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History of Air Pollution and the Beginning of Air Regulations in the United States
Published in Daniel T. Rogers, Environmental Compliance Handbook, 2023
According to the World Health Organization, nine out of ten humans breathe air containing high levels of pollutants, and nearly every human is exposed to at least some level of pollutants from direct or indirect anthropogenic sources with every breath (World Health Organization 2021). Air pollution causes strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and respiratory infections. Ambient (outdoor) air and indoor air containing pollutants were responsible for approximately seven million premature deaths worldwide as of 2018 (World Health Organization 2021). A sad fact is that, with all the environmental regulations in most every country, air quality continues to decline and now significantly affects everyone in every country (World Health Organization 2021; Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2021).
Multi-Sensor System and Internet of Things (IoT) Technologies for Air Pollution Monitoring
Published in Bhawana Rudra, Anshul Verma, Shekhar Verma, Bhanu Shrestha, Futuristic Research Trends and Applications of Internet of Things, 2022
Ghizlane Fattah, Jamal Mabrouki, Fouzia Ghrissi, Mourade Azrour, Younes Abrouki
Air pollution can be defined as the presence of pollutants (gaseous or particulate) in the atmosphere that can cause harmful effects on the environment and human health [15]. The sources of this pollution can be either natural (forest fire, volcanic eruption, etc.) or anthropogenic, i.e., linked to human activity [16]. In the latter case, pollution is often the direct result of industrial progress in recent centuries, such as the continuous and sometimes careless emission of pollutants associated with combustion processes (motor vehicles, industrial plants, energy production by industrial installations, energy production by combustion …). For the past few decades, studies have shown a link between the degradation of the environment and human health, and the presence of these pollutants in the atmosphere [17–18]. Thus, air pollution is considered to be responsible for approximately 800,000 premature deaths each year worldwide [19]. Figure 5.1 shows the projected evolution of premature deaths related to excess ozone between 2000 and 2030. In all geographical areas, the situation is already very worrying, with nearly 8 to 15 premature deaths per million inhabitants per year, but forecasts for the next 20 years are very pessimistic, with in particular an increase of a factor of 10 in Asia.
Exploitation of Silver Nanoparticles in Bioremediation
Published in Ram Naresh Bharagava, Sandhya Mishra, Ganesh Dattatraya Saratale, Rijuta Ganesh Saratale, Luiz Fernando Romanholo Ferreira, Bioremediation, 2022
Punabati Heisnam, Abhinash Moirangthem, Yengkhom Disco Singh, Pranab Dutta, Chabungbam Victoria Devi, B.N. Hazarika
Since nineteenth century, industrial revolution has brought out certain advanced innovative technologies, resulting in an excessive consumption of resources along with higher disposal of waste into the environment without much attention (Cecchin et al., 2016). Previously, people disposed waste by piling in holes or pit, which creates the need to find new places consistently. So, people considered that using chemical decomposition can degrade the waste materials quickly, but in the meantime, it can have certain adverse effects on the environment. Environmental pollution becomes a major problems that affect biodiversity, ecosystems and human health. The main activities causing air pollution, water pollution and soil pollution include burning of fossil fuels, draining of industrial waste, introduction of chemicals and industrial smoke. Pollutant materials in air such as smoke, mist, fumes, volatile organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons can lead to many cancerous diseases.
Computational analysis of ternary nanofluid flow in a microchannel with nonuniform heat source/sink and waste discharge concentration
Published in Numerical Heat Transfer, Part A: Applications, 2023
J. K. Madhukesh, Ioannis E. Sarris, Vinutha K, B. C. Prasannakumara, Amal Abdulrahman
Figure 6a, b shows the variation of external source of pollutant variation constraint and local pollutant external source constraint on concentration profiles for both hybrid and ternary nanofluid. The rise in both the parameter will improve the concentration. Further, it is observed from the figure that in the presence of these two parameters, hybrid nanofluid exhibit more concentration than ternary nanofluid. The external source of pollutant variation constraint and local pollutant external source parameter signify the magnitude of external sources of pollutants that affect the flow system. The rise in these two constraints will represent that, more pollutants will be added to the fluid system. Environmental engineers and researchers may optimize pollution control tactics, develop effective remediation systems, and limit the consequences of pollutants in many real-world scenarios by evaluating and controlling these restrictions, resulting in an environment that is healthier and cleaner.
On the indirect environmental outcomes of COVID-19: short-term revival with futuristic long-term implications
Published in International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 2022
Muhammad Irfan, Munir Ahmad, Zeeshan Fareed, Najaf Iqbal, Arshian Sharif, Haitao Wu
The quality of air is indispensable for humans’ health. Conversely, most of the global population resides in areas where the quality of air is below the recommended limits. The effects of poor air quality have been exhibited in a significant proportion of universal deaths every year. The 2016 report of the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that 8% of worldwide deaths are due to air pollution. The countries most affected belong to Asia, Africa, and some chunks of Europe (WHO 2020). Pollution is considered as a carrier of coronavirus and works as a catalyst. Air pollutants including ozone, NO2, and particulate matter in various fractions (PM2.5 μm and PM10 μm) severely impact the hosts’ cardio-respiratory and immune system by lowering their resistance to certain viral and bacterial infections (Fenech and Aquilina 2020). In the context of virus-related infections like SARS and MERS, the previous literature revealed that exposure to air pollution accelerates the susceptibility of lung diseases, leading to morbidity and mortality, and overall hurts public health (Magazzino et al. 2020). Abundant medical findings have exposed that heavy pollution contributes to severe health problems, including persistent obstructive pulmonary disorder, shortness of breath, scratchy throat, chronic bronchitis, and asthma, making the lungs more vulnerable to infections. These symptoms are related to those induced by COVID-19 (Kihal-Talantikite et al. 2019). Although public health has significantly improved in developing countries, the danger of global pandemics would continue due to pollution issues.
Ambient particulate matter levels and health profile in residents of Choba and Mgbuoba areas of Rivers State: A cross-sectional study
Published in Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 2021
E.O. Nwaichi, S.E. Uzodike, B.A. Amadi, E.O. Ugwoha
Pollution of the ambient environment could be attributed to natural sources such as forest fires, wind erosion, volcanoes, and anthropogenic activities like industrialization, increased vehicular traffic, construction, and agricultural practices (Opara et al. 2016; Shaibu and Weli 2017). These atmospheric pollutants particularly fine particles matter that is 2.5 microns in diameter or less known as PM2.5 and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter up to 10 microns or less are considered more hazardous than the larger particles as a consequence of their ability to penetrate deeper into the lungs and blood stream unfiltered resulting in permanent DNA mutations, heart attacks, and premature death, where children and elderly people are most vulnerable (Shaibu and Weli 2017; Weijers et al. 2001).