Global Pollution Has Increased Significantly

Global pollution has increased significantly over the last few decades. Rapidly growing population, increasing consumption and demands have resulted in rapid industrialization and aggressive production strategies with very little concern for long-term environmental impacts. Air and water pollution by industrial emissions and improper waste management policies have contributed to increased risk for contracting infectious diseases, respiratory ailments and other serious health concerns. These factors are more pertinent in the developing world where unlike the developed world industrial pollution control policies are not effectively implemented. As per the data from the WHO as much as 25% of the deaths in the developing world is attributed to environmental pollution. [Blacksmith Institute, 2009]The alarming vehicular growth and the corresponding increase in industrial greenhouse gases has created an environmental calamity whose effects range from acid rains to el nino to global warming and severe climatic changes. Scientists estimate that the atmospheric C02 concentrations are up by 31% since the pre-industrial era. Urban air pollution due to vehicular and industrial emissions is responsible for the deaths of more than 800-000 people every year. [WHO, 2006] These are the grim facts of our modern industrial world. Let us have a brief overview of the three major causes of global pollution namely industrial, transportation and human wastes pollution.

Industrial Pollution

Industrial growth spurred by rapid urbanization worldwide has resulted in a worsening pollution crisis. In particular the energy industry contributes to the growing emission of greenhouse gases. Unprecedented energy demands have contributed to the increasing conversion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas into electricity. Since these fossil fuels contain sulfur and nitrogen their combustion releases environmentally dangerous levels of SO2 and nitrous oxide gases. Coal in particular has very high levels of sulfur (.5% to 10%) and this increases the atmospheric SO2 levels significantly. SO2 easily reacts with airborne solid particles and could be oxidized by airborne water particles resulting in the formation of H2SO4.. Similarly industrial emissions of NO and NO2 can oxidize in the atmosphere to form HNO3 (nitric acid). This phenomenon is now commonly known as acid rain [NGC]

CO2 emissions have also increased considerably over the last few decades. According to the 'Global Carbon Project', CO2 emissions from fossil fuels have increased worldwide by around 29%. The fact that the use of coal has exceeded oil as the major energy source has resulted in further increase in greenhouse gases.[ University of East Anglia, 2009] In the fast going economies such as China and India, coal continues to be the major fuel for energy production. Even in the United States, power plants continue to be the largest source of air pollution. Since most of the power plants in the country are very old, they do not have the latest pollution control standards. [U.S. PIRG Education Fund, 2005] Besides CO2, No and SO2, there is also growing concern about the toxic effects of persistent organic pollutants. According to a European Union report, the emissions of hydrofluorocarbon (HCFC) has increased by 500 times since 1990. [EEA, 2008]

The increasing levels of industrial pollution happening in the developing world has a global impact. A recent satellite imaging study by NASA has confirmed this. The rapid industrial growth in China has made the country the world's largest emitter of pollutant aerosols. The satellite study showed that pollutant aerosols originating from China are transported across the Pacific Ocean by strong airstreams. Mr. Hongbin Yu, NASA researcher and part of the study team said, "We used the latest satellite capabilities to distinguish industrial pollution and smoke from dust transported to the western regions of North America from East Asia. Looking at four years of data from 2002 to 2005, we estimated the amount of pollution arriving in North America to be equivalent to about 15% of local emissions of the U.S. And Canada," [NASA]

Transportation Pollution

Inspite of the technological advancements and control measures such as the use of unleaded petrol, pollution from motor vehicle emissions are causing more damage now than ever before. Lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are on a steady rise, especially in the cities where vehicle transport related air pollution is very acute. NY City, being one of the busiest cities in the world, offers an excellent case study. A recent Harvard research report has found that people living within 500 to 1500 feet of a main roadway are more at risk for developing asthma, lung cancer, heart attack, etc. For instance, the very high rate of asthma patients in New York is directly ascribed to vehicular transport pollution. An estimated 300,000 children and 700,000 adults in the city suffer from asthma and air pollution is the major cause. The report found that more than 2 million people in the city live within 500 feet of a major roadway. For the residents of the city, among other hazardous air pollutants, harmful vehicle emissions such as SO2 and NO are found to contribute over 80% of risk factor for cancer. [Environmental Defense, 2007]

Traffic congestion in NY is reported to increase an emission of 166,000 tons of harmful pollutants into the atmosphere every year. Cities such as London, Singapore and Stockholm have successfully tested 'congestion pricing' system to minimize traffic congestion and related air pollution. A similar model could be suggested for NY. [Environmental Defense, 2007 ]The situation is even worse in developing world where emission standards are not stringently adhered. With the large and burgeoning middleclass contributing to increasing four wheeler ownership, India and China are experiencing an explosion of vehicular traffic. As per the recent World Bank report almost 80% of Chinese cities have atmospheric sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide concentrations that are above WHO thresholds. [Worldwatch Institute, 2005]

Human Waste Pollution

Good sanitation leads to good health. Human waste treatment and disposal is vital to control infections such as diarrhea, typhoid, hepatitis and many other harmful pathogens as the human feces is a carrier of innumerable germs. Untreated sewage that ends up in to lakes, rivers and the ocean is very dangerous to the aquatic ecosystems and pollutes the drinking water. As per a recent WHO report in many developing countries as much as 90% of sewage and 70% of industrial waste is directly released into waterbodies without adequate treatment causing air, water and soil pollution. [WHO] This makes these water bodies a breeding ground for germs of communicable diseases.