Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Air pollution can cause diseases, allergies, and even death; it can also cause harm to animals and crops and damage the natural environment (for example, climate change, ozone depletion or habitat degradation) or built environment (for example, acid rain). [3] Air pollution can occur naturally or be caused by human activities. [4]
The health and environmental impact of transport is significant because transport burns most of the world's petroleum.This causes illness and deaths from air pollution, including nitrous oxides and particulates, and is a significant cause of climate change through emission of carbon dioxide.
Various definitions of pollution exist, which may or may not recognize certain types, such as noise pollution or greenhouse gases.The United States Environmental Protection Administration defines pollution as "Any substances in water, soil, or air that degrade the natural quality of the environment, offend the senses of sight, taste, or smell, or cause a health hazard.
Health consequences caused by exposure to polluted air depend on which chemicals are in the air, Pate said. But wildfire smoke is one the worst kinds of air pollution that people can breathe.
An example is zinc oxide, a common paint pigment, which is extremely toxic to aquatic life. [ citation needed ] Toxicity or other hazards do not imply an environmental hazard, because elimination by sunlight ( photolysis ), water ( hydrolysis ) or organisms (biological elimination) neutralizes many reactive or poisonous substances.
Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials into the atmosphere that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or damage ecosystems. Health problems attributed to air pollution include premature death, cancer, organ failure, infections, behavioral changes, and other diseases.
Most places in the world have pollution above the acceptable standard. Here’s how each region fares. Air Quality Is Bad Pretty Much Everywhere, New World Pollution Report Finds
The risk of air pollution is determined by the pollutant's hazard and the amount of exposure that affects a person. [36] For example, a child who plays outdoor sports will have a higher likelihood of outdoor air pollution exposure than an adult who tends to spend more time indoors, whether at work or elsewhere. [36]