Detailed information on air pollution

Any solid, liquid or gaseous substance, including noise, present in the atmosphere in such a concentration that it can or tends to be harmful to the health and well-being of human beings or other living beings or plants, property or the environment environment is called air pollution. The atmosphere is a floating store of natural gases, including water vapors. It is the most essential system developed by nature to support life on Earth.

The atmosphere has a built-in ability to cleanse itself through the evaporation and precipitation of water, which acts as a natural scrubber. Air pollution becomes alarming when the natural system cannot handle the air pollution load created by various natural and human activities. Pollutants from industrial activities and vehicles create maximum damage. Surprisingly, no other creation on this Earth significantly helps pollution. On the contrary, the rest of the flora and fauna help mitigate pollution in their own way.

Air pollution causes particle pollution, greenhouse effect, acid rains and increased ultraviolet radiation falling on the earth, increases the concentration of ozone and increases the level of nitrogen oxides. These air pollutants emitted by an industrial process, motor vehicles, and volcanic eruptions are called primary pollutants. Its effects on the natural atmospheric system, such as the depletion of the ozone layer, acid rains are called secondary pollutants.

The main primary pollutants that drastically affect air quality are sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, airborne particulates, and volatile organic compounds. Sulfur oxides emanate from volcanoes, industrial processes and end up with acid rains. Nitrogen oxides are emitted by high temperature combustion. Industrial processes and motor vehicles emit carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Although carbon dioxide is an important ingredient of atmospheric air and is essential for our respiration, its more than allowable amount is the main reason for the greenhouse effect. Together with volatile organic compounds, including methane, it contributes to global warming due to the greenhouse effect. The particles originate from natural disturbances such as volcanoes, forest fires, and from human activities such as wood and coal burning, various industrial processes, particularly coal-fired power plants. These particles cause heart disease and even lung cancer.

Various methods and technologies are emerging to minimize man-made air pollution at the source or by incorporating pollution control devices. There are strict laws against the generation of air pollution and various subsidies to promote reduction. The most effective measure is awareness raising through education and media publicity.