The quality of air is now once again a popular topic for discussion. A big German car manufacturer has been manipulating car emission test results, in order to be able to sell their cars as environmentally friendly and efficient. So, how is the air quality doing in our cities? The quality of air is determined by measuring the amount of harmful particles in the air e.g. small particles, ozone, nitric oxides, sulphur oxides, carbon monoxides and hydrocarbons. Almost all particles originate from different sources, so one can’t really be affected by to all of them through simple actions. It is very important to understand the origins of these emissions, so one is able to minimize one’s footprint. The main sources of these bad guys are listed below. Emissions originate from different sources, for example road, sea and air traffic, wood burning (!), industrial- and energy production and long range transport of particles. The long range particles originate elsewhere, but because of the fine size and weight, they travel long distances. One can’t really affect the amounts of these directly. For example large forest fires cause a lot of fumes which travel over land and seas. (Ilmanlaatu 2015). The situation becomes rather hazardous here in Finland during springtime. On top of other emissions and fumes, all of the rough sand used to keep roads non slippery is revealed after snow melts. That combined with the traffic it leads vast amounts of dust. It causes breathing problems to sensitive people and exercising near the roads of heavy traffic is not recommended during that time. What could be done to prevent this or mitigate the effects of this? (Ilmansaasteiden terveyshaitat 2015).
What is the source of all air pollution ultimately? Of course everything! To really affect the amount of pollution produced, we need to consume less overall. The production of stuff requires energy, energy leads to fuel consumption and fuel combustion causes emissions... Author Iiro Jalava References
Ilmanlaatu. 2015. Ilmatieteenlaitos. Read 24.11.2015. http://ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/teematietoa-ilmanlaadusta. Ilmasaasteiden terveyshaitat. 2015. Helsingin Seudun Ympäristöpalvelut. Read 24.11.2015. https://www.hsy.fi/fi/asukkaalle/ilmanlaatu/tietoahengitysilmasta/Sivut/Ilmansaasteiden-terveyshaitat.aspx. |
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May 2019
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