Air Pollution Prevention in Philadelphia

Since the period of industrialization started, adverse environmental damage has increased. The combustion of fossile fuels like gasoline, oil, coal and natural gas as a source of energy is among the challenging aspects of air pollution. The people of Philadelphia are threatened by air pollution. Poor state air quality has led to many deaths over the years, so it has to be curbed. The health service, air management services (AMS) and local pollution control agencies are some of the agencies involved in the provision of such services. Statistics show that in 2015 there were 177 good days, average days were 172 and 16 bad ones of which 14 were through ozone and two from PM2.5 (Public Health Department, 2015). AMS is championing for maintenance of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in the city of Philadelphia, as well as protecting the health of the citizens by minimizing air toxins and noise. ASM also implements environmental protection regulations; permits constructions which adhere to air protective standards; sustaining national air sampling and frequent monitoring of the city's air; pollutant inspection; and servicing pollution complaints. As such, this paper is meant to provide mechanisms for improving the air quality in Philadelphia.Air pollution in Philadelphia can be mitigated via the embracement of environment-friendly products. It is worth noting that human activities such as the combustion of fossil fuels are the primary causes of air pollution. Over the years, people have continued purchasing automobiles since they have become crucial to our daily lives. Nonetheless, if people were to embrace products like the electrically-charged vehicles, then the rates of air pollution will reduce. The people of Philadelphia need to embrace these friendly products to ensure the rates of air pollution are reduced. Instead of using the traditional chemical-filled goods, residents must opt to utilize green products in cleaning (Public Health Department, 2015).Air pollution can also be reduced by encouraging energy saving. In other words, people need to avoid energy wastages whether at work, at home, or while traveling. Fumes from the vehicles contribute immensely towards contamination of the environment. The demand for electricity continues to rise; thus, leading to more energy generation that contributes to air pollution. It is, therefore, imperative that people turn off electronics appliances and lights when they are not in use. Conservation of energy can play a significant role in minimizing the effects of air pollution in Philadelphia. Moreover, instead of using personal vehicles often, residents should be encouraged to use buses and avoid traffic congestion. In other words, being fuel-efficient can curb air pollution considerably. As per the Winston research, traffic congestion costs the country approximately $100 billion yearly (Enqvist, 2014). The economic impact can also be translated to illustrate the effect on the environment. In other words, the billions used also entail energy consumption, which is quite high. People in Philadelphia need to accept the utilization of public means to curb traffic congestion; hence, leading to air pollution management. Similarly, the residents should consider other alternatives such as walking or biking.Air quality can also be improved through afforestation. It is worth noting that contamination of the environment is also propelled via deforestation. Trees act as carbon sinks to reduce the concentrations in the air. According to the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA), the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is continuously rising. For instance, carbon dioxide rates have increased by close to 35% since industrialization. The greenhouse gases contaminate the environment leading to poor air quality (National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration, 2017). Moreover, when humans indulge in cutting down trees, they destroy the carbon sinks leading to even more accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The people of Philadelphia can improve the state’s air quality through afforestation. Communities need to come together and make the planting of trees a culture. Improving the forest cover in the state will increase carbon sinks, which help in absorbing the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; thus, enhancing air quality.The environmental laws need to be adhered for the air quality to be enhanced. The agencies involved in protecting the environment must ensure companies and even individuals do not contravene The Clean Air Act. The law enforces the primary ambient air quality standards for the vulnerable population which consists of the asthmatics, the old, and the children. Even though individual responsibility is paramount in promoting a clean environment, the bodies play a significant role in ensuring the same (Public Health Department, 2015).ConclusionThe responsibility of maintaining a clean environment is bestowed upon each individual. Poor air quality is listed as one of the major causes of deaths across the globe. As elucidated above, atmospheric pollution in Philadelphia can be reduced, particularly through human actions. People need to prevent indoor pollution by embracing green cleaning agents instead of the harmful chemicals. Air pollution can also be mitigated via the utilization of electrically-charged vehicles to reduce fossil-generated energy products. Evidently, overreliance on fossil fuels is a key contributor towards the deterioration of the environment. People also need to conserve energy and reduce wastage at home, work, or while traveling. Air quality in Philadelphia can also be improved through afforestation. There is a need to sensitive the community over the important impacts of trees to encourage tree-planting activities. Such events will increase the forest cover that acts as carbon sinks to absorb the gas from the atmosphere. All these activities can lead to a general improvement of the air quality in Philadelphia and the country as a whole.ReferencesAmerican Lung Association. (2017). STATE OF THE AIR 2017. American Lung Association, 70-100.Enqvist, H. (2014). Self-Driving Cars: Diffusion of Radical Innovations and Technology Acceptace.Environment Protection Agency. (2008). EPA CARE Project. PhiladelPhia: Philadelphia Clean Air Council.National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration. (2017). Global Climate Change Indicators. Retrieved November 14, 2016, from https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/monitoring-references/faq/indicators.phpPublic Health Department. (2015). Philadelphia's Air Quality Report. City of Philadelphia, Public health, Philadelphia.