AIR POLLUTION

The simplest definition for air is that it is a mixture of gases that make up the atmosphere. This mixture of gases here are not harmful to living things but in the case where the gases becomes harmful to living things, we tagged it as air pollution.

Air pollution is occurs as a result of the release of harmful substances into the atmosphere. These harmful substances include gases, particles and molecules. Air pollution is Global Issue affecting our everyday live. It may cause death through diseases like Ischemic Heart Disease and Lung cancer. It may cause allergies and also be harmful to animals and plants aside human beings. One of its dangerous effect is on Global Warming.

Air Pollutants

An air pollutant is a material in the air that can have adverse effects on humans and the ecosystem. Pollutants are either man-made or natural.

Examples of natural pollutants include:

·         Carbon Monoxide (CO)

·         Ground-level Ozone (O3)

·         Lead (Pb)

·         Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

·         Particulate Matter (PM)

·         Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

Examples of artificial or man-made pollutants include:

·         waste disposal

·         industrial production

·         transportation

·         energy generation

 

Air pollution has many causes and they all fall under indoor air pollution or outdoor air pollution.

Indoor Air Pollution

This refers to toxic contaminants that we encounter in our daily lives in our homes, schools and workplaces.

When you think of air pollution, you probably think of things like smog, power plants and emissions from cars and trucks. Those are all examples of outdoor air pollution, but air indoors can be polluted, too. Pollutants are any harmful contaminants in the air; therefore, indoor air pollution is when pollutants from things such as gases and particles contaminate the air indoors.

Indoor air pollution is a very real and dangerous thing because indoor air is far more concentrated with pollutants than outdoor air. It's estimated that 2.2 million deaths each year are due to indoor air pollution (compared to 500,000 deaths from outdoor air pollution).

How to reduce indoor air pollution

1. Keep air-purifying indoor plants

2. Open windows

3. Use natural products

4. Use essential oils

5. Test your home for radon

6. Do not smoke indoors

7. Keep indoor humidity low

8. Vacuum clean with a HEPA filter

9. Clean dust

10. Use air purifiers

 

Outdoor Pollution

Outdoor air is often referred to as ambient air. The common sources of outdoor air pollution are emissions caused by combustion processes from motor vehicles, solid fuel burning and industry. Other pollution sources include smoke from bush fires, windblown dust, and biogenic emissions from vegetation (pollen and mould spores) (src: health.nsw.gov.au).

How to reduce outdoor air pollution

1. Minimize air pollution from cars

2. Walk, bike or use public transportation

3. Save energy

4. Maintain your wood stove or fireplace

5. Recycle and buy recycled products

6. Consume less and choose sustainable products

7. Eat local, organic produce & less meat

8. Grow your own food

9. Plant trees

10. Raise awareness

 

The Effect of Air Pollution on Global warming.

Global warming, also known as climate change, is caused by a blanket of pollution that traps heat around the earth. This pollution comes from cars, factories, homes, and power plants that burn fossil fuels such as oil, coal, natural gas, and gasoline. Global warming pollution knows no boundaries. It enters the atmosphere, spreads across the globe, and traps heat around the earth for 50-200 years after it is emitted. That is why we need to reduce global warming pollution now, because our children, and their children, will still feel the effects of global warming for years to come. Currently, the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are at their highest levels in hundreds of thousands of years. (src: nrcm.org)

The rate of carbon keeps increasing each and every second as we live. Pollution from vehicles, industries and household appliances contribute to this increased rate. As stated in the effect of air pollution on global warming, global warming knows no boundaries. So whenever we are even igniting the engine of our cars, we should realize that the smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe will not only have an effect on us but the world as a whole. What can we do to help reduce the effect of air pollution in our environs then? The next paragraph answers this query.

There are so many ways to reduce air pollution, the fact is we can never do away with it. We can however manage and reduce it. Below are a few.

·         Minimize air pollution from cars

·         Walk, bike or use public transportation to reduce air pollution

·         Save energy and make sure you use energy efficiently

·         Take a good care of your wood stove or fireplace

·         Recycle and buy recycled products

·         Consume less and choose sustainable products

·         Eat local and organic produce & eat less meat

·         Grow your own food and eat seasonal products

·         Plant trees (Very Important)

·         Raise awareness and become interested in local matters (Just like what eco generation is doing through us the ambassadors)

To conclude, we all have our quota to contribute to help curb the issue of air pollution. Our actions and inaction contributes to this global problem. We need to live by example, so it can start with you and I. Let us raise the needed awareness and help educate the people on the adverse effect of air pollution. With the little steps we take, a life can be saved and the world be a safer place to live.

Thank you.

Obiri Amoako Justice

Eco Generation Ambassador (Ghana)

 

 

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