Releases
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the biggest contributors to global warming. After the gas is released into the atmosphere it stays there, making it difficult for heat to escape – and warming the planet in the process.
It is released from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, as well as the production of cement.
The average monthly concentration of CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere, in April 2019, is 413 parts per million (pgm). Prior to the Industrial Revolution, the density was just 280 ppm.
CO2 density has declined in the last 800,000 years from 180 to 280ppm, but it is greatly accelerated by the pollution that humans cause.
Nitrogen dioxide
The gas nitrogen dioxide (NO2) comes from the burning of fossil fuels, car emissions and the use of nitrogen-based fertilizers used in agriculture.
Although there is far less NO2 in the atmosphere than CO2, it is between 200 and 300 times more efficient at trapping heat.
Sulfur dioxide
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) also comes mainly from burning fossil fuels, but can be released from car exhausts.
SO2 can react with water, oxygen and other chemicals in the atmosphere to cause acidic water.
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an indirect greenhouse gas because it reacts with hydroxyl radicals, removing them. Hydroxyl radicals reduce the life of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
Parts
What is a greasy substance?
Specific material refers to tiny parts of solid or smelting materials in air.
Some are visible, such as dust, but others are invisible to the naked eye.
Materials such as metals, microplastics, soils and chemicals can be predominant.
A specific subject (or PM) is defined in micrometres. The two main ones reported in reports and studies are PM10 (less than 10 micrometres) and PM2.5 (less than 2.5 micrometres).
Air pollution comes from burning fossil fuels, cars, cement making and agriculture
Scientists measure the level of grains in the air by the cubic meter.
Specialty material is injected into the air by a number of processes including fossil fuel burning, car driving and steelmaking.
Why are grains dangerous?
Hazardous substances are dangerous because those less than 10 micrometres in diameter can get deep into your lungs, or even enter your bloodstream. Parts of it are found in higher concentrations in urban areas, especially on major roads.
Health effects
What kind of health problems can pollution cause?
According to the World Health Organization, a third of deaths from stroke, lung cancer and heart disease can be linked to air pollution.
Some of the effects of air pollution on the body are not fully understood, but pollution can increase inflammation that narrows the arteries causing a heart attack or stroke.
In addition, nearly one in 10 cases of lung cancer in the UK are caused by air pollution.
Lovers find their way into the lungs and get in there, causing swelling and damage. In addition to this, some chemicals in grains that make their way into the body can cause cancer.
Deaths from pollution
Around seven million people die prematurely from air pollution each year. Pollution can cause a number of issues including asthma attacks, strokes, several cancers and cardiovascular problems.
Asthma stimulation
Air pollution can cause problems for people with asthma for a number of reasons. Pollutants in traffic fog can pollute the airways, and particles can get into your lungs and throat and make those areas inflamed.
Problems in pregnancy
Women who are exposed to air pollution before pregnancy are nearly 20 percent more likely to have babies with birth problems, a study in January 2018 said.
By living within 3.1 miles (5 kilometers) of a fully polluted area one month before giving birth, women are more likely to give birth to babies with defects such as palates or cleft lips, a study by the University of Cincinnati found.
For every 0.01mg / m3 increase in fine air grains, birth defects rise 19 percent, the research adds.
Previous research suggests that this causes birth defects as a result of women suffering from inflammation and ‘internal stress’.
What is being done to tackle air pollution?
Paris agreement on climate change
The Paris Agreement, first signed in 2015, is an international agreement to control and limit climate change.
It hopes to keep the increase in average global temperature below 2 ° C (3.6ºF) ‘and continue efforts to limit the rise in temperature to 1.5 ° C (2.7 ° F)’.
Carbon neutral by 2050
The UK government has announced plans to make the country neutral by 2050.
They plan to do this by planting more trees and installing ‘carbon capture’ technology at the source of the pollution.
Some critics are concerned that this first option will be used by the government to shift its carbon balance to other countries.
International carbon credits allow countries to keep going out of carbon while paying to plant trees elsewhere, balancing their emissions.
No new petrol or diesel vehicles by 2040
In 2017, the UK government announced that the sale of new petrol and diesel cars would be banned by 2040.
However, MPs on a climate change committee have urged the government to extend the ban until 2030, because by then they will have equal range and price.
The Paris Agreement, first signed in 2015, is an international agreement to control and limit climate change. Pictured: Air pollution over Paris in 2019.
Norwegian electric car subsidies
The rapid electrification of the Norwegian car fleet is largely due to generous state subsidies. Electric cars are almost completely exempt from the heavy tariffs imposed on petrol and diesel cars, which makes them competitively priced.
A VW Golf with a conventional combustion engine costs nearly 334,000 kroner (34,500 euros, $ 38,600), while its electric cousin the e-Golf costs 326,000 kroner thanks to a lower fee.
Perceptions of inaction on climate change
The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has called the Government’s preparations for the threats to the country from climate change a ‘catastrophic’ shortcoming.
The committee assessed 33 areas for tackling climate change risks – from building resilience to farmland and supply chain impacts – and found no significant progress in any of them.
The UK is not ready for 2 ° C warming, the rate at which countries have pledged to prevent a rise in temperature, let alone a 4 ° C rise, which is possible if global greenhouse gases are not cut , said the committee.
She said cities need more green space to halt the impact of an urban ‘heat island’, and to prevent flooding by causing heavy rainfall.