Dec 2, 2021
By: Vaamanaa SethiPollution is currently one of the biggest challenges the world is facing today. The dangerous mix of pollutants in our air also increases the risk of respiratory diseases, much like smoking cigarette toxins does.
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People living in polluted places are inhaling poisonous air, which is severely affecting their lung health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year and almost all of the global population (99 percent) breathe air that exceeds the limits containing high levels of pollutants, with low and middle-income countries suffering from the highest exposures.
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Household air pollution is one of the leading causes of diseases and premature death in the developing world. Exposure to smoke from cooking fires causes 3.8 million premature deaths each year, mostly in low and middle-income countries, says WHO.
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Countries should take steps to implement better urban planning policies and regulate pollution emitting industries and ban highly polluting vehicles. There are other ways as well like promoting a paperless environment, implementing a recycling programme, encouraging public transportation and so on.
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A microscopic pollutant (liquid or solid) is present in the form of a suspension in the air, which can be released from different types of human activities such as vehicle emissions, smoke particles, dust particles, and ash from industries.
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Exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollutants can lead to a wide range of adverse health outcomes in both children and adults, from respiratory illnesses to cancer to eye problems.
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Burning fuels such as dung, wood and coal in inefficient stoves or open hearths produces a variety of health-damaging pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), methane, carbon monoxide, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and volatile organic compounds (VOC).
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People should, if they have the option, use cleaner burning technologies and fuels for household activities like cooking, heating, or lighting; avoid burning waste and recycle as much as possible, and walk or cycle instead of driving cars.
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Particulate matter (PM) is a pollutant of special concern. Many studies have demonstrated a direct relationship between exposure to PM and negative health impacts, as per WHO.
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One of the reasons behind severe climatic changes is air pollution. It’s not only affecting our health, but also degrading our planet’s health.
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