Sweden’s SVT supported that some crucial diseases are caused by small particles in the ship’s exhaust gases. A new measurement method shows that the correct figure is almost twice as large as the one previously calculated, meaning domestic shipping has a greater environmental impact than domestic flights, reports SVT News.
Specifically, it revealed that carbon dioxide emissions from domestic shipping are almost twice more in comparison to what the majority thinks, along with air pollution and greenhouse gases rising.
Shipping also consists of emissions in the form of sulphur, nitrogen and particles.
According to Lars Barregård, senior professor and senior physician at the University of Gothenburg
Small particles are the part of the air pollution that has the clearest health risks. They are so small that they come down to our lungs and can even spread to the rest of the body.
Moreover, shipping releases particles in the form of PM2.5, which are smaller than 2.5 microns. These particles are mostly found in the exhaust gases of the vessels and are formed during combustion. They can affect both longevity and cause various diseases.
Professor Barregård continued that due to shipping emissions, there’s an increased risk of myocardial infarction, increased risk of stroke, increased risk of lung cancer, asthma, COPD, as the chronic lung disease.
In addition, Fredrik Windmark, air quality expert at SMHI commented to Radio Sweden that
We see about twice as high fuel consumption from domestic shipping compared to what we previously thought, and thus twice as high emissions.
Professor Barregård noted that in the past Sweden has seen 200 to 400 premature deaths caused from the shipping industry by vessels sailing in the Baltic Sea.
Now, because of the campaign and goals in reducing sulphur, he supports that the deaths have been decreased.
