11 - Air pollution in the urban atmosphere: sources and consequences

Abstract

The urban atmosphere is the result of the mixture of chemicals released from the complexity of emissions due to human living. Ironically, the chemicals that we release do in turn affect our health and environment. Air pollution emissions due to transportation, personal and residential choices, and industrial or commercial activities are concentrated in areas of denser population. The emissions then play a role in changing water, soil and vegetation, damaging infrastructure in the built environment, and affecting the climate and visual air quality. In the urban setting, human health effects have been linked, through epidemiological studies, to atmospheric exposure to air pollutants. In fact, individuals have a tremendous amount of control over the emissions that are generated in our metropolitan regions – about 80% of the emissions due to fuel combustion have the potential to be directly influenced by the consumer. As we recognize the damages caused by air pollution, actions to reduce emissions improve health and ecosystem outcomes. However, the developing world is eager to achieve the same wealth as developed nations through energy production and manufacturing. Opportunities for technology and knowledge transfer on a global scale can assist these countries in becoming financially sustainable while mitigating the risk of reducing global environmental safety through uncontrolled emissions.