Due to rising emissions, air quality continues to decline across the world, endangering human health and accelerating climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and waste. According to studies from the World Health Organisation (WHO), 92% of the global population resides in areas where air pollution is above permissible levels. The effects of pollutants on human health, the environment, and the economy make it clear how important it is to monitor air quality.
It is possible to implement laws and regulations, evaluate control measures, promote research and model development, and lessen the harmful impacts of pollutants for a better future by determining the level of air pollution through fast, reliable data. But how precisely is air quality assessed? Find out by reading on.
What Factors Contribute To Poor Air Quality?
You’ve probably heard of the gas known as ozone, which is found in the upper atmosphere of the Earth. The ozone layer at ground level is damaging and It is produced when sunlight interacts with certain chemical emissions, such as methane, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide.
Construction sites, smokestacks, automobile exhaust pipes, wildfires, volcanoes, and many other locations also release these particles into the air. The particles may also originate as a result of atmospheric chemical processes.
Controlling Air Pollution
Although controlling air pollution is difficult, it can be done with a few straightforward methods, such as:
Avoid Using Vehicles
Use public transportation wherever possible to limit CO emissions into the atmosphere. The availability of carpools can contribute to a decrease in the number of cars, which lowers pollution. preferring to bike or walk to neighbouring destinations, among other things.
Energy Efficiency
Utilize electrical equipment that is energy-efficient both at work and at home. If not in use, you may leave your lights off. To avoid affecting conservation, electrical equipment should be examined regularly.
Using Renewable Energy Sources
It will aid in lowering pollutant levels. Natural resources like solar energy, wind energy, etc. may be used to generate energy instead of fossil fuels. Through a reduction in and eventual elimination of the use of fire and fire-related materials.
Emissions from factories are one of the main contributors to air pollution, thus it is possible to lessen the pollutants by preventing or treating them at the source. For instance, if the reactions of a certain raw material result in a pollutant, the raw materials can be swapped out for less hazardous ones.
Pollutants
Particulate Matter (PM)
PM is a typical stand-in for an air pollution indicator. There is enough proof that exposure to this pollutant has harmful effects on one’s health.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
A deadly gas known as carbon monoxide is created when carbonaceous fuels like wood, gasoline, charcoal, natural gas, and kerosene are burned partially.
Ozone (O3)
One of the main components of photochemical smog is ground-level ozone, which should not be confused with the ozone layer in the higher atmosphere. Ground-level ozone is created when gases react with sunlight.
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
NO2 is a gas that is frequently emitted during the burning of fuels in the industrial and transportation sectors.
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
Colourless gas SO2 has a pungent scent. It is made by smelting Sulphur-containing mineral ores and burning fossil fuels like coal and oil.
Can I Measure The Quality Of The Air In My House?
Although keeping high interior air quality is essential for our health, preserving clean outside air is a significant issue. We spend 80-90% of our time indoors on average, and the air we breathe is frequently contaminated. New furnishings, personal care items, paints, and cleaning chemicals are all sources of pollution, particularly VOCs. How then can you ascertain what you are inhaling at home and what you may do to improve it?
Individuals may test the interior air quality and track their exposure over time thanks to personal pollution sensors, which are more affordable and portable than the ones provided by the government. It has been demonstrated that having access to this kind of personal pollution data enables people to better safeguard their loved ones and themselves, hence lowering their total exposure to air pollution.