Which Pollutant Is More Hazardous: Unveiling The Environmental Threats

Which air pollutants pose the greatest harm to human health? To answer this question, it’s important to consider different types of airborne particles, including Ultrafine particles (UFPs). These UFPs are incredibly small, with a diameter of less than 0.1 microns, and they constitute approximately 90% of all air pollutants (4). Among the various particulate matter pollutants, such as PM10 and PM2.5, UFPs stand out as the most hazardous. This heightened risk is primarily due to their minuscule size, which makes them highly inhalable, allowing them to penetrate deeply into the respiratory system and potentially cause severe health problems.

The primary pollutant responsible for the majority of air pollution is emitted during the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. This includes activities like burning coal, oil, and natural gas for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes. The release of pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter into the atmosphere contributes significantly to environmental degradation and climate change. This issue has gained widespread attention due to its detrimental effects on both public health and the planet’s overall well-being.