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Air pollution effects on the environment
Air pollution effects on the environment
Air pollution essay effects for health
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Air pollution effects
Air pollution effects include health issues, economic damages, environmental and agricultural effects. Air pollution is very hazardous to our health. It leads to a lot of health problems such as coughing, asthma, chronic bronchitis, lung diseases, respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. Air pollution can also cause extreme allergic reactions. It also can cause headaches, nausea, rashes, and swelling. Moreover, long-term air pollution can lead to cancer due to hole in the ozone layer and damage to the immune, neurological, reproductive, and respiratory systems. In extreme cases, it can even cause death. There are a lot of respiratory diseases among Almaty citizens especially the most vulnerable are children. The total number of patients with respiratory diseases is 23277 per 100 000 of the population in Kazakhstan.
Furthermore, air pollution has economic effects. The expenditures of government and society to take measures on decreasing air pollution and to pay for medical expenses are large. The economic damage caused by diseases consists of the major costs such as government expenses (state budget,
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Air pollution is the cause of acid rain, smog, global warming and the hole in the ozone layer. Acid rain damages forests, rivers and soils making the environment unsuitable for fish and other wildlife leading to animal diseases. It also influences negatively to farmers on vegetation. In addition, acid rain also speeds the decay of buildings and sculptures costing billions of dollars damage to materials. Moreover, ozone depletion caused by air pollution harms human health from UV radiation which can contribute to skin cancer, cataracts, and damaged immune systems. UV can also affect adversely on crops. Another environmental effect is eutrophication in which concentrations of nutrients in the water foster blooms of algae that impair fish, plant and animal
There are six common pollutants in the air, which include ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and lead. These pollutants led to many different symptoms across the United States. Ozone pollution leads to impaired respiratory system. Particulate matter affects respiratory systems, causes cancer, and premature death. Carbon monoxide affects the bloodstream and reduces oxygen to the body’s organs. Nitrogen oxide causes influenza. Sulfur dioxide effects respiratory illness and pulmonary defenses. Lead causes effects in the liver,
Pollutants are contaminants that enter and affect the natural environment which can cause negative changes. There are two main types of pollution, air and water, which occur from different sources and have different effects. Air pollution is the main cause of “dirty air” in the United States. Suburban areas suffer from outdoor air pollutants as well as indoor air pollutants. Indoor air pollutants are caused by the burning of coal and wood, which are used for heating. Outdoor air pollutants are caused by chimneys, in which smoke is released into the air, and crop fertilizers, which are generally used in rural areas. The impact air pollution has on humans are large cases of health defects in rural areas: such as cancer, tuberculosis, heart diseases, and low birth weights. J.P Majra, author of “Air Quality In Rural Areas” states that, “This leads various health problems, mainly affecting the respiratory and cardiovascular system...” (Majra, 2). This shows that if the United States alone uses this much fertilizer, in which affects our health, imagine how much the world will be affected. Kirk Smith, professor of environmental health sciences at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health states that ”nearly 10% of all lost-life years worldwide” has been due to air pollution (COEH
People who work or exercise outside for a lengthy period are also vulnerable. Exposure to air pollution increases sensitivity to allergens, impairs lungs, causes asthma attacks and death (Climate change, 2007). Air pollution can cause short-term respiratory symptoms such as coughing, throat irritation, and shortness of breath (California’s drought, 2015). The most harmful pollutants in the air are ozone, fine particles, and air toxics. Since the drought causes warmer weather, levels of ozone or smog increase in the air. Ozone is the principal component of smog and it is dangerous on ground level, which affects human health, crops, and buildings. Ozone smog is formed when vehicle and factory pollution react with sunlight and heat (Climate change, 2007). The lack of storms due to the drought eliminates the natural cleansing effect of precipitation. The low levels of precipitation trap fine particles on ground level. Fine particles in the air are harmful when inhaled and can heighten respiratory illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis. Air toxics are the chemicals in the air that can cause cancer or serious health problems. Mercury, asbestos, and benzene are dangerous air toxics and diesel exhaust particulate is the number one airborne carcinogen in California (California’s drought, 2015). Allergens in the air also affect pollution as
The atmospheric ozone layer protects all living things from the harmful effects of the Sun. In recent years however, much damage has been caused to the ozone layer, causing it to decrease in size. The depletion of the ozone layer has and will continue to have many detrimental effects on all living things on this planet. A thinner layer will allow more of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation to reach the Earth’s surface. In particular, it will be the increase of UV-B rays which will have the most negative side effects. It will effect humans, plants, the Earth’s water and every other living creature. Studies have shown that for every five percent reduction in the concentration of ozone, the rate of skin cancer will rise by ten percent, due to increased exposure to the Sun’s ultraviolet rays (Environment Canada). Increased amounts of ultraviolet radiation increase the incidence of eye cataracts, which are patches of light blocking tissue which can lead to blindness (Ehrlich 120). It will also affect plants, which are sensitive to ultraviolet radiation. High levels will cause reduced stem and leaf growth in plants because photosynthetic activity is reduced or damaged. It also causes lower dry weight and affects plants’ ability to take in and use water (Ehrlich 120). This in turn reduces agricultural production and the food available to animals. Greater exposure to ultraviolet rays also affects the DNA of organisms. The radiation has the ability to reach the DNA and alter its structure. This can impair the organisms immune system, cause stunted growth, as well as increase the risk of cancer (Dolan 260). As well, micro-organisms in the soil which produce nutrients, can die from over-exposure to ultraviolet rays, resulting in soil infertility.
Pollution is a massive problem, due to burning excessive amounts of fossil fuels and produces global warming. The rising in temperature of earth has resulted huge melting of polar ice caps, flooding of low-lying areas, and also rise in sea levels. If these conditions conquer the surface of earth it will face radical changes. Hence, the ozone holes are also being created trough this process, that creates a harmful UV rays that enters the earth surface. Apparently it affect human life trough causing diseases like cancer. Melanin that present in the skin reacts trough these high wave radiations. Skin cancer is one of the major forms of disease that known to be caused due to these reactions of the pigment present in the skin and infra-red rays. Besides that, when burnt sulphur, dioxide gas will also be produced. This factor forms acid rain. Acid rain could leads to destructions of most of monuments that were made up of brickwork or marbles. Even a lot of crops are affected due to the acidification of loams.
The air pollution in Russia is varied due to the size of the country. Because it is so large, Russia, has decent air quality in most parts while some other cities suffer a lot more from air pollution. The total air emissions last year were at 19.6 million tons, which is a slight increase from 2011’s at 19.2 million tons. About 200 cities exceed Russia’s pollution levels annually. Cities such as Moscow, Norilsk, St.Petersburg, Dzerzhinsk, and Rudnaya Pristan are some of the most polluted cities in Russia, causing most of the air pollution in the country. In fact, three of those cities, Norilsk, Rudnaya Pristan, and Dzerzhinsk made it onto the list of the most environmentally polluted cities on earth, according to Mercer consulting form. This is a
One of the most dangerous environment issues Southern California is facing today is air pollution. This includes the burning of fossil fuels and natural disasters. Los Angeles is one of the most polluted cities in the world, and the most polluted city in the United States. I will research information about the causes, the effects, and the history of air pollution in the Los Angeles. For my research, I have relied mostly on, the school’s database and library, as well as current events.
According to World WildLife Fund, many ecosystems around the world are being destroyed, eliminating many plant and animal species that inhabit them (“Pollution”). 2. And acid rain, which is created when water in the atmosphere mixes with chemicals, ravage through rain forests and can even kill fish. 3.
There are many kinds of air pollution. The ones I want to talk about are the ozone, acid rain, carbon monoxide and toxic air contaminants. Ozone is formed when hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide react in sunlight. Therefore, ozone is at its peak during hot summer days. Exposure to high levels of ozone can have serious consequences on your health. It can cause respiratory disease, loss of pulmonary elasticity, and premature aging of our lungs. Next, is acid rain, which occurs in the atmosphere in the form of sulfur and nitrogen oxide. These pollutants can have serious damaging affects on aquatic, forest and wildlife ecosystems, as well as deterioration of buildings. Carbon monoxide is another form of pollution. It reduces the blood?s ability to carry oxygen. If a human is exposed to higher levels, it can cause chest pains, angina attacks or even death.
In conclusion, air pollution affects the immune system, making it weak and vulnerable to certain bacteria, illnesses, viruses and foreign invaders. Common diseases that are affected the most include asthma and allergies. Air pollution in general has been seen to modify the immune system's handling of particular allergens. The exposure to toxins like dioxin can cause serious health problems for people. Having long-term exposure to this toxin is connected to weakening of the immune system, as well as the nervous system, endocrine system and certain reproductive functions. Hence, everyone has a particular level and exposure of dioxins in the body. Improving air quality is the key answer to avoiding any type of development of disease, but it is a long term goal that will require the help and commitment at the national and global level.
Air pollution according to the Wikipedia << is the introduction of particulates, biological materials, or other harmful materials into the Earth’s atmosphere, possibly causing disease, death to humans, damage to other living organisms such as food crops, or the natural or built environment>>. Therefore, human being should be aware of the facts that the environment and all living creatures are dying. They need to understand the importance of natural items, the nature, etc…
The components of air pollution have been attributed to a number of serious health and environmental consequences. For example, air pollution can lead to eye, nose and throat irritation, as well as complications in breathing. Some chemicals in air pollution, such as benzene, cause cancer while other chemicals may cause birth defects, brain and nerve damage and long-term injury to the lungs and breathing passages. Not only does air pollution create distinct medical problems, it also creates environmental problems as well.
“Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas, it is known as the "silent killer,” stated by John P. Cunha. Humans are affected by air pollution everyday. It is spread from daily industrialized machinery such as factories and automobiles. Carbon monoxide is one of the most deadliest substances from air pollution that causes poisoning to humans. Carbon monoxide poisoning from U.S. air pollution is a leading cause of death due to its major health effects in the brain, heart, and lungs.
Every other day a new industries are being set up, new vehicles on roads and trees are being cut to make way for new homes. All of them, indirect way lead to increase in CO2 leads to melting of polar ice caps which increase the sea level and pose danger for the people living near coastal areas. Pollution can have an impact in our health not only affects people with impaired respiratory system such as asthmatics, but very healthy adults and children too. Exposure to pollution for 6 to 7 hours, even at relatively low concentrations, reduces lung function and induces respiratory inflammation and, healthy people during periods of moderate
The environment of Earth such as plants and animals are harmed by air pollution. Occasionally it is the pollutants that produce the environmental damage. But sometimes they merge and alter the assets that plants and animals need to survive like water, soil, and nutrients. Air pollutant like sulfuric acid mix with the water molecules that clouds are made of, the water molecules turn acidic. When these droplets of liquid collapse to the ground in the form of rain or snow, the water’s acidity can possess a harmful affect on the environment. Acid rain murders trees and hurt animals such as fish and other animals. Acid rain demolishes the leaves of plants. Chemistry of the soil is altered causing it to be unhealthy for living things that need soil for nutrition or their environment. Chemistry of the lakes and rivers that the water of rain go through are also affected by acidic rain which also harms fish and other marine life. Air pollutants are named as chlorofluorocarbons. They are in the stratosphere and demolish ozone molecules. Resulting in areas that are affected that have a thin ozone layer which are referred to as ozone holes. The ozone layer which is positioned in the Earth’s atmosphere where the stratosphere is, protects earth from ultraviolet radiation that is produced from the sun. This can cause skin cancer and be harmful to plants and animals. The amount of chlorofluorocarbons that are let go into the air have been less remarkably in recent decades a...