Types of Air Pollution
From LoveToKnow GreenLiving
Among the most pressing of today's environmental issues is the pollution of the air we breathe, many types of air pollution contributing to problems that range from human health issues to climate change.
Types of Air Pollution Most Hazardous to Humans
There are two forms of air pollution considered to be most harmful to humans by the American Lung Association. These are ozone, or smog, and particle pollution, or soot. Most ozone is formed by a chemical reaction between sunlight and the vapors emitted by the burning of carbon based or fossil fuels. Ozone pollution is generally highest during the sunniest months of the year, from May through October. This pollutant can cause short term health issues immediately following exposure, such as irritation to skin and the respiratory system, and long term exposure can lead to more serious health problems, such as impaired lung function, inflammation of the lung lining, and higher rates of pulmonary disease.
Particle Pollution
Particle pollution also takes a place at the top of the list of most dangerous to human health, and is very widespread throughout the environment. This type of air pollution consists of solid and liquid particles made up of ash, metals, soot, diesel exhaust, and chemicals. Particle pollution is produced by the burning of coal in power plants and other industries, and by the use of diesel fuel in passenger vehicles, cargo vehicles, and heavy equipment. Wood burning is a source of particle pollution, as are many of today's agricultural practices. Capable of triggering strokes, heart attacks, and irregular heart rates, particle pollution can be dangerous even in low concentrations. Lung cancer and premature birth have also been linked to exposure to particle pollution, and it is known to irritate respiratory conditions, including asthma, and cause coughing, wheezing, and even shorter life spans.
Other Common Air Pollutants
Other common air pollutants that can pose health risks to humans are carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and lead. Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete burning of fossil fuels in vehicles, home heating equipment, and industrial plants, among many other sources, and is a colorless and odorless gas, poisonous to humans and animals when inhaled. Nitrogen oxides are gases that contribute to smog and acid rain. Sulfur dioxide is produced by the burning of sulfur containing fuels like oil and coal, and can cause health issues, especially in those with existing heart or lung conditions. Lead is emitted into the air by vehicles and industrial sites, as well as by waste burning facilities. Lead is a neurotoxin when present in the body in high concentrations, and can cause immune issues, reproductive problems, kidney disease, and cardiovascular problems.
Greenhouse Gases
Perhaps the most publicized form of air pollution these days is the mixture of gases emitted into the air that are thought to be responsible for producing the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming and climate change. A certain percentage of greenhouse gases are produced by natural sources and are necessary to moderating the climate of the earth, making it possible for its life forms to survive. However, beginning with the Industrial Revolution, man has added to that production of greenhouse gases, primarily by the burning of fossil fuels. Among the most common of these are carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
Greenhouse gases collect in the atmosphere, forming a layer of reflective and absorbent materials that prevents some of the heat radiated by the sun from escaping the Earth's atmosphere, keeping the temperature sufficiently warm for plant and animal life to thrive. However, with the addition of man made greenhouse gases, too much heat can be reflected back into the atmosphere, giving rise to the current fears about global warming. Estimates made by the IPCC, or Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, predict that greenhouse gas emissions will double within the next 50 to 100 years at current rates of growth, leading to a variety of detrimental environmental effects. Among these are the melting of polar ice, raising ocean levels and flooding coastal and other low lying land areas. Increased storm activity and increased force and severity of hurricanes, cyclones, and tropical storms are among the possible consequences of climate change, as are severely altered ecosystems and extinctions of plant and animal species.
New Concern and New Hope for the Future
While the many types of air pollution that contaminate out air today are certainly of concern, awareness is growing about the danger they pose to our health and our planet. New regulations put into place over the past decade or two, such as the Clean Air Act and others, have significantly reduced the amounts of pollution pumped into the air we breathe every day. While there is much more to be done, environmentalists have managed to bring global warming and other environmental hazards to the forefront, gaining support from the public and the politically connected, advancing their cause in the halls of the United States government as well as in international forums.
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