What do we know about air pollution? Air pollution is more complex than we think and tackling this issue it’s actually a huge challenge because we are all part of it. Yet, it is quite difficult to understand what are we doing wrong and what kind of pollutants we create through our daily routine. It is important to know at least the basics and consequences of air pollution so we can help to reduce the impacts on our Maltese Islands.
The contamination of the air we breathe is a mixture of different pollutants that are emitted from anthropogenic and natural sources. The Earth by itself makes its own emissions by natural origin such as windblown dust, volcanic eruptions, sea salt and volatile organic compounds. Pollutants like dust are not so harmful in terms of air quality; according to an article from the BBC of a study published in the journal Natural Communications “…dust can deflect significant amounts of sunlight… without the dust, the land warms up more and that changes the temperature differential with the sea leading to weaker breezes and more air pollution.” The actual problem arises when it mixes with anthropogenic pollutants.
Among the anthropogenic sources we find road transport (vehicles emissions is considered the biggest source of pollution in Malta), households (such as energy consumption, home heating, waste, etc.), agriculture (use of pesticides), industries and power plants. Also the ship emissions are a big deal when it comes to air pollution because they run on Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), this fuel is very dangerous to human health due to its high Sulphur content.
Pollutants are divided in two: the primary pollutants which can be emitted directly and the secondary pollutants formed when the primary react in the atmosphere. Below is an explanation of primary and secondary pollutants and how harmful they are to our health and the environment.
Primary pollutants:
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is formed by oxidation of sulphur.; combustion fuels and electricity generation are the main source of this pollutant. Contributes to formation of acid rain which damages ecosystems. SO2 effects are linked to eyes irritation, lung damage and inflammation of the respiratory tract. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) is produced through road transport and fuel combustion. This pollutant is associated with eutrophication (enrichment by nutrients) of soil and with acid deposition. It can affect lungs, liver, spleen and blood in humans. Carbon monoxide (CO) Formed by incomplete combustion, being road transport, households and industries important contributors to the emissions of this pollutant. CO causes headaches because it interferes with blood’s ability to transport oxygen, it can also lead to heart disease and damage to the nervous system.
Secondary pollutants
Particulate matter (PM) is emitted either as primary or formed in the atmosphere from emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Among the sources we find anthropogenic such as car exhaust and natural such as sea-salt and dust. PM can cause cancer and premature death; it can alter rainfall patterns. Ozone (O3) It forms in the atmosphere by oxidation of non-volatile organic compounds CO and nitrogen oxides. It’s toxic to humans and vegetation. Non methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) Produce photochemical oxidants by reacting with NOx. Dry cleaning, road transport and solvents are some of the main sources; extremely harmful to human health due to the variety of chemicals in it like benzene.
Atmospheric conditions (temperature, humidity, circulation patterns and pressure) are involved in transporting air pollution. We might be breathing pollutants that have been produced in other continents due to the wind which can carry pollutants from other parts of the world.
Human system and earth system are strongly linked, just like space and time. Economic and political systems most often jeopardise the environmental and human when stakeholder groups focus on their own interest, forgetting their role of stewards of this earth. We have created economic goods without considering their repercussions and implications.
Human psychology also plays a role since decisions are manipulated by human perception of risks. A health hazard, such as air pollution, since invisible to the eye and affects us slowly, may not be considered as a risk even though we read and hear everyday about pollutants affecting our health and ecosystems. So, why don’t we care? Let’s just say that human behavior is quite complicated.
All in all, Malta is a small country that needs to improve in numerous environmental areas, and as inhabitants of this beautiful island we need to contribute to reduce air pollution levels. Even on a personal level we can make a change by reducing our carbon footprint through recycling, being smart with electricity consumption, having car-free days and use other transport alternatives like bikes or public transport. Moreover, Malta needs desperately a program to help to control vehicle emissions and a system to ease transport congestions. It is important to find balance between development and environment giving to countryside an important role in this understanding that we need trees and green spaces to at least diminish the effects of the way we build cities. So, let’s start doing something before we have to find a way to adapt to crazy levels of pollution. We are still in time.