Discuss the main causes of ambient air pollution and the influence that urbanization has on
ambient air quality and health. What actions can be taken to reduce air pollution
emissions? Consider possibilities at the individual, community, national, and international
levels. How can air quality be monitored and improved as a global initiative?
Ambient Air Pollution
Ambient air pollution ranks as a major concern globally. The emission of huge volumes
of toxic air contaminants began with the Industrial Revolution. Its consequences manifest in
climate change and adverse human health. Most of the air pollution arises from industries that
release geochemical, geomagnetic, and spheroidal carbonaceous substances (Brauer et al., 2016).
Observed rises in ambient air pollution correspond with industrial intensification. Additionally,
motor vehicles and the combustion of fossil fuels also contribute to air pollution. With industries
and machines directly releasing toxic fumes to the atmosphere, the situation is worsened by
deforestation. Without sufficient trees, the process of cleansing ambient air becomes slow thus
contributing to a build-up of toxic atmospheric substances.
Existing evidence indicates no doubts regarding the influence of air contamination on
adverse health outcomes. Increased air pollution directly correlates with increased cases of
cardiorespiratory infections across the globe. Millions of deaths yearly arise from the effects of
ambient air pollution. Up to 80 percent of the deaths comprise of stroke and heart disease, while
the rest come from respiratory diseases and cancers associated with fine particulate matter
exposure (Brauer et al., 2016). Deliberate action is necessary to arrest the situation.
AMBIENT AIR POLLUTION 2
Actions towards reducing air pollution need to focus on the individual, community,
national, and international levels. The individual needs to reduce the use of automobiles through
walking, biking or use of public transportation. Using environmentally safe products such as
cleaning products and paints as well as the use of clean energy can contribute to reducing air
pollution (Brauer et al., 2016). The community can develop strategies of carpooling, creating
biking and walk groups as well as awareness campaigns. The nation-level takes account of
policing actions on better industrial and manufacturing processes, initiating conservation
programs, and enabling energy-efficient ways of transportation. The same case applies
internationally but also includes requiring environmentally responsible actions to reduce
pollution. Ultimately, air quality can be monitored and improved as a global initiative through
policies and measures promoting energy-efficient housing, cleaner transportation, and industries
as well as improved waste management.
AMBIENT AIR POLLUTION 3
References
Brauer, M., Freedman, G., Frostad, J., Van Donkelaar, A., Martin, R. V., Dentener, F., &
Balakrishnan, K. (2016). Ambient air pollution exposure estimation for the global burden
of disease 2013. Environmental science & technology, 50(1), 79-88.