Things you need to know:
- According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills approximately seven million people per year around the world.
- It is critical to comprehend the dangers of air pollution in order to protect living organisms from increasing health concerns.
- Air pollution poses a greater threat to our lives than any other health issue.
What is air pollution?
Air pollution is the mixture of particles and gases which affect livings organisms. Particles are a result of emissions from vehicles, pollution released from factories, dust due to cutting down of forests, and pollen. If this disruption of the atmosphere goes on, the survival of human beings will become difficult.
Causes of environmental pollution
Cars, buses and trucks
Pollution from cars, buses, trucks and other vehicles have been one of the most serious concerns. In today’s world, everyone has at least one to two vehicles and day by day the number of cars on the road is increasing. Every nation’s government is making efforts to reduce environmental pollution caused through vehicles by asking people to use more public transport or go to their respective destinations through carpooling.
Burning of fossil fuels
Buring of coals, oil, gasoline to generate energy for power and transportation is one of the reasons for air pollution. Harmful gases are released into the air, which results in affecting human health and environmental health. Inhaling polluted air caused by the combustion of natural gas and fossil fuels disturbs the heart’s capacity to pump enough oxygen, resulting in respiratory disease.
Burning of forests
Burning forests for producing furniture and paper have harmed our climate, causing wildfire and increasing air pollution. With the increase of PM2.5 in the air, pollution caused by burning forests mixes with other harmful substances like chemical gases, dust and pollen, thereby creating smog. Smog in today world is increasing at a much higher rate, making it difficult for people to breathe fresh air.
Construction
As the country’s population increases, the necessity for construction and demolition becomes a part of our daily lives. Construction and demolition activities will never cease, and the city’s AQI will continue to rise if no damage control is done. Several construction sites and raw materials like bricks and concrete emit haze and toxic air, threatening people, especially children and the elderly.
Effects of air pollution on human health
It is everyone’s responsibility to fight air pollution to protect themselves from severe cardiovascular and heart diseases. Air pollution can contribute to a variety of health conditions. It is essential for the growing population to reduce the air quality index and make efforts to control the pollution.
- Headache and anxiety
- Impact on the central nervous system
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Breathing problems like asthma
- Irritation and inflammation in the lungs
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Impact on the liver and spleen
- Lung cancer
Children, the elderly, and the poor are most affected by the rising air pollution.
It increases th risk of developing lung infections, like asthma and cancer, and can lead to death due to breathing difficulties.
For starters, use public transport and carpooling for travelling, plant more trees, and switch to renewable energy sources.
