What were the main causes of air pollution?
The main causes of air pollution can be categorized by source:
- Mobile: Cars, buses, planes, trucks and trains.
- Stationary: Power plants, oil refineries, industrial facilities and factories.
- Area: Agricultural areas, cities and wood-burning fireplaces.
- Natural: Wind-blown dust, wildfires and volcanoes.
When was air pollution created?
Along with amazing technological advances, the Industrial Revolution of the mid-19th century introduced new sources of air and water pollution. By the middle of the 20th century, the effects of these changes were beginning to be felt in countries around the world.
What are the main causes of air pollution?
Air pollution is caused by solid and liquid particles and certain gases that are suspended in the air. These particles and gases can come from car and truck exhaust, factories, dust, pollen, mold spores, volcanoes and wildfires. The solid and liquid particles suspended in our air are called aerosols. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.
How does indoor air pollution affect the world?
We look in detail at the data and research on the health impacts of Indoor Air Pollution, attributed deaths, and its causes across the world in our full entry: Indoor Air Pollution. We look in detail at how exposure to Outdoor Air Pollution, its health impacts and attributed deaths across the world in our full entry: Outdoor Air Pollution.
How does burning fossil fuels contribute to air pollution?
Air pollution refers to the release of pollutants into the air that are detrimental to human health and the planet as a whole. “Burning fossil fuels releases gases and chemicals into the air.” And in an especially destructive feedback loop, air pollution not only contributes to climate change but is also exacerbated by it.
What causes particles to get into the air?
Any particle that gets picked up into the air or is formed from chemical reactions in the air can be an aerosol. Many aerosols enter the atmosphere when we burn fossil fuels—such as coal and petroleum—and wood. These particles can come from many sources, including car exhaust, factories and even wildfires.