Pollution is now a common place term that is associated with our ears. We hear about various forms of pollution and read about it through mass media. Air pollution is one such form that refers to contamination of air, whether indoors or outdoors. A physical, biological or chemical change in the air in the atmosphere can be termed as pollution. It occurs when any harmful gas, dust, smoke enters the atmosphere and makes it difficult for plants, animals and humans to survive as the air becomes dirty.
Air pollution can be further classified into two sections- visible air pollution and invisible air pollution. Another way of looking at air pollution can be any substance that has the potential to hinder the atmosphere or the well-being of the living beings living in it. The continuity of all things that live is due to the combination of gases that collectively form the atmosphere; the imbalance caused by the increase or decrease of the percentage of these gases can be detrimental to survival. The ozone layer considered vital for the survival of ecosystems on the planet is getting depleted due to increased pollution. Global warming, a direct result of the increased imbalance of gases in the atmosphere is known as the biggest threat and challenge that the contemporary world has to overcome in a bid to survive.
Types of Pollutants
In order to understand the causes of air pollution, several divisions can be made. Mainly air pollutants can be caused by primary sources or secondary sources. Pollutants that are a direct result of the process can be called primary pollutants. A classic example of a primary pollutant would be sulfur-dioxide emitted from factories.
Secondary pollutants are those that are caused by the interactions and reactions of primary pollutants. Smog created by the interaction of several primary pollutants is known as secondary pollutant.
Causes of Air Pollution
1. Burning of Fossil Fuels: Sulfur dioxide emitted from the combustion of fossil fuels coal, petroleum and other factory combustion is a major cause of air pollution. The emissions from vehicles including trucks, jeeps, cars, trains, airplanes cause a huge amount of pollution. We rely on them to fulfill our daily basic needs of transportation. But, there overuse is killing our environment as dangerous gases are polluting the environment. Carbon monoxide is caused due to improper or incomplete combustion and is usually emitted from vehicles, which is another major pollutant along with nitrogen oxides, which are produced from both natural and man-made processes.
2. Agricultural Activities: Ammonia is a very common by product from agricultural activities and is one of the most dangerous gases in the atmosphere. The use of pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers has increased significantly in agricultural activities. They emit harmful chemicals into the air and can also cause water pollution.
3. Exhaust from factories and industries: Manufacturing industries release large amounts of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, organic compounds and chemicals into the air which reduces the air quality. Manufacturing industries can be found in every corner of the earth and there is no region that has not been affected by it. Petroleum refineries also release hydrocarbons and various other chemicals that pollute the air and also cause land pollution.
4. Mining operations: Mining is a process in which minerals are extracted from beneath the earth using large equipment. During the process dust and chemicals are released into the air which leads to air pollution. This is one of the reasons that is responsible for the deteriorating health conditions of workers and nearby residents.
5. Indoor air pollution: Household cleaning products, painting supplies emit toxic chemicals into the air and cause air pollution. Have you ever noticed that once you paint the walls of your house, it produces some kind of smell that makes it literally impossible for you to breathe. Suspended Particulate Matter, popularly known by its acronym SPM, is another cause of pollution. Referring to particles that are released into the air, SPM is usually caused by dust, combustion, etc.
Effects of Air Pollution
1. Respiratory and Heart Problems: The effects of air pollution are worrisome. They are known to cause cancer as well as several respiratory and heart conditions, among other threats to the body. Several crores have died due to the direct or indirect effects of air pollution. Children in areas exposed to air pollutants are usually said to suffer from pneumonia and asthma.
2. Global Warming: Another direct effect is the immediate changes that the world is witnessing due to global warming. With increased temperatures worldwide, rising sea levels and melting of ice from cold regions and icebergs, displacement and loss of habitat have already indicated an impending disaster if actions for conservation and normalization are not taken soon.
3. Acid Rain: Harmful gases like nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides are released into the atmosphere during the burning of fossil fuels. When it rains, water droplets combine with these air pollutants, become acidic and then fall on the ground as acid rain. Acid rain can cause great harm to humans, animals and crops.
4. Eutrophication: Eutrophication is a condition where high amounts of nitrogen present in certain pollutants develop on the surface of the sea and convert themselves into algae and adversely affect fish, plant and animal species. The green algae that is present on lakes and ponds is only due to the presence of this chemical.
5. Effects on Wildlife: Just like humans, animals also face some devastating effects of air pollution. Toxic chemicals present in the air can force wildlife species to move to a new place and change their habitat. Toxic pollutants deposit on the surface of water and can also affect marine animals.
6. Depletion of Ozone Layer: Ozone is present in the stratosphere of the earth and is responsible for protecting humans from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. The ozone layer of the earth is getting depleted due to the presence of chlorofluorocarbons, hydro chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere. As the ozone layer will become thinner, it will emit harmful rays on the earth and can cause skin and eye-related problems. UV rays also have the potential to affect crops.
When you try to study the sources of air pollution, you list a series of activities and interactions that create these pollutants. There are two types of sources that we will take a look at: natural sources and man-made sources. Natural sources of pollution include dust carried by the wind from places with little or no green cover, gases released from the body processes of living beings (carbon dioxide from humans during respiration, methane from cattle during digestion, oxygen from plants during photosynthesis). Along with the emission of polluting gases, smoke from the combustion of various inflammable objects, volcanic eruptions, etc. also makes it to the list of natural sources of pollution.
Looking at the man-made contribution towards air pollution, smoke again features as a major component. Smoke emitted from various forms of combustion like bio mass, factories, vehicles, furnaces, etc. The wastes used to create landfills generate methane, which is harmful in many ways. The reactions of certain gases and chemicals also create harmful fumes that can be dangerous for the well-being of living beings.
Solutions for Air Pollution
1. Use public modes of transport: Encourage people to use more and more public modes of transport to reduce pollution. Also, try using car pooling. If you and your colleagues come from the same locality and have the same time then you can explore this option to save energy and money.
2. Conserve energy: Switch off fans and lights when you are going out. A large amount of fossil fuels are burnt to produce electricity. You can save the environment from degradation by reducing the amount of fossil fuels that are burnt.
3. Understand the concept of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle: Do not throw away items that are of no use to you. In-fact reuse them for some other purpose. E.g. you can use old jars to store grains or pulses.
4. Emphasis on clean energy resources: Clean energy technologies like solar, windand geothermal are high these days. Governments of various countries are providing grants to consumers who are interested in installing solar panels for their home. This will go a long way in curbing air pollution.
5. Use energy efficient appliances: CFL lights consume less electricity than their counterparts. They last longer, consume less electricity, reduce electricity bills and help you reduce pollution by consuming less energy.
Many efforts are being made across the world at an individual, industrial and governmental levels to curb the intensity at which air pollution is increasing and achieve a balance as far as the proportion of foundation gases is concerned. This is a direct attempt to reduce global warming. We are witnessing a series of innovations and experiments aimed at alternative and unconventional options to reduce pollutants. Air pollution is one of the big mirrors of man’s follies, and a challenge we need to overcome to see tomorrow.
Read Also:
- Air Pollution In India
- Prevention Of Plastic Pollution
- Health Effects Of Plastic Pollution
- Causes Of Plastic Pollution
- Air Pollution: Health Effects
Leave a Reply