Air Pollution is one of the biggest threat to mankind. Read the article to know how air pollution in the country is affecting our lives.
Pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease and premature death in the world, which has accounted to three times more deaths than AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined. As per the Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health, Air Pollution is killing an estimate of 9 million premature death. Which 15 times more than all the wars and many other forms of violence in total.
Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health –
“Pollution endangers the stability of the Earth’s support systems and threatens the continuing survival of human societies.”
To understand the problem of air pollution, there are certain things we need to examine to finally put together all the elements and their impact on human health.
Air pollution in the country:
To start with, let us first understand the key pollutants that makes air pollution as dangerous as it has become in the last few decades.
Ozone (O3) – A chemical reaction created when oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) react in the presence of sunlight. This is not the same as the ozone layer around Earth. Asthma is often the result of unsafe ozone levels.
Particulate Matter (PM) – A complex mixture of small particles and liquid droplets that persist in the form of nitrates and sulfates, organic chemicals, metals, soil, and dust. The concern over these particles is due to their small size. A particle whose diameter is less than 10 micrometers can pass through the throat and nose to enter the lungs.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) – Emitted during combustion processes, the colorless and odorless gas is common in urban areas where a greater number of cars reside. CO reduces the body’s ability to transport oxygen to the heart and brain. High CO levels can result in death.
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) – A group of reactive gasses known as oxides of nitrogen, or nitrogen oxides (NOx) that is commonly referred to as smog and is associated with acid rain. NO2 contributes to ground-level ozone formation, and fine particle pollution, both of which are linked to adverse respiratory problems.
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) – Highly reactive gasses known as oxides of sulfur that are primarily a product of fossil fuel combustion at power plants and industrial facilities. While unsafe to inhale, the Center for Science in the Public Interest lists SO2 as a safe food preservative.
World Health Organization –
The sheer lack of awareness of the international evidence from both developed and developing countries linking ambient air pollution exposure and health is under-appreciated, and the potential solutions that can be taken to improve air quality would greatly benefit public health and reduce burdens on local populations and governments.
A time-lapse of our environment has pointed out a consequential change bringing everyone’s attention to the alarming issue of air pollution. The quality of the air is affecting the lives of people significantly. So, the air that we are breathing right now is filled with dangerous pollutants. As a result, our children, elderly citizens, pregnant women, working men are constantly facing the danger of health hazards.
Living in a pollution-free surrounding means a better quality of life. But do we understand this? Do we really know what is air pollution, and how is it changing our lives? How is our body getting accustomed to an environment which is ideally not fit for us?
[WATCH] – How air pollution in the country is affecting your lives?
Excerpt from the video: India has had air pollution problems for years, but recently it has gotten significantly worse. Pollution was so bad in New Delhi last month the government ordered thousands of schools closed and banned trucks from the road for a week. During the Hindu festival of Diwali in October, the country’s Supreme Court outlawed the sale of fireworks in an effort to prevent the recurrence of a toxic fog that engulfed the city during last year’s festival.
(We don’t hold any credit for the video, it is the sole property of Global Journalist)
