Air Pollution , Causes and effects of air pollution

 Air pollution

Air pollution is a mixture of solid particles and gases in the air.  Or             it can be defined as contamination of air is called Air pollution.

 Car emissions, chemicals from factories, dust, pollen and mold spores may be suspended as particles. Ozone, a gas, is a major part of air pollution in cities. When ozone forms air pollution, it's also called smog. Some air pollutants are poisonous.

In the United States, the Clean Air Act, established in 1970, authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to safeguard public health by regulating the emissions of these harmful air pollutants.

Pollutants:

Clean, dry air consists primarily of nitrogen and oxygen—78 percent and 21 percent respectively, by volume. The remaining 1 percent is a mixture of other gases, mostly argon (0.9 percent), along with trace (very small) amounts of carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen, helium, and more. Water vapour is also a normal, though quite variable, component of the atmosphere, normally ranging from 0.01 to 4 percent by volume; under very humid conditions the moisture content of air may be as high as 5 percent.

There are six main pollutants which pollute the air :

1. Carbon monoxide (Co)

2. Nitric oxide (No,No²)

3. Ozone (O³)

4. Lead (Pb)

5. Sulfur dioxide (So²)

6.Particulate matter (fine particles emitted from tyre, building and road etc.)

Causes of Air pollution

 1. The Burning of Fossil Fuels;

Most of the air pollution takes place due to the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, gasoline to produce energy for electricity or transportation. The release of carbon monoxide in high level indicates how much fossil fuel is burned. This also emits other toxic pollutants in the air. Inhaling air induced with pollutants due to the burning of natural gas and fossil fuel reduces heart’s ability to pump enough oxygen causing one to suffer respiratory illness.

2. Industrial Emission 

Industrial activities emit several pollutants in the air that affects the air quality more than we can even imagine. Particulate matter 2.5 and 10, Nitrogen dioxide, Sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide are key pollutants that are emitted from industries that use coal and wood as their primary energy source for production of their goods. Industrial pollution effects associated with your health can range from irritation in your eyes and throat to breathing issues, at times can even lead to chronic illness.

3. Indoor Air Pollution:

Use of toxic products also called as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), inadequate ventilation, uneven temperature, and humidity level can cause indoor air pollution, whether you are in office, school or at your comfortable home. House air pollution can take place due to ignorant factors, for instance, smoking tobacco inside a room or leaving mold infected wall untreated. Use of wood stove or space heaters is capable to increase the humidity level which can directly affect the health a person in no time.

4. Microbial Decaying Process;

Manufacturing, chemical, and textiles industries release a large number of carbon monoxides, hydrocarbons, chemicals and organic compounds which contaminate our environment. Bacteria and fungi play a fundamental role in the biogeochemical cycles in nature. They are the key indicators of abnormal environmental conditions. Decaying of these microorganisms present in the surrounding releases methane gas which is highly toxic. Breathing toxic gas like methane may lead to death.

5. Transportation:

There is no denying that vehicle pollution is the major contributor to air pollution, especially in urban cities. When the car burns gasoline, it emits pollutants in the air which is as harmful as smoking 10 cigarettes a day. Our vehicle emits carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter. When the vehicle pollution is high in the atmosphere, it creates a hole in the ozone layer contributing to smog and causing various health issues.

6.Aerosol:

Air pollution occurs when the air contains gases, dust, smoke from fires and spray which is used in agriculture , or fumes in harmful amounts. Tiny atmospheric particles - aerosols - are a subset of air pollution that are suspended in our atmosphere. ... Aerosols can modify how much energy clouds reflect and they can change atmospheric circulation patterns.

          Effects of air pollution

Effects On Humans:

People experience a wide range of health effects from being exposed to air pollution. Effects can be broken down into short-term effects and long-term effects.

Short-term effects, which are temporary, include illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchitis. They also include discomfort such as irritation to the nose, throat, eyes, or skin. Air pollution can also cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Bad smells made by factories, garbage, or sewer systems are considered air pollution, too. These odors are less serious but still unpleasant.

Long-term effects of air pollution can last for years or for an entire lifetime. They can even lead to a person's death. Long-term health effects from air pollution include heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases such as emphysema. Air pollution can also cause long-term damage to people's nerves, brain, kidneys, liver, and other organs. Some scientists suspect air pollutants cause birth defects. Nearly 2.5 million people die worldwide each year from the effects of outdoor or indoor air pollution.

Effects On The Environment;

Like people, animals, and plants, entire ecosystems can suffer effects from air pollution. Haze, like smog, is a visible type of air pollution that obscures shapes and colors. Hazy air pollution can even muffle sounds.

Air pollution particles eventually fall back to Earth. Air pollution can directly contaminate the surface of bodies of water and soil. This can kill crops or reduce their yield. It can kill young trees and other plants.

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide particles in the air, can create acid rain when they mix with water and oxygen in the atmosphere. These air pollutants come mostly from coal-fired power plants and motor vehicles. When acid rain falls to Earth, it damages plants by changing soil composition; degrades water quality in rivers, lakes and streams; damages crops; and can cause buildings and monuments to decay.

Global Warming;

Another direct effect is the immediate alterations that the world is witnessing due to global warming.

With increased temperatures worldwide, an increase in sea levels and melting of ice from colder regions and icebergs, displacement, and loss of habitat have already signaled an impending disaster if actions for preservation and normalization aren’t undertaken soon.

 Acid Rain;

Harmful gases like nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides are released into the atmosphere during the burning of fossil fuels. When it rains, the water droplets combine with these air pollutants, becomes acidic and then falls on the ground in the form of acid rain. Acid rain can cause great damage to humans, animals, and crops.

Eutrophication;

Eutrophication is a condition where a high amount of nitrogen present in some pollutants gets developed on the sea surface and turns itself into algae and adversely affects fish, plants, and animal species.

Ozone layer depletion:

One is the major effect of air pollution is the ozone depletion , ozone layer is the protective layer above us.It inhibits the ultraviolet radiation of sun to reach at earth.

But unfortunately, ozone layer is affecting day by day due to Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which emitt from air conditioner and fridge etc.

Ultraviolet radiation have negative effects on both living and nonliving things.It causes different diseases in humans and other organisms.

         Reduction of Air pollution

1. Using public transports;

Using public transport is a sure short way of contributing to less air pollution as it provides with less gas and energy, even carpools contribute to it. In addition to less release of fuels and gas, using a public transport can also help in saving money.

2. Turn off the lights when not in use:

                                                    The energy that the lights take also contribute to air pollution, thus less consumption of electricity can save energy. Use energy saving fluorescent lights to help the environment.

3. Recycle and Reuse:

The concept of recycle and reuse is not just conserve resources and use them judicially but also is helpful for air pollution as it helps in reducing pollution emissions. The recycled products also take less power to make other products.

4. Not to use plastic bags:

The use of plastic products could be very harmful to the environment as they take a very long time to decompose, due to their material made up of oil. The use of paper bags instead is a better alternative as they decompose easily and Dispose.

5. Reduction of forest fires and smoking;

The collecting of garbage and getting it on fire in dry seasons or dry leaves catching fires is a huge factor for causing air pollution, moreover smoking also causes air pollution and causes the air quality to worsen along with obviously damaging one’s health.

6. Plant and care for trees; 

Trees filter pollutants and absorb carbon dioxide. Trees also release oxygen into the atmosphere and help cool our homes. Learn more about the benefits of trees.

7. To aware the people importance of clean environment and how to save it.