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Emissions of smoke, furnace gas, and dust are a growing problem in many industrialized cities. In the United States alone, air pollution causes over 150,000 premature deaths every year. The emissions, often referred to as soot, come mainly from burning gasoline and diesel fuel, but also from combustion activities in industrial facilities like power plants, manufacturing sites, and refineries.
Smoke, furnace gas, and dust contain a variety of chemical compounds, which are released into the atmosphere. Particulate matter and chemical pollutants such as oxides of nitrogen and sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are all emitters of pollutants into the air. These pollutants are particularly dangerous when they concentrate in the air in higher than normal levels.
Particulate matter, or dust, is composed of tiny bits of solid particles, liquid droplets, and gases. When these particles actually remain suspended - their size and their specific gravity allows them to remain suspended for an extended period of time. As particulate matter serves as a vehicle for carrying and conveying pollutants from the source of their emission, it can form an environmental hazard when concentration levels become too high.
Particulate matter can cause irritation and inflammation when it is inhaled into the human respiratory system and can cause heart and lung diseases. Studies have shown a correlation between short-term increases in respirable Particulate matter and an increase in cardiorespiratory illnesses.
Atmospheric pollution is also caused by the release of chemical pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and VOCs. These pollutants can cause a wide range of effects on human health, while nitrogen oxides contribute to the formation of ozone, which is linked with asthma and other health related issues. Carbon monoxide is a highly toxic gas that affects brain function as well as contributing to smog and acid rain.
To reduce emissions of smoke, furnace gas and dust, many industrial companies have installed particulate or gas separators to clean up their process emissions and reduce their impact on the environment. Another effort is to reduce the amount of pollutants released into the atmosphere through the use of cleaner-burning fuels like natural gas. Industry is also developing new technologies to reduce NOx and SO2 emissions from both fuel burning and production activities.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has implemented a variety of programs addressing the different sources of air pollution. These programs use a mixture of regulations and laws along with incentives for businesses to reduce their impact on air quality.
Efforts are being made at the international level as well, with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement both committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. The Conference of the Parties meeting in the 2015 Paris Agreement were particularly concerned about the effects of combustion emissions on the global environment and public health.
Improving air quality requires international effort, and although strict regulations are required, the primary goal must be to persuade people and industries to take steps to reduce their emissions. The greater the efforts made to reduce the amount of air pollution, the more lives that can be saved and the more we can do to slow down global climate change.
