The causes and effects of air pollution in a country typically include a range of human activities and natural phenomena producing harmful pollutants that affect health, environment, and climate.
Causes of Air Pollution
- Burning of fossil fuels for power generation, transportation, and industrial processes emits pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter.
- Automobiles are a major source of greenhouse gases and toxic emissions contributing to poor air quality.
- Agricultural activities release ammonia and hazardous chemicals from fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides.
- Factories and industries emit harmful organic compounds, chemicals, and particulate pollutants.
- Mining operations release dust and chemicals into the air affecting nearby areas.
- Household sources such as cleaning products, paints, and combustion of solid fuels contribute indoor and outdoor pollutants.
- Natural causes like wildfires also add pollutants such as smoke and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Effects of Air Pollution
- Health impacts include respiratory infections, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and neurological disorders such as cognitive impairment, dementia, and increased risk of stillbirths or miscarriages.
- Air pollution exacerbates conditions in vulnerable populations like children, elderly, and people with preexisting illnesses.
- It is linked to neuropsychiatric complications including aggression, anxiety, and disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
- Air pollution is a significant cause of noncommunicable diseases globally, second only to tobacco.
- Poor air quality contributes to environmental degradation, reduced visibility (smog), and climate change through emissions of greenhouse gases.
The causes and effects information can apply broadly but is particularly detailed and relevant in countries with high urbanization, industrial activity, and vehicle use, which commonly face severe air pollution challenges.
