Pollution in cities is inevitable and has become a major issue due to urban and economic growth and industrialization. These pictures illustrate water, land and air pollution in Post-of-Spain, the urban capital of Trinidad. The vast numbers of people who occupy urban areas contribute to some type of pollution. People are quite dis-concerned with the condition of the environment until it starts to pose noticeable health hazards.
I took these pictures as it depicts pollution in urban areas and I strongly believe citizens should make a more conscious effect to keep their surrounding sanitary and hygienic. City pollution is cause from the congestion of different type of activities in the urban area example:
- Increasing number of vehicles - Car exhaust emissions (carbon monoxide), especially from Traffic Congestion motor oil and wear from brake linings and tires deposit pollutants on roadways
- Runoff drainage from businesses - Solid and liquid waste accumulate in drains and storm drains and clog these water ways
- Improper dumping of waste - People illegally get rid of waste dumping in drains and rivers and disregard to the law
- Building maintenance, renovation, construction - building materials, debris, dust all contribute to pollution
- Removal of tree - Cutting and clearing of trees for construction can cause flooding and reduces the natural process where trees filter the air
- Industrial activities - emissions and waste products from companies
- Residential areas - improper disposal of household waste
Rapid urbanization has resulted in increased urban air, land and water pollution in major cities attributed to the points listed above. The lack of law enforcement and fines has also contributed to these levels of pollution as home/business/company owners have no fear for illegally disposing waste matter.
Pollution is a problem throughout the Caribbean and can lead to irreversible damages. The following link expands on the potential threats the Caribbean is and will possibly face: Pollution Threats to the Caribbean
Thought the Caribbean is face with pollution, other urban cities around the world are faced with much more severe pollution problems. Air pollution via toxic emissions from cars, companies and industries have created a blanket of thick smog over cities which poses as a threat to human health.First published in the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme Magazine in April 2013, they looked at urban air pollution and its effects caused by large urban agglomerations. M. Melamed, T. Zhu and L.Jalkanen discusses a new global assessment that sheds light on the knows and unknowns of urban air pollution in the article titled
Urban Air Pollution - a new look at an old problem
The Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association presented an Article: Urban Air Pollution in Latin America and the Caribbean
Abstract
Urban air pollution has become an increasing problem in Latin America and the Caribbean. One reason is the rapid expansion in the size of the urban population. This phenomenon is associated with an increase in the number of vehicles and in energy utilization which, in addition to industrial processes often concentrated in the cities, are the primary sources of air pollution in Latin American cities. The air quality standards established in such countries are frequently exceeded although control programs have been implemented. The urban areas more affected by anthropogenic pollutant emissions are Sao Paulo, Brazil; Santiago, Chile; and Mexico City. In Latin America, the population of cities with high priority air pollution problems include approximately 81 million people or 26.5 percent of the total urban population of Latin America, corresponding to 30 million children (< 15 years), 47 million adults (15-59 years) and 4 million elderly people (^>60 years) who are exposed to air pollutant levels that exceed World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for adequate health protection.
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Urban Air Pollution - a new look at an old problem
The Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association presented an Article: Urban Air Pollution in Latin America and the Caribbean
Abstract
Urban air pollution has become an increasing problem in Latin America and the Caribbean. One reason is the rapid expansion in the size of the urban population. This phenomenon is associated with an increase in the number of vehicles and in energy utilization which, in addition to industrial processes often concentrated in the cities, are the primary sources of air pollution in Latin American cities. The air quality standards established in such countries are frequently exceeded although control programs have been implemented. The urban areas more affected by anthropogenic pollutant emissions are Sao Paulo, Brazil; Santiago, Chile; and Mexico City. In Latin America, the population of cities with high priority air pollution problems include approximately 81 million people or 26.5 percent of the total urban population of Latin America, corresponding to 30 million children (< 15 years), 47 million adults (15-59 years) and 4 million elderly people (^>60 years) who are exposed to air pollutant levels that exceed World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for adequate health protection.
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