How Does Air Pollution Impact Scouting?
Conservation is at the Heart of Scouting
Conservation is our legacy at the Boy Scouts of America. Therefore, we must protect the ecosystems that supply the clean air we enjoy in the great outdoors. The climate emergency presents the most significant risk to diminishing the century-long conservation efforts Scouts have made to protect Earth's natural resources and threatens the beauty and longevity of our natural environment—from hotter temperatures and increased droughts to more severe storms that cause flooding and landslides. To help spread awareness of the climate crisis, we're focusing on air pollution, types of air pollutants, and what we can all do to reduce our environmental impact and carry on the Scouting tradition of conservation.
What is Air Pollution?
Air pollution is a risk to our health and the environment. According to NASA, a mixture of aerosols and greenhouse gases suspended in the air is what causes air pollution. From automobile exhaust to factory emissions, the burning of fossil fuels has a significant impact on air quality around the world. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently identifies six common air pollutants harmful to our health and the environment. The six pollutants include carbon monoxide, ground-level ozone, particulate matter, lead, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Here’s an inside look at each pollutant to help you better understand how they are formed and where they come from.
What are the Six Common Air Pollutants?
- Carbon monoxide
- Ground-level ozone
- Particulate matter
- Lead
- Sulfur dioxide
- Nitrogen dioxide
1. Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless and invisible gas that can harm people when inhaled. Every time we burn something, like trash or wood, we release CO into the atmosphere. Burning any matter releases carbon monoxide into the air, whether you’re cranking up a gas stove or lighting a campfire. According to the EPA, the most significant sources of CO to outdoor air pollution are motor vehicles and other machinery that burn fossil fuels, like airplanes and boats.
You may also be surprised to learn that volcanoes, wildfires, and even campfires can harm the environment too. Next time you’re on the trail, be mindful about recycling your waste and try to start a campfire only when it’s necessary, like at night and in the wintertime.
2. Ground Level Ozone
When vehicles and factories release pollution into the air, it reacts with heat and sunlight to form what’s known as ground-level ozone. The chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) create ground-level ozone when interacting with heat and sunlight. Although ground-level ozone can reach high levels at any time of the year, it's most likely to become a health concern during hot summer days in cities with large populations like Los Angeles, New York City, and New Delhi.
Last November, air quality in New Delhi became so poor most people working in India's capital had to work from home. Even though the effects of ground-level ozone are more evident in urban areas, pollutants are known to be carried by the wind into rural areas, so doing our best to limit ground-level ozone pollution at home makes our journey on the trail a little better!
3. Particulate Matter
Particulate matter (PM) is solid and liquid particles in the air. According to the CDC, particulate matter and particle pollution can consist of dust, dirt, soot, and smoke. Some particulate matter is invisible to us. When we talk about PM, we should note two categories used to define the sizes of particles: PM 10 and PM 2.5. Both PM 10 and PM 2.5 particles are inhalable. Still, PM 10 particles have diameters of 10 micrometers or smaller, while PM 2.5 particles have diameters of 2.5 micrometers or smaller, making them invisible to the human eye.
Forest fires releasing smoke into the air are an example of a primary source of particulate matter. When an industrial factory releases pollution into the atmosphere, direct emission is an example of a secondary source. Both primary and secondary PM sources harm our health and the environment.
4. Lead
Although lead (Pb) is a natural element found in the air, earth, and water, it can harm our health when ingested. When lead is released into the air, it causes harmful effects on our immune systems, kidneys, hearts, and even our developmental systems. Examples of lead pollution sources are cars, industrial factories, and single-piston aircraft. According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), primary lead sources include lead smelters, waste incinerators, utilities, and lead-acid battery manufacturers and recyclers. Thankfully, according to the EPA, regulatory efforts decreased lead levels in the air by 86 percent throughout the 2010s.
5. Sulfur Dioxide
Sulfur and oxygen make up sulfur dioxide (SO2). When we burn fossil fuels like coal or oil, it releases SO2 into the air. Sulfur dioxide is not only released through industrial plants; it's also emitted by diesel engines like buses, trucks, and cargo ships that transport goods like food and clothing to different parts of the world. Enjoying the beauty of the great outdoors can be difficult because of sulfur dioxide's impact on our lungs. According to the American Lung Association, sulfur dioxide can impact the lungs by causing shortness of breath during physical activity and making breathing difficult for people with asthma.
6. Nitrogen Dioxide
Like SO2 and CO, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a gas produced by vehicle emissions and the burning of fossil fuels at industrial plants. According to GreenFacts.org, NO2 creates acid rain, which can harm the aquatic life we find in rivers, lakes, and marshes. Acid rain can also impact forests and wetlands. When the ground absorbs acid rain, it can dissolve magnesium and calcium in the soil, nutrients trees and other plants need to develop and survive. Can you imagine a camping trip without the towering redwoods that provide plenty of shade in the summertime and clean the air year-round? Nope—we can’t either!
Does Air Pollution Impact Scouting?
The more carbon dioxide and methane are released into the atmosphere, the higher temperatures will reach, negatively impacting our adventures in the great outdoors. Acid rain caused by the release of NO2 can harm the fish and turtles living in lakes and streams and tarnish the magical landscape plants, and trees provide to the forest. CO, Pb, and SO2 can impact our health and ability to hike, bike, and climb without getting tired too quickly because of shortness of breath caused by poor air quality. Air pollution is a significant threat to Scouting because it destroys the environment and removes our ability to perform outdoor activities that create many great memories with our friends and family.
Actions You Can Take to Reduce Air Pollution
Although change often occurs at a glacial pace, there are small steps in our everyday lives we can take to reduce our impact on the environment significantly. Whether using non-toxic bug repellent or recycling plastics we pick up at the campsite, small changes that may seem ordinary can lead to less air pollution. If you live in a metropolitan region, consider taking public transport to work or the bus to school to help reduce NO2 pollution caused by traffic. Composting leaves and organic waste like banana peels and eggs shells in a garden is another excellent way to minimize lead produced by waste incineration. To help purify the air, plant trees on your street and further out into your community with approval from the proper authorities like the city council or your neighborhood’s Homeowners Association. And before you leave the house on your next outdoor adventure, make sure to turn off lights and unplug other electronic devices that won’t be in use, but check with your parents if specific devices need to stay on. Ultimately, it’s up to you to find small ways to reduce your carbon footprint!
Ready to Make a Difference?
The climate emergency is a real crisis that affects everyone, anywhere. It takes effort and accountability to make the small changes that can significantly impact the air we breathe and the health and longevity of the lakes, streams, forests, and marshes where we enjoy the most fun in Scouting. If you want to make a difference in your community, Scouting can help you! Not only will you make friendships that last a lifetime, learn new skills, and create beautiful memories outdoors, but you’ll also help positively impact the environment! To learn more about Scouting, visit Scouts BSA and experience the adventure of a lifetime.
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