What causes air pollution?

Air pollution happens when solid and liquid particles, known as aerosols, and certain gases end up in the air.

What causes air pollution?

Any particle that gets dispersed into the air or is formed from chemical reactions in the air can be an aerosol. Many aerosols enter the atmosphere when fossil fuels—such as coal and petroleum—and wood are burnt. These particles can come from many sources, including car exhaust, factories and even wildfires. Some of the particles and gases come directly from these sources, but others form through chemical reactions in the air.

Aerosols can come from other places, too, such as ash from an erupting volcano. Dust from the soil, pollen from plants and spores from mould are also examples of particles.

Another gas in the atmosphere which can cause air pollution is ozone. When ozone is closer to the ground, it can be detrimental to health. Ground-level ozone is created when sunlight reacts with certain chemicals that come from sources of burning fossil fuels, such as factories or car exhaust. When particles in the air combine with ozone, they create smoky fog known as smog.

Types of pollutants

Pollutants can be further divided into primary and secondary air pollutants. A primary pollutant is an air pollutant emitted from a source directly into the atmosphere. The source can be either a natural process such as sandstorms and volcanic eruptions or anthropogenic (influenced by humans) such as industrial and vehicle emissions. Examples of primary pollutants are sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOX), and particulate matter (PM).

A secondary pollutant is an air pollutant formed in the atmosphere as a result of the chemical or physical interactions between the primary pollutants themselves or between the primary pollutants and other atmospheric components. Major examples of secondary pollutants are photochemical oxidants and secondary particulate matter.

Major sources of air pollution

Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is one of the major sources of air pollution in urban areas and has been associated with a wide range of adverse human health effects. Much of the population is regularly exposed to TRAP as a result of daily activities (e.g., commuting) and a significant portion of the population resides in close proximity to major roadways.

Other human activities which affect the air quality are household cooking, heating & lighting, industrial facilities, heat & power generation, municipal waste incineration, smoke from bushfires, windblown dust, biogenic emissions from vegetation (pollen and mould spores) plus gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from landfill sites, wastewater treatment plants, intensive farming and petroleum products.

Weather conditions have a significant influence on air quality too. For example, calm winds can lead to the build-up of pollution levels in an urban environment. High temperatures, strong winds and dry vegetation exacerbate the fire risk in bushfire-prone areas, which can lead to very high smoke concentrations, both locally and in downwind urban areas. Temperature and sunlight also have a strong influence on the chemical transformation of pollutants in the atmosphere.

Things that affect exposure to air pollution

Proximity: Air pollution levels are higher the closer we are to an emissions source. For most of us, our highest exposure to air pollution occurs near busy roadways. But it could be a burn barrel or backyard fire pit, too.

Time and season: Fine particle levels are often highest in the morning but can be elevated at any time of day. Ozone is generally a summertime pollutant. Ozone levels are highest in the afternoon and evening. Most unhealthy ozone days occur when daytime temperatures exceed 32°C.

Temperature: Fine particle levels often increase during unseasonably warm winter days.

Weather: Weather patterns usually determine air pollution levels. On days with fog, light or no wind, or temperature inversions, weather conditions can allow pollution to build to unhealthy levels.

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Answer the following questions in the comments below:

• What are the main causes of air pollution in urban areas?
• What are the main causes of air pollution in regional areas?

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