Category: Air Pollution

Introduction

Imagine: you step outside, only to see the air filled with toxic gases and fumes, fog everywhere, oils dumped wherever you step, and trash flying around you. These are only a few of the things that animals have to go through because of us. Not only does it affect animals, but it affects humans and plants as well. It is scientifically proven that if we keep treating Earth how we do, mankind will end up going extinct by 2100. That’s only eighty-two more years until we are extinct!

Types and Causes of Pollution

Pollution is caused by a number of reasons. Because of the addition of unwanted chemicals to the soil, soil pollution is at a very high rate. Uses of pesticides and insecticides absorb nitrogen compounds from the soil, which makes the soil unfit for plants to get nutrition. Human waste is also a major cause of soil pollution. Although human waste goes through sewers, our waste eventually ends up in the soil, which contaminates the soil, making it unfit for plants. When the soil is unfit for the plants, the plants are unable to hold the soil, causing soil erosion.

One of the most dangerous and common types of pollution is air pollution. Air pollution is caused by chemical substances being released into the air. Some of our daily activities, like driving or burning wood, end up releasing a gas called sulfur dioxide into the air, making the air toxic to breathe in. This can damage many animals’ habitats, leaving them to starve and/or have nowhere to live. Releasing these toxins into the air causes global warming and acid rain, which raises temperatures worldwide.

Almost 60% of species live in water, but sadly, water pollution is decreasing this number. Many industrial wastes are dumped into rivers and other bodies of water. This causes an imbalance in the water, which then causes many animals that live in water to be born with birth defects or die because of poor conditions. Oil spills have also harmed aquatic animals. These oil spills have caused irreversible damage to the water. When spraying pesticides on plants, they pollute the groundwater system, which can kill many plants.

Conclusion

When it comes down to it, humans are the main cause of pollution. But we can still make a difference to clean up our act. Picking up trash you find on the ground, recycling, and not using insecticides or pesticides are all ways to prevent pollution near you. Even just one plastic bottle being picked up can make a difference in the future. If we want our future generations to have a healthy environment to live in, we need to start now!

References

1. “Air Pollution Control: A Design Approach” by C. David Cooper and F. C. Alley
2. “Air Pollution: Measurement, Modelling and Mitigation” edited by Jeremy Colls and Abhishek Tiwary
3. “Air Pollution and Global Warming: History, Science, and Solutions” by Mark Z. Jacobson

Introduction

Air pollution is one of the San Joaquin Valley’s (SJV) most well-known environmental issues. Being an agricultural hub trapped in between multiple mountain ranges, the San Joaquin Valley makes the perfect breeding ground for increased air pollution. Two of the most prominent pollutants in the San Joaquin Valley include particulate matter and ozone. Particulate matter is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets that are found in the air, while ozone (or tropospheric ozone) is the result of internal combustion engines and power plants (PM Basics, 2018).

Due to the severe health and environmental effects of pollution, various laws have been implemented in an attempt to control the amount of pollution and prevent further damage to citizens and the environment as a whole. Nevertheless, people continue to experience the economic, social, and health-related repercussions of pollution, including long-term health issues such as asthma and other lung diseases, accumulated healthcare costs related to the effects of pollution on one’s health, and public safety.

Sources and Variations of Pollution

The most prevalent pollutants in the San Joaquin Valley are particulate matter and ozone. As noted above, particulate matter is formed from solid and liquid particles. This can include dirt, dust, soot, or smoke (PM Basics, 2018). In severe cases, these particles can be seen with the naked eye. Particulate matters are broken down into two subcategories: PM10 and PM2.5. The former is inhalable particles that have diameters of 10 micrometers or less. The latter consists of fine, inhalable particles whose diameters are 2.5 micrometers or less (PM Basics, 2018).

A journal article entitled Source apportionment of PM2.5 organic carbon in the San Joaquin Valley using monthly and daily observations and meteorological clustering discussed a study where over two hundred samples of particulate matters were collected throughout three-day intervals over a 14-month period from the San Joaquin Valley. The samples were analyzed for organic carbon, elemental carbon, water-soluble organic carbon, and organic molecular markers (Skiles, 2018).

The five sources identified included mobile sources, biomass burning, meat smoke, vegetative detritus, and secondary organic carbon. Interestingly enough, biomass burning and meat smoke were noted to have peaked during the winter months, while secondary organic carbon peaked during the summer (Skiles, 2018). Essentially, the sources of particulate matter in the San Joaquin Valley are automobiles, the burning of crops or other vegetation, meat smoke, vegetative garbage, and secondary organic carbon.

The second most common pollutant in the San Joaquin Valley is the tropospheric ozone. It varies from particulate matter in that it is not emitted directly into the air (Basic Information about Ozone, 2018). Instead, it is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds. These pollutants that make up the tropospheric ozone come from cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, and chemical plants. These are exacerbated by sunlight, meaning they react with oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds best when in the sun. When this ozone is at ground level, it becomes a harmful air pollutant known as smog (Basic Information about Ozone, 2018).

Variations in ozone pollution are heavily influenced by meteorological processes (Jin, 2011). Wind circulation, solar radiation, and temperature can all alter chemical reaction rates, biogenic emissions, and pollutant transport and buildup (Jin, 2011). The San Joaquin Valley can attribute its ozone air pollution mostly to its geographical location as well as various emission sources from local and upwind areas such as the San Francisco Bay area and the Sacramento Valley area.

Reasons for Poor Air Quality

The San Joaquin Valley is the perfect host for pollutants due to its geographic location. According to ValleyAir.org, our Valley is about 250 miles long and is shaped like a narrow bowl bordered by mountains. Valley weather varies with frequent temperature inversions, hot summers, and sluggish, foggy winters. This allows for the formation and retention of air pollutants. In short, the San Joaquin Valley has poor air quality because it can produce and preserve pollution. Furthermore, the Valley is widely known for its agriculture. It is considered the most productive agricultural region in the world (San et al., 2018). Because of this, and because of the modern-day products used in agriculture, our region is affected by agricultural-related pollution.

Tractors and irrigation pumps are some of those contributors. On top of the fact that the Central Valley is booming with agriculture and is geographically equipped to hold pollutants, we have about 6.5 million people living in our region. With more people comes more vehicles creating more smog, more kitchen stoves being used, more packaged spray products, more household appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators in use, and more daily litter, which generates methane into the air (Baig, 2017). The increased amount of people leading to an increased emission of air-polluting substances is naturally going to deplete our air quality.

Impacts of climate change on the pollution level

Climate change is defined as a change in global or regional climate patterns; that is, the earth is warming at alarming rates. This affects pollution levels. Higher temperatures are known to increase smog pollution because smog contains ozone particles (Miller, 2017). As discussed earlier, ozone particles are exacerbated at higher temperatures. Additionally, higher temperatures, such as those caused by climate change, draw moisture out of the soil and into the air. This then causes the vegetation to dry out and become more vulnerable to wildfires, which can then contribute to air pollution (Miller, 2017). The smoke from the wildfires stays in the air for a significant amount of time and is capable of traveling long distances, leading to more premature deaths.

Smog and vegetative pollutants aren’t the only particles that are affected by climate change. Pollen is considered a pollutant as well, and it is very sensitive to climate. In warmer climates, the pollen season lasts longer. Moreover, increased carbon dioxide in the air causes plants to yield more pollen.

Economic, Social, and Health Impacts

Air pollution affects the economic status of our region in that it forces us to spend money on resources that may reduce pollution and improve air quality (EPA Activities for Cleaner Air, 2018). The region has funded a cleaner locomotive throughout the Valley with the intention of reducing the public health impact of diesel emissions from trains moving goods through the Valley. The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District has also paid $750,000 to install and operate a thermal oxidizer that reduces volatile organic compound emissions by 95% (EPA Activities for Cleaner Air, 2018). Manteca, in particular, was also required by a Clean Air Act Settlement to spend just under $4 million in an effort to improve its landfill’s gas collection and control system as well as replace trucks in the landfill’s fleet with vehicles that will produce less emission.

One of the most obvious impacts of air pollution is on our society’s health as a whole. The San Joaquin Valley has a high rate of asthma and various other lung diseases that are directly related to or exacerbated by poor air quality. Air pollution is a global health threat and causes millions of deaths every year (Jang, 2018). Pollutants are able to pass through the protective barriers in our bronchopulmonary tract (i.e., the mucosal cilia and air-blood barrier). Thus, the vapor of these pollutants is prone to be absorbed by our tissue or even dissolved in our bodily fluids. PM10 particles are typically able to be eliminated by mucociliary clearance, but PM2.5 particles can easily invade deeper into our lungs, leading to respiratory infections (Jang, 2018).

Children are especially at risk. In fact, a third of all deaths in children are related to various acute respiratory infections (Jang, 2018). Emergency room visits for asthma are mostly related to the aggravating effects of environmental exposure. Long-term exposure to these pollutants can lead to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (Jang, 2018). Frighteningly enough, lung cancer has been linked to air pollution exposure, as this exposure causes DNA injury. Being a smoker and living in the San Joaquin Valley have virtually the same effects on one’s lungs.

Unfortunately, air pollution does not just affect the health of those of us actually inhaling it. It also affects the lives and lungs of the not-yet-born. Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy is now considered to have long-term impacts on fetal human health. The prenatal period, specifically when the lungs of the fetus are being developed, is highly susceptible. Anything that an expecting mother consumes, including polluted air, can pass directly through the amniotic fluid and placenta and transfer over to the fetus, creating permanent damage before he or she takes his or her first breath (Jang, 2018).

In addition to pulmonary-related health concerns, air pollution can trigger certain inflammatory mechanisms in the body. Systemic inflammation has a critical role in the cause of diabetes, and scientists have found that long-term pollutant exposure, specifically to fine particulate matter (that is, PM2.5), increases blood glucose and encourages adipose tissue inflammation as well as insulin resistance. (Kan, 2011). Scientists have also monitored these occurrences in various groups, comparing long-term air pollution exposure and diabetes occurrence, incidence, and death, and found a positive relationship, meaning entire societies are at risk of developing diabetes and even expiring from it, in relation to exposure to poor air quality (Kan, 2011).

Existing Policies

In 1970, the United States passed the Clean Air Act (CAA), which is a comprehensive federal law that regulates air emissions from both stationary and mobile sources (EPA, 2017). The law allows the EPA to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards that protect public health and public welfare. They also regulate emissions from hazardous air pollutants. The Act has since been amended in 1977 and 1990 in order to set new goals since many areas in the country failed to meet deadlines (EPA, 2017).

They have also implemented a national pollution prevention policy. This includes specific plans of action such as preventing pollution/reducing the source whenever feasible, recycling the pollutants in an environmentally safe manner, treating the pollutants in an environmentally safe manner that cannot be prevented or recycled, and only disposing/releasing pollutants into the environment as an absolute last resort.

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District lists regulatory measures to control air pollution for 2018. One includes the use of ultra-low NOx flare emissions limitations for existing and new flaring activities, as well as the inclusion of additional flare minimization requirements.

Of course, there are always steps we can take at home to reduce/prevent pollution. The EPA suggests that we turn down the thermostat, keeping our homes heated to 68F during the day and 60F at night. They also suggest we lower our water heater down to 120F. Energy-efficient products and equipment can be purchased, and you can also insulate your house. Lastly, they also recommend cleaning or replacing filters regularly (EPA, 2017).

Conclusion

Air pollution in the Central Valley is clearly problematic. Our everyday use of vehicles, vegetative waste, agriculture, and even just the dust in the air have caused permanent effects on our environment and our health as a society. Due to the Valley’s dome-like shape enclosed by mountain ranges, we are able to trap pollutants, which only enhances our already substantial problem. The health of our citizens, born and not yet born, is being affected by lung diseases such as asthma, COPD, and lung cancer. Individuals are now at even higher risk for diabetes in relation to poor air quality exposure.

In order to reclaim our environment and our health status, we as a society must implement the policies laid out before us by the government. It is vital that we do our part to reduce pollution, whether that be turning our heater/air conditioning down, changing out light bulbs, or carpooling to work and school. In addition, efforts to reduce climate change should be implemented so as not to exacerbate pollution particles. Any and all efforts to prevent pollution and improve the health and safety of our society are well worth the cost of the convenience of running the air conditioner or driving yourself to work.

References

1. “The Silent Epidemic: Coal and the Hidden Threat to Health” by Alan H. Lockwood
2. “Air Pollution: Health and Environmental Impacts” by Bhola R. Gurjar, Luisa T. Molina
3. “Air Quality in America: A Dose of Reality on Air Pollution Levels, Trends, and Health Risks” by Joel M. Schwartz

In the last three decades Pollution has become a big issue for the world and requires increased attention from all stakeholders. There are several types of pollution and there is need for sensitization in order to try to avoid or minimize the effects of such pollution. Any form of pollution to the natural environment is a health concern, and causes insecurity because it disrupts the natural system by disturbing the balances in nature. The results of air pollution today are increased human health issues, damage to the environment and low quality of life to both animals and plants. Of great concern is emissions caused by traffic and industries. The negative effects resulting from these emissions are undeniable and there is need to get a lasting solution to the problem. Uses of eco friendly modes of transport such as bicycles or public electric trains are some of the solutions in solving emissions caused by transport systems .

There are other gases such as green house gases that have also been of great concern in the recent past. When released to the air, they are both harmful to human beings and plant life. These gases have been proven to be a cause of global warming which has resulted in increased droughts. In turn, these droughts have been a major cause of fires that increase air pollution. However, this poses a problem to the society at large because though using eco friendly transport means is a solution, it is not practical that everybody can use it. The vehicles in our transport system play a huge role in contributing to our economies in addition to the economic benefits we get from the industries that may be causing pollution. In addition, the investments that can be incurred in ‘going green’ by all industries and transport systems that cause pollution will be enormous.

Additionally, we cannot ignore the immense contribution of the originators of green house gas originators; the oil industry and the agricultural industry. The main forms of pollution to the environment from green house gases are carbon dioxide emissions, methane emissions and other fluorinated gases. When released to the atmosphere, these gases contribute to the ‘thickening of earth’s blanket’ which is responsible for increased pollution. It is important to note that, these are industries we cannot do without because they are sources of food as well as employment. It is not logical to stop food producing industries in the name of stopping pollution or prohibiting the use of motor vehicles to stop pollution. The solution lies in arriving at a compromise which is a balance that is healthy both to the economy and the environment. It is possible to have industries get subsidies to be able to phase out the old polluting machinery and instead have ‘green’ machinery that is eco friendly. Consequently, better food processing methods can be enhanced in order to reduce the emissions. However, this should not result in harmful food substances on our tables and therefore care should be taken to ensure the gases do not move from the environment to the food itself.

Air is one of the most important elements to all living things. However, in this 21st century, air pollution has become a growing threat to all life on Earth. Air pollution can be described as the contamination of the atmosphere by various pollutants that are harmful to all life, reduce visibility and produce odors that are undesirable. Some of the pollutants are released by natural sources, for example: the smoke emitted or eruption of volcanoes, hot springs and many more. However, the effect of pollution cause by natural sources are very small compared to the pollutant that our factories and vehicles emits (Kumar, n.d.). Therefore, we human beings are the main cause to air pollution. There are a lot of reasons for us to worry about air pollution as it not only affects our health, it also can contaminate Earth to a point that it is no longer suitable for life to live in the future if we do not stop the increasing of air pollution. So, what are the main causes of air pollution and their effects and most importantly are there ways for us to reduce air pollution?

There are so many factors that contribute to the polluted air here in Malaysia. However, the main reason of air pollution here is because of haze. For the past years, Indonesia was mostly to be blamed and this was due to the burning of rainforest in Sumatera in order to open up land for palm oil plantation, agricultural or commercial purposes. The smoke from this burning has drifts over to Malaysia and the most affected with the thick haze were Sabah and Sarawak. This method was said to be a cheaper alternative to open up land. For example in 2015, this was the year where haze in Malaysia got worst than ever that has forced the government to declare schools to be closed for few days. In this year, widespread illnesses has also increased vastly especially to the elders and children. (Malaysia Traveller , n.d.)

However, the air pollution may not solely to be blamed to the forest burning in Indonesia because local industrial in Malaysia has also contributed to the air pollution. Economic growth have led to an increasing manufacturing sector and processing industries continue to grow over the years in Malaysia which leads to a more factory opening. The smoke released by factories and industries were not efficiently filtered that has caused the smoke to be hazardous therefore this would harm the health of the people. Because of this, the people who live nearby would be badly affected. (Danial, 2016)

Other than that, a large number of vehicles, poor road conditions and inefficiency of public transport have also been a huge contribution to air pollution in this country. Most Malaysians nowadays prefer to use private transport as it is more convenient for them to get to work, college or anywhere else. This is the reason why the number of vehicles has increased vastly for the past few years. Especially in Klang Valley, the air is badly polluted because of the major traffic jams has increased the air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, volatile organic compounds and ozone. (Ahmad Makmom Abdullah, 2012)

Vaping and smoking are also contributing factors to air pollution. As of 2015, it was recorded that atleast 1 in 10 Malaysians are 13 to 17 years olds smokers and atleast 1 in 2 Malaysians are adult smokers. (Wee Lei Hum, 2016) This huge increasing number of smokers in this country has obviously degrades our air quality. The particles contain in tobacco smoke will settle in the dust or surfaces for atleast few months and will form to cancer-causing compounds. Same goes to vaping, although the smell of the smoke may be pleasing, but it produces aerosol clouds containing chemicals. (Rj, 2018)

Undeniably one of the prominent problems our civilized society faces today lies a global epidemic of air pollution which has negatively affected our global village. According to the World Health Organisation (W.H.O).air pollution is one of the greatest contributing factors to a number of international diseases. Statistics derived from (W.H.O) illustrate and prove that air pollution in low-income families is at 94 percent. Diseases such as asthma, pneumonia, lung cancer, and recently diabetes has been added to the list are imperative and are most likely to affect health on a large scale. According to (Rollin, 2017) 40% of the world solely rely on wood, crop residue, charcoal and animal dung for their daily activities. Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and hydrocarbons are emitted into the air when all the resources mentioned above are burnt. A study conducted by the ((W.H.O), 2014) supports the phenomenon that air pollutes is indeed harmful. To illustrate this 7 million premature deaths were caused by air pollution in the year 2014.

It is evident that air pollution negatively impacts the eco and social-cultural environment and is indeed attributed to a number of health-related problems. Hence both indoor and outdoor quality of air need to be enhanced to ensure that there is a decline in these diseases. Studies suggest that low-income families are more prone to use biomass fuels which reuse smoke into the air, which affects the overall air quality. Vulnerable groups thus are prone to living in badly aerated areas due to the low standard of living and are thus exposed to harmful chemicals and fuels in the air.

To add on to this pregnant woman and young children are the main victims due to the fumes being passed to the next generation. A clear illustration of this is during world war 2 in 1945 a bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and Negasi (Japan ). Studies show that after the bomb was dropped show that there was a generation of women and children who were born with disabilities due to the infected and poor quality of air. hence air pollution grossly affects and is impressionable to women and children and can affect the health of an unborn child.

Furthermore, exposure to bad quality of air in the early stages of life can affect an unborn foetus in the early postnatal life which can cause problems to the organ functions of the child which in turn may cause mutilation and a slow maturation rate in the brain, lungs together with the immune system at large.

In the year 2012 our country faced 6251 deaths due to air pollution as per the World Health Organization’s report (THE WHO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, 2016). Mainly the deaths were caused by coronary illness (3,630), stroke (1773), low respiratory infection (29), lung tumor (670) and pulmonary ailment (148) (http://www.wpro.who.int, 2014). The figure in the year 2013, increased about 878 people compared to last year but the study made by the World Health Organization exclude indoor air pollution which might have affect numerous people in Malaysia (KHOR, 2016). If these facts were included the overall amount of death caused due to air pollution would probably be higher than those caused by road accidents.

Seasonably the haze has been absent to a great extent so far this year because usually due to burning in jungle and agriculture in Indonesia our country has experienced the impacts of the haze annually and the year 2015 memories are unforgettable (BALCH, 2015). 4.3 million died rashly from indoor pollution and about 3.7 million people from outdoor pollution from the study made by World Health Organization and 92% of individuals on the planet does not meet the World Health Organization wellbeing standard for open air quality. More than 3000 rural and urban areas a worldwide evaluation for great exposure and encumbrance of disease is done based on satellite information and ground station monitors according the WHO report in Ambient air pollution (http://www.euro.who.int, n.d.). Our nation has a figure of PM2.5 yearly meridian middle centralization of 15 (running from 9 to 24) micrograms per cubic meter which is half over the WHO’s standard limit of 10.

By contrast, other Asian nations had the accompanying air pollution levels in countries like China (54), India (62), Thailand (25), Singapore (17) and Indonesia. From the year 2008 to 2013 there has been a rapid development which is about 8% of rise of the contrary impact of this new hidden killer. According to World Health Organization, the dangerous pollutants were one of the best reasons and responsible for 11.6% of deaths globally of the aggregate in the year 2012 (AYRY). Two out of three deaths happened in our neighborhood such as Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific districts and 90% of deaths in developing countries. Mainly toxins from the ignition of petroleum products radiated by vehicles is one of the primary driver for air pollution in Malaysia. In 2011, our road has witnessed in excess of 21 million enlisted vehicles and that number is probably going to be higher now and every one of those vehicles are creating dangerous gases that affects our wellbeing (KHOR, https://www.thestar.com.my, 2016).

The issue should likewise be given the worldwide consideration it deserves. Decreasing air pollution is one of the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Secretary-General, 2017). Furthermore, in May 2016, the World Health Assembly out of the blue embraced a four-point guide to handle air pollution (GENEVA, 2015). In the previous month pollution in our capital has been more awful than Beijing’s (DENYER, 2018). With no woods fires consuming in South East Asia the time has come to acknowledge that the city’s pollution has no outer source and it originates from movement (VIDAL, 2014).

The conventional estimation was PM10 particles littler than 10 micrometers (National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP), n.d.). These irritations of the eyes and nose and can lead to influenza-like manifestations. It is additionally harming the economy and influences liveability and venture. Five years back, KL positioned 25th for the most liveable city for Asian expats, this year the city is 126th (https://cleanmalaysia.com, 2018). “Regional chief of Asia at ECA International clarifies that while different areas have enhanced their air quality, there stays “abnormal amounts of pollution in Kuala Lumpur (LEEQUANE, 2018). At the point when individuals quit considering KL to be an alluring city to live it is harder to draw in worldwide business and outside venture. In our country there are far less power plants in the area (Fadzil, 2018). The city is likewise encompassed by thick woods which assume a critical part in keeping the city tenable. The new government has chosen not to boost open transport with the guaranteed month to month pass. Further, the evacuation of GST is set to expand auto deals as costs for vehicles diminish as much as RM88000.

Cases of Air Pollution in Malaysia

1997 Southeast Asian Haze

The haze appeared around July and continued till November which involved the South East countries of Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Thailand. The haze was caused by the burning of vegetation from the neighbouring country, Indonesia, to clear the land use for agricultural purposes. Satellites showed that the haze covered an area of approximately 3,000,000 km2 of land in Sumatera and Kalimantan area of South East Asia. (Goldammer, 2000)

2005 Malaysian Haze

The 2005 Malaysian Haze appeared in August 2005 and caused a state of emergency for the country as the Air Pollution Index (API) has reached over 500 which is a hazardous level of air pollution. The air quality was incredibly poor to the point where health officials advised citizens to stay at home. Some of the schools in Malaysia were closed down as it could endangered the health of the children as the number of patients admitted to hospitals rose. A state of emergency was announced in Port Klang and Kuala Selangor and was then lifted on 13 of August after officials have announced that the API levels drop down. (BBC News, 2005)

2015 Southeast Asian haze

The 2015 Haze has caused an international crisis and multiple states of emergency which involved the countries of Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam. It appeared in late June and depleted around end of October 2015. The haze hit a record high of 1801 for Pollutants Standards Index (PSI) in Indonesia. The haze itself has affected approximately 4 million students in Malaysia and disrupted events such as the 2015 FINA Swimming World Cup in Singapore and the Kuala Lumpur Marathon in Malaysia. Nearly all the states in Malaysia, except for Sabah and Kelantan, were told to close down schools temporarily. (Heng, 2015)

Malaysian Law on Air Pollution

The current laws in Malaysia governing air pollution is the Environment Quality Act 1974 and its Regulations 1989. Section 22 of the act states the restrictions on the pollution of the atmosphere. A licence is required in order to emit pollutants exceeding the prescribed limits in accordance with the procedures specified in the Environmental Quality (Licensing) Regulations 1977. The other laws implemented are the Environmental Quality Order 1989, the National Forestry Act 1984, and the International Environmental Laws to further enforce laws on air pollution in Malaysia. The punishment for not complying with the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and its Regulations 1989 is a fine not exceeding RM 10,000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or both. A further fine not exceeding one thousand ringgit a day is imposed for every day that the offence is continued after a notice is given by the Director.

Clean air is the foremost requirement to sustain healthy lives of humankind and those supporting ecosystems which in return affect the human being. The air is composed of 99.9% of nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor and inert gases. Humans are dependent to air. We breathe about 35 lbs. of air per day as compared with the consumption of 3 to 5 lbs. of water and 1 ½ lbs. of dry food. One of the problems we are facing today is air pollution. Air pollution is a mixture of solid particles and gases in the air. Car emissions, chemicals from factories, dust, pollen and mold spores may be suspended as particle. Some air pollutants are poisonous. Inhaling them increase the chance you’ll have health problems. People with heart or lung diseases, older adults and children are at great risk from air pollution. Air pollution isn’t just outside- the air inside the buildings can also be polluted and affect your health.

In this research paper, we are going to discuss what is air pollution, the cause of air pollution. And also the solution and how we can prevent air pollution.

Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or damages the natural environment, into the atmosphere. Prior to industrialization, the ecosystem was able to take care of any discrepancies in the air through wind, rain and other acts of nature. However, since industrialization, humans have added more pollutants into the atmosphere than the ecosystem could deal with them. The atmosphere is a complex dynamic natural gaseous system that is essential to support life on planet Earth. Stratospheric ozone depletion due to air pollution has been long recognized as a threat to human health as well as to the Earth’s ecosystems.

Emission is the term used to describe the gases and particles which are put in the air or emitted by various sources. Pollution discarded into atmosphere by residential, commercial, and industrial facilities. Technically an emission is anything that’s been released out into the open. But more often it refers to gases being released into the air, like greenhouse gasses or emissions from power plants and factories. What are emissions? Where do they come from?

The amounts and types of emissions change every year. These changes are caused by changes in the nation’s economy, industrial activity, technology improvements, traffic, and by many other factors. Air pollution regulations and emission controls also have an effect. The National Air Pollutant Emission Trends report summarizes longterm trends in emissions of air pollutants and gives in-depth analysis of emissions for the current year. The report also discusses emission evaluation and prediction methodologies.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is mainly concerned with emissions which are or could be harmful to people. EPA calls this set of principal air pollutants, criteria pollutants. The criteria pollutants are carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), nitrogen dioxide(NO2), ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). There are also a large number of compounds which have been determined to be hazardous which are called air toxics.

There are many sources of emissions. These have been grouped into four categories: point, mobile, biogenic, and area. Point sources include things like factories and electric power plants. Mobile sources include cars and trucks, of course, but also lawn mowers, airplanes and anything else that moves and puts pollution into the air.

In 1970 The United States Congress passed Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendments (the CAA was passed in 1963) which set into motion a nationwide effort to improve the country’s air quality. Since then additional laws and regulations have been added including the 1990 Amendments to the Clean Air Act.

The Clean Air Act (CAA) is the comprehensive federal law that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. Among other things, this law authorizes EPA to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect public health and public welfare and to regulate emissions of hazardous air pollutants.

One of the goals of the Act was to set and achieve NAAQS in every state by 1975 in order to address the public health and welfare risks posed by certain widespread air pollutants. The setting of these pollutant standards was coupled with directing the states to develop state implementation plans (SIPs), applicable to appropriate industrial sources in the state, in order to achieve these standards. The Act was amended in 1977 and 1990 primarily to set new goals (dates) for achieving attainment of NAAQS since many areas of the country had failed to meet the deadlines.

Section 112 of the Clean Air Act addresses emissions of hazardous air pollutants. Prior to 1990, CAA established a risk-based program under which only a few standards were developed. The 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments revised Section 112 to first require issuance of technology-based standards for major sources and certain area sources. “Major sources” are defined as a stationary source or group of stationary sources that emit or have the potential to emit 10 tons per year or more of a hazardous air pollutant or 25 tons per year or more of a combination of hazardous air pollutants. An “area source” is any stationary source that is not a major source. For major sources, Section 112 requires that EPA establish emission standards that require the maximum degree of reduction in emissions of hazardous air pollutants. These emission standards are commonly referred to as “maximum achievable control technology” or “MACT” standards. Eight years after the technology-based MACT standards are issued for a source category, EPA is required to review those standards to determine whether any residual risk exists for that source category and, if necessary, revise the standards to address such risk.

The Philippines Clean Air Act of 1999 (Republic Act No. 8749) outlines the government’s measures to reduce air pollution and incorporative environmental protection into its development plans. It relies heavily on the polluter pays principle and other market-based instruments to promote self-regulation among the population. It sets emissions standards for all motor vehicles and issues pollutant limitations for industry. Emissions limit values are laid down by The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippines ‘Implementing Rules and Regulations for Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999’. These rules and regulation shall apply to all industrial emissions and other establishments which are potential sources of air pollution.

The Pollutant Standards Index, or PSI, is a type of air quality index, which is a number used to indicate the level of pollutants in air. Initially PSI was based on five air pollutants, but since 1 April 2014 it has also included fine particulate matter (PM2.5).In addition to the PSI derived by averaging data collected for the past 24 hours, Singapore also publishes a 3h-PSI based on PM2.5 concentrations for the past 3 hours. 1-hr PM2.5 concentrations are also published every hour. Besides Singapore, some other countries also use air quality indices. However, the calculations used to derive their air quality indices may differ. Different countries also use different names for their indices such as Air Quality Health Index, Air Pollution Index and Pollutant Standards Index.

The Clean Air Act requires EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six common air pollutants. These commonly found air pollutants (also known as “criteria pollutants”) are found all over the United States. They are particle pollution (often referred to as particulate matter), photochemical oxidants and ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and lead. These pollutants can harm your health and the environment, and cause property damage. EPA calls these pollutants “criteria” air pollutants because it sets NAAQS for them based on the human health-based and/or environmentally-based criteria (characterizations of the scientific information).

The set of standards based on human health for protection of public health is called primary standards. Another set of standards intended to prevent environmental and property damage for protection of public welfare is called secondary standards. Where a criteria pollutant is actually a group of pollutants (e.g., nitrogen oxides), the standards are set for key or indicator pollutants within the group (e.g., nitrogen dioxide).

Ozone is a gas that is formed when nitrogen oxides react with a group of air pollutants known as ‘reactive organic substances’ in the presence of sunlight.

Airborne particles are sometimes referred to as ‘particulate matter’ or ‘PM’. They include dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets. Some particles are large enough or dark enough to be seen as soot or smoke, while others are so small they can only be detected individually with a microscope.

Carbon monoxide is a gas and is found in air. High levels of carbon monoxide are poisonous to humans and, unfortunately, it cannot be detected by humans as it has no taste or smell and cannot be seen.

Nitrogen dioxide is a nasty-smelling gas. Some nitrogen dioxide is formed naturally in the atmosphere by lightning and some is produced by plants, soil and water. However, only about 1% of the total amount of nitrogen dioxide found in our cities’ air is formed this way.

Sulfur dioxide is a gas. It is invisible and has a nasty, sharp smell. It reacts easily with other substances to form harmful compounds, such as sulfuric acid, sulfurous acid and sulfate particles.

Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal that is found in the Earth’s crust. Lead can be released into soil, air and water through soil erosion, volcanic eruptions, sea spray and bushfires. The natural concentration of lead in the air is less than 0.1 microgram per cubic meter. Air toxics are sometimes referred to as ‘hazardous air pollutants’. Air toxics as gaseous, aerosol or particulate pollutants that are present in the air in low concentrations with characteristics such as toxicity or persistence so as to be a hazard to human, plant or animal life. Are another class of pollutants. They arise from sources such as microbiological contamination, e.g molds, the skin of animals and humans and the remains and dropping of pests such as cockroaches. Biological pollutants can be airborne and can have a significant impact on indoor air quality.

The proportion of the global population living in urban areas has been increasing steadily over the last several decades, with the largest recent increases occurring in low-income and middle-income countries. Much of this urbanization is taking place in urban areas with 1–5 million inhabitants, but mega-cities, with populations of 10 million or more, contribute importantly to this trend and face unique challenges related to human health. Globally, air pollution is the most important environmental health risk, and levels of particulate matter (PM) and most other health damaging pollutants are higher in urban than rural areas due to the concentration of major emissions sources. The large number of pollution sources concentrated in an area with dense housing, traffic and industry may result in high pollution levels, especially if the pollution control lags behind the city growth.

The specific concern with air pollution in the large cities of the world has been reflected by numerous monitoring campaigns and reports published for the past few decades. With the increasing evidence on health effects of air pollution, especially of airborne particulate matter, measured as mass concentration of particles less than 10 (or 2.5) micrometres (PM10 or PM2.5), more recent air quality assessments have provided better and more relevant information on the magnitude and severity of the urban air pollution problem in developing countries. Based on these data, and supported by an econometric model enabling estimation of PM2.5 levels in all cities with populations greater than 100,000 people, the first estimate of the global burden of disease attributable to urban air pollution was produced in 2004.

This analysis estimated 800,000 premature deaths per year attributable to particulate matter, with more than two-thirds of this burden occurring in the rapidly developing economies of Asia. The assessments of air pollution status and health impacts were followed by more detailed analysis of pollution sources and distribution, as well as activities to reduce pollution in the mega-cities. They noted that the lessons learned in developed countries curbing their pollution problems may bring progress in other mega-cities of the world.

The growing trend of human civilization moving away from rural areas to urban areas in order to have a better life raises the importance of making sure the current and future megacities of the world have the cleanest air possible.

In today’s complex world, with hazardous chemicals in everything we buy, e-waste filling our landfills and the exponential increase in gasoline-burning automobiles on the highways, the idea of being able to reduce air pollution is not easy to imagine. More than just smog, air quality is linked to everything, from childhood asthma to global warming. Turning a blind eye to the problem of air pollution not only risks our own health but the health of the planet for generations to come. There is still time, however, to make a difference. With these seven steps, you can start right away to improve the air quality in your home and in your community. And that makes everyone breathe a little easier.

According to the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are six major causes of air pollution in the United States. These are ground-level ozone, particulate matter, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide.

While most people have heard of carbon monoxide, lead and particulate matter, they might be surprised to learn that the primary source of air pollution today is groundlevel ozone. Unlike the natural ozone layer that surrounds the earth and helps regulate temperature by shielding it from the sun’s harmful rays, ground-level ozone occurs when nitrogen oxides mix with volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The chemical reaction that follows emits ground-level ozone that can lead to numerous health problems. Upper respiratory ailments such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema are all related to ground-level ozone.

So where does this chemical reaction occur? Anywhere you have gasoline vapors, car exhaust fumes, a large storage of chemical agents, and factory or utility plant emissions. Reduce these key elements and you can reduce the amount of groundlevel ozone you are exposed to.

Automobiles do more than just contribute to ground-level ozone. The making of gasoline requires the burning of coal and oil which causes an increase in sulfur dioxides, another of the six leading causes of air pollution. The EPA says petroleum refineries are key producers of sulfur dioxides and the more time spent behind the wheel of a car means more air pollution for everyone to breathe.

While it may not be possible to completely eliminate your use of automobiles, try consolidating errands and shopping to keep from making multiple trips to the same location. If you live near a commuter railway, make a commitment to take the train at least one day a week to work. Looking for a new set of wheels? Why not buy a hybrid. These great vehicles combine electric and fuel energy to get better mileage and many produce nearly zero emissions.

NASA recently discovered that many household plants, like the Gerbera Daisy, Peace Lily and English Ivy are instrumental in removing carbon monoxide from the air. Operating much like the human liver, these common indoor plants actually filter harmful chemicals and dangerous compounds from the air, absorbing the toxins through tiny pores in their leaves and “digesting” the pollution through their stems, roots and out through the soil.

Using these natural air filters in your home or office can greatly reduce the amount of indoor air pollution and help eliminate recurring colds and respiratory problems. According to the NASA study, other helpful varieties for clean air are the bamboo palm, Chinese evergreen and any of the Dracaena trees.Electricity might seem a green way to heat your home, but the VOCs generated by electrical utility plants are among the highest in all forms of manufacturing. Nitrogen oxides are also a byproduct of electrical utilities and as we learned in Step 1, combining the two can lead to deadly increases in ground-level ozone. Utility companies produce more sulfur dioxides than petroleum plants and the amount of other resources necessary to operate the plants make electric utilities a less-than optimum choice when looking to “power” your home. Today’s solar panels are unique in both design and installation. Whereas previous generation panels were large and unsightly perched above your roof, modern versions are colorful, install directly into the roof tiles and can usually generate enough electricity to power your home, heat your hot water and have enough left over to sell back to the utility company.

The dangers of lead-based paint have been known since roughly the 1970s, however, recent environmental issues surrounding imported toys have caused everyone to rethink the use of lead in common household products. Leaded fuels were phased out after the 1990 Amendment to the federal Clean Air Act, making trash-burning, battery storage, and utility-leaching the major sources of household lead pollution. Have your gas and electric appliances checked to make sure there are no leaks in the lines or shorts in the wiring. Never burn trash or use your fireplace to get rid of excess garbage. If you have old batteries lying around, call your County Department of Environmental Health and ask where you can legally dispose of them. Most importantly, check the label on painted items such as furniture, decorator items and children’s toys. If you are unsure if the item contains lead-based paint, contact the manufacturer and ask. If they are unable to tell you, return the item for a refund or get rid of it altogether.

Well, not really. But be careful about the kind of dust you stir up. Much of the thick brown haze you see over large urban areas is a combination of dust from construction sites, smoke from factories and the emissions from cars mixed together. While you might not be able to control the number of cars on the road or the types of factories that operate, you can watch your yard for dry patches and do your part to eliminate dust. This is especially important if you use a lot of chemical fertilizers or other treatments on your patch of ground because those chemicals will mix with others once airborne and could cause even greater health problems. If you have a large non-landscaped area of your yard, make sure it stays damp and is not allowed to completely dry out, creating dust. If you are not ready to plant, sprinkle the area with water every few days to keep the dust in check. Better yet, cover with plastic sheeting to keep the ground from drying out while generating your own solar watering system at the same time.

Since electrical plants contribute to both carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, the burning of coal and petroleum generates ground-level ozone and sulfur dioxides, and the use of gas-powered heating systems can raise interior carbon monoxide levels to dangerous levels. Instead of turning on the heat, why not put on a sweater? Put another blanket on your bed during colder winter months. Keep cozy sweatshirts and plush chenille throws near the sofa for those evenings in front of the television. Snuggle next to someone to keep warm. Simple changes can make a huge difference in the amount of air pollution you are exposed to. Start small and build on your successes. Pretty soon, we will all be breathing a sigh of relief.

Air pollution increases rapidly due to globalization and rapid increase of population. It is time for us to act to prevent pollution. It is the responsibility of everyone to protect our environment. Let us fulfill our responsibilities in environmental protection, creating a quality ecological environment and sharing wonderful green living together.

WHO air quality model affirms that 90% of the total populace live in places where air quality levels surpass WHO’s Ambient Air quality guidelines. This news is definitely not a surprise to many of us as it has become rather common to look up the sky and see smoke or haze blocking the sun. Before we dive into the topic of pollution in details, let’s take a look at the word pollution. What do we mean we say pollution? Pollution happens when we introduce foreign matters into a natural ecosystem and consequently, these pollutants end up dirtying as well as rendering the environment unsafe for living beings. For example, contaminants are not only made up of the common pollutants that we know of such as ozone (O3), sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, diesel exhaust and so on but are also made up of light, sound and temperature when they are brought into an environment artificially.

Now that we have analysed the word pollution, let’s drill down to the type of pollutions that we are currently facing globally. Besides air pollution, we are also at risk from water pollution, noise pollution, soil pollution, radioactive pollution, light pollution and so on. According to the WHO, air pollution-related death has hit an estimated 7 million per year with the highest recorded ambient air pollution levels in Eastern Mediterranean Region and South-East Asia.

As for water pollution, The Pacific Institute a global water think-tank group estimates that in developing countries that 90% of sewage and 70% of industrial waste is realised untreated into our river systems. As a result of this, 3.4 million people reportedly die every year of water-related diseases that are preventable. Not all is doom and gloom as the world is realizing the importance of sustainability with more awareness being stressed, with the result that some part of Europe and the Americas have seen decline in the concentration of ambient air pollutions. As a country that is in South-East Malaysia, we Malaysians should be even more concerned on how to overcome and positively impact the pollution problem that has seen a steady rise over the years in our region.

Firstly let’s take a look at air pollution in Malaysia. In Malaysia, air pollution is usually measured using the air pollution index (API) that is calculated from major air pollutants which is sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter of less than 10 microns in size and ozone (Department of Environment). The table below (Figure 2) gives us the index scale for the API. Our API index should always be in the blue zone which is the good zone while anything beyond 301 which is the red zone is hazardous for us.

Open burning in Malaysia has always been a bone of contention for the parties involved especially those who feel that clearing a land by razing it with fire not only reduces the cost but is less time consuming as well. Alas open burning has been known to degrade the quality of air as well as contribute to the loss of organic materials important for enhancement of soil. When open burnings are done especially during the dry months the particals and heavy smoke that are emitted goes directly into the air and causes the haze phenomena. The situation is worsened by the occurrence of El Nino which plagues the South-East Asia region every few years causing a dry spell, with rain volume going down and a spike in temperature that has also resulted in forest fires which compounds the problem even more. In the year 2015, the DOE managed to pinpoint 2,335 hotspots through satelite while ground surveillance managed to detect a total of 3,459 open burning occurrence.

In addition to open burning, we also face a major air pollution issue caused by mobile sources which can be contributed to urbanization, the lack of public transport in Malaysia and also poor road conditions. Due to Malaysia’s vision to be a developed nation by 2020, urbanization has been a necessity which consequently has caused an increase in vehicles used in our country. According to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), as of 30 June 2017, the number of vehicles that are on the roads is 28,181,203 units which translate into 0.88 vehicles per person in Malaysia. As a result, not only CO2 emission has increased but also the emission of other gasses such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, volatile organic compounds, ozone and so on. As the lack of public transport has made it difficult for an average citizen to travel to places without their own car, it is time for the government to step up and find a solution for this dilemma.

The consequences of all these air pollutants contaminating the air are a significant rise in health problems, breathing problems and also skin diseases among the global citizens. According to WHO, air pollution accounts for 25% of deaths and diseases from lung cancer, 17% of death and disease from acute lower respiratory infection, 16% of death from stroke, 15% of death and disease from ischaemic heart disease and 8% of deaths and disease from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (World Health Organization). We Malaysians must work hand in hand with the government to address this issue.

One of the very first things that we Malaysians can do is educate the public especially those in the rural areas on the impacts of open burning. More programs on the negative impact of open burning can be conducted by not only the governmennt but also NGOs and also academics that are experts in these areas. Moreover alternate ways that are less costly should be implemented and the proper education of that to be conducted by the relevant parties. The DOE of Malaysia has already introduced some ways that are better alternatives compared to open burning such the decomposition of organic waste material such as food to be buried and decomposed which in return will fertilize the land. Secondly the waste from agriculture, branches and fallen trees in farming could be decomposed and used as ferlitizers as well. While the ways were introduced, the how to’s and where to’s are not so clear with not much emphasis given on them.

In the US, organic wastes are collected by organic collection services run as a social enterprise that uses commercial tactics to produce community and environmental improvements. A few examples of such enterprises are EverGreen Zero Waste, FoodScrap360, Team Green Recycling and so many more. These initiatives could reduce not only open burning but also the area of landfills needed for trash. The Penang government has over the years introduced more and more green initiative with the recent one being segregation of waste materials into recyclable and nonrecyclable items. This innitiative will in the term long reduce not just open burning, air pollution but also land pollution and also water pollution as less trash are thrown into water. According Penang Mayor Datuk Maimunah Mohd Sharif, the Penang Island City Council has hit a 28.4 percentile of recycling rate for the year 2017. These initiatives especially the plastic ban inititive should be spread to all the countries in Malaysia with proper education given by the relevant parties. The government, people and NGOs should all work together to reduce this issue in Malaysia as a positive impact can only be seen when coorperation between all parties are seen.

Pursuing this further, air pollution caused by vehicles can also be reduced in a number of ways. The government has already initiated ‘Park and Ride’ concept in a number of cities. In Penang it is known as Bridge Express Shuttle Transit (BEST) system whereby those who are working in Penang Island can park their cars in a certain place such as Sunway Carnival Mall and take the bus to Bayan Lepas Industrial Zone. The Penang Government collaborated with Rapid Penang to provide this service which has impacted positively in reducing the number of vehicles used. This has indirectly reduced the emission of hazardous fumes from vehicles. Furthermore, the government has proposed an LRT line known as the Bayan Lepas Line which will pass through must-go-points at KOMTAR, Bayan Lepas FIZ and Penang International Airport which will also connect several residential townships and employment hubs on the island.

In addition another LRT line which will connect the island and mainland has also been proposed (Penang Transport Master Plan). We as Malaysian can further improve on these initiatives by car pooling as well. Eventhough the government is introducing more and more green initiatives, th effect will can only be improved if we as the citizens are willing to do our bit as well. Car pooling to work or even school can be done by parents whose children go to the same school. Usage of the school bus and also buses to work is also another way we can further reduce vehicle usage. Rather than 1 person 1 vehicle, it will be at least 30 persons using 1 transport to get to their destination. Multiply that with 1000 and the impact will be huge. All these initiatives will reduce CO2 emission in the long run.

Another major pollution issue that has caused numerous problems to both human kind and also animals is the contamination of water. Millions of tons of untreated water both from industries and agriculture are released into the world’s water on a daily basis. The most damaging water contaminants caused by human activities are microbial pathogens, nutrients, oxygen-consuming materials, heavy metals and organic matter as well as suspended sediments. Eutrophication which is the consequence of nitrogen and phosphorus contaminating the water and making it nutrient dense affects the water quality as well. This in return causes the overgrowth of vascular plants and algal blooms which reduces the oxygen level in the water and kills off marine life. Let’s take a look at the contaminants released by the agriculture sector and the effects it has in our water system.

Agriculture is a major economic productivity for Malaysia though the effect it is having on our waters due to a lack of control in their usage is quite a worrisome issue. The major pollutants created by agriculture come from pesticides, animal manure, fertilizers, ploughing activities as well as irrigations. Pesticides that are sprayed on the crops usually causes runoff that leads to the contamination of surface water. Some pesticides are found to have even contaminated marine life thousands of miles away as the contaminant is carried by the wind, which eventually ends up landing in distant water. In addition, animal manure is also another unavoidable pollution that affects the water system. Most animal corrals are washed with water which then flows out of the corrals into the irrigation system of even absorbed by the ground leading to the degradation of surface water and ground water quality as most faeces and urine contain pathogens, metals, antibiotics and other chemicals that are harmful to humans and marine life.

The second major pollution is our water system seems to be plastic pollution of our seas. As reported by Worldwatch Institute, 299 million tons of plastics were manufactured in 2013 but the recovery and recycling were not adequate enough which caused plastics to end up in oceans. The very nature of plastic which is durable and strong has become the bane of our existence as this is the very reason why plastics do not decompose easily and tends to float on our oceans for a long period of time. Most of us have seen reports of marine life ingesting or entangled in plastics and dying as a result. According to the University of Exeter, all seven species of marine turtles are at risk from plastic ingestion or entanglement, with even the hatchlings being affected as they get entangled in plastics littering the shorelines. If the current trend continues, most of our oceans will soon be a floating plastic landfill.

Apart from plastic pollution, we are facing an additional issue with the rise of water temperature. This is happening due to the heating and releasing of said cooling water into the water system by industries or power generation facilities. A higher water temperature in turn results in less oxygen content in the water which disrupts the biological functions of marine life as well. This indirectly affects us as well, since the reduction in marine life means less food for consumption and with the population of the world rising over the years, it will eventually cause food shortage globally.

Around the world, waterborne diseases have become the leading killer with more dying from poor water quality than any other reason. Waterborne diseases are classified into four major classes known as waterborne (faecal-oral), water-washed, water-based and water-related insect vector. Many of these diseases spread due to consumption and usage of contaminated water on a daily basis. Examples of waterborne disease are cholera, typhoid, rotaviruses and so on.

Rather than looking at the problem, solutions and ways to reduce these pressing issues should be our main concern. Pollution prevention”, or “source control of pollutants”, is the banning, avoidance, reduction, or elimination of a contamination at the source. An effective way to prevent water pollution is to maximize water usage so that wastewater production is reduced. We as Malaysians who rarely suffer from lack of water have always taken for granted our abundance supply of water. As a way to impact positively on prevention, we can fix all the faulty, leaky pipes and taps which in return reduce wastewater. Another way that we can contribute is to reuse water as much as we can. For example, using the water used for washing vegetables and rice to water the plants or we could also set a water usage limit in our household with incentive given to the members of the household for achieving the target.

As for those in the agricultural sector, a proper irrigation system and tailwater return systems could be a good solution that can be implemented. The irrigation system can prevent runoff of pesticides or animal manure directly into the water system and instead collect the water for reuse in the farm using the tailwater return systems. Besides that, organic or biological agriculture such as using crop rotation, mulching, composting, cover cropping, and integrated pest management should be considered and implemented and this cannot be done without either pressure, incentive or education from the government on these methods and benefits. The government and NGOs should educate the public more on the impact of water conservation as a lack of awareness among Malaysian on the global pollution level has not been addressed. More schools and colleges should make environmental studies a necessary part of the education system which should be enforced by the government as well.

As for solution on plastic pollution, the only way we can actually reverse this problem is to do beach cleanups. It does not have to be a government initiative rather schools, colleges or even corporations could organize and rally people for beach cleanups. To date the largest and most impactful beach cleanup was initiated by a single man named Afroz Shah who together with volunteers who joined later cleaned up Versova Beach and within two years ensured that marine life as well as humans could enjoy the beach again. Another way that we can impact this is by reducing plastic usage. In certain states in Malaysia, plastic usages are banned in shopping malls and restaurants. This has encouraged people to reuse or even bring their own bags when they are shopping. More could be done by Malaysians such as bringing in containers when taking out food from hawker stalls and reusing them, not throwing rubbish into the drainage system and so on. The government as well should reinforce stricter laws on law breakers rather than treating it as a minor issue.

There has been no lack of technologies when it comes to conservation of environment and this has proven true for power plants and industries who can utilize various technologies to prevent the release of heated cooling water into the water system. Some power plants in US have successfully used dry and hybrid cooling technologies without any affect to their production. Other alternatives include the usage of degraded water sources coupled with recycling water within the plant as well as increasing the plants thermal conversion efficiency.

In conclusion, it is undeniable that pollution has become a global issue that needs to be addressed with urgency by the citizens of the world. The responsibility does not lie with only the government or even corporations but it should be shouldered by each and every one of us. The two major pollution which is air and water on which our very lives depends on should be given more importance with stress made on reduction, reusing and recycling of hazardous materials. Corporations should be more social conscious and take every effort to reduce pollution as well. Lastly the government should educate the public on new technologies as well as better ways to manage their waste from a young age.

In the day of development, the problem of air pollution is much concerned to a point where a wide discussion has been aroused. With the waste-gas exhaust, the pollution is getting worst and the environment people lived in is getting terrible, which is harmful to any living things on the earth. Thus, the government must need to do some things to reduce the air pollution.

One efficient method is the government should increase the cost of fuel could help reduce the air pollution. This policy is going to decrease the population of people who would like to buy fuel, which decreases the percentage of utilization of fuel and the discharge amount of toxic air, and people would not waste the fuel and electric because of the higher price of the fuel. Also, if reducing the cost of fuel would increase to the large degree, it would force the companies to have the large demand for fuel and air discharge amount to close and make our environment better.

Another effective way to do the favor to the environment is to grow more trees. Trees are able to produce oxygen, a substance that benefits the air pollution. Besides, carbon dioxide, the most important source of global warming, could be absorbed and then translated to oxygen by trees. As far as I know, the air pollution of many countries has been improved by cultivating more trees. According to the journal “Tree Bark, a Valuable Source of Information on Air Quality,” written by Chrabąszcz, Mariusz and Lucyna Mróz, researchers from Department of Ecology, Biogeochemistry and Environmental Protection, University of Wrocław, they claims the tree bark could optimize the air quality and absorb the carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, which reduce the concentration of main toxic air in the air pollution (455). The increasing of the trees’ amount within the decreasing of the air pollution, which optimize the air quality at the same time. In a contrary, cultivating more trees is a good method that government should take it into consideration.

The government should come out a policy that set a strict limit of harmful gases discharge amount. This is because the main air pollution is produced from factories. Due to the decreasing discharge amount of harmful air, the pollution could be reduced to great extent. An article “UK’s Dirty Air Case” from the magazine “New Scientist”, it describes the government of UK and other Europe countries establish the legal limits of poisonous gases, and it controls the discharge amount of factories and cars, which improve the air environment (par. 3-7). The legal limits of main air pollution gases CO2, NO, SO2, which control the pollution from the source, and it makes the air environment become better. Thus, The government is responsive to come out a policy to limit the harmful gases. In a nutshell, after all these factors have been taken into consideration, we might come to a conclusion that government should attach importance to the air pollution, and do something to protects the environment for the better life.

In the day of development, the problem of air pollution is much concerned to a point where a wide discussion has been aroused. With the waste-gas exhaust, the pollution is getting worst and the environment people lived in is getting terrible, which is harmful to any living things in the earth. Thus, people must need to do some things to reduce the air pollution. One efficient method is people should economize on electricity and fuel to help reduce the air pollution. This movement is going to decrease the utilization of electric and fuel, which reduce the discharge amount of air and cut down the air pollution. The electric factories need the fuel to produce the electric power enable to make people’s lives getting better. Decreasing the appropriate using power could reduce the discharge amount of electric factories, people could start at the most usual things to help to reduce the utilization of power, such as turn off the light, and decreasing the utilization of air condition. Thus, economizing on electricity is an efficient way to help to reduce the air pollution.

Another effective way to do the favor to the environment is to grow more trees. Trees are able to produce oxygen, a substance that benefits the air pollution. Besides, carbon dioxide, the most important source of global warming, could be absorbed and then translated to oxygen by trees. As far as I know, the air pollution has been improved by people cultivate more trees. According to the journal “Tree Bark, a Valuable Source of Information on Air Quality,” written by Chrabąszcz, Mariusz and Lucyna Mróz, researchers from Department of Ecology, Biogeochemistry and Environmental Protection, University of Wrocław, they claims the tree bark could optimize the air quality and absorb the carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, which reduce the concentration of main toxic air in the air pollution (455). The increasing of the trees’ amount within the decreasing of the air pollution, which optimize the air quality at the same time. In a contrary, cultivating more trees is a good method that government should take it into consideration.

Also, using the public transport instead of driving car enable to reduce the air pollution. People increasing the utilization of bike and subway which decreasing the discharge amount of cars, which weak the air pollution. The bikes don’t generate the exhaust fumes, which is beneficial for the air environment. Also, by riding the bike or walking instead of driving enable to excise, which benefit people’s health. By a contrast, the utilization of public transport could make the air environment better.

In a nutshell, after all these factors have been taken into consideration, we might come to a conclusion that people should attach importance to the air pollution, and do something to protects the environment for the better life.

Air pollution occurs when harmful substances are introduced into Earth’s atmosphere. Air pollution refers to the contamination of the air, regardless of indoors or outdoors. A physical, biological, or chemical alteration to the air in the atmosphere can be termed as pollution. Pakistan is the most polluted country in the world by particulate matter concentration.

Air pollution is an emerging environmental issue in the big cities of Pakistan. Dust and smoke particles in Pakistan are generally twice the world average and five times higher than the developed world. Though some of the pollution comes from natural sources, most is the result of human activities. One of the most serious issues relating to air pollution in Pakistan is the presence of excessive suspended particulate matter (SPM). Suspended particulate matter are finely divided solids or liquids that may be dispersed through the air from combustion processes, industrial activities, or natural sources. Particulate matter is often divided into two main groups based on their size. Inhalable coarse particles, which are found near roadways and dusty industries. And fine particles, which are found in smoke and haze. Particulate matter has many causes, these causes can be both natural and man-made. Such as, brick kilns, dust storms, construction, and burning of solid waste.

Another key factor producing air pollution in Pakistan is the growing rate of urbanization. Urbanization refers to the population shift from rural to urban areas, and the ways in which each society adapts to the change. Due to people migrating to cities, the growth of infrastructure and road transport is contributing to greater pollution in the air. Another result of urbanization, is that trees are cut down on a large scale without any adequate efforts to plant new ones. This leads to deforestation, which also helps cause a rise in atmospheric pollution levels; this is done to make way for factories. Factories not only increase the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but they also emit substances that do not directly contribute to poor air quality, but combine with other elements to create air pollutants. Due to urbanization in Pakistan, industry around the suburbs of major cities has increased significantly. This includes brick manufacturing and methane produced by the decomposition of municipal and industrial waste.

Other major causes of air pollution in Pakistan are fossil fuel-burning power stations and cars. Combined, these two sources are responsible for almost ninety percent of all air pollution.

Environmental pollution it is the entrance of any unwanted material into the natural environment, which makes it polluted, risky, and also inappropriate for use. Pollutants contain: tangible materials, in addition to sound, light, and temperatures when they enter the environment unnaturally. According to the (Pure Earth) organization concerned with environmental affairs, pollution affects in a poisonous method more than 200 million people around the world, and also indicated that the effects of pollution go beyond that. considerable pollution, and the level of intelligence of these children is about 30-40 points lesser when they pass intelligence tests (IQ) compared to normal kids, in addition to that, the average age of the residents of these places is fewer than 45 years; Because of their affliction with many sicknesses, from here the idea of ​​reducing the problem of environmental pollution and finding solutions to it became an urgent necessity, so several efforts have been made to find radical solutions to decrease the emission of pollutants to the environment by properly managing and treating wastewater, and reducing air pollution. Effective recycling of hazardous pollutants, and other solutions.

· Causes of air pollution There are numerous reasons that lead to air pollution, and the most prominent reasons and causes for that are:

· Industrial pollutants: Industrial treatment processes, in mineral factories, smelting, paper and pulp factories, oil refineries, chemical factories, sugar factories, cotton, and rubber manufacturing plants are responsible for one-fifth of air pollution, and contain the following pollutants: Industrial chimneys for combustion of fossil fuels, which are: carbon dioxide gas, carbon monoxide gas, sulfur dioxide gas, hydrogen sulfide gas, and hydrocarbons.

· Vehicles: Vehicles are the largest sources of air pollution, as they produce approximately two-thirds of carbon monoxide emissions, and about half of hydrocarbons and nitrous oxide emissions, and vehicle exhausts also produce some gases such as lead, which have harmful effects on vital societies, and produce various volatile organic compounds that it results from the combustion of fuel in vehicles.

· Burning fossil fuels: Fossil fuels are burned to produce energy to carry out many actions such as cooking, heating, lighting, washing, and others, and it produces a variety of pollutants, including: hydrocarbons and sulfur dioxide gas. Fossil fuels, especially coal, produce about two-thirds of the sulfur dioxide emissions into the air.

Among these types of pollution, air pollution is the main type threatening the environment, humans, plants, animals, and all living organisms.

Humans impact the physical environment in several ways: overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation. Changes like these have triggered climate change, soil erosion, poor air quality, and undrinkable water. These negative impacts can affect human behavior and can prompt mass migrations or battles over clean water.

At this point in earth’s physical history, our impact on the environment is so substantial that scientists believe “pristine nature,” or ecosystems untouched by human intervention, no longer exist. Some of the human activities that cause harm (directly or indirectly) to the environment on a global scale include human reproduction, overconsumption, overexploitation, pollution and deforestation, which are some of the influencing activities.

Air pollution is one of the major killers and a threat that affects everything around the world. According to usatoday.com nearly 7 million people die each year from air pollution. We live and breathe in polluted air which puts our health and life in a very high risk. It is comparable to other diseases that cause many deaths like HIV or malaria. If we care about the environment, why haven’t we done anything yet? Do we still have time to fix things for our planet? These are some of the questions that remain unanswered and makes the air pollution a tremendous concern for countries around the world. There is no easy solution and this requires a well and long term plan with an immediate action. It needs a very cautious and well-organized objective. Utilizing proper tools and combining the efforts of everyone can make the difference.

It came to my attention when I realized that air quality is associated with so many things surrounding us. Air pollution negatively impacts our lives and to better understand it, we need to analyze the damages and realize that this major threat can destroy our planet.

Air pollutant is a serious global complication and remains a public concern worldwide that requires immediate action. The first major problem air pollution causes is related to human health. Poisonous gases are the cause of many respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis or other respiratory distress.. Air pollutants can create inflammation and reduce lungs functionality resulting in asthma, shortness of breath or other pulmonary problems. As stated in an article published to NCBI, “A study from Japan in 2014 of 10,069 children aged 6-9 years found TRAP associated with development of asthma”

Air pollutants can also create other health problems including heart and skin diseases, as well as birth defects. Different ages of people react differently to pollutants but the most vulnerable and sensitive to these toxic substances are children or older adults because their immune system is weaker. As we can see, air pollution is a root of a variety of short and long term health problems.

Similarly to human health, another effect triggered by air pollution is global warming. In the last decades, it has become one of the most significant concerns worldwide. Temperatures are rising at the fastest rate. Toxic chemicals and greenhouse gases collect in the atmosphere and can even last for years which lead to hotter temperatures. Primarily,global warming is generated by carbon dioxide spreaded in the atmosphere and built up over time. As reported to nrdc.org, in the United States, use of fuels as the primary source to make electricity produces about two billion tons of CO2 every year. The evidence leads us to the conclusion that particles like carbon dioxide correlated to poor air quality is one of the main originators of global warming.

Health and global warming are not the only risks caused by different toxic chemicals associated with air pollution. Likewise, indoor pollution is another significant problem that we are facing today. We spent the majority of our time indoors especially at home. Thus, air pollution related to indoor activities can expose us to a variety of risks that can affect our health and the environment. Some indoor activities that deteriorate the air quality are cleaning, cooking or heating systems whose risks are rapidly expanding due to the rise in the population, therefore, causing more pollution. Improper use or maintenance of home appliances can clog the indoor-filtration system and release substances that affect the air quality. Cleaning products can also kill organic environmental compounds contributing to poor outdoor air quality.

Evidently, from smog around the cities to smoke inside the home, air pollution is a massive threat. There is evidence that indicates air pollution is accountable for many short or long term term health problems. According to an article written by Eleanor Bird and medically reviewed by Dr. Mary Cooke, Medicalnewstoday, hospitalization admission for neurological conditions due to air pollution exposure have rapidly increased. The study was conducted to over 63 million people in the United States. Some of the neurological conditions correlated to this exposure include Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. “Specifically, for every 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air increase in annual fine particulate matter concentrations, there was a 13% increased risk for hospital admissions” The study took place nationwide using the data collected from different zip codes between 2000-2016 for over 63 million people to investigate the correlation between the particles that cause the pollution and the neurological diseases. Likewise, scientists have shown that even people at young age living in residential areas with high levels of pollution are presenting markers of disorders of the nervous system.

Air pollution is not only associated with health disorders or diseases as it was previously mentioned, it is responsible and a major factor that affects global warming. It is hard to believe that tiny particles like aerosol which is one of the many substances released into the atmosphere can have a significant effect on global warming. The last seven years are recorded as the hottest years, especially the 2016 and 2020 are the warmest years on record. NASA opened up about its concerns related to the rise of the temperatures and provided some evidence indicating that ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica are shrinking and greenhouse gases are accountable for this rapid change. “Experiment shows that Greenland lost an average of 279 billion tons of ice per year between 1993 and 2019, while Antarctica lost about 148 billion tons of ice per year”, Greenhouse gases are the main cause of the polar ice melting at a dangerous rate. It is one of the different compounds built up of pollution from a variety of human activities released in the atmosphere in the form of particles like aerosol which are liable for global warming and its consequences.

Lastly, I would like to emphasize the vastness of the bad outcomes caused by indoor pollution. As previously stated, air pollution is another serious matter associated with health diseases or a cause of deaths. “DANGERS OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION” written by Jane Brody and published in New York Times, provides some evidence pointing out that indoor pollutants are causes of respiratory distress or other conditions which can affect our health in the long term. “A Harvard study showed that children living in homes with gas stoves had a significant reduction in lung function. A British study revealed an increase in colds and bronchitis among children whose homes had gas ovens. Nitrogen dioxide has been implicated in long term respiratory problems, and possibly heart disease and cancer” Nitrogen dioxide or carbon monoxide are some of the irritating chemical air pollutants found in homes with gas released in the air when substances are burnt which affect the respiratory system in long term or even can cause deaths.

The consequences of air pollution are alarming and creating severe conditions globally and requires immediate action. As it was emphasized earlier how air pollution can affect human health, an excessive number of deaths is becoming a real threat for the world.

“Outdoor Air Pollution”, an article published by Hannah Richie and Max Roser in https:ourworldindata.org, provides data by a global study that was conducted. The results show that air pollution is one the leading factors for deaths. “3.4 million people died prematurely in 2017 as a result of outdoor air pollution” (Outdoor Air Pollution). The number of premature deaths attributed to air pollution is rapidly growing and is becoming a real threat worldwide. However, the number of premature deaths due to poor air quality is not the only problem across the world.

Furthermore, global warming caused by pollutants in the atmosphere is accelerated resulting in rising sea levels. John Upton urges the world in the article published in climatecentral.org how carbon dioxide is the main cause of the sea level rise. “The global mean water level in the ocean rose by 0.14 inches (3.6 millimeters) per year from 2006–2015, which was 2.5 times the average rate of 0.06 inches (1.4 millimeters) per year throughout most of the twentieth century”. Comparing the natural and human influences on these changes explains that carbon dioxide is one of the main factors of these dangerous sea levels that are reaching a critical point for the planet.

In addition, indoor pollution has been linked to short and long term diseases especially for certain groups of age. Indoor activities like cooking, cleaning or usage of different appliances can release very harmful chemicals that can cause long term health problems. The World Health Organization has published some key facts how indoor pollution affects health. Death rates due to exposure to toxic chemicals caused by indoor pollutants have significantly changed. “Each year, close to 4 million people die prematurely from illness attributable to household air pollution from inefficient cooking practices using polluting stoves paired with solid fuels and kerosene” Toxic substances emitted by using household appliances are harmful and lead to higher premature mortality rates.

Air pollution is a very serious problem that impacts and can harm the whole planet. Without substantial plan change, the risk can remain unchanged and maybe permanent. There are even simple steps that everyone can take every day to improve this issue. Renewable energy is one of the most efficient ways to reduce the size of this problem significantly. Union of Concerned Scientists published an updated report on Dec 20th, 2017 providing the benefits of renewable energy use. Solar, wind or other sources of clean energy can improve and boost the air quality and potentially reverse the outcomes and the damage that these substances have already caused. “For example, a 2009 UCS analysis found that a 25 percent by 2025 national renewable electricity standard would lower power plant CO2 emissions 277 million metric tons annually by 2025”. Overall, renewable energy can enable many areas to meet better standards for health and air quality.

In addition, riding a bike or walking instead of driving is another way of contributing to less air pollution. The Guardian, one of the most well-known newspapers worldwide, had published one of their articles providing the importance to the air quality of cycling and walking.. London and Amsterdam are two of many safest cities in the world to bike or walk.

Lastly but not least importantly, buying economic and efficient appliances, vehicles and lighting is another way to improve the air quality and save the planet. Lately, there has been a huge implementation of electric vehicles which can reduce the emission levels. According to some data posted to California Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, California is one of the biggest states in the world where people drive more than a billion miles per day and air pollution due to greenhouse gases is significantly high. “Currently, nearly one-third of electricity in California comes from renewable sources like wind and solar, and we have a commitment to increase clean energy use to 50 percent by 2030”. Dangerous gases and chemicals emitted from vehicles are resulting in high levels of pollution that are harmful for health and environment.

In conclusion, air pollution is a major concern that is occupying every country worldwide. Everyone has the responsibility to make everything possible to prevent the negative effects of the poor air quality. It should be an immediate need for governments’ sensibility to take action and implement different policies that will minimize the magnitude of this problem. Although there have been global initiatives like the Paris Agreement to alarm and address the consequences of one of the largest threats for human health and the global environment, the risk of public health and future of the earth is present and substantial. The air we breathe is full of poisonous substances that may harm the planet. It is everyone’s responsibility to take good care and avoid doing things that can pollute the air. Awareness is a good start to make this change. It is our obligation to protect the future generations and each individual should contribute and put every effort to make this happen.