Black Carbon Linked to Premature Mortality
Recently, a study has been done by researchers about the effects of ‘Black Carbon’ on human health.
Major findings:
- The study has come to a conclusion, according to which black carbon has significant adverse effects on human health and can lead to premature death.
- The Indo-Gangetic Plain in India is heavily influenced by BC, which is having a severe impact on the regional climate and human health.
- This leads to an increase in the mortality rate linearly with the increase in the level of air pollutants and shows adverse effects at higher levels.
Relevance and importance of the study:
- The study identifies B C as a potential health hazard and encourages epidemiological studies to provide evidence of health effects of air pollutants in different parts of India.
- The study will help governments and policy-makers to better plan for mitigating disasters related to the changing climate, air pollution and health nexus.
What is ‘Black Carbon’?
- It is a fossil fuel, produced through the incomplete combustion of biofuels and biomass, and derived from both man-made and naturally occurring soot.
- Unlike historical carbon emissions, it originates from local sources, and has a greater impact on local areas.
- Emissions from diesel engines, cooking stoves, wood burning and forest fires are the major sources of ‘black carbon’.
- Black carbon, a short-lived pollutant, is the second largest contributor to Earth’s warming after carbon dioxide (CO2).
Source – The Hindu
