There's Something in the Air - and it isn't Love

Written by Jessica Moore

While we all need to stop and relax to take a deep breath often, sadly the air we are breathing in isn't the best quality. Air pollution is a worldwide problem, both indoor and outdoor are causing us harm more than we realize and in some areas, it's worse.  So what are we breathing exactly? And how are we contributing to it?

Welcome back to Variety of Views, where educating my readers about environmental issues is a personal passion of mine.  I'll be exploring various causes of air pollution, what it does to our health, current regulations and what we can do to help curb pollutant contributions to our air.

I've lived in both rural and urban areas, and the environmental differences are significant.  But when I started to study the environment and its laws, I've never felt more compelled to make a difference.

Photo Credit: CONA

Outdoor Air Pollution

Various elements are found in the atmosphere that creates air pollution such as NOx, particulate matter, ozone, dust, lead, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide. 

Down it comes...in the form of acid rain.  Acid rain is the mix of air pollutants and rain, snow, hail or fog that is acidic causing harm to forests and lakes.  While some of it is naturally made from volcanic activity, most come from the burning of fossil fuels.  Once it settles, the next rain comes along flowing into vegetation and waterways changing the PH balance.  It comes in wet and dry deposition forms that each affects the ecosystem differently.

Primary and secondary air pollutants

Primary air pollutants are those that come from a direct source such as factories and vehicle emissions while secondary air pollutants are not emitted directly into the environment such as ozone from the combination of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides in the sunlight in the atmosphere.

Common causes include smog from vehicles, emissions from factories creating ground-level ozone causing difficulty in breathing and upsetting those with respiratory issues.

It was announced recently that the EPA under President Trump's administration would not change ground-level ozone levels in the ambient air that was changed when Obama was in office.  The allowable 70 ppb (parts per billion) down from the previous 75 ppb which is estimated to save thousands of people from a premature death related to air pollution.

Even on red air quality days, officials suggest that the young and old of our population stay inside to reduce the risks associated with outdoor air pollution but what's lurking inside your home can be just as dangerous.

Transboundary Air Pollution

When I first learned about Transboundary air pollution, I was shocked.  It never occurred to me how far air pollution could travel and especially the effects it could cause across a state or country boundary lines.  It's a serious problem and regulations to handle it can be complicated.  Being a good neighbor doesn't mean helping out a neighbor, but in this sense, it means using your land in your country or state to do no harm that would harmful in another area.

Acid rain also falls under this as it can blow into other areas creating devastating effects on other ecosystems.

Summer is the wildfire season, and sadly the smoke from these wildfires spread across state lines affecting those outside the immediate area of the fire. Wildfires are a part of nature; even some plants require the heat to reseed and recreate an area scorched by it.  But its impact is not just deadly on the ground; it adds to our ongoing air pollution problem and releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere contributing to the loss of our ozone layer.

Health Effects of Outdoor Air Pollution

Photo Credit: CONA

Sadly, outdoor air pollution causes a wide range of adverse health problems.  In the picture above, it shows how various forms of pollution that plays a role on our day to day health.  Depending on the area and the amount of pollution near you, effects may range from minor to severe.

Laws and Regulations

Sadly, outdoor air pollution causes a wide range of adverse health problems.  In the picture above, it shows various forms of pollution that play a role in our day to day health.  Depending on the area and the amount of pollution near you, effects may range from minor to severe.

Clean Air Act of 1970 and amendments of 1990 are set to reduce smog and acid rain, protecting our ozone layer and reducing the pollutants that are in our air.  Under this act, there are air quality standards to control criteria pollutants: particulate matter, ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead.

The Clean Air Act was passed by Congress and can be found in the United States Code under Title 42, Chapter 85.

The EPA sets regulations and standards for the nation.  Each state must implement plans to reduce their amount of pollution.  Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA must set air quality standards on the six common air pollutants.  And over the 40+ years, the CAA and the EPA have set regulations preventing premature deaths and health issues but also set standards for factories and other contributors of pollutants to reduce the amount of that is in the air.

The improvements are showing as industries grow and pollutants are falling, but there is still a long way to go.  Click here to see improvements that have been made since the act was implemented.

Since each state and local government must implement the requirements of the EPA's rules, they also work in turn to reduce air pollution in their cities, towns, localities, counties and statewide.  States are also responsible for pollution that drifts over into other states. 

Under the CAA, violations are common.  Enforcement by EPA slows for fines and requiring the violators to fix the problem. Violations range from civil to criminal and businesses are required to pay fines and fix the problem.  This shows that rules to protect the environment are important and that violators will be prosecuted and required to fix the issue.

Do you want to make a difference?

We know there are many basics when it comes to reducing our contribution to air pollution such as reducing the use of our vehicles and making use of public transportation.

But addressing outdoor pollution is a bit harder since the primary causes are not just one person or from one point source but from millions of cars on the roads as well as air stacks, factories and a variety of other issues that make up our day to day lives.

But one small person can start a movement.  There are several interest groups that promote clean air and overall a clean environment which is beneficial for you, your neighbors, your city, state and your entire nation.

Reducing our use of fossil fuels will impact the number of emissions spread into our air.  We have many options as technology improves using natural elements such as wind, water, and sun. 

Windmills can be used in locations where they get sufficient wind for power production in places with rolling hills, no trees or hills blocking them as well as offshore wind farms.

Hydropower from dams is another way to produce energy with less harmful effects on the air, but disadvantages from dams range from displacing species of animals in their natural habitats to flooding.

Solar power has two types: Thermal production and photovoltaic production.  Solar power can be used in both residential and commercial settings.  Federal tax cuts are available for the installation of solar panels.

It is important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of both since while renewable sources have their benefits, sometimes the disadvantages can be harmful to the environment in which they are in.  It's a hard choice between the air and the environment but which one is hurting us more in the long run?

Challenge yourself.  How will you reduce your use of fossil fuels just one day a week?  Could you carpool to work or school?  Walk?  Bike? Use public transportation? Let me know how you plan to make a change.

There is one clear threat here; if we keep producing harmful materials that are damaging our air quality and have devastating effects on the environment and the health of the human population we are sure to reduce our lifespan and the health of the planet.