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Ellie G. McLean

Ms. Emma, Ms. Liz

Science 8A

3 May 2019

Impacts of Air Pollution

Is it true that air pollution has become more of a negative impact on society? Air
pollution is caused by human production, which is growing rapidly and is causing health
problems worldwide. It is critical that we make improvements by lessening our productions. Air
pollution is common in many places because we burn many fossil fuels for objects we
want/need, thus leading to air pollution. This is not just a local issue, but a global issue. Air
pollution is affecting humans, and is continuing to increase in many ways.

Source:​https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/central/provo/why-is-provo-air-pollution-so-mu
ch-worse-than-salt/article_a244b325-13b6-5dec-93a8-4b961bad11cb.html

Air pollution is not that difficult because we are the sources causing this, so we should be
able to solve our problem we created. Air pollution is a mixture of particles and gases that reach
harmful concentration inside and outside. Some examples are soot, smoke, carbon dioxide, mold,
and methane. One example of air pollution are factories and industries. Factories and industries
cause air pollution because they burn fossil fuels to produce stuff releasing smoke into the
atmosphere that rise up. Fossil fuels are natural gases such as coal or gas. Carbon dioxide is one
of the most common pollutants used in factories. Vollman states that “As gases in the
Chlorofluorocarbon group waft upward into the stratosphere…. They slowly decompose
releasing chlorine atoms, which DESTROY 10,000 ozone atoms a piece thus leading to skin
cancer and harmed food crops.” (Vollman 174-175 ). This means that air pollution is rapidly
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increasing causing the Earth’s atmosphere to become warmer and eventually burn out. Ozone
depletion is a gas that occurs ground and atmosphere level, it is known as stratosphere. The
stratosphere forms a layer protecting the Earth from the suns dangerous ultraviolet waves. But
the “good” part of the ozone that is in the stratosphere is being destroyed by mankind pollution,
and chemicals. When the protective ozone layer becomes thin, it increases the amount of UV
radiation to reach Earth’s atmosphere. This leads to more cases of skin cancer, cataracts, and
harmed crops. Farmers use hazardous gases that are released into the atmosphere. Farmers use
insecticides, pesticides, and fertilizers in agricultural activities. This is causing air pollution from
the chemicals being emitted from the crops.

Source: ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TIrCIfJ13M

Source: ​https://greentumble.com/harmful-chemicals-used-in-agriculture/

Air pollution has impacted society in large amounts such as health. Health is a big
problem because we breathe oxygen, and if the air is polluted with harsh chemicals than humans
breathe those chemicals in which leads to health problems. A study was shown that “more than 9
out of 10, 92% lives are in places where air pollution exceeds safe limits, according to ​research
from the World Health Organization” (WHO). From many causes such as factories, industries,
and more. The effects that air pollution can have on health are high. According to American
Lung Association, “​Air pollution has been linked​ to higher rates of cancer, heart disease, stroke,
and respiratory diseases such as asthma. In the U.S. nearly 134 million people—over 40 percent
of the population—are at risk of disease and premature death because of air pollution, according
to ​American Lung Association estimates​.” (Nunez) Society is being killed or at higher risk
because of the problem we are creating. “Air pollution is the deadliest form of pollution killing
many, many people. Most deaths from air pollution appear in lower income places such as
Africa, Eastern Europe, China, India, and more. An estimate was shown of about 6.5 million
deaths shown in 2012. That is 11.6 percent of all global deaths” (Hutt) Air pollution is increasing
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quickly, as shown on the graph. This issue is increasing in many places in a variety of ways. All
of this data is showing that air pollution is affecting human health in places. Though factories
make useful things, the outcome can also have dramatic consequences. This is only the
beginning if we do not do something about air pollution increasing.

Source:​ ​https://ourworldindata.org/air-pollution

Source:
http://www.chinesemedicalnews.com/2014/06/what-does-beijings-air-pollution-do-to.html
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Source: ​http://en.treealerts.org/region/europe/2013/10/exposure-to-air-pollution-in-europe-graph/

Even though air pollution is affecting us in many ways, we can improve upon this. There
are many ways as a community to decrease air pollution. Here are some examples; conserving
energy, limiting driving, and choosing environmental friendly products. Using public
transportation decreases the amount of people increasing the pollution because there is less
chemicals in the air because not as many people are creating them. Even walking, because then
there would be no pollution going into the stratosphere. Conserving gas is another way because if
you want to go to the grocery store and the grocery store is close, then just conserve gas and
walk. It’ll save you money, and it’ll save the planet. Planting a garden is great because it gives
the air the nutrients to help recover the ozone in the stratosphere. Such as areca palms, rhapis
excelsa, philodendron, and rubber fig. Here are some ideas from an environmental experts.
Environmental service says that you can “Seal containers of household cleaners, workshop
chemicals and solvents, and garden chemicals to prevent volatile organic compounds from
evaporating into the air. Participate in your local utility’s energy conservation programs. Limit
driving by carpooling, using public transportation, biking and walking. Combine errands for
fewer trips. Advocate for emission reductions from power plants and more stringent national
vehicle emission standards.” (Environmental Services) These are all simple, easy ways to help
with decreasing air pollution.
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Source:​http://web.mit.edu/12.000/www/m2015/2015/airpollutionsolutions.html

Source:
https://www.ucsusa.org/clean-vehicles/vehicles-air-pollution-and-human-health/cars-trucks-air-p
ollution

In conclusion, air pollution is harming humans, and is still growing. There are many ways
society is being affected by air pollution such as health and deaths. Air pollution is destroying
the ozone layer that protects the Earth from the scorching sun rays laid upon Earth. If we do not
do something soon the Earth and all mankind will eventually overheat leaving no Earth in our
solar system. Air pollution is so dangerous in all of these ways and needs to be heard in any way
possible. What can you do to save our beloved Earth from ending?

Works Cited

Images
1. Source:
https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/central/provo/why-is-provo-air-pollution-so-mu
ch-worse-than-salt/article_a244b325-13b6-5dec-93a8-4b961bad11cb.html
2. Source: ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TIrCIfJ13M
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3. Source: ​https://greentumble.com/harmful-chemicals-used-in-agriculture/
4. Source: h​ ttps://ourworldindata.org/air-pollution
5. Source:
http://www.chinesemedicalnews.com/2014/06/what-does-beijings-air-pollution-do-to.ht
ml
6. Source: ​http://web.mit.edu/12.000/www/m2015/2015/airpollutionsolutions.html
7. Source:
https://www.ucsusa.org/clean-vehicles/vehicles-air-pollution-and-human-health/cars-truc
ks-air-pollution
8. Source:
Information
Source: 1.
Vollmann,William. ​No Immediate Danger.​ Viking, 2018.
Source: 2.
Nunez, Christina. “Climate 101: Air pollution” ​National Geographic​, February 4, 2019,
Source: 3.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/pollution/
Source:
Rosamond, Hutt. “7 Shocking Facts About Air Pollution.” ​World Economic Forum,
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/10/air-pollution-the-true-cost-in-numbers/​.
Source: 4.
“41 Super Easy Ways to Stop Air Pollution.” ​Conserve Energy Future. Be Green. Stary Green.
Rinkish. h​ ttps://www.conserve-energy-future.com/41-super-easy-ways-to-stop-air-pollution.php

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