Investigation (ELA)
Topic: Effects of Air Pollution on Human Health and the Environment
Environmental effects
From: Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Executive Office of Energy and
Environmental Affairs
- Acid rain: is precipitation containing harmful amounts of nitric and
sulfuric acids. These acids are formed primarily by nitrogen oxides and
sulfur oxides released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned.
These acids fall to the Earth either as wet precipitation (rain, snow, or
fog) or dry precipitation (gas and particulates). Some are carried by the
wind, sometimes hundreds of miles. In the environment, acid rain
damages trees and causes soils and water bodies to acidify, making the
water unsuitable for some fish and other wildlife. It also speeds the
decay of buildings, statues, and sculptures that are part of our national
heritage. Acid rain has damaged Massachusetts lakes, ponds, rivers,
and soils, leading to damaged wildlife and forests.
- Eutrophication: is a condition in a water body where high
concentrations of nutrients (such as nitrogen) stimulate blooms of algae,
which in turn can cause fish kills and loss of plant and animal diversity.
Although eutrophication is a natural process in the aging of lakes and
some estuaries, human activities can greatly accelerate eutrophication
by increasing the rate at which nutrients enter aquatic ecosystems. Air
emissions of nitrogen oxides from power plants, cars, trucks, and other
sources contribute to the amount of nitrogen entering aquatic
ecosystems. Haze is caused when sunlight encounters tiny pollution
particles in the air. Haze obscures the clarity, color, texture, and form of
what we see. Some haze-causing pollutants (mostly fine particles) are
directly emitted to the atmosphere by sources such as power plants,
industrial facilities, trucks and automobiles, and construction activities.
Others are formed when gases emitted to the air (such as sulfur dioxide
and nitrogen oxides) form particles as they are carried downwind.
- Effects on wildlife: Toxic pollutants in the air, or deposited on soils or
surface waters, can impact wildlife in a number of ways. Like humans,
animals can experience health problems if they are exposed to sufficient
concentrations of air toxics over time. Studies show that air toxics are
contributing to birth defects, reproductive failure, and disease in
animals. Persistent toxic air pollutants (those that break down slowly in
the environment) are of particular concern in aquatic ecosystems.
These pollutants accumulate in sediments and may biomagnify in
tissues of animals at the top of the food chain to concentrations many
times higher than in the water or air.
- Ozone depletion: Ozone is a gas that occurs both at ground-level and
in the Earth's upper atmosphere, known as the stratosphere. At ground
level, ozone is a pollutant that can harm human health. In the
stratosphere, however, ozone forms a layer that protects life on earth
from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. But this "good" ozone is
gradually being destroyed by man-made chemicals referred to as
ozone-depleting substances, including chlorofluorocarbons,
hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and halons. These substances were formerly
used and sometimes still are used in coolants, foaming agents, fire
extinguishers, solvents, pesticides, and aerosol propellants. Thinning of
the protective ozone layer can cause increased amounts of UV radiation
to reach the Earth, which can lead to more cases of skin cancer,
cataracts, and impaired immune systems. UV can also damage
sensitive crops, such as soybeans, and reduce crop yields. Crop and
forest damage. Air pollution can damage crops and trees in a variety of
ways.Ground-level ozone can lead to reductions in agricultural crop and
commercial forest yields, reduced growth and survivability of tree
seedlings, and increased plant susceptibility to disease, pests and other
environmental stresses (such as harsh weather). As described above,
crop and forest damage can also result from acid rain and from
increased UV radiation caused by ozone depletion.
- Global climate change: The Earth's atmosphere contains a delicate
balance of naturally occurring gases that trap some of the sun's heat
near the Earth's surface. This "greenhouse effect" keeps the Earth's
temperature stable. Unfortunately, evidence is mounting that humans
have disturbed this natural balance by producing large amounts of
some of these greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and
methane. As a result, the Earth's atmosphere appears to be trapping
more of the sun's heat, causing the Earth's average temperature to rise
- a phenomenon known as global warming. Many scientists believe that
global warming could have significant impacts on human health,
agriculture, water resources, forests, wildlife, and coastal areas.
From: The European Environment Agency
Ground-level ozone or the “bad” ozone that forms closer to the Earth in
the air we breathe. This ozone is not usually emitted directly, but rather forms
from chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NO x ) and volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) in sunlight.
1. Ground-level ozone damages vegetation and reduces biodiversity. In
2020, critical levels for the protection of forests were exceeded in 59%
of the total forest area of the 32 EEA (European Economic Area)
member countries.
2. Ozone damages agricultural crops and reduces yields. From 2000 to
2020, there was an overall reduction in the percentage of agricultural
land exposed to levels above the target value for the protection of
vegetation in EEA member countries, falling to a low of 6% in 2020.
3. Nevertheless, in 2019, the economic losses due to the impacts of
ground-level ozone on wheat yields totalled EUR 1,418 million across
35 European countries.
4. In 2020, damaging levels of nitrogen deposition were found in 75%
of the total ecosystem of the 27 EU Member States. This represents a
fall of 12% since 2005. The zero pollution action plan has set a target of
a 25% reduction in 2005 levels by 2030.
5. Thresholds above which the deposition of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen
oxides and ammonia drive the acidification of ecosystems were
exceeded in only 4% of the European ecosystem in 2020, following
successful efforts to reduce emissions of sulphur dioxide in recent
decades.
Health Effects
From: World Health Organization
Key facts
- Air pollution is one of the greatest environmental risks to child health
- In 2019, 99% of the world’s population was living in places where the WHO air
quality guidelines levels were not met.
- The combined effects of ambient air pollution and household air pollution are
associated with 6.7 million premature deaths annually.
- Ambient (outdoor) air pollution is estimated to have caused 4.2 million
premature deaths worldwide in 2019.
- Some 89% of those premature deaths occurred in low- and middle-income
countries, and the greatest number in the WHO South-East Asia and Western
Pacific Regions.
- Policies and investments supporting cleaner transport, energy efficient
homes, power generation, industry and better municipal waste management
would reduce key sources of outdoor air pollution. Access to clean household
energy would also greatly reduce ambient air pollution in some regions.
Outdoor air pollution is a major environmental health problem affecting
everyone in low-, middle-, and high-income countries. Ambient (outdoor) air pollution
in both cities and rural areas was estimated to cause 4.2 million premature deaths
worldwide per year in 2019; this mortality is due to exposure to fine particulate
matter, which causes cardiovascular and respiratory disease, and cancers.
WHO estimates that in 2019, some 68% of outdoor air pollution related
premature deaths were due to ischaemic heart disease and stroke, 14% were due to
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 14% were due to acute lower respiratory
infections, and 4% of deaths were due to lung cancers.
People living in low- and middle-income countries disproportionately
experience the burden of outdoor air pollution with 89% (of the 4.2 million premature
deaths) occurring in these areas. The greatest burden is found in the WHO
South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions. The latest burden estimates reflect
the significant role air pollution plays in cardiovascular illness and death.
China and India:
In 2021, these two countries had the most air pollution-related deaths, with more
than two million in each country.
Bangladesh:
In 2022, Bangladesh had the highest loss of life expectancy due to air pollution,
according to UChicago AQLI.
Egypt, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia:
These countries have the greatest per capita health loss from air pollution
From: Metropolis India
Cardiovascular Diseases
Pollution has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. It can lead to
inflammation and damage to the heart and blood vessels. Studies have shown that exposure to
air pollution can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other forms of heart disease.
There are a few ways in which air pollution can contribute to cardiovascular disease:
● Particulate matter can enter the lungs and cause inflammation. This can lead to an
increase in blood pressure and damage to the lining of the arteries.
● Pollutants can trigger changes in heart rate and rhythm, which can lead to arrhythmias or
cardiac arrest.
● Long-term exposure to air pollution has been linked with an increased risk of
atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries.
Cancer
Cancer is one of the most common air pollution diseases. It is caused by exposure to
carcinogenic airborne particles, such as those released from burning fossil fuels.
Cancer can develop in any organ of the body. But, it is most commonly found in the lungs.
Non-small cell lung cancer is a more common type of lung cancer. It accounts for about 80% of
all cases. It is generally less aggressive than small-cell lung cancer and has a better prognosis.
Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer too. It is responsible for about 85% of all cases.
Other risk factors include exposure to secondhand smoke, radon gas, asbestos, and air pollution.
Neurological Disorders
Air pollution has been linked to a variety of neurological disorders as well. Some of the illnesses
include Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disorder. It leads to memory loss and cognitive
decline. Studies have shown that air pollution can accelerate the progression of Alzheimer’s
disease.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder. It affects movement and coordination. Air
pollution has been linked to an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Several gastrointestinal disorders have been linked to air pollution, including irritable bowel
syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. Studies have shown that people who live in
areas with high levels of air pollution are more likely to suffer from these conditions.
Symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation, and
bloating. Gastrointestinal disorders can be very serious and even life-threatening if they are not
treated properly.
Kidney Diseases
Several kidney diseases can be caused by air pollution, including:
-Chronic kidney disease: This is a long-term condition that can lead to kidney failure. It is caused
by the accumulation of toxins in the body, including those from air pollution.
-Acute kidney injury: This is a sudden and potentially reversible loss of kidney function. It can be
caused by exposure to high levels of air pollution, particularly particulate matter.
-Dialysis: This is a treatment used for people with renal failure. It involves filtering the blood to
remove waste products and excess fluid.
Liver Diseases
Exposure to air pollution is associated with an increased risk of metabolic dysfunction-linked fatty
liver disease. Fatty liver disease is the accumulation of fat in the liver, which can lead to
inflammation and scarring. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can be caused by a virus
or other infection. Cirrhosis is a chronic condition that results in the hardening and scarring of the
liver.
Skin Diseases
There are a variety of skin diseases that have been linked to air pollution, including eczema,
psoriasis, and acne.
Eczema is a condition that causes the skin to become dry, itchy, and inflamed. It is thought that
air pollution can trigger or worsen eczema flare-ups.
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes the skin to develop raised, red patches
covered with white scales. Air pollution has been shown to trigger psoriasis flare-ups.
Acne is a common skin condition that causes pimples and blackheads. Air pollution has been
linked to an increase in acne breakouts.
Asthma
Asthma is a condition in which the airways narrow and swell, and produce extra mucus. This can
make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Asthma is often triggered by environmental factors such as air pollution, cold weather, or pollen.
It is important to be aware of these triggers and try to avoid them if possible. If you have asthma,
it is also important to have an asthma action plan in place so that you know what to do if you
have an asthma attack.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis is another common air pollution-related disease. It occurs when the bronchi, or
airways, become inflamed and irritated. This can be caused by exposure to airborne irritants,
such as smoke, dust, or chemical fumes. Bronchitis can also be caused by viral infections.
Symptoms of bronchitis include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung condition that makes it hard to
breathe. COPD is caused by long-term exposure to harmful particles in the air, such as smoke
from cigarettes or factory emissions. People with COPD often experience symptoms like
shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. In severe cases, COPD can be fatal.
What is Air Pollution and Industries that Cause It
From: NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council)
Air pollution is the contamination of the air by harmful chemicals,
particles, or biological agents. Industrial facilities, such as factories and power
plants, are major sources of air pollution. It refers to the release of pollutants into
the air—pollutants that are detrimental to human health and the planet as a whole.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), each year, indoor and outdoor
air pollution is responsible for nearly seven million deaths around the globe.
Ninety-nine percent of human beings currently breathe air that exceeds the WHO’s
guideline limits for pollutants, with those living in low- and middle-income countries
suffering the most. In the United States, the Clean Air Act, established in 1970,
authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to safeguard public
health by regulating the emissions of these harmful air pollutants.
From: OIZOM / Environmental Monitoring Solution for the Outdoor
1. Energy Industry Leads in Pollution – Fossil fuels used for electricity and heat
produce 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making the energy sector
the biggest polluter.
2. Construction Worsens Air Quality – Construction sites release dust (PM10,
PM2.5), NOx, and CO, contributing to 23% of global air pollution and health
risks.
3. Transport’s High Carbon Emissions – Road transport alone is responsible for
74.5% of transport-related CO₂ emissions, worsening city air despite stricter
emission norms.
4. Agriculture’s Impact on Air Pollution – Farming contributes 18% of global
greenhouse gases, mainly from livestock methane and ammonia emissions,
affecting air and soil quality.
5. Fast Fashion’s Waste Problem – The fashion industry generates 8-10% of
global CO₂ emissions and 92 million tonnes of textile waste yearly, with
polyester adding to plastic pollution.
6. Food Waste and Plastic Issues – Food waste causes 8-10% of greenhouse
gas emissions, while supermarkets alone generate 800,000 tonnes of plastic
waste annually.
7. Plastic’s Harmful Cycle – Plastics come from fossil fuels and release toxic
gases during production, recycling, and burning, worsening air pollution.
8. Waste Management Challenges – Landfills produce 20% of global methane
emissions, a powerful greenhouse gas, while poor waste disposal pollutes air,
water, and soil.
9. Chemicals and Air Pollution – The chemical industry releases harmful VOCs,
NOx, SO₂, and PM, leading to acid rain, smog, and serious health risks.
10.Tech Industry’s Growing Impact – Data centers consumed 200-250 TWh of
electricity in 2023, and cryptocurrency mining alone emits 129 million tonnes
of CO₂ yearly. Oizom’s air quality monitoring solutions help businesses and
industries track emissions, monitor air quality in real-time, and take
data-driven steps to reduce pollution and improve sustainability.
