Air Pollution: A Historical Problem with Modern Consequences
Ancient Roots
Air pollution is not a new problem. Humans have been polluting the air for thousands of years. Evidence of wood fires in ancient homes has been found in the lungs of mummified tissue from Egypt, Peru, and Great Britain.
The Romans were among the first to spew metallic pollutants into the air, long before the Industrial Revolution. They called their city’s smoke cloud “heavy heaven” and “infamous air.” Roman courts even considered civil claims over smoke pollution.
Medieval and Renaissance Europe
Later, smelting to create lead and copper fouled medieval air. Analyses of ice cores reveal that lead levels in the environment increased tenfold during this period.
By the 1200s, London had been deforested and began to burn “sea-coal,” which washed up on beaches. Complaints about smoke from burning coal date back to the 1280s. Attempts to ban burning coal failed.
The Industrial Revolution and Beyond
The Industrial Revolution accelerated air pollution. The invention of the steam engine and the shift to fossil fuels led to the growth of factories and urban expansion. By 1900, there were 43 cities worldwide with more than 500,000 people.
Residents of these industrial giants suffered from acrid smoke that stung their eyes and hindered their breathing. Thick fogs, especially in colder weather, blanketed the cities. Societies to campaign against the smoke scourge emerged.
The 20th Century: Smog and Regulation
The automobile became a new source of air pollution. By 1940, Los Angeles had more than a million cars. The city’s first smog incident occurred in 1943, leading to fears of a chemical attack.
Two major smog incidents in Donora, Pennsylvania, and London galvanized action. The U.S. Congress enacted the Clean Air Act in 1963, and the U.K. passed the Clean Air Act in 1956.
Modern Air Pollution
Legislation in the United States, Great Britain, and other countries has generally improved air quality. However, air pollution remains a major problem worldwide.
The World Health Organization estimates that seven million premature deaths resulted from air pollution exposure in 2012. Dirty air is the world’s largest environmental health risk.
Urban air pollution is re-emerging as a leading environmental problem, especially in rapidly industrializing countries like India and China. The smog associated with these cities may not be as black and gloomy as that of Britain during the Industrial Revolution, but it is just as deadly.
Consequences of Air Pollution
Air pollution has a wide range of health effects, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. It can also damage ecosystems and crops.
Addressing Air Pollution
Reducing air pollution requires a multifaceted approach. This includes reducing emissions from vehicles, factories, and power plants; promoting renewable energy; and improving energy efficiency.
International efforts to address air pollution have been ongoing since 1972, but they have had limited success. Stronger cooperation and more stringent regulations are needed to tackle this global problem.
