Introduction: In recent decades, air pollution has increasingly become a problem in modern cities. Air pollution is any type of gas released in big enough quantities that it becomes detrimental to human health. In the People’s Republic of China it has become one of the leading causes of death. High-levels of particulates and sulfur dioxide are recorded in many Chinese cities. These cities are often regarded as the most polluted in the world. Much of this pollution is generated by power plants and automobiles unregulated by the post-1978 reform era. Cause: Economic growth is a major driving force behind the air pollution crisis in China. China became one of the world 's fastest-growing major economies when economic reforms were introduced …show more content…
The average person takes about 25,000 breaths per day. In China, it is often recommended not to breathe so much outside. In 2013, the capital city of Beijing suffered 60 days of pollution above emergency levels; meaning city officials warned citizens it was unsafe to be outside. The worst to suffer that year was Xingtai, a city of 7 million inhabitants, which was struck by 129 days where the pollution threshold was considered at emergency levels (sometimes 40x over the exposure safety limit set by WHO). Many studies in Chinese cities have reported likely links between exposure to air pollution and increases in respiratory symptoms (such as cough, phlegm, bronchitis, asthma, …show more content…
The Chinese government plans to move close to 75 percent of the nation’s population to cities between 2000 and 2030. The risks to health from China’s environmental crisis are not just limited to China. Natural wind currents transport pollutants from China’s atmosphere to neighboring countries, such as Japan and Korea, there are even some reports that pollutants may have traveled as far East to the Western coast of the United States. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOn) from China’s coal-fueled power plants have been revealed accumulate as acid rain in other Asian cities. China’s air pollution crisis is important to examine as it impacts on an international, even global scale.
Many people are unknowingly exposed to air pollution and have no idea. Some common causes of air pollution are automobiles, factories, landfills and toxic materials. Air pollution destroys the environment; it causes climate change because it greatly affects the greenhouse effect and it causes acid rain. Acid rain contaminates water and destroys animal’s homes. Air pollution has many effects on people it causes coughing, elevates your risk of asthma, wheezing, it can cause diseases and birth defects. It’s estimated “that seven million people died prematurely in 2012 from exposure to air pollution and that air pollution can cause cardiovascular diseases. The use of incinerators has caused protest movements from the Chinese citizens because they are becoming aware of the air pollution that is being given off from the burning of their trash and the effects it has on their health. There have been many reports of premature births and stillbirths of pregnant women that live near garbage incinerators”( Professional Safety, 2014, p.
“In 2008, 21,000 Canadians died from the effects of air pollution.”(Geduld) Although most of these deaths are from long term exposure to the pollutants there was still “2,682 deaths caused from short term exposure.”(Geduld).“5.5 percent of cardiopulmonary (heart and lung disease related) deaths can be attributed to ground-level ozone exposure, which has increased over the past decade.” (David Suzuki Foundation)
[5]China’s pollution so bad it causes 8 year-old to develop lung cancer. Available from [17/11/13]
It contains harmful particles. If people breathe them into lungs, people will feel uncomfortable and even suffer from lungs disease leading to visit public hospitals and hence increase the government’s medical burden. A research by WHO (2016) estimates that there are nearly 70% outdoor air pollution-related premature deaths because of ischaemic heart disease and strokes, while nearly 14% outdoor air pollution-related premature deaths are due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or acute lower respiratory infection, and about 14% outdoor air pollution-related premature deaths are due to lung cancer. In the past few years, Hong Kong Air Quality Objective has been worse due to the increase of the level of respirable suspended particulates and nitrogen dioxide at the roadside (EPD, 2016). Kampa and Castanas (2008) illustrates that air pollutant causes increasing mortality and hospital admissions. Owing to poor air quality, people would feel hard to breathe and if they stay at the roadside for a long time, they may feel uncomfortable, even suffer from skin or respiratory irritation. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (2013) reports that Hong Kong may be required to invest extra $3.8 billion annually in medical expenses and productivity due to air pollution in the future. Therefore, air pollution not only could harm human health but also increase the government’s medical
Many cities are currently affected by air pollution and Hong Kong is one example. Hong Kong’s air pollution level often exceeds the recommended air pollution level put out by the World Health Organization, and Hong Kong’s pollution index was at “very high” meaning that it exceeded 101, for 34% of the time (Hunt, 2011). Another example, when Hong Kong excee...
Pollution destroying our planet, this is greatly due to the emissions from cars. The continuation of car usage will eventually hurt the ozone layer even more, as a result, the environment will be damaged. This is a worldwide issue that concerns many, including President Obama and his “ambitious goals to curb the United Sates’ greenhouse gas emissions” (Source 4). Paris is one of the most polluted cities in the world. Robert Duffer stated in the article “Paris bans driving due to smog”, that “After days of near-record pollution, Paris enforced a partial driving ban to clear the air of the global”. This city spent “five days of intensive smog” (Source 4), which eventually rivaled “Benjamin and China, Known as the most polluted cities”. This pollution greatly impacted the environment in a damaging manner, this was because the emissions of cars were trapped in “the warmer layer of air”. After a few days, “the smog cleared enough” (Source 2), but the damage was already done. This shows how car emissions can impact the environment negatively, and the importance of reducing the usage of cars.
Air pollution is not something new; in fact, air pollution has been even documented as far back as the 16th century. During the industrial revolution the sights of smoke coming out from factory were a sign of prosperity. This might have been prosperity in the economic point of view, but as we can see now, in the environmental point of view it was not prosperous at all.
What do you think is the world’s largest cause of preventable deaths? Smoking? Poor diet? Blood pressure? It’s air pollution. (The Independent Co. 2014) Air pollution is such a huge environmental issue that kills many people and it’s often not even noticed. People can be effected by air pollution and not even be aware of it. Air Pollution is caused by biological materials, chemicals, particulates, or other harmful materials going into the earth’s atmosphere.
As Dr. Sunyer Said in his article: "It is believed that much like cystic fibrosis, by living in a more urban environment serious health hazards become more apparent. Studies have shown that in urban areas patients suffer mucus hyper secretion, lower levels of lung function, and more self-diagnosis of chronic bronchitis and emphysema".( Sunyer, 2001).That's mean air pollution is harmful impact on human health and cases many diseases like: Cardiovascular disease, Lung disease and Cancer Which increases the mortality rate. So, Millions have died because of the direct or indirect effects of air pollution. Thant children in areas prone to air pollutants typically suffer from pneumonia and asthma.In addition, air pollution is effect the Atmosphere that main it is one of the indirect effects of global warming with high temperatures all over the world and increase the melting of ice and increase the rate of sea level there will be a disaster is imminent , if not take the necessary actions.
There are about seven billion people in the world. Most of these people own cars and live in large cities. Beijing, China, is known for having the most polluted air in the world. China has about 400,000 factories working everyday creating air pollution. Pollution is becoming a big problem in the world. Pollution affects everything from the plants we grow to the ozone layer of the earth. Some of the air pollution is so bad in places around the world that breathing the air is equivalent to smoking two packs of cigarettes a day. Not only is the pollution hurting people it is also hurting the earth and the soil that we plant our crops in. Air pollution is a problem that needs a solution that is efficient and cost effective so the world can be a better place in the future.
Coming from Beijing, where there is probably the heaviest smog in China, I know how environment can affect our health and our lives. When I was a kid, I remember I love going out and playing in the park near my house. The sky is always so blue. However, as I grew up, the air condition in Beijing became worse and worse. I
Air pollution is a major problem in many cities worldwide. China and India show 60% of load of Total suspended particulates and PM2.5 in the Asian countries. Several studies are undertaken to monitor the air pollution and health hazards in the world. (Ref. 1-3). Respiratory and cardiopulmonary illness strongly related to air quality (3-5) and reported mortality, emergency and daily hospital admission with air pollution fluctuating levels in the western countries (6-8). However, few studies only observed in Asian region (9). According to World Health Organization (WHO) (10) air pollution is linked with 800,000 death cases. Lost life years measured as annually around 4.6 million.
[2]"People's Republic of China Ministry of Environmental Protection Standard: Technical Regulation on Ambient Air Quality Index".
they create many breathing and heart conditions like cancer and other threats in the body, that is why children who are exposed through air pollutants are most likely to have pneumonia and asthma.
China is struggling to breath right now. The atmosphere looks terrible just by looking at pictures. The Environment is being destroyed by the big cities. According to the article, Atmospheric chemistry: China’s choking cocktail, the author, Markku Kulmala, admits that air pollution is the cause of 2 millions of deaths each year. Kulmala explains that the indoor and outdoor air is seriously contaminated that it contains a variety of gases. He points out that Urban air has many chemicals that it will not do any good to you. Now, china is looking to resolve this problem. This is possible to happen to any developed country because of their populations modern