scholarly journals Major Air Pollutants and Their Effects

2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. S. Doreswamy ◽  
S. R. Sudheendra
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Thin Layer ◽  
Natural Environment ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Environmental Problems ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Pollution Problem ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Global World

Air pollution is the introduction of chemical, particulate matter or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or damages the natural environment, into the atmosphere. The atmosphere is the thin layer of gases that surrounds the earth surfaces. Recently, environmental problems have been local and minor because of the earth's own ability to absorb and purify minor quantities of pollutants. The industrialization, introduction of more number of vehicles, and the explosion of the population, are contributing toward the growing air pollution problem. Knowing of major air pollutants and their effects are very important to global world.

Airborne particulate matter from livestock production systems: A review of an air pollution problem

2010 ◽  
Vol 158 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Cambra-López ◽  
André J.A. Aarnink ◽  
Yang Zhao ◽  
Salvador Calvet ◽  
Antonio G. Torres
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Airborne Particulate Matter ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Airborne Particulate ◽  
Pollution Problem

scholarly journals Religion, Polity, and the Natural Environment in the Anthropocene Age

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peyman Hekmatpour
Keyword(s):  
Natural Environment ◽  
Political Ideology ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Environmental Problems ◽  
Environmental Conservation ◽  
Political Organizations ◽  
Central Concept ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Level Of Analysis

The Anthropocene age is marked by increased human impacts on the natural environment. As social beings, humans interact with each other, and with their surrounding environments, often through organizations and institutions. Religion and the polity are among the most influential human institutions, and they tend to impact the natural environment in several ways. For instance, several thinkers have claimed that some of the central ideas of the Abrahamic traditions, such as the concept of “Domination of men over the earth,” are among the causes of several anthropogenic environmental problems. By contrast, some of the ideas of non-Abrahamic, particularly animistic, religions are found to be associated with environmental conservation and stewardship. The polity can also contribute to environmental problems. The relationship between political organizations and environmental degradation, at any level of analysis from local to global, is well studied and established in the literature. Politicizing the natural environment, however, is not without tradeoffs. Environmentalism, by certain groups of people, is considered as a “stigma,” while it is a central concept in the political ideology of another part of the population. This antagonism is harmful to the environmental protection cause. I make the case that religion, or at least a number of religious ideas, can be conducive to the process of depoliticizing the natural environment. In this paper, I strive to draw a theoretical framework to explain how religion and the polity can mutually impact the natural environment.

scholarly journals STUDY OF IMPACT OF AIR POLLUTION ON PLANTS BY ESTIMATION OF APTI OF CERTAIN TREES IN KATRAJ AREA IN PUNE CITY

2020 ◽  
pp. 39-43
Author(s):  
Erum F H Kazi ◽  
Dr. Satish Kulkarni
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Ascorbic Acid ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Relative Water Content ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Total Chlorophyll ◽  
Mango Tree ◽  
Relative Water ◽  
Leaf Relative Water Content

Air pollution is one of major concerns in Pune City currently. Study highlights increase in Particulate matter from Vehicular sources & Urbanization in Karaj area is having harmful impact on the trees in the area. Leaf of Plant species such as Peepal( Ficusreligiosa),, Tamarind(Tamarindusindica), Rain tree( Samaneasaman), Ashoka( Saracaasoca), Manago( Mangiferaindica), Almond( Terminaliacatappa) , Banyan tree(Ficusbenghalensis) were selected and it was found that Ashoka( Saracaasoca), Mango tree( Mangiferaindica) showed Intermediate APTI whereas Peepal, Tamarind, Rain tree, Almond, Banyan tree were found to be Sensitive to pollution. KEYWORDS: Air Pollutants, APTI of plants, Total Chlorophyll, Ascorbic acid, p H of leaf, Relative water Content ( RWC)

Air Quality in Riga and Its Improvement Options

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (-1) ◽  
pp. 72-78
Author(s):  
Janis Kleperis ◽  
Gunars Bajars ◽  
Ingrida Bremere ◽  
Martins Menniks ◽  
Arturs Viksna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
European Commission ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Particle Pollution ◽  
The City

Air Quality in Riga and Its Improvement Options Air quality in the city of Riga is evaluated from direct monitoring results and from accounting registered air pollutants in the city. It is concluded that from all air polluting substances listed in the European Commission directives, only nitrogen dioxide NO2 and particulate matter PM10 exceed the limits. In assessing the projected measures to improve air quality in Riga, it can be concluded that the implementation of cleaner fuels and improvements in energy efficiency of household and industrial sectors will decrease particle pollution, but measures in the transport sector will also contribute to reducing air pollution from nitrogen oxides.

scholarly journals Examination of Air Pollution’s Relationship with COVID-19, Physical and Mental Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 137-140
Author(s):  
Hina Islam ◽  
Irfan Sharif Shakoori ◽  
Fauzia Aslam ◽  
Gohar Ashraf ◽  
Hammad Akram
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental Well Being

AbstractAir pollution is a result of natural phenomena or human activities that can cause the release of harmful substances in the environment, leading to adverse health outcomes among living beings. Pollution is associated with adverse health impacts on multiple organ systems among humans. While the respiratory and cardiovascular systems are mainly affected, there are other health issues related to the eyes, skin, brain, blood, immunity, behavioral/mental well-being, and reproduction among exposed individuals. Air pollutants can especially have higher health impacts on people at the extremes of their ages (children and elderly) and on those suffering from underlying respiratory and heart issues. Pollutants such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and nitrogen dioxide have respiratory effects among children and adults and are associated with increased respiratory diseases, asthma exacerbations, and related hospitalizations. Carbon monoxide interferes with transporting oxygen by forming carboxyhemoglobin leading to cardiovascular, neurological, and respiratory problems. Particulate matter is a heterogeneous mixture of tiny particles of varying compositions found in the atmosphere and has a wide variety of severe health effects. Particulate matter emits from combustion, diesel engines, power generation, and wood-burning, and certain industrial activities. Lead is considered neurotoxic and has more severe consequences among children. Here we summarize characteristics of six criteria air pollutants and associated air quality risk assessment parameters known as the Pollutant Standard Index (PSI). The present manuscript also examines the impact of air pollution on human behavior, mental well-being, and neurological health consequences, as air pollution has been associated with cognitive decline, hyperactivity, dementia, anxiety, depression, aggression, and Alzheimer’s disease-related changes. Lastly, we also attempt to look into any relationship between air pollutants and Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and examine its possible association with a higher COVID-19 incidence, complications, and mortality.

scholarly journals The Short-Term Effects of Ambient Air Pollutants on Childhood Asthma Hospitalization in Taiwan: A National Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Yen Kuo ◽  
Chin-Kan Chan ◽  
Chiung-Yi Wu ◽  
Dinh-Van Phan ◽  
Chien-Lung Chan
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Childhood Asthma ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
National Study ◽  
Relative Risks ◽  
Asthma Hospitalization

This investigation determined the effects of air pollution on childhood asthma hospitalization in regions with differing air pollution levels in Taiwan over a long time period. Data of childhood hospital admissions for asthma in patients aged 0–18 years and air quality in eight regions for the period 2001–2012 in Taiwan were collected. Poisson generalized linear regression analysis was employed to identify the relative risks of hospitalization due to asthma in children associated with exposure to varying levels of air pollutants with a change in the interquartile range after adjusting for temperature and relative humidity. Particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), particulate matter ≤10 μm (PM10), ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), were positively associated with childhood asthma hospitalization, while O3 was negatively associated with childhood asthma hospitalization. SO2 was identified as the most significant risk factor. The relative risks for asthma hospitalization associated with air pollutants were higher among children aged 0–5 years than aged 6–18 years and were higher among males than females. The effects of air pollution on childhood asthma were greater in the higher-level air pollution regions, while no association was observed in the lower-level air pollution regions. These findings may prove important for policymakers involved in implementing policies to reduce air pollution.

scholarly journals Rapid formation of intense haze episode in Beijing

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yonghong Wang ◽  
Yuesi Wang ◽  
Guiqian Tang ◽  
Tao Song ◽  
Putian Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Mixing Layer ◽  
Feedback Mechanism ◽  
Quality Models ◽  
Rapid Formation ◽  
Haze Episode

Abstract. Although much efforts have been put on studying air pollution, our knowledge on the mechanisms of frequently occurred intense haze episodes in China is still limited. In this study, using three years of measurements of air pollutants at three different height levels on a 325-meter Beijing meteorology tower, we found that a positive particulate matter-boundary layer feedback mechanism existed at three vertical observation heights during intense haze polluted periods within the mixing layer. This feedback was characterized by a higher loading of PM2.5 with a shallower mixing layer. Measurements showed that the feedback was related to the decrease of solar radiation, turbulent kinetic energy and thereby suppression of the mixing layer. The feedback mechanism can explain the rapid formation of intense haze episodes to some extent, and we suggest that the feedback mechanism should be considered in air quality models for better predictions.

scholarly journals Association between exposure to ambient air pollution and hospital admission, incidence, and mortality of stroke: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of more than 23 million participants

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiping Niu ◽  
Feifei Liu ◽  
Hongmei Yu ◽  
Shaotang Wu ◽  
Hao Xiang
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Hospital Admission ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Pollutant Concentration ◽  
Aerodynamic Diameter ◽  
Stroke Incidence ◽  
Incidence And Mortality

Abstract Background Previous studies have suggested that exposure to air pollution may increase stroke risk, but the results remain inconsistent. Evidence of more recent studies is highly warranted, especially gas air pollutants. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science to identify studies till February 2020 and conducted a meta-analysis on the association between air pollution (PM2.5, particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm; PM10, particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm; NO2, nitrogen dioxide; SO2, sulfur dioxide; CO, carbon monoxide; O3, ozone) and stroke (hospital admission, incidence, and mortality). Fixed- or random-effects model was used to calculate pooled odds ratios (OR)/hazard ratio (HR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for a 10 μg/m3 increase in air pollutant concentration. Results A total of 68 studies conducted from more than 23 million participants were included in our meta-analysis. Meta-analyses showed significant associations of all six air pollutants and stroke hospital admission (e.g., PM2.5: OR = 1.008 (95% CI 1.005, 1.011); NO2: OR = 1.023 (95% CI 1.015, 1.030), per 10 μg/m3 increases in air pollutant concentration). Exposure to PM2.5, SO2, and NO2 was associated with increased risks of stroke incidence (PM2.5: HR = 1.048 (95% CI 1.020, 1.076); SO2: HR = 1.002 (95% CI 1.000, 1.003); NO2: HR = 1.002 (95% CI 1.000, 1.003), respectively). However, no significant differences were found in associations of PM10, CO, O3, and stroke incidence. Except for CO and O3, we found that higher level of air pollution (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and NO2) exposure was associated with higher stroke mortality (e.g., PM10: OR = 1.006 (95% CI 1.003, 1.010), SO2: OR = 1.006 (95% CI 1.005, 1.008). Conclusions Exposure to air pollution was positively associated with an increased risk of stroke hospital admission (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3), incidence (PM2.5, SO2, and NO2), and mortality (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and NO2). Our study would provide a more comprehensive evidence of air pollution and stroke, especially SO2 and NO2.

scholarly journals Air pollution and mortality in a large, representative U.S. cohort: multiple-pollutant analyses, and spatial and temporal decompositions

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob S. Lefler ◽  
Joshua D. Higbee ◽  
Richard T. Burnett ◽  
Majid Ezzati ◽  
Nathan C. Coleman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Proportional Hazards ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Coarse Fraction ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Background Cohort studies have documented associations between fine particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5) and mortality risk. However, there remains uncertainty regarding the contribution of co-pollutants and the stability of pollution-mortality associations in models that include multiple air pollutants. Furthermore, it is unclear whether the PM2.5-mortality relationship varies spatially, when exposures are decomposed according to scale of spatial variability, or temporally, when effect estimates are allowed to change between years. Methods A cohort of 635,539 individuals was compiled using public National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data from 1987 to 2014 and linked with mortality follow-up through 2015. Modelled air pollution exposure estimates for PM2.5, other criteria air pollutants, and spatial decompositions (< 1 km, 1–10 km, 10–100 km, > 100 km) of PM2.5 were assigned at the census-tract level. The NHIS samples were also divided into yearly cohorts for temporally-decomposed analyses. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in regression models that included up to six criteria pollutants; four spatial decompositions of PM2.5; and two- and five-year lagged mean PM2.5 exposures in the temporally-decomposed cohorts. Meta-analytic fixed-effect estimates were calculated using results from temporally-decomposed analyses and compared with time-independent results using 17- and 28-year exposure windows. Results In multiple-pollutant analyses, PM2.5 demonstrated the most robust pollutant-mortality association. Coarse fraction particulate matter (PM2.5–10) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) were also associated with excess mortality risk. The PM2.5-mortality association was observed across all four spatial scales of PM2.5, with higher but less precisely estimated HRs observed for local (< 1 km) and neighborhood (1–10 km) variations. In temporally-decomposed analyses, the PM2.5-mortality HRs were stable across yearly cohorts. The meta-analytic HR using two-year lagged PM2.5 equaled 1.10 (95% CI 1.07, 1.13) per 10 μg/m3. Comparable results were observed in time-independent analyses using a 17-year (HR 1.13, CI 1.09, 1.16) or 28-year (HR 1.09, CI 1.07, 1.12) exposure window. Conclusions Long-term exposures to PM2.5, PM2.5–10, and SO2 were associated with increased risk of all-cause and cardiopulmonary mortality. Each spatial decomposition of PM2.5 was associated with mortality risk, and PM2.5-mortality associations were consistent over time.

Human Population and Environmental Problems

1974 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul R. Ehrlich
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Natural Environment ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Environmental Problems ◽  
Turn Of The Century ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The Face ◽  
Zero Population Growth

Human population growth is clearly outstripping the possibilities of increasing the supply of food and other prerequisites for satisfactory existence. Already, with around four thousand million people on Earth, the race appears to have been lost by agriculture. The prospect of doubling this population by shortly after the turn of the century is bleak indeed. It is the belief of many, however, that zero population growth will be reached earlier by a catastrophic increase in the number of deaths—most probably from starvation. This also bodes ill for conservation; for as people get more and more hungry, their behaviour towards wildlife and what remains of the natural environment is going to become more and more reckless. The destruction of both wildlife and its habitat may be expected to extend to quite devastating proportions, which will require understanding action in both over- and under-developed countries to counter with any degree of success.Man is inexorably changing the face of the Earth and weather patterns in directions which could have all manner of widespread ill-effects, and already have had some catastrophic local ones. Yet more and more of the world's productive lands are being paved with concrete, and the productivity of even wider areas is being permanently lost through erosion and laterization following the clearing of forests and other binding vegetation. Simultaneously, many strains of crop plants are being lost which are essential to humanity because they enable plant breeders to develop new agricultural varieties to help keep abreast of changes in pests and weather, and to raise production levels.

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