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Environment Week: The Problem With Pollution

Updated: Jan 20, 2020

By Evie Miller, Senior Editor


 

What are the problems with pollution and how does it affect humans and our planet? Read on to find out more.


What are the effects on humanity?

Pollution kills. It is estimated that 4.6 million people die every year due to air pollution. This is a huge number. Air pollution has so many negative effects upon humanity, specifically upon our physical health.


There are no serious short term effects surrounding moderate pollution levels, for those in a healthy state, however, if pollution levels escalate and if you are exposed to a lot of pollution, things can be different. Those already with health conditions, children, and the elderly, are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollutants.


Different substances have different dangers to our health, but the majority affect the body’s respiratory and inflammatory systems. Specifically, ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) can irritate the airways to the lungs, which worsens the conditions of those already with lung disease. Carbon monoxide (CO) prevents the uptake of oxygen through the blood, which can lead in a dangerous loss in the supply of oxygen to the heart.

Outdoor air pollution holds responsibility of 40,000 premature deaths every year in the UK;

pollution can cause cardiovascular disease, lung disease, cancer, damage to reproductive systems and harm to the liver and blood. Irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, damage to the nervous system, fatigue, nausea and headaches are also some effects of pollutants, as well as a lack of lung development in young children, and problems in the development of foetuses.


Our mental health is also at risk, as these physical conditions can lead to anxiety and depression. There are so many various dangers due to pollution; as pollution levels continue to rise, humanity is at a very great risk. Air pollution is the 4th biggest threat to humanity’s health. We need to reduce pollution levels now, before things are too late for us.


Alongside harming humanity, air pollution greatly affects the environment around us, plants and animals.


When fossil fuels are burnt, harmful gases are released into Earth’s atmosphere. Moisture in the air combines with these pollutants, and becomes acidic. The chemicals then fall, as acid rain, killing crops and plants, which may then be ingested by animals. The acid rain also absorbs into soil, altering pH levels, and disrupting habitats, as well as altering the pH of water, resultantly killing fish. In the United States, 46% of lakes lack the ability to support life.


Air pollutants include greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone. These gases play part in the enhanced greenhouse effect, which results in global warming; the gases trap the sun’s heat into our atmosphere, and Earth’s average temperature increases. This leads to a rise in sea level, intense storm behaviour and disastrous effects to our planet. Certain animals and plants are unable to adjust with the drastic changes in climate, resulting in a decrease of biodiversity. Wildlife which surrounds areas where ice caps melt are forced to seek new homes, as their habitats are destroyed.


Like us, animals are vulnerable to pollutants, and can gain various diseases. Air toxins are seen to cause birth defects and reproductive failure in animals. The tropospheric ozone damages the lung tissue in animals, and an increase in ultraviolet light (as the protective stratospheric layer becomes damaged from pollutants) causes a rise in the number of deaths within animals, due to cancer. Bird species are increasingly becoming extinct due to air pollution and oil, and the food chain is disrupted, as specific animals die out.


What can we do to prevent further pollution?

Much air pollution originates from human activity; we are the main cause in the rise of pollution levels. Some activities causing pollution include the burning of fossil fuels in transport or industrial processes, the release of chemicals during mining, and the release of toxins from household products, or agricultural products (such as fertiliser). It can be difficult to reduce large amounts of pollution in our atmosphere, individually, but small changes do make a difference, and if everyone makes small changes then eventually big changes do occur.

  • Don’t take the car. Rather than driving, walk or cycle. This not only reduces the rise of air pollutants, but ensures you are keeping fit and active. Using public transport (such as the bus), or even carsharing, is better for our planet than travelling by car, individually.

  • Air inside is said to be more polluted than outside; heating, cleaning, cooking, spraying and smoking are all sources of pollutants. Having more plants in the home can manage the levels of pollutants, specifically carbon dioxide.

  • Plant a few trees and campaign against deforestation and the increased removal of trees. Trees are a precious part of Earth, which help fight against the rise of pollutants in our atmosphere.

  • Conserve energy: turn off computers, lights and electrical devices when they aren’t being used, to ensure no energy is wasted and less pollutants are released. Purchase energy efficient items when possible.

  • Use environmentally safe paints and cleaning products. Use low VOC/ water-based paints to reduce the amount of oil being produced.

  • Reduce, reuse and recycle items.

  • Think twice about putting the heating on: wear extra jumpers, put on a couple pairs of socks and use blankets to warm up, rather than wasting heat, and causing an increase in pollution.

  • Consume organic food. Also buying food produced locally/ growing your own fruit and vegetables results in the release of less pollutants

  • Don’t smoke. Smoking releases harmful chemicals into the air, which, in result, harms the planet, and causes pollution.

  • Raise awareness. Tell your friends, family, anyone, the importance of our planet, and make them aware about the rise of air pollution, and the effects it can have. Participate in campaigns, charities and protests to make big changes.



Want to make a difference? Want to know more (not only on air pollution, but also soil and water pollution)? Visit these websites:


 

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