Environmental Pollution: Causal Factors of Air Pollution and Environmental Injustice - Term Paper Example

Environmental Pollution: Causal factors of Air Pollution and Environmental Injustice [Name] [Professor Name] [Course] [Date] Table of Contents Table of Contents 1 Introduction 2 Chapter 1 3 1 Environmental Pollution and environmental injustice 3 1.1 Outdoor air pollution 4 1.2 Indoor air pollution 5 Chapter 2 7 2. Environmental Injustices and Effects of Air Pollution 7 Chapter 3 11 3. Solutions to Environment Pollution 11 3.1 Sustainability and Environmental justice 11 3.2 Mitigation of environmental pollution 12 3.3 Action Plan 13 Conclusion 13 Works Cited 14 Introduction The modern day society suffers from a range of problems linked to fundamental aspects of environmental pollution. The problems include inaccessible clean water, biodiversity conservation, polluted air, public and personal health and wellbeing and healthy food. Studies have linked the existence of such problems to the ways in which humans and the society interact with nature and the ways in which they form man-made environment by adopting specific practices (Dimitriou and Christidou 215). The problems are also linked to the ways in which individuals perceive a correlation between nature and human beings. For a long time, this kind of relationship has been dependent on man’s dominance over nature. Based on these premise, this report argues that in order to prevent further environmental pollution and to mitigate the problems, it is crucial that the relationship between man and nature be revised. At this stage, the concept of environmental sustainability and environmental injustice becomes essential. Towards this end, air pollution threatens fundamental rights of life and creates environmental injustice. An additional, issue correlated to air pollution and which entails social injustice involves the quality of air in working environments. Chapter 1 1 Environmental Pollution and environmental injustice Air pollution is among the most serious environmental problems. It is also among the most critical challenges confronting the modern society. Air pollution is a major cause of hazardous effects on human and animal lives, the natural ecosystem as well as the man-made environment (Dimitriou and Christidou 215-217). Additionally, it is responsible for climate change because of the intensified greenhouse effect, depletion of the ozone layer and the acid rain that entail the most severe global environmental problems. Air pollution happens both indoors and outdoors and is enhanced by natural mechanisms and human activities. Despite the degradation of air quality due to air pollution being a global problem, it is greatly linked to environmental injustice (Jacobson 149). 1.1 Outdoor air pollution This refers to the release of varied substances or air pollutants into the atmosphere, and which when concentrated, threatens the health and wellbeing of living organisms. They also disrupt environmental functions threatening human life. Essentially, air pollutants comprise solid particles, gaseous content of liquid droplets. They may also be products of human activities or natural processes. The most notable natural air pollutants include forest fires, volcanic activities, dispersion of soil in the air or organic decay (Jacobson 149-150). The major anthropogenic sources of air pollutants result from human activities such as burning of coal, transportation through motor vehicles or airplanes, or use of fossil fuels for energy needs, landfills and incinerators for waste disposal, use of chemicals for agricultural purposes and industrial processes (Meisner 576-580). Among the major outdoor air pollutants generated by human activities include: Carbon oxides such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) generated through transportation and combustion of fossil fuels (Dimitriou and Christidou 219). Sulphur oxides (SOX) generated through industrial processes such as when ores that contains sulphur are smelted for metal extraction. Nitrogen oxides (NOX) such as nitrogen dioxide (N02) released from combustion of fossil fuels at high temperature or production of electricity. Particulate matter (PM), which consists of liquid or solid air pollutants released by industrial plants, incinerators, mining and transportation sector (such as planes and vehicles). Volatile organic compounds such as hydrocarbons, which include a range of substances emitted from power plans and from industrial wastes from painting companies and pesticides. Toxic metals such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and Copper (Cu) released from motor vehicle exhaust fumes and industrial processes such as manufacture of paints. Ground level ozone (O3), which consist of air pollutant resulting from photochemical reactions between volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in sunlight (Dimitriou and Christidou 219). Overall, outdoor air pollution is a critical problem in most urban settings due to overpopulation. Population explosions in urban settings implies augmented demands for industrial production, transportation, energy and industrial productions, which make up the major sources of outdoor air pollution (Ghasemian et al 1-8). Additionally, this process is increased by the green open spaces in cities and towns in addition to their limited capacity to improve the quality of air and to reduce air pollution. 1.2 Indoor air pollution This form of pollution refers to the extent of biological, physical and chemical contaminants of air inside a building. Studies have indicated that indoor air pollution can be more hazardous compared to the outdoor one. There are various sources of indoor air pollutants within buildings such as central heating and cooling systems, furniture and pressed wood products as well as building materials. Others include household cleaning products, personal care products, tobacco smoke, cooking appliances such as stoves, gas and wood, office equipment in addition to a range of other products applied in daily activities. Additionally, outdoor pollutants are also traceable indoors, such as radon – which is a natural trace of soil component. A primary source of indoor air pollution includes combustion of coal as well as biomass for heating and cooling. WHO (1) estimates that over half of the global population uses wood, animal dung, coal or crop waste to meet their basic energy needs. The primary indoor pollutants that can essentially be traced in homes include asbestos, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, toxic metals (cadmium, mercury, lead and chromium) benzene and polyaromatic compounds. A range of factors influence indoor air quality and are correlated to the maintenance of their sources, the extent of dangers caused by the pollutants, the level of house ventilation and the quality of building materials. For instance, an air pollutant source such as gas, heating system of stove that is not maintained properly can release a significant amount of air pollutants compared to a source that is improperly maintained. Indoor humidity, air and temperature as well as overcrowding or biological contaminants (such as pollen, mold, bacteria and viruses) are critical factors that determine the quality of the indoor air. More specifically, humidity and air temperature can affect the level of activity and emission of indoor pollutants (Ghasemian et al 1-8). Additionally, such factors when combined with insufficient indoor ventilation can pollute the air further. This is since indoor air pollutants cannot be removed under such conditions. Indoor air pollution in buildings may also cause a range of health problems such as fatigue headaches, throat irritation, lethargy, dizziness, nauseas, mental fatigue and inability to concentrate. The occurrence of such symptoms is referred as ‘sick building syndrome’ (Stolwijk 99). The ‘sick building syndrome’ is correlated to workplace. To ensure healthy conditions at the workplace, WHO has defined the upper limits of chemical and environmental that could result to disturbances and serious problems. These include thermal conditions (humidity and air temperature). In addition the levels of chemical and dust concentration in the air are identified as critical factors that affect workplace health and safety conditions (Kingham, Pearce and Zawar-Reza 254-256). Chapter 2 2. Environmental Injustices and Effects of Air Pollution Globally, a range of indoor and outdoor air pollutants impact human health and signify major health risks to humans and the ecosystem. These include lung cancer, respiratory or cardiovascular disorders and asthma that can be fatal to human beings (Dimitriou and Christidou 220). Since individuals inhale some 14,000 litres of air daily, it is evident that air pollutants pose significant threats to human health. WHO (1) estimates that more than 2 million premature deaths are attributable to the impacts of outdoor and indoor air pollution. Indoor air pollution causes at least 1.6 million deaths and additional 800,000 deaths from respiratory diseases, lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases each year across the globe (Valent 24). It is further estimated that air pollution reduces the life expectancy by between 9 to 24 months. Since urban populations seek to enjoy equal environmental quality, intense social justice is in most cases situated in cities. This kind of evolution is a consequence of a range of cultural, social and political processes in addition to environmental components and their interrelations that combine to determine the consumption of space in urban environments. From an environmental perspective, these in return determine the residential quality (Dimitriou and Christidou 220). Such processes are conditioned by individuals belonging in higher socio-economic strata, economic activity centres and having access to decision-making centres that allow them to act in favour of financial profit. A range of dimension of environmental quality in urban settings that involve social justice include spatial distribution of activities and functions, distribution of green and outdoor spaces and the quality of natural and residential environments (Dimitriou and Christidou 218-219). Noisy facilities such as landfills, biological treatment, industries and highways that serve extensive urban populations are often situated in degrade residential places. Such facilities cause emission of pollutants and noise. They also involve other dangers that threaten the mental health and wellbeing of nearby residents. The quality of air in these areas is often caused by emission of toxic gaseous substances (Suk 35). Epidemiological studies indicate that populations that live at close proximity to industrialised settings show higher frequency of cardiovascular and respiratory incidents compared to people living in areas that are further from these settings. Such incidents are correlated to pollutants traced in the air within the regions (Kingham, Pearce and Zawar-Reza 254-256). Concerning free and green spaces, aside from being generally insufficient, they are inadequately distributed in all city districts. Development of green space in urban setting requires free and open spaces that are often available given the density of the urban settings. In any case, density is distinguished from several districts in the same city. Social production of urban environments leads to environmental injustice. In which case, environmental inequalities exist in the cities (Dimitriou and Christidou 217-219). Additionally, air pollution happens in urban and rural settings because of energy use, industrial emissions and transportation. A common element between the urban areas and highly polluted rural settings is that they are associated with low income residential areas (Mitchell & Dorling, 911-913). Additionally, the behaviours of the social groups in the higher socio-economic status also influence the quality of the lives of the people of lower socio-economic status in the society. A survey carried out in London revealed that respiratory problems concentrate in the poorest settings to connect to high traffic levels despite the responsibility of the air pollutants to cause these conditions is unequal (Kingham, Pearce and Zawar-Reza 254-256). Further, environmental inequalities and differences correlated to air pollution have been shown to appear between countries. For instance, in the developing countries, the quality of air is correlated to the indoor air pollution. In most of the developing countries, organic fuel such as coal and wood are attributable as among the most energy resources accessible for domestic applications – such as cooking and heating. Combustion of coal and wood emits hazardous substances indoors (Khan 280). Such pollutants are often solid particles. Chronic exposure to such air pollutants is distinguishable as contributing to development of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases as well as lung cancer (Khan 279-280; UNEP 10). A study by WHO (1) found that some 20 percent of the child mortality, particularly children below the age of 5 years, is caused by indoor pollution. Studies have also estimated that indoor air pollution related to use of biomass fuels such as grasses and wood cause some 871,500 child pneumonia cases each year (Dimitriou and Christidou 221) This implies that children are more vulnerable to the effects of hazardous air pollutants compared to adults since their tissues absorb the substances. Similarly, because of immaturity, they lack the capacity to restore the damages sustained (Valent et al 26). In which case, if their endocrine system, immunity of brain are affected by the toxic substances of the air pollutants, the damages caused could be permanent or irreversible (Suk 35). On the other hand, global warming encourages heat stress severity of tropical storms disease incidences, acidity of the oceans, variation in sea levels and melting of the polar region, sea ice and snow pack. Global warming also changes the location of animal habitats, viable agriculture as well as harm ecosystems. In addition, it changes the magnitude and timing of water supply (Jacobson 145). Studies indicate that the development of leukaemia is common in children living in areas that are highly concentrated with air pollutants. Additionally, children suffering from asthma live in areas with increased air pollution, particularly nitrogen oxides and acid vapours (WHO 1). Additionally, epidemiological studies in European countries show that mortality and morbidity are higher in low-income neighbourhoods that are characterised by concentrated air pollutants. This specifically relates to populations living in industrialised areas or at close proximity to power plants that experience intense air pollution. On the other hand, people in these areas suffer from choices made by individuals living in the higher economic status and who pursue economic growth. As a consequence, those who encourage environmental pollution enjoy profits while others suffer from these consequences (Dimitriou and Christidou 219). Towards this end, air pollution threatens fundamental rights of life and creates environmental injustice. In addition, issue correlated to air pollution and which entails social injustice involves the quality of air in working environments. Such include local environments that frequently contain harmful indoor air components (Suk 34-36). These directly influence the quality of life. Chapter 3 3. Solutions to Environment Pollution 3.1 Sustainability and Environmental justice Environmental justice is central to organising and implementing relevant interventions to cope with environmental pollution. In return, critical understanding of the environment, and its constituents and functions is essential for ensuring that processes for prevention of environmental solution are effective (Dimitriou and Christidou 216). The term sustainability means the capacity to endure manmade and natural systems. It hence depicts the forms of developments capable of ensuring healthy ecosystems and the capacity for long-term preservation of humanity. The concept of sustainability entails three crucial elements. Satisfaction of human needs; Satisfaction of the needs of the present and future generation; Capacity of the biosphere to support and absorb impact of human activities. Therefore, sustainability refers to an evolving concept containing key ideas of improving the quality of life for present as well as future generation. An important step in achieving sustainability is appreciation of the social injustice that results from environmental pollution. There has been a consensus among researchers that the extent to which the quality of life of humans and the society is influenced by environmental pollution varies between societies and members of a society (UNEP 9-10). The variation creates existing inequalities within and between nations and relate to the quality of basic sanitary infrastructure, access to clear air, potable water and food sufficiency. Such commodities entail fundamental rights for life. In the contemporary society, despite the cultural and technological milestones, people suffer from inaccessible clean and potable water, poor sanitary infrastructure, polluted air, food insufficiency. Such conditions intensify environmental injustice and in return are a threat to fundamental human rights (Dimitriou and Christidou 215-216). 3.2 Mitigation of environmental pollution Mitigation of environmental pollution is far from being an equivocal process since it entails a range of dimensions that can be determined by a set of biological, chemical, physical, economic, social and political factors. These factors are intrinsically interrelated, interactive and in some instances conflicting. Additionally, environmental pollution is in most cases ideologically-charged, linked to social, political and economic decisions, and integrates various social groups’ interests and view. In which case, confronting environmental pollution is a complex process that requires investigating the causes and impacts, management of the problems and creation of alternative solutions (Dimitriou and Christidou 216). Additionally, it requires separating their components and features and decisively determining their natural mechanisms interrelations, and underlying conflicts. For the process to be efficient, critical understanding of the environment, and its constituents and functions is essential. In which case, addressing environmental pollution requires various systemic, interdisciplinary and holistic approaches. 3.3 Action Plan An action plan to reduce air pollution should be tailored towards particular pollutants. A generalized plan based on different solutions available includes: Restriction on use of toxic metals in the industries. Heavy metals that could be released to industrial effluents as waste should be treated before release (Mission 2015 1). Emission of organic compounds through pesticides (aerosols) or personal care products should be reduces through a set up of standards of eco-toxicity and emission. A blanket ban should be imposed on products that are excessively pollutants. Agrochemicals should be subjected to taxation, when ec0-toxicity of the products determines the levy. Areas that are intensely polluted should be cleaned up through in-site cleanup programs or bioremediation. Reduction in air pollution through transportation can be reduced through the use of eco-friendly means of transport such as electric trains, walking, bicycles and hybrid cars. Environmental education at school and industrial levels can also help ensure effective implementation of environmental pollution mitigation programs (King and Lenox 289-299). Conclusion Affective response of environmental pollution is based substantially on human appraisal of the problem. Environmental justice and sustainability can effectively be accomplished through active involvement of individuals in environment actions. Put differently, engaging people in crucial decision making about the state of their environment is a major requisite to ensuring environmental sustainability and justice. This report concludes that environmental pollution is related to environmental injustice in terms of the causes as well as its consequences. The report concludes that air pollution is the most serious type of solution affecting humans, animals, plants and the entire ecosystem. The causes of air pollution are influenced by changes in people’s life styles, which are however distinguished based on their socio-economic potentials. Additionally, they are correlated to economic choices or investments made by individuals in the higher-economic statues. The effects of environmental pollution are however felt severely by individuals in the lower economic status. Works Cited Dimitriou, Anastasia & Christidou, Vasilia. Causes and Consequences of Air Pollution and Environmental Injustice as Critical Issues for Science and Environmental Education, 2011. 24 Nov 2013, Ghasemian, Mohammad, Parinaz Poursafa, Mohammad Mehdi, Mohammad Ziarati, Hamid Ghoddousi, Seyyed Alireza & Amir Hossein Rezaei. "Environmental Impact Assessment of the Industrial Estate Development Plan with the Geographical Information System and Matrix Methods." 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