Most people consider outdoor air pollution to be a relatively recent issue. We believe that air pollution peaked with gas-burning vehicles and began with the industrial revolution in the late 1800s.
But air quality has always been a source of worry. King Edward I of England, in the thirteenth century, implored the people to desist from burning sea coal, which resulted in a thick smog over that area when mixed with London’s famous fog. In 1952, tens of thousands of people died within weeks in a major air pollution incident over the city of London. So we know that bad air is not a new problem. But what causes it? What causes poor air quality?
Pollution from Vehicles on the Road
There has been a major increase in the number of vehicles on the road. Every vehicle running around you emits gases into the air. Those gases then mix with the air and create pollution.
Most people tend to notice smog during peak and heavy hours. They notice that the air is heavier, thus more congestion in the morning and late afternoon gets AQI kicking high in areas where there is vehicle congestion.
Smoke and Emissions from Factories
Factories and power plants are also big players in what causes poor air quality. To obtain energy, many industries resort to coal, oil, or gas burning. As a result of such activity, smoke and gases are released into the surrounding air.
When pollution control devices are not installed or used at the factories, the amount of harmful substances that are released into the atmosphere can be quite high. Besides, these pollutants can spread over a large area, and thus the quality of air can be compromised even in the case of neighboring towns and cities.
This is a glaring example of what causes poor air quality, especially in industrial locations where a number of factories are operating in close proximity to each other.
Burning of Waste and Fuels
Any burnt material generates pollutants that are released into the air and among these pollutants are smoke and particles. Farmers in certain agricultural areas usually burn their post-harvest leftovers, which produce large clouds of smoke that can be seen from a great distance.
The burning of coal or wood inside houses pollutes the indoor environment and the people living there are affected very easily. However, mixing this polluted smoke with outdoor pollution can cause very fast increments in AQI levels.
Weather Conditions That Trap Pollution
Weather conditions can be very determining. The wind gusts will blow the air containing pollutants all over the area, thus lowering the concentration of pollutants in the air above us. However, if the weather is calm, the polluted air will stay in the same place.
Especially on cold days, sometimes an inversion layer traps all the smog that has been produced at street level, so no one can get away from it easily. Here, the air filled with pollution is trapped and accumulates under the “lid” of warm air. As a result, human beings are forced to breathe in polluted air. Besides that, fog can combine with pollution, causing the formation of smog that will have significantly raised AQI levels.
Without any additional input of pollution, weather conditions can still turn pollution already present into a very serious issue.
Construction and Road Dust
Whenever there is construction, dust is released into the air owing to buildings being erected, roads being repaired, or land being cleared. The dust released during such activities is a mixture of different-sized particles, which, especially the smaller ones, can be airborne for extended periods.
When cars, trucks, and other vehicles travel on unpaved roads, dust comes out of such roads. This dust, if inhaled over a long period, can cause breathing problems, which will be more severe in the cases of children and the elderly.
Conclusion
Bad air quality isn’t something that just occurs by chance. What causes unhealthy air quality? It is the direct result of your choices. So, you should be careful and consider the effects of your actions on the environment. Natural causes are beyond your control, but a slight change in your behavior concerning the air quality will have a great impact.
If you want to check the air quality around you, you can do so using AQISCANR.