While air pollution may not be something that we see or notice on a day-to-day basis, there’s no denying that it can affect our everyday health. It isn’t ever confined to a specific area or country, and its widespread presence makes it particularly harmful to both humans and the environment. Sources show that air pollution causes up to eight million deaths per year, especially in crowded cities where large-scale industry can produce significant amounts of harmful gases.
According to the U.S. State Department, greenhouse gas emissions increased by 17% from 1990 to 2007, indicating that the growth of industry has had a direct effect on the amount of air pollution we experience.
These pollutants may include:
Power Plants:
Power plants work by burning fossil fuels, including natural gas and coal. When these materials are burned, they emit greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. It is estimated that between 7,500 and 10,000 Americans die yearly from power plant emissions alone, and that a significant change in air pollution could reduce related illnesses and diseases by 10% to 15%. In the past 150 years, there have been more carbon dioxide emissions than there have been in the past thousands of years.
Car Emissions:
Nearly 150 million Americans live in areas that do not meet federally established air quality standards. In 2013, the transportation industry caused more than half of the carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides released into our atmosphere.
Industries:
Many industries affect air quality, but one of the most widespread and harmful is agriculture. This is largely due to the quantity of ammonia, which enters the atmosphere in gas form when fields are heavily fertilized or overused. The EPA estimated that 20% of human-made methane production is from livestock digestion, especially on farms where cows are fed low-quality grain-based diets, which are more difficult to digest. Not only do animals cause pollution, but the crops used to grow animal feed can indirectly pollute when pesticides and synthetic fertilizers are used on such a massive scale.
With the numerous ways that humans introduce pollution into the atmosphere, it’s no surprise that it has become a serious health issue on a worldwide scale. However, federal agencies, including the EPA, have enacted changes, including the Clean Air Act, which places regulations on the industries and processes that are most known to cause harmful pollution. While the damage already done to our atmosphere is irreversible, we can continue to make small lifestyle changes that will benefit generations to come.
