Taking a Breath of Unfresh Air: How Combustion Emissions Are Impacting Air Quality
Have you noticed a haze in the air recently or found yourself coughing more when outside? You're not alone. Air quality across many parts of the UK has been deteriorating over the past years.
The deterioration in air quality is in no small part due to increasing pollution from combustion emissions. These emissions, released from the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas, are taking a toll on our health and environment. Let's take a closer look at how exactly combustion emissions are degrading air quality.
Transportation Fuels Are A Major Culprit
Exhaust from petrol and diesel vehicles is a leading contributor to poor air quality, especially in urban areas. Tailpipe emissions contain harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide. These not only reduce visibility and cause smog, but can irritate eyes and airways or exacerbate respiratory conditions like asthma. With more vehicles on UK roads than ever before, road transportation emissions remain a top source of combustion-related air pollution. [1]
Industrial Processes Play A Role Too
Manufacturing plants, refineries, and power stations also emit air pollutants from burning coal, natural gas and fuel oils. Facilities that use combustion for industrial processes or energy production release sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter into the atmosphere. While UK regulations have reduced industrial emissions over time, these sources continue degrading air quality. Studies consistently show higher rates of health problems like cancer and heart disease near industrial combustion emission sites. [2]
Home Heating Impacts Localised Air Quality
Even at the residential level, emissions from home heating affect air quality, especially in winter. Domestic wood and coal burning releases particulate matter, VOCs, and other substances into the immediate vicinity. This can be particularly problematic in densely populated urban areas, where emissions accumulate rather than dissipating quickly. Exposure has been linked to increased respiratory illness among those living near homes using solid-fuel heating sources. [3]
The Way Forward
Combating the air quality impacts of combustion emissions requires action at all levels, from government policies to individual choices. Some solutions include:
Stricter emissions standards for vehicles and industries
Incentives for people to upgrade home heating systems
Increased use of cleaner energy sources like natural gas, solar and wind
Expanded access to public transportation to reduce car traffic
Tougher regulations on industrial emission monitoring and reporting
By working together to reduce reliance on polluting fossil fuels, we can clean up UK air and protect the health of citizens - both today and for future generations. The path toward improved air quality begins with understanding the role of emissions sources like transportation, industry, and residential heating in degrading the air we breathe each day.
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