AIR POLLUTION

AIR POLLUTION

1. WHAT IS AIR POLLUTION?

   • Air pollution occurs when the air contains gases, dust, fumes or odour in harmful amounts. That is, amounts which could be harmful to the health or comfort of humans and animals or which could cause damage to plants and materials.

2. ITS CAUSES

   • 1) Burning of Fossil Fuels: Sulfur dioxide emitted from the combustion of fossil fuels like coal, petroleum and other factory combustibles is one the major cause of air pollution. Pollution emitting from vehicles including trucks, jeeps, cars, trains, airplanes cause immense 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 Monooxide caused by improper or incomplete combustion and generally emitted from vehicles is another major pollutant along with Nitrogen Oxides, that is produced from both natural and man made processes.
   • 2) Traffic:the largest number of cars on the road see higher levels of air pollution on average. Motor vehicles are one of the largest sources of pollution worldwide.Carbon monoxide is the largest air pollutant worldwide , and it’s number one source is from vehicle exhausts.
   • 3) Emissions from industries and manufacturing activities:Chemicals and toxic pollutants likes sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide react with water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acid rain. These pollutants come from factories, automobiles and any industrial or manufacturing plants.Petroleum refineries also release lots of hydrocarbons into the air.

3. FACTS

   • Air pollution affects kids more than adults due to higher concentrations of polluted air in their systems per body size.According to the World Health Organization, there are as many deaths (1.3 million per year) in the world due to air pollution as there are deaths due to car accidents.In large cities, over 80% of fatal pollutants that cause lung damage come from cars, buses, motorcycles and other vehicles on the road.

4. EFFECTS

   • 1) Acidification : Chemical reactions involving air pollutants can create acidic compounds which can cause harm to vegetation and buildings. Sometimes, when an air pollutant, such as sulfuric acid combines with the water droplets that make up clouds, the water droplets become acidic, forming acid rain. When acid rain falls over an area, it can kill trees and harm animals, fish, and other wildlife.
   • 2) Air pollution causes irritation in the throat, nose, lungs and eyes. It causes breathing problems and aggravates existing health conditions such as emphysema and asthma. Contaminated air reduces the body’s defenses and decreases the body’s capacity to fight other infections in the respiratory system.

5. HOW TO REDUCE IT?

   • 1) Never burn household waste: If you burn plastic, you release horrible toxic chemicals into the local environment, some of which will be sucked up your own nose! Recycle your trash instead.
   • 2) Reduce, reuse, and recycle: Buying new stuff is fun, but reusing old things can be just as good.
   • 3) Don't smoke: Cigarettes contain an addictive chemical called nicotine that makes you want to go on smoking them. They cause all kinds of health problems, but they also cause very localized air pollution. Once again you're first in line.
   • 4) Cars should, as far as possible, be fitted with catalytic converters. Use only unleaded petrol. Avoid excessive idling of your automobile.
   • 5) Trees reduce air pollution, and planting them is one of the most concrete, satisfying actions you can take to help the air quality in your region. Trees produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, which they turn into food.So grow more trees

6. HISTORY

   • The problems of poor urban air quality even as early as the end of the 16th century. Many countries started passing legislation to reduce pollution in 1970. 20th century, tighter industrial controls lead to a reduction in smog pollution in urban areas.

7. what are the problems are effected globally by air pollution?