Carbon dioxide as air pollutant

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Carbon dioxide as air pollutant
<University>
Critical Review
by
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Introduction
Carbon dioxide is essential for plant and human life. The waste gas is a product of fossil
fuel combustion, and it is seen as a man-made waste. There is a steady rise in the atmospheric
CO2 levels. Any changes in the atmospheric composition impact tree physiology. A rise in the
atmospheric CO2 boosts the rate of photosynthesis and enhance the plant productivity. Over the
years, numerous experiments have confirmed on how CO2 stimulates leaf-level photosynthesis
(Talhelm et al. 2014, p.2493). There have been debates on if Carbon dioxide should be seen as
the primary pollutant. After all, it supports plant and human life and is essential for
photosynthesis. The continued pollution due to Carbon dioxide emissions and the impact on
global warming question the notion if CO2 should not be seen as a pollutant. The link of Carbon
dioxide emissions to global warming and the adverse health impact s certainly place CO2 in the
category of an air pollutant.
Is CO2 an air pollutant?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a colorless and neutral gas. It is emitted chiefly because of
human activities and can add pollutants to outdoor as well as indoor spaces (Yalçin, Balta &
Özmen 2018, p. 1390). Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approach towards the
regulation of CO2 to control climate change initiated a battle between the agency and states and
environmental advocates. EPA circulated a memo that the agency does not carry the power to
regulate carbon dioxide under the Clean Air Act (CAA). It was projected that carbon dioxide
does not fall under the category of pollutant definition of CAA (Nicholle 2004, p.1996).
Under the CAA for any pollutant to become a criteria pollutant, it must be an “air
pollutant.” In order to prove that CO2 is a pollutant, the EPA Administrator must prove that the

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pollutant adds to the air pollution and can adversely impact public health directly (Nicholle 2004,
p.1999). It is suggested that as carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, it adds to the global warming
but does not cause harm directly. United States Code of Federal Regulations and US Clean Air
Act assert that an air pollutant is any physical, biological, chemical radioactive matter that is
released into the air and adds to air pollution that can imperil public health (Skeptical Science
2018). The definition is a broad one and can be fine-tuned.
Carbon Dioxide is the main factor in greenhouse gas composition and leads to the
greenhouse phenomenon. It is mainly produced because of the fossil fuel burning such as coal,
natural gas and petroleum. The future CO2 emissions must return to the emission standard of
2000 by 2025 (Jung-Hsiang Lai et al. 2018, p.346). In order to do so, the governments in
different countries must make drastic reduction policies for CO2 emissions. The U.S. has the
maximum annual CO2 emission per capita. Although SO2 and NO2 are seen as conventional
local pollutants, CO2 emissions related to global environmental problems are not seen as air
pollutants (Fujii, H & Managi 2016, p. 2803).
The courts should review the language and purpose of carbon dioxide interpretation
under the CAA as they are the suitable forum for this type of interpretation (Nicholle 2004,
p.2031). EPA carries the authority to control greenhouse gases emissions. Based on the Supreme
Court 2009 ruling and primary scientific reports, EPA issued a notice stating that greenhouse
gases in the air can risk public health and welfare (Skeptical Science 2018). Thus, the CO2 a
greenhouse gas fits the definition of "air pollutants” stated by the US Clean Air Act.
The increasing accumulation of carbon dioxide
Occupational Safety and Health Administration suggests maximum exposure restrictions
of 5, 000 ppm for an 8-hr workday (Satish et al. 2012, p.1671). The US Environmental

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Protection Agency limits the threshold for CO2 concentration at 1000 ppm or 1800 mg/m3
(Yalçin, Balta & Özmen 2018, p. 1391). The highest CO concentrations indoors are during the
early hours of weekdays. The increased Carbon uptake in the past few decades has slowed the
buildup of carbon dioxide in the in the atmosphere. The terrestrial biosphere has worked as a
sink for the CO2 emissions, but there is uncertainty about this in the future. The uncertainty
develops as it is unsure as to how the anthropogenic emissions of CO2 and other trace gases will
impact the C cycling (Talhelm et al. 2014, p.2492). The exchanges between the environmental
and biological factors control the CO2 accumulations.
The increasing CO2 emissions a not only raise the air pollution but also lead to global
warming. Human activities are indeed aggregating the amount of atmospheric CO2 and thus
increasing the greenhouse effect. Climate scientists warn against the changes in the
electromagnetic spectrum and the energy imbalance caused due to global warming (Skeptical
Science 2018). It is seen as the cause of significant concern as the presence of CO2 both
outdoors and indoors can lead to adverse impacts, especially if the concertation falls beyond the
permissible levels.The “mortality displacement” is an air pollution episode that could advance
deaths among the frail group (de Leon et al. 2017, p. 220). Identifying mortality displacement
and the loss of life expectancy is essential. However, the mortality displacement can differ with
countries and populations because of the variations in population, health care, and other
characteristics as well as variations regarding daily exposures to CO2 and NO2 as asserted by de
Leon et al. (2017, p. 348). Thus, it is essential to monitor the quality of indoor as well as outdoor
spaces and asses the percentage of CO2.
The quality of indoor air and spaces