Air pollution: what it is, consequences and how to decrease

Air pollution, also known as air pollution, is characterized by the presence of pollutants in the atmosphere in an amount and duration that are harmful to humans, plants and animals.

These pollutants can result from anthropogenic sources, such as industrial activities, the emission of motor vehicles and the burning of garbage in the open, for example, or from natural sources, such as fires, sandstorms or volcanic eruptions.

All of these pollutants are harmful to health and can cause respiratory problems, irritation of the skin, eyes and mucous membranes, worsening of respiratory diseases, or even increase the risk of developing cancer.

Thus, it is important to adopt measures to prevent and reduce air pollution, such as increasing the use of renewable energy, using public transport, preventing fires and increasing green areas, for example.

Types of pollutants

Air pollutants can be divided into primary and secondary pollutants. The primary pollutants are those emitted directly by the pollution sources, and the secondary pollutants are those that are formed in the atmosphere through a chemical reaction between the primary pollutants and the natural constituents of the atmosphere.

In turn, primary pollutants can be classified as natural or anthropogenic:

Natural pollutants result from natural sources, such as ash and gases from volcanic emissions, sand and dust storms, decomposition of animals and plants, particles and smoke from forest fires, cosmic dust, natural evaporation, gases from the decomposition of organic matter and sea air from of seas and oceans.

Anthropogenic pollutants are those that result from human action, as is the case with industrial pollution sources, vehicles that use fossil fuels, burning trash in the open and incinerating waste, using volatile products, burning fuels in industry and thermoelectric plants and emissions from chemical processes.

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Main air pollutants and health consequences

The main pollutants of outdoor air and their consequences for health and the environment are:

1. Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a flammable and very toxic gas, which results in most tobacco smoke and incomplete combustion of fuels, such as those released by motor vehicles.

Consequences: this pollutant reduces the blood's ability to transport oxygen to cells and tissues, which can impair the functions of perception and thought, delay reflexes, cause headaches, drowsiness, dizziness and nausea, heart attacks, agony, damage in the development of babies during pregnancy and young children. In addition, it can also aggravate diseases such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema and anemia. At very high levels it causes collapse, coma, brain damage and death.

2. Sulfur dioxide

This is an irritating gas that results in most of the combustion of coal and heavy oils in thermoelectric plants, industries and combustion of diesel by vehicles. In the atmosphere it can be converted to sulfuric acid.

Consequences: Sulfur dioxide can cause breathing problems, especially in people with asthma and bronchitis. In addition, it reduces visibility and, in the atmosphere, can convert to sulfuric acid, eventually depositing and causing damage to trees, soil and aquatic life through acid rain.

3. Nitrogen dioxide

Nitrogen dioxide is an irritating gas, very toxic and with oxidizing power, which in the atmosphere can be transformed into nitric acid and organic nitrates. This pollutant results largely from the burning of fuels by motor vehicles and thermoelectric and industrial installations.

Consequences: Nitrogen dioxide can cause lung irritation and damage, worsen asthma and chronic bronchitis and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections, such as colds and flu. In addition, it also contributes to reduced visibility and the deposition of nitric acid, resulting from its transformation into the atmosphere, can damage trees, soil and aquatic life in lakes.

4. Particulate material

Particulate matter is the set of small, light particles and droplets that are suspended in the atmosphere, due to their small size. The composition of these particles depends on the polluting source, such as coal combustion in thermoelectric power plants and industrial installations, burning diesel fuel from cars, cement plants, fires, fires, construction activities and aerosols, for example.

Consequences: These particles can cause irritation of the nose and throat, damage to the lungs, bronchitis, worsening bronchitis and asthma. If the toxic particles are made up of lead, cadmium, polychlorinated biphenyls and / or dioxins, they can cause mutations, fertility problems and cancer. In addition, some of these particles also reduce visibility and can cause damage to trees, soil and aquatic life.

5. Lead

Lead is a toxic metal, which results from the painting of old buildings, metal refineries, the manufacture of lead, batteries and leaded gasoline, for example.

Consequences: This pollutant accumulates in the body and can cause damage to the central nervous system, such as mental retardation, digestive problems or even cancer. In addition, it also has a negative impact on wildlife. Know how to identify the symptoms of lead poisoning.

6. Ozone

Ozone is a very reactive and irritating gas, which results from emissions from motor vehicles and industrial installations. The ozone present in the upper layers of the atmosphere protects from the sun's ultraviolet rays, however, when found close to the ground, it behaves as a pollutant, which becomes more concentrated in periods of heat, high solar radiation and dry environment.

Consequences: Like other pollutants, ozone can also cause respiratory problems, coughing, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, aggravate chronic diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and heart disease, reduce resistance to respiratory infections, and accelerate the aging of lung tissue. In addition, it also contributes to the destruction of plants and trees and to reduced visibility.

How to decrease air pollution

Air pollution can be reduced by adopting measures such as:

• Substitution of fossil fuels with renewable energies; Prefer active and sustainable mobility, such as cycling, walking and public transport; Removing old vehicles from circulation; Increasing green areas in urban environments and reforesting degraded areas; Promote the conservation of forest areas; Reduce the use of pesticides; Reduce open fires; Encourage industries to use equipment such as catalysts and filters to retain smoke and pollutants.

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It is also very important to frequently monitor air quality, in order to develop programs to reduce pollution and assess its effectiveness in controlling air quality. Air quality analysis is essential for policy makers to be informed of potential impacts and risks, allowing them to plan public actions and policies.