The impact of air pollution on living things and Environment: A review of the current evidence
Department of Chemistry, S. K. Government Girls College, Sikar (Rajasthan), India.
Review Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 24(03), 3207-3217
Publication history:
Received on 10 November 2024; revised on 23 December 2024; accepted on 26 December 2024
Abstract:
Everything is impacted by air pollution. It affects the environment by creating acid rain, obstructing sunlight, decreasing visibility, and damaging agriculture, wildlife, and forests. It is also bad for our health. Because it affects not just climate change but also public and individual health by increasing illness and death, air pollution is one of the biggest scourges of our day. The impacts of air pollution on health are numerous. The high hospitalization rates, asthma, respiratory diseases, coughing, wheezing, kidney failure, shortness of breath, and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are all strongly associated with short-term exposure to air pollution. Numerous contaminants are significant contributors to living things. These include Particulate Matter (PM), which are particles with varying but extremely small diameters that enter the respiratory system through inhalation and can lead to cancer, reproductive and cardiovascular disorders, and malfunctions of the central nervous system and reproductive system. In addition, air pollutants that are detrimental to people include sulfur dioxide (S02 ), nitrogen oxide, dioxins, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). High concentrations of carbon monoxide can potentially cause immediate poisoning. Depending on exposure, heavy metals like lead and mercury can cause either chronic intoxication or direct poisoning when absorbed into the human body.
People who live in big cities are primarily impacted by air pollution, as traffic emissions are the primary cause of the deterioration in air quality. Additionally, there is the risk of industrial mishaps, in which the local population may perish due to the spread of a poisonous fog. Wind and atmospheric stability are two of the many factors that affect how pollutants spread. National and international organizations must confront the rise of this threat and offer long-term remedies; the only way to handle this issue is through public awareness combined with a multidisciplinary approach by scientific professionals.
Air pollution has become a significant issue on a global scale. When large quantities of harmful substances fill the atmosphere, the air becomes contaminated. These toxic substances can originate from both human activities and natural sources. This study outlines the factors that contribute to air pollution. It also addresses the consequences, such as health issues, environmental challenges, and economic repercussions. Furthermore, the article highlights the harmful components associated with pollution and presents strategies for reducing these elements in the air. The discussion encompasses environmental changes, health effects, economic variations, and climate shifts.
Keywords:
Pollution; Environment; Contaminants; Health; Disease
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Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0