More and more people are taking air pollution measurements themselves, urging action from national and local governments.
Last year, Mark Tebbutt installed Chorley’s seventh air pollution monitor. Since 2013, Tebbutt, his family and friends have been buying and using their own air pollution control instruments. These are mounted on garden fences and on the sides of houses in the Lancashire town. You can find their data online alongside that of more than 30,000 citizen scientists around the world.
Tebbutt’s network often measures particulate pollution in the evenings, while people sit around their fires: “I started taking measurements out of concern about wood smoke pollution from the proliferation of solid domestic fuel burning in Chorley. I wanted to prove to the council that the area has an air pollution problem, and I also use the real-time levels to lobby different people and agencies on social media.”
Concerns about air pollution are not limited to towns and cities. Jo Clark, who lives in rural North Wales, also has her own monitor: “I’ve been able to show others, such as my local authority, how particle pollution goes up and down over the days, months and years – and how it may deviate from the very general ambient temperature forecast and reported by Defra or the Welsh Government.”
The Mayor of London and Bloomberg Philanthropies are taking a different approach by handing out 60 free Breathe London sensors to community groups.
Andrew Grieve, who works on the project at Imperial College London, says: “In our experience, the groups see the collection of local air quality data as more open to discussing broader visions for their neighborhood with their community and as a way to to get a seat at the table with the city council.”
That’s certainly how some groups see it. North London’s Rectory Road residents’ association, which has joined the Breathe London project, said: “As a large BAME community, we feel we have been ignored; our requests have not been met and we are struggling to have any serious commitment and action to address toxic air pollution. Others, including Victoria Park Harriers and Tower Hamlets athletic club, are keen to use the data to help their communities at times when air pollution is bad and to help them advocate for change.
Governments struggle to heed the concerns of citizens’ air quality scientists and seize the opportunities they provide. Citizen science has a long history in observations of the natural world. For example, ornithological research relies heavily on volunteer observers sharing their data, but air pollution measurements are usually the preserve of university or government scientists using standardized approaches and expensive instruments. While less accurate, citizen measurements can help raise awareness of air pollution problems and warrant more action.
What will happen if we stop air pollution?
Can we stop air pollution? There are many ways to improve air quality in your home. By reducing energy use, choosing sustainable products, and eliminating your exposure to chemicals, we can all contribute to a cleaner California. By reducing energy consumption, air pollution is reduced.
What happens if air pollution stops?
But even if we stopped all carbon emissions today, the Earth’s temperature would still continue to rise. Why? This is because there is a delayed period during which the already released carbon dioxide will continue to accumulate and move in our planet’s atmosphere and oceans.
Why do we need to stop air pollution?
Reducing pollutants in the air is important for human health and the environment. Poor air quality has harmful effects on human health, especially the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. This may interest you : NYSDOH and NYCDOHMH announce wastewater monitoring identifies polio in New York City and urges unvaccinated New Yorkers to get vaccinated now. Pollutants can also damage plants and buildings, and smoke or mist can reduce visibility.
What are the 12 types of pollution?
Important forms of pollution are air pollution, light pollution, litter, noise pollution, plastic pollution, soil pollution, radioactive contamination, thermal pollution, visual pollution and water pollution. On the same subject : Europe’s travel woes won’t end this summer.
What is Pollution Definition Class 12? It is defined as unwanted changes that affect the healthy state of the environment. It includes pollution of the air, water and soil through various pollutants. Pollution directly or indirectly affects the life of living organisms.
What are the top 10 pollutants?
- Recycling of lead-acid batteries. …
- Mercury and lead contamination from mining. …
- Coal Mining (Sulfur Dioxide and Mercury Pollution)…
- Artisanal Gold Mining (Mercury Contamination)…
- Melting lead. …
- Pesticides Pollution from agriculture and storage. …
- Arsenic in groundwater. …
- Industrial waste water.
What is 150 word pollution?
Pollution is the process by which the environment pollutes the water and air by adding harmful substances. Pollution causes an imbalance in the environment. To see also : Briefs: Marion Public Health awarded grant to address health gaps. This imbalance threatened the survival of all life forms. It is a threat to the whole world.
What are 3 effects of poor air quality?
Poor air quality can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, cause shortness of breath, exacerbate asthma and other respiratory conditions, and affect the heart and cardiovascular system.
What are the 10 effects of air pollution? Exposure to high concentrations of ozone can cause sore throat, cough, pneumonia and permanent lung damage. Ozone pollution affects our lungs, making it difficult to breathe… Harmful to human health
- Cough.
- Wheezing/difficulty breathing.
- Irritation of eyes, nose and throat.
- Headache.
- Dizziness.
- Fatigue.
What are 3 issues with air quality that can cause you to get sick?
Over time, inhaling fine particles in the air increases the chance of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular disease or lung cancer.
What are the 5 health effects of air pollution?
The specific disease outcomes most strongly associated with exposure to air pollution include stroke, ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, pneumonia, and cataracts (home air pollution only).
