The Problem
“99% of the people living on the planet live in areas where the air pollution exceed WHO limits”
Unless you have lived your whole life under a rock, we are all somewhat aware of the problem airborne pollution or smog as it is often called, but it is quite sobering to consider some real statistics to put the problem in perspective and to underline the fact that air pollution is truly a silent killer!
Upon reflection, many of the other natural forces like hurricanes, fires and storms at sea are clear and dynamic demonstrations of energy and often causes us as mere mortals to shudder in reverence…but airborne pollution as an invisible silent killer probably kills more people every year than all of those majestic forces put together!
The World Health Organisation does extensive ongoing research on global pollution and have published statistics which indicate that:
- 99% of the people living on the planet live in areas where the air pollution exceed WHO limits
- Air pollution affects around 7 billion people adversely
- Air pollution leads to around 7 million deaths every year
- The impact of air pollution on global health cost is around $28 B due to medical bills (asthma, respiratory disease hospitalisation and medicines)
- The estimated annual economic cost of $4.6 Trillion which includes, losses in productivity and time off work due to air pollution related afflictions
What is smog?
Smog (short for “smoke + fog”) is a type of intense air pollution, visible as layers or clouds often resembling a nasty-looking pea soup, hanging over cities and industrial areas. It is composed of nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxide, ozone, smoke and other particulates. Man-made smog is derived from coal combustion emissions, vehicular emissions, industrial emissions, forest and agricultural fires and photochemical reactions of these emissions.
Smog (short for “smoke + fog”) is a type of intense air pollution, visible as layers or clouds often resembling a nasty-looking pea soup, hanging over cities and industrial areas. It is composed of nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxide, ozone, smoke and other particulates. Man-made smog is derived from coal combustion emissions, vehicular emissions, industrial emissions, forest and agricultural fires and photochemical reactions of these emissions.
