There are many different effects of air pollution within a city such as ArRiyadh; from those affecting people’s health to those that affect the environment or buildings that people work and live in. The type of pollutant will have different effects, however in the majority of cases, the pollutant being either a gas or a small particulate can travel from the source, and thus is not restricted to those next to or within the vicinity of the source of the pollution, though they may be subject to higher concentrations.
Short-term moderate air pollution tends to have a lesser effect on those who are young or healthy, and is unlikely to have any long-term effects. However, children, the old and those with an over-riding health condition can be effected by these moderate levels of air pollution, such as shortness of breath, increased susceptibility to infection and irritation to the lungs (seen as coughing for example).
Longer-term elevated pollution levels (even at moderate concentrations) can have more serious effects, potentially leading to respiratory illnesses such as asthma, or more serious conditions including heart disease, strokes or even cancer.
It was estimated by the World Health Organisation (WHO, 2014) that there was 3.7 million premature deaths in 2012 caused by elevated particulate levels, and that of these deaths: “80%... were due to ischaemic heart disease and strokes, 14% of deaths were due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or acute lower respiratory infections; and 6% of deaths were due to lung cancer.”
Air pollution can also cause damage to plants and animals, affecting biodiversity and crop yields.
Additionally it can be detrimental to buildings; particulates can cause the blackening of buildings, acidic gases can contribute to damage to both buildings and crops, ozone effects plant yields and some animals.
Air pollution is also known to have had a seriously detrimental effect to the planet’s health with global warming being largely caused of burning of fossil fuels and thus the production of CO2.
