The hazards of air pollution are manifold, and the following is a detailed summary of the hazards:
Hazards to human health
Respiratory hazards: air pollution can cause harmful substances contained in the air to be inhaled into the human body, which in turn damages the respiratory system. These harmful substances may induce asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other respiratory diseases, and in serious cases may even cause lung cancer. Specific symptoms include coughing up phlegm, chest tightness and chest pain, dyspnoea, palpitations, fatigue, massive haemoptysis and so on.
Genetic mutation: long-term exposure to polluted air, harmful substances may act on the human body’s genetic material, leading to genetic mutation, which may induce cancer and other diseases.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system: Air pollution is also associated with the occurrence of diseases of the cardiovascular system, increasing the incidence of heart disease, stroke and other diseases.
Immune system and allergic diseases: air pollution also affects the human immune system and triggers allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis and asthma.
The harm to the ecosystem
Affecting the quality of soil and water: Air pollutants affect the quality of soil and water through deposition, which in turn affects the growth of crops and the reproduction of aquatic organisms.
Destroying forest ecosystems: air pollution can destroy forest ecosystems and lead to the loss of biodiversity.
Global Impacts on the Environment
Changing the Earth’s climate: Air pollution can lead to global warming, depletion of the ozone layer, acid rain and other global environmental problems. Emissions of greenhouse gases are one of the main causes of global climate change, fuelling global warming and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events.
Damage to buildings and cultural heritage: Airborne pollutants can react chemically with materials on the surfaces of buildings, leading to corrosion and deterioration of cultural heritage such as walls and sculptures.
Economic and social impacts
Air pollution also has negative economic and social impacts, such as increasing medical costs, reducing labour productivity, and affecting tourism.
In summary, air pollution has a wide and far-reaching impact on human health, ecosystems and the environment. Therefore, the prevention and control of air pollution is a matter of great urgency for mankind around the globe and needs to be given high priority by everyone.