How polluted is the air compared to the 1900s?

Answer 1

Lets look at London England as a good example of air pollution in the early 1900's.

* There are few automobiles so exhaust fumes are not a problem. However there are lots of horses and horses mean manure. The manure has two impacts - it smells on its own and as it dries and gets ground into dust it floats in the air. Everything is coated with powdwered manure. * London is cold city so homes must to be heated, and meals have to be cooked. Industry needs power for boilers. The fuel of choice is coal. Coal means soot and lots of sulfur dioxide in the air. The frequent fogs combine with the smoke to create low clouds of acidic mist loaded with carcinogenic particles. * The industries in the City include renderers, blood boilers and soap makers - each of these is a source of pungent odours. There are also platers, photographers and hatters releasing Mercury vapour, a deadly toxin. Emission controls are a thing of the distant future. * The crowds of people are interesting too. Personal hygiene like frequent bathing is not all that popular, sewage is left standing in pit privies, garbage collection is hit or miss. There is a miasma of human aromas to contend with.

Now, look at today's London:

* Coal use is controlled to eliminate the killer fogs * Zoning by-laws control what industry can be colnstructed in residential areas. * Cars have repaced horses and strict emission standards are in place * Emission standards for industry have been developed * People tend to smell a lot better On the downside we can monitor for pollutant levels at very low levels and know what might be i the air to bother us. This gives the impression that things are worse. In actuality conditions are much better than at the beginning of the 1900's

Answer 2

Air pollution levels have generally improved since the 1900s, primarily due to advancements in environmental regulations and technology. However, air pollution remains a significant issue in many parts of the world, particularly in rapidly industrializing regions. Monitoring and controlling air pollution continue to be important priorities for the health of both people and the environment.