11th June 2024 (13 Topics)

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Air Pollution Crisis

Context

A recent study conducted by researchers from Singapore reveals alarming statistics regarding the health impacts of air pollution. The study using data for 40 years sheds light on the significant number of premature deaths worldwide attributed to man-made emissions and natural sources of pollution.

Key Findings:

Between 1980 and 2020, approximately 135 million premature deaths globally were associated with exposure to particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5), tiny particles harmful to human health when inhaled.
Diseases such as stroke, heart and lung disease, and cancer were responsible for premature deaths, highlighting the need for pollution mitigation strategies.
Weather phenomena like El Nino and the Indian Ocean Dipole exacerbated the effects of pollution, leading to a 14% increase in premature deaths.
Asia, particularly China and India, bore the highest burden of premature deaths attributable to PM 2.5 pollution, with over 98 million deaths recorded.
Other countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Japan also experienced significant numbers of premature deaths ranging from 2 to 5 million people.
Climate events like El Nino can elevate pollution levels, further contributing to premature deaths from PM 2.5 pollution.
The World Health Organization highlights that ambient and household air pollution contribute to approximately 6.7 million premature deaths worldwide annually.

Major Air Pollutants

The major air pollutants include PM 10, PM 2.5, Nitrogen Dioxide, Ozone, Carbon, etc.

PM 10 and PM 2.5: Extremely fine particulate matter (PM) particles, with diameters smaller than 10 and 2.5 microns, respectively.
- Sources include vehicle emissions, industrial processes, wildfires, and dust storms.
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2): Results from burning of fuel, including emissions from vehicles and power plants.
- Impact: Short-term exposure can worsen respiratory diseases like asthma, while long-term exposure may contribute to asthma development and respiratory infections.
Ozone (O3): Forms at surface level by reaction of atmospheric pollutants in sunlight.
- Impact: Associated with increased risk of hospital admissions for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) and cardiovascular and respiratory deaths.
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2): Emitted from burning fossil fuels by power plants and industrial facilities.
- Impact: Harmful to the cardiovascular system and respiratory health; can react with other compounds to form particulate matter.
Ammonia (NH3): Found in high concentrations due to increased fertilizer use and livestock waste.
- Impact: Contributes to aerosol pollution, harmful algal blooms, and reduces air and water quality.
Lead (Pb): Toxic metal found in the Earth’s crust, with increased quantities from mining, smelting, and manufacturing.
- Impact: Particularly harmful to children, causing intellectual disability and behavioural disorders, even at low levels of exposure.
Carbon Monoxide (CO): Toxic gas released from burning carbon-containing fuel.
- Impact: Can cause unconsciousness and death at high levels; long-term exposure linked to increased risk of heart disease.

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Air Pollution Crisis

Key Findings:

Major Air Pollutants

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