Air quality and pollution

Michael is going out for a walk. But something is strange! It was supposed to be such a nice sunny day, but there is a weird fog everywhere. It’s so dense that Michael can barely see anything. It smells bad and it’s really hard to breathe!

Yes, Michael! It’s probably best to stay inside and keep out of this smog! Smog is a complex blend of chemicals; some are gases, and some are particles. Some should not be in the air in large amounts, and some should not be in the air at all. But if they are there, they reduce the air quality, and are harmful to humans and the environment.

They are air pollutants. Examples of pollutants that make up smog include gasses such as carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides; and also very fine particles of solids and liquids - particulate matter. Another air pollutant, which is also present in smog, is ozone. Ozone is naturally present in the higher levels of the atmosphere, and in fact protects us from ultraviolet radiation. Sometimes, however, sunlight reacts with other substances, such as nitrogen oxides, and forms an ozone layer close to the ground.

Breathing in ozone and other air pollutants causes a number of health problems in humans. They are also harmful to plants and other organisms. Where do all these different pollutants come from? We can divide the sources of air pollution into two categories. First, there are natural, or biogenic sources, such as dust from deserts, smoke from volcanic eruptions and wildfires, or pollen from vegetation.

Then, there are man-made, or anthropogenic, sources of pollution, which include: - mobile sources such as cars, ships, and aircraft; - stationary sources such as fossil fuel power plants, factories, and fuel-burning furnaces; - fumes from chemicals like paint and aerosol sprays; - insecticides, pesticides, and fertilizers used in agriculture. All these different pollutants mix with the air we breathe, and in this way enter our bodies. This can affect our health. Children, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases are at a higher risk of serious health complications resulting from poor air quality. Depending on the type of pollutants, length and frequency of exposure, we might experience anything from minor symptoms like nose and throat irritation, to more serious issues, like allergies, heart and lung diseases, or cancer.

Apart from affecting our health, air pollution can also harm plants and animals, damage the natural environment, and cause changes in climate. If so much air pollution is caused by humans, and it’s so dangerous to us, how can we reduce it? There are many different ways to minimise emissions and improve air quality. And you can easily implement many of them in your daily life! Car emissions are one of the biggest sources of air pollutants.

Every time you choose to walk, cycle, or use public transportation, you reduce the emissions from personal vehicles. Electricity production is another process that decreases the quality of air. By switching to renewable energy sources, such as wind or solar energy, or by saving energy at home, everyone can help lower the impact they have on the environment. However, individual efforts won’t be enough if they are not supported by governments and industries. Governments can limit air pollution for example by investing in renewable energy, by environmental education, and by introducing laws, regulations, and standards that limit the emission and usage of chemicals.

A combination of governmental actions, technological innovation, and changing our own habits can help create a world where everyone can enjoy clean air every day.