using sensor technology.

Innovative technology

Until now, measurement has been costly, but there have been advances, said Deo Okure, an air quality scientist at Kenya's Makerere University. Together with fellow researchers, Okure developed a local air monitoring system in 2015 that is cheap but effective. One advantage is that the system can be operated with different energy sources, Okure said. "At the same time," he said, "instead of requiring Wi-Fi, we are able to transmit data through the GSM or the SIM card that is used in all parts of Africa."

Although the technology provides important data, it is insufficient, Okure said, because it cannot yet clearly identify the sources of air pollution.

In Yaounde, another project has installed devices that monitor air quality in real time. Despite technological limitations, Ashu Ngono Stephanie, from Cameroon's National Meteorological Department, expects that this will make it easier to keep an eye on dust. "Having measuring devices on site is very valuable because we will be able to follow exactly what is happening on time as it concerns the different dust concentrations in the atmosphere," she said.

Yaounde is the 10th African city to use this technology to monitor air quality, with more than 200 monitoring devices installed across the continent. The data also serve as a basis for political decisions to reduce pollution.

Overpolluted and underrepresented

Some organizations warn that the measurement capacities are lagging behind urbanization. Africa is underrepresented in studies because data is either inadequate or not collected at all. This is also the case with the World Air Quality Report by the Swiss technology company IQAir, which specializes in developing air quality monitoring and air purification products.

The report includes data from measuring stations in 134 countries and regions in 2023. But 34% of Africa's population is not represented in the report because of a lack of publicly available data on air quality, the authors say. Countries such as Chad and Sudan were not included at all.

The report refers to PM2.5 values, or fine dust particles that are no larger than 2.5 micrometers in diameter — roughly equivalent to the thickness of cobwebs. The World Health Organization recommends that these particles should not exceed an average of 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air per year.

The most polluted cities in Africa exceed this value by a factor of eight to 11, the report found. These include such capital cities as Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo ; Cairo, Egypt ; Abuja. Nigeria ; and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso). Two South African cities topped the list: the capital, Bloemfontein, and the coal-mining town of Benoni.

Data sparks change

Another new report by the international environmental protection organization Greenpeace found that Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa are the most polluted countries in Africa when it comes to the industrial and economic sectors, including the fossil fuel industry .

Data from satellites and even fuel sales in the individual countries made it possible to investigate the source of emissions. "We found out that satellites monitoring air pollution regularly find emission hotspots that align with thermal power plants, cement plants, metal smelters, industrial zones and urban areas," Cynthia Moyo, climate and energy campaign manager at Greenpeace Africa in Johannesburg, told DW. "Six of the 10 largest nitrogen dioxide emission hotspots in the world and two of the 10 largest sulphur dioxide emission hotspots are here in South Africa ."

Areas such as Mpumalanga, in the east of the country, where burning coal to generate electricity is a major industry, stand out in particular, Moyo said. Eskom, a public utility whose sole shareholder is the South African government, operates many of South Africa's most polluting power plants, according to Greenpeace.

Moyo finds it alarming that none of these conclusions are new. The air pollution crisis in Africa is well-documented, she said, yet there is still a lack of investment in clean energy. "When people have data, they have a voice to demand change," she said. "We need proper environmental monitoring to hold our governments and polluters to account and to help people to live healthy and long lives."

This article was originally written in German.

Six ways to reduce the air pollution in your life

Y ou might not realise it, but the air you breathe outside , and in your home, could be shortening your life. A new report from scientists at Imperial College London, which examined evidence from more than 35,000 studies, has linked exposure to harmful pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and tiny particles or droplets in the air known as PM2.5 to the risk of many different diseases over the course of a lifetime.

The report links air pollution to lung cancer and cardiovascular disease , but it also shows that breathing poor quality air can stunt lung growth in children, in some cases triggering the onset of asthma as well as affecting their cognitive abilities. Pregnant women who are exposed to chronic air pollution are at a greater risk of miscarriages, while it can impact the unborn baby.

“It’s terrifying,” says Philippe Wilson, Professor of One Health at Nottingham Trent University. “Here we’re seeing air pollution associated with diseases at every stage of life. That goes from things like foetal development before birth to common illnesses like cancer and mental health problems.”

But can we trust that this research is accurate?

“What’s particularly impressive with this report is that they actually carry out a proper systematic review, which is the highest level of research accuracy,” says Prof Wilson. “That hasn’t really been done to such a breadth in this field before.”

So how can you reduce the amount of pollution you are being exposed to? We asked the experts, and they suggested the following six ways.

1. Consult the air quality index on the Government website

The Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) produces a daily air-quality index, which provides regulated measures of the concentrations of five common pollutants – nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone, PM2.5 and inhalable particulate matter (PM10) – across the UK.

“It’s combined into a one to 10 scaling system so it’s easy to interpret,” says Samuel White, a researcher at Nottingham Trent University. “And it also includes forecasting functions, so you can see where the pollution is likely to be. So for example if it’s looking like a high pollution day in your area, maybe you exercise in an indoor gym rather than outside.”

Suzanne Bartington, an environmental health researcher at the University of Birmingham, says that this information is particularly valuable to the people who are most vulnerable to air pollution, for example those with existing heart and lung conditions, such as severe asthma or chronic pulmonary disease.

“For those people, the emphasis is on being aware of when air quality is going to be particularly poor and following the health advice such as avoiding strenuous activity on those days,” she says. “It’s also important to point out that poor air is not just applicable to urban areas, there are air-quality issues in rural areas with ozone, particularly in the spring and summer. Pollution can also move across boundaries, so some of our pollution here in England comes from continental Europe.”

2. Buy an air purifier

In the UK, it is estimated that we spend more than 80 per cent of our time indoors so making sure that the air quality in your home is reasonable is extremely important. As well as airborne viruses, Bartington points out that indoor air can be polluted by chemicals known as volatile organic compounds, which are present within many common cleaning products, as well as shop-bought incense and scented candles. Newly purchased home furnishings, such as sofas or tables, have often been treated with chemicals to make them look fresh.

“We know that there are health effects associated with certain doses of those chemicals,” says Bartington. “Anything treated with chemicals will have a certain air-quality footprint to it. And then when you disturb the indoor environment, for example by vacuuming, you will release particles into the air as well.”

As well as ventilating your home by opening windows and doors after cleaning, air purifiers are thought to be one of the best ways of trying to keep your indoor air as clean as possible. However, the air-cleaning device market is currently unregulated in the UK and not all air purifiers are equivalent. Those that use ionising or electrostatic precipitation technologies may actually be unsafe because they generate nitrogen oxides and ozone through their operation.

Wilson recommends buying a purifier with a high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filter. “HEPA filters are very fine grain, and they tend to remove all sorts of things, including viral particles,” he says. “But you have to make sure the filter gets changed, cleaned and monitored, because a lot of people have devices with HEPA filters that just sit there for years and years, and that’s no good.”

3. Avoid exercising at dawn or dusk

Francis Pope, an environmental sciences professor at the University of Birmingham says that air quality during the darker hours of the day is likely to be lower.

This is because as the temperature drops during the nighttime hours, the atmosphere traps car emissions, CO2, and other pollutants down near the ground.

“If possible, exercise during the day,” he says. “That’s easier at this time of year, but it means that during the winter, your time for outdoor exercise is more limited. If you can avoid running close to a busy road, that will also reduce the amount of pollution you are exposed to.”

4. Buy an indoor carbon dioxide or PM2.5 monitor

There are a growing number of monitors and sensors coming on to the market providing homeowners with a relatively cheap way of assessing whether the air in different parts of their house needs cleaning or ventilating.

A 2021 report found that carbon dioxide concentrations consistently above 1,500 parts per million suggests that the ventilation is poor and that air cleaning might be beneficial.

White says that some of the newer sensors can even measure the levels of tiny particles of pollution within the home.

“You’ll find even some of the HEPA filters will have built-in sensors,” he says. “So if levels come up to what the purifier considers more of a higher burden of particulate matter in that room, it will automatically kick things up a gear.”

5. Use your extractor when cooking

Using an extractor fan in the kitchen and bathroom when cooking or cleaning can mitigate the levels of chemical pollutants in the air within the home, but if you are thinking of getting a new stove, experts recommend switching to a newer induction or electric version or a gas one, as these help to avert indoor air pollution.

“We know that anything with a combustion source, so gas in particular, will produce pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, and particles as well,” says Bartington.

“And you get very high spikes during cooking. We’ve published some data looking at household cooking, and you’re getting levels over a short period of time, which exceed those in urban city centres. But a lot depends on whether people are using their extractor fans.

Another option is to keep the kitchen well-ventilated through leaving windows open, although the benefits of this are mitigated if the Defra air-quality index suggests that outside pollution is particularly bad. Bartington suggests opening a window on a side of the house that is away from the road, if possible.

6. Use the air conditioning in your car

Experts recommend walking or cycling as much as you can because evidence is increasingly showing that the air quality in indoor environments on trains or buses can actually be worse than being outside next to the road.

Bartington says that while you might be exposed to vehicle emissions from passing cars, this is counterbalanced by the benefits of exercise on your immune system, which makes the body more able to handle the impact of polluted air.

One government report found that the amount of pollution experienced by passengers on trains powered by diesel engines is 13 times higher than on one of central London’s busiest roads. Passengers are more exposed to the fumes when sitting in rear rather than front carriages, due to how the exhaust is drawn into the train’s air-conditioning system.

In your own car, you can reduce how polluted the air is by switching on the extractor fan.

However, if you are driving on a warm day, it seems that keeping your vehicle cool through circulated air is better than opening a window.

“There’s evidence that if you recirculate the air in the vehicle and close the windows, you’re less likely to be sucking in external air in a heavily polluted environment,” says Bartington.

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A new report from scientists at Imperial College London has linked exposure to harmful pollutants to the risk of many different diseases - getty

News from the Columbia Climate School

Protecting Our Planet: 5 Strategies for Reducing Plastic Waste

Olga Rukovets

Microplastics in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Plastics are ubiquitous in our world, and given that plastic waste can take thousands of years to break down , there’s more of it to be found on Earth every single day. Worse yet is the fact that the stuff doesn’t easily decompose —it mostly just disintegrates into smaller and smaller pieces.

These tiny particles, called microplastics , have found their way to all parts of our globe , no matter how remote. They’re also increasingly detected in our food and drinking water. A recent study by Columbia researchers found that water bottles contain even more—10 to 100 times more—of these minute plastic bits (dubbed “nanoplastics”) than we previously believed. The health effects and downstream repercussions of microplastics are not fully understood, but researchers are concerned about the long-term impacts of ingesting all this plastic.

Meaningful change to clean up this mess will undoubtedly need to happen on a very large scale. Accordingly, Earthday.org , an organization that originates from the first Earth Day back in 1970, has designated this year’s theme as Planet vs. Plastics , with a goal of achieving a 60% reduction in plastics production by 2040. Organizations like Ocean Cleanup have been working on technologies to clean up the plastic floating in our oceans and polluting our waterways. And in 2022, 175 UN member nations signed on to a global agreement that promises to produce a binding treaty to overcome the scourge of plastic by the end of this year (though it has not been without setbacks ).

What are some actions individuals can take on a regular basis to reduce plastics consumption?

1. Embrace the circular economy

Increasingly, advocates are calling for a circular approach to production and consumption as one important way to reduce the burden of plastic waste. Sandra Goldmark , senior assistant dean of interdisciplinary engagement at the Columbia Climate School, reminds us that circularity is very much in use in the modern world—we have public libraries, neighborhood swaps and traditional and regenerative agricultural practices that demonstrate the success of the concept. But it does need to be harnessed on a global scale for the benefits to be palpable. “Currently [our economy] is just 8.6% circular,” Goldmark said. “Over 90% of the resources extracted from the earth are manufactured into goods that are used, usually once, and then sent to landfill or incinerated, often within a year.” By encouraging greater reuse, repurposing and exchange of these goods, we can keep more plastic out of our oceans and reduce global greenhouse gas emissions substantively.

Fast fashion, for example, may be appealing for its convenience and low prices—but what are the true costs? With 100 billion garments being produced every year, 87% end up as waste ( 40 million tons ) in a landfill or incinerator. The average person is now buying 60 percent more clothing than they did 15 years ago, but they’re only keeping them for half as long as they used to, according to EarthDay.org .

Instead, the UN Environment Programme recommends re-wearing clothes more frequently and washing them less often. Look for neighborhood swaps and Buy Nothing groups, where you can trade items with your local community. Consider repairing items before trading them in for new ones. See additional tips for healthier consumption of “stuff” here .

2. Reduce your reliance on single-use plastics

Considering the fact that Americans currently purchase about 50 billion water bottles per year, switching to a reusable water bottle could save an average of 156 plastic bottles annually. Start bringing reusable shopping bags and containers when you go to the grocery store or coffee shop.

Many cities and states have already implemented plastic bag bans as one step toward decreasing our use of these plastics. Some local businesses even offer discounts for bringing your own coffee cup or bags with you.

3. If all else fails, recycle (responsibly)

When it can’t be avoided, recycle your plastic correctly . If you try to recycle the wrong items—sometimes called “ wishcycling ”—it can slow down an already constrained sorting process. One rule to remember, Keefe Harrison, CEO of the Recycling Partnership , told NPR: “When in doubt, leave it out.”

Recycling programs vary between communities and states, so it’s important to get to know your symbols and research what they mean in your own zip code . For example , plastic bags and plastic wrap or film cannot be placed in your household recycling bin, but some stores have special collections for those items. The symbol on the bottom of a plastic container can tell you what the plastic is made from, which can help guide your decision to recycle it or not, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it can be picked up by your local recycling program. Local websites, like New York City’s 311 , can provide a more detailed breakdown of the types of items that can and cannot be recycled—e.g., rigid plastic packaging including “clamshells”: yes; tubes from cosmetics and toothpaste: no.

Still, reports of how much (or how little) of our plastic waste is actually recycled are alarming—with some estimates ranging from 10% to as low as 5% —so it is still best to opt for other alternatives whenever possible.

4. Get involved with local actions and clean-ups

There are many local movements doing their part to mitigate the environmental contamination caused by plastics pollution. Take a look at what’s happening locally in your neighborhood and globally. Check with your parks department for organized community efforts or consider starting your own . As part of EarthDay.org, you can register your initiative with the Great Global Cleanup , where you can find helpful tips on all stages of this process and connect with a worldwide community.

5. Stay informed about new legislation

As the world grapples with the growing plastics crisis, some states are trying to take matters into their own hands. In California, the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (known as SB 54 ), mandates the switch to compostable packaging for all single-use utensils, containers and other receptacles by 2032, with steep fines for companies that don’t comply. New York is currently moving ahead with a bill called Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act , with the goal of cutting down plastic packaging by 50% in the next 12 years; if it is signed into law, this legislation would also mandate charging fees for noncompliant brands.

Pay attention to what’s happening in your own county, state or country and get involved with efforts to advocate for causes you support. Send messages to your representatives, educate your neighbors and friends, and join a larger contingent of people trying to make the world a better and more sustainable place for current and future generations.

Was It an Alien Spacecraft—Or a Delivery Truck?

A Virtual Reality Film That Makes the Climate Crisis Feel “Real”

This Earth Day, Choose the Planet Over Plastics

Celebrate over 50 years of Earth Day with us all month long! Visit our Earth Day website for ideas, resources, and inspiration.

Get the Columbia Climate School Newsletter →

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Best Ways To Reduce Air Pollution & Tackle Climate Change Together
Studies have found that reducing vehicle fleet levels from the equivalent of Euro I to Euro IV can reduce fleet emissions by about 80% and moving up to Euro V standards further reduces the remaining emissions by 80%. This is a great step to remove air pollution and CO2 levels. • Preventing crop burning.
Air pollution: How to reduce harm to your health
Consider using air purifiers. Although they do not remove all pollutants, they can improve indoor air quality. Choose an air purifier that has a high clean air delivery rate (CADR) matched for the size of your room. Replace filters. Changing your air conditioner and air purifier filters regularly will improve your air quality and reduce energy use.
Air Pollution Essay for Students in English
Effects of Air Pollution on Human Health. Air pollution has adverse effects on human health. Breathing polluted air puts you at higher risk of asthma. When exposed to ground ozone for 6 to 7 hours, people suffer from respiratory inflammation. Damages the immune system, endocrine, and reproductive systems.
Essay on Air Pollution for Students and Children
Air pollution causes asthma, bronchitis, and many other diseases. Moreover, it increases the rate of aging of lungs, decreases lungs function, damage cells in the respiratory system. Ways To Reduce Air Pollution. Although the level of air pollution has reached a critical point. But, there are still ways by which we can reduce the number of air ...
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There Are Many Solutions to Air Pollution. In order to improve air quality and slow climate warming, change needs to happen on a national and global scale. However, actions at the individual and community level are also important. Burn less coal. Pollution from burning all fossil fuels is harmful to the atmosphere, but burning coal has a larger ...
Essay on How to Reduce Air Pollution
Ways to Reduce Air Pollution. 1. Use Public Transport: Using buses, trains, or carpooling reduces the number of vehicles on the road, reducing air pollution. 2. Save Energy: By turning off lights and electronics when not in use, we save energy and reduce pollution. 3. Plant Trees: Trees absorb harmful pollutants and release clean oxygen. 4. Recycle: Recycling reduces the need to burn waste ...
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10 ways you can fight air pollution Children and air pollution; 10 Things to Know About Air Pollution ; I don't drive during rush hour. I drive an electric vehicle. I walk to work. I compost my waste. I recycle my waste. I don't burn waste. I use renewable energy to power my home.
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Essay on Air Pollution - Sample 1 (200 Words) Air pollution is a serious issue and a cause for major concern in today's world. A report published in 2014 by the World Health Organisation states that 4.21 million individuals died prematurely in 2012 as a result of air pollution. Air pollution existed much before humans, in the form of ...
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Steps like changing travel and exercise routes, buying an air purifier and choosing not to light a fire at home can reduce your exposure to air pollution in any season, experts say. "It's ...
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10-Line Essay on Air Pollution. Below mentioned is a 10-lined essay on air pollution: Air pollution is caused by harmful substances known as pollutants. The pollutant come from various sources, like vehicle gasses, forest fires, and other human activities. The two of the biggest sources of air pollution are burning of fossil fuels and ...
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The key to have a healthier life is to adopt measures that do not pollute air so much because we all have a role to play when it comes to creating healthy environment for living. Quick Navigation for Ways to Reduce Air Pollution. OUTDOORS. 1. Minimize air pollution from cars.
Air Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Solutions
Air pollution can have both human-made and natural sources. The causes range from human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, indoor burning of wood, biomass-based fuels to cook, heat, light, transportation emissions, increased industrial activities, and more. Some natural sources of air pollution contributions include volcanic ...
Five reasons you should care about air pollution
Air pollution goes to the heart of social justice and global inequality, disproportionately affecting poor people. In homes, air pollution comes mostly from fuels and high-emitting heating and cooking systems. Clean cooking and heating fuels and technologies are out of reach for low-income families, so polluting alternatives are the norm.
Free Air Pollution Essay Examples & Topic Ideas
Air Pollution in China. 1 page / 300 words. Air pollution refers to a position of the Earth's atmosphere when harmful or excessive quantities of substances including biological molecules, particulates, and gases are released. As the Chinese economy gained pace, it had a parallel growth for energy consumption as well.
10 ways you can help fight the climate crisis
Here are 10 ways you can be part of the climate solution: 1. Spread the word. Encourage your friends, family and co-workers to reduce their carbon pollution. Join a global movement like Count Us In, which aims to inspire 1 billion people to take practical steps and challenge their leaders to act more boldly on climate.
Air Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Proposed Solutions
Air pollution is a significant global problem that affects the health of millions of people, damages the environment, and costs billions of dollars. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), outdoor air pollution causes around 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide every year. Moreover, air pollution is responsible for causing a range of health problems, including respiratory diseases ...
Air Pollution Essay for Students in English: 100, 200 and 500 ...
100 Words Essay on Air Pollution. Any physical, chemical, or biological alteration in the air is referred to as air pollution. The atmosphere contains a specific portion of the gas. It is harmful to survival to change the makeup of these gases. "Global warming" is the term used to describe the rise in global temperature caused by this ...
How to Reduce Pollution? Essay
To reduce the impact of air pollution, my family takes several measures. We ensure proper ventilation, use air purifiers, maintain our vehicles, and support sustainable practices like carpooling and public transportation. However, collective action and government regulations are necessary for more significant changes.
Air pollution: Impact and prevention
INTRODUCTION. Environmental pollution has been a matter of concern for many years. The Mellon Institute of Pittsburgh, PA, USA, sponsored the first broad scientific study of smoke abatement, which resulted in legislation designed to decrease the effects of smoke. 1 It is now well known that environmental contamination impacts on health; the World Health Organization estimates that every year ...
Ways To Reduce Pollution Essay Example
A few ways to do gotong - royong is by cleaning rubbish in the drain to prevent disease such as dengue and planting more trees. By planting trees, we can increase the oxygen in our neighborhood, making us breathe cleaner air and prevent air pollution. Open burning is also the cause of pollution. Based on research, toxic gasses such as methane ...
Five Ways to Reduce Air pollution in Cities
February 27, 2021 by Save the Air. Contents. 1 5 Ways to Control Air Pollution in 2021. 1.1 1. Controlling of Air Particulates. 1.2 2. Scrubbers. 1.3 3. Electrostatic Precipitators.
Free Essay: Ways to Reduce Pollution.
Changing to cleaner, alternative sources of energy is one way to reduce air pollution however it is very hard in some countries where there is a big supply of coal. There may need to be carbon tax introduced into countries such as China (Where 80% of electricity comes from this source), and India.
New Emory study shows air pollution increases risk of developing
The flip side of that is that by cleaning up our environment, we might also help reduce the burden of Alzheimer's disease." — James Lah, MD/PhD, principal investigator of the Emory Healthy Brain Study and an associate professor in the Department of Neurology at Emory's School of Medicine. Ways to Reduce Air Pollution Exposure
Africa's fight against urban air pollution
04/06/2024 April 6, 2024. Cities are growing rapidly in Africa, but many countries lack effective technologies to measure the associated air pollution. Experts are finding new ways to track air ...
Six ways to reduce the air pollution in your life
The report links air pollution to lung cancer and cardiovascular disease, but it also shows that breathing poor quality air can stunt lung growth in children, in some cases triggering the onset of ...
Protecting Our Planet: 5 Strategies for Reducing Plastic Waste
2. Reduce your reliance on single-use plastics. Considering the fact that Americans currently purchase about 50 billion water bottles per year, switching to a reusable water bottle could save an average of 156 plastic bottles annually. Start bringing reusable shopping bags and containers when you go to the grocery store or coffee shop.

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20 Ways to Prevent Indoor and Outdoor Air Pollution

Polluted air is costing us lives

Simple ways to reduce outdoor air pollution

#1 Minimize air pollution from cars

#2 Walk, bike or use public transportation to reduce air pollution

#3 Save energy and make sure you use energy efficiently

#4 Take a good care of your wood stove or fireplace

#5 Recycle and buy recycled products

#6 Consume less and choose sustainable products

#7 Eat local and organic produce & eat less meat

#8 Grow your own food and eat seasonal products

#9 Plant trees