Sustainable Environment; Engineering Solutions

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Introduction: Air pollution can be defined as the harmful gases in the air that we breathe. Pollution can be caused by natural sources or as a result of human activities. Natural pollutants include: dust, pollen, smoke from forest fires, and bacterial and volcanic action. Nevertheless, human activities are the main cause of air pollution. Major sources of air pollution are industrial (factories and power stations) at 36% and on-road transportation at 26%. Currently, the number of vehicles on roads is constantly rising, leading to producing more pollutants. The most common pollutants in transportation are nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulpher dioxide, hydrocarbons and particulate matters. This essay will examine the impacts on human health, the environment, and even the economy that have resulted from these pollutants. It will then evaluate some of the solutions that have been put forward to reduce these harmful emissions. The increase in number of vehicles The situation is that the growth in world population, with the new styles of vehicle that were produced, is major cause of the increase in the number of vehicles worldwide. In the United States, for example, automobiles became synonymous with the free-wheeling nature of life and culture which lead a prosperous household want to have at least two cars (Mondt 2000). In Britain, another example, the number of vehicles, in 2004, rose to reach 29 million vehicles of which 24 million are private cars. Most people use their own cars in short journeys, as create unnecessary pollution. As a result, the amount of vehicle emissions increased with that growth of both population and the number of cars. Air pollution is not a recent problem and was recognized as early as 1966, accordin... ... middle of paper ... ... Works Cited Faiz, A., Weaver, C., S., and Walsh, M., P. (1996) Air Pollution from Motor Vehicles: Standards and Technologies for Controlling Emissions. Washington, D.C.: The World Bank OEE (2006) Energy Use Data Handbook. Natural Resources Canada Mondt, J., R. (2000) Cleaner Cars: the history and technology of emission control since the 1960s. Warrendale, United States: SAE International Pimentel, D. (2007) Pollution Causes 40 Percent Of Deaths Worldwide. Sciencedaily SAE (1994) Developments in Alternative Fuels Technology. Warrendale, United States: SAE international Fuel Economy, Environmental Protection Agency, United States (www.fueleconomy.gov). How stuff works (www.howstuffworks.com). Ministry of Environment (Environment Canada), Government of British Columbia, Canada (www.env.gov.bc.ca) (2001). Waltham Forest, Britain (www.walthamforest.gov.uk).

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