Air Pollution and Human Health

               Environment and Health

          Air Pollution and Human Health

          One of the biggest environmental hurdles the world has to cross currently is mitigation of air pollution. In accordance to World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution can be defined as the release of particulate matter (aerosols) or rather pollutants into the air. Air pollution has had adverse effects not only to human life but also the myriad of flora and fauna all around the globe. The extensive study of the different types and kinds of air pollution, as well as the adverse effects associated are core in understanding, as well as, developing specific and precise mitigation strategies aimed at arresting the adverse effects of the environment to human health.

         As per the World Health Organization (WHO) latest statistics, south of ninety eight percent (98%) of the global population breath polluted air as per the threshold set by the organization. The exhaust fumes from motor vehicles, airplanes and water vessels as well as fumes from manufacturing plants play the most significant role in the air pollution. One of the core factor that elevates the risks of air pollution is primarily the vast geographical area affected. In simple terms air pollution affects a very large population of people with a vast area as compared to other kinds of environmental pollution. 

        Extensive studies undertaken on the different respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, have associated different types of air pollution as the leading causes. Diseases like asthma, bronchitis, coronary syndrome, stroke, heart failure and arrhythmia are at an exponential  increase. Numerous studies have associated the high prevalence of the respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and disorders to the increase in air pollution. Data taken in the year 2019, more than eight point nine million ( 8.9 million ) deaths were caused by air pollution . Moreover, the vast resources involved in the control, prophylaxis, diagnosis and treatment of the respiratory and cardiovascular disease are burdening a significant fraction of population particularly, within middle and low income countries.

         Different concerned government and non-governmental bodies have invested heavily on the research of mitigation of different air pollutions. One of the studies undertaken by the European Union, primarily focused on mitigating air pollution within major towns and sub-urban areas. One of the main strategies recommended by the study that includes individual efforts in land escaping that involves hedges and trees as well as green urban spaces reduced pollutant particulate matter within the air by 50% -60 %, a very significant fraction.

           The reduction of pollutants in form of harmful gases has taken the centre stage on several international forums, meetings and assemblies. The adoption of different renewable sources of energy by most global governments is the common denominator pushed by environmental protection and conservation agencies. The production of green house gases, for instance chloroflorocarbons, nitrogen oxides, Sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide (Carbon II Oxide), Carbon dioxide (Carbon IV Oxide) and Methane, just to mention a few, directly correlates with the global warming effect experienced globally. The production of the these gases plays a significant role in the formation of a blanket layer beneath the Ozone layer of the earth's atmosphere. The blanket layer traps suns rays hence retaining a significant amount of suns heat. The excessive retention of heat within the earth's surface causes the global warming effect. Global warming effects has adversely impacted the biodiversity of flora and fauna, a fact that has negatively affected the production of food crops, animals and fodder. As a main consequence of global warming food insecurity is a growing concern particularly in the global south.

            The adoption of renewable sources of energy is one of the long term mitigation strategies encouraged by leading environmental protection and conservation agencies. In accordance to several global studies undertaken within the four corners of the globe show that Carbon dioxide (Carbon IV Oxide) is the dominant gas of all the green house gases produced. For the short and middle term control of the carbon debt includes afforestation and reafforestation. The planting of trees, shrubs and other herbs that act as carbon sinks absorbing a significant amount of Carbon dioxide (Carbon IV Oxide ) available in the atmosphere, hence disrupting the integrity of the layer formed by the green house gases.

         The effective management of air pollution as an integral factor of environment, directly impacts human health and hence undermining the quality of life, require practical individuals efforts and adjustment. The embrace of green renewable sources of fuels and energy sources within the households is one of the main steps recommended. From the intrusive study of the impacts of air pollution, most of the respiratory and cardiovascular diseases are caused by pollutants indoors. Effective aeration within all rooms plays a vital role in mitigating the diseases and disorders caused by pollution. Moreover, healthy diets are crucial in boosting the body's immunity. Robust immunity are core in fighting a large array of the respiratory and cardiovascular diseases causes by air pollution. As the above article extensively shows the mitigation of the adverse impacts of air pollution requires concerted by individual citizens, local, as well as federal governments.