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Air Pollution
PREpared BY:
sacheeta sooklall
grade 8 diamond
Index 1|Page Page
Introduction…………………………3
Types of Air Pollution Sources .4
Causes of Air Pollution………...5-6
Effects of Air Pollution………7-8
Prevention Measures …………..9
Conclusion…………………………..10
2|Page Introduction Air pollution is the mixing of foreign substances to the whole atmospheric air. When the fresh air gets polluted by means of dust, toxic gases, smoke, motor vehicles, mills and factories it is called air pollution.
Harmful and toxic gases emitted by the industries and burning of fuel from motor vehicles are causing huge damage to plants, animals, human beings and to the environment.
3|Page Types of Air Pollution Sources There are two types of air pollution sources. They are natural sources and man-made sources.
Some natural sources of the air pollution are like volcanic eruptions, volcanoes (ashes, carbon dioxide, smokes, dust and other gases), storms, forest fires, rays, bombardment of asteroid materials, pollen grains, fungal spores, viruses, bacteria, etc.
Man-made sources of the air pollution are industries, agriculture, power plants, automobiles, domestic sources, etc. Some of the air pollutants from the man-made sources are like smokes, dust, fumes, particulate matters, gases from kitchen, domestic heating, emissions from different vehicles, use of insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, heat created from power plants, smokes, etc. Because of the increasing number of air pollutants, it has been divided into two types such as primary pollutants and secondary pollutants.
Primary pollutants are those affecting the fresh air directly and emitted from smoke, ash, dust, fumes, mist, spray, inorganic gases, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, nitric oxide and radioactive compounds.
Secondary pollutants are those affecting the air indirectly by chemical
interactions to the primary pollutants and other atmospheric constituents such as sulphur-trioxide, ozone, hydrocarbons, nitrogen dioxide, etc.
4|Page Causes of Air Pollution 1.Burning of fossil fuels
The main cause of air pollution is burning of coal, gasoline, petroleum, and other fossil fuels. These fuels are the main cause of acid rain, smog, greenhouse gas emissions, and presence of heavy metals in the air.
Fossil fuels form an important part of the society; they are used in transportation, heating, manufacturing, and even in electricity generation. In modern society, the use of fossil fuels can be made so that its burning becomes efficient, but this comes with a monetary cost. It is important to note that unless alternative cleaner option is found, we will have the future facing the same problems of pollution.
2. Increased use of motor vehicles, and emission of nitrogen
Vehicles use fuel which sometimes is not completely burnt in the engine; therefore, they release VOCs (Volatile Organic Chemicals) into the air. VOCs and nitrogen are a common source of air pollution.
3. Decomposition of garbage and solid wastes
Disposal sites containing biodegradable substances are known to emit methane gas into the atmosphere. Methane gas is known to be a harmful gas, it is highly flammable and a potential disaster to the ozone layer. Garbage and other household products release VOCs to the air.
5|Page 4. Natural causes
Air pollution can come from natural sources such as dust, wildfires, and volcanic activity. Wildfire is known to emit VOCs and particulates into the atmosphere. Volcanic eruptions spew sulfur dioxide and volcanic ash into the atmosphere. Volcanic ash is usually dumped in the upper atmosphere, and as a result, global temperatures are lowered. However, pollution resulting from natural causes remains in the atmosphere for a short period and does not result in a permanent change as it might be the case with human activity-based pollution.
6|Page Effects of Air Pollution
1. Respiratory infections
Air pollution is the leading cause of respiratory diseases. Exposure to air pollutants can cause lung cancer and even asthma. Asthma can lead to death if not well treated, as it might cause difficulty in breathing. A prolonged exposure of pollutants can cause lung cancer.
2. Global warming
The rise in sea level, rising temperature in the world, and the melting of ice glaciers are the evidence for the global warming. Global warming is a direct effect of air pollution in the world. The only way to curb this increasingly destructive menace is to reduce air pollution.
3. Depletion of ozone layer
With the greenhouse effect which is the major contributor of the release of chlorofluorocarbon into the atmosphere has led to the depletion of ozone layer. This layer is important in shielding the earth from the destructive ultraviolet (UV) radiations.
7|Page 4. Formation of acid rain
Emission of harmful gasses such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen into the atmosphere lead to the formation of acid rain. Acid rain is a major threat to the aquatic life as well as human beings.
8|Page Prevention Measures Solution efforts on pollution are always a big problem. This is why prevention interventions are always a better way of controlling air pollution. These prevention methods can either come from government (laws) or by individual actions.
Government (or community) level prevention
Governments throughout the world have already taken action against air pollution
by introducing green energy. Some governments are investing in wind energy and solar energy, as well as other renewable energy, to minimize burning of fossil fuels, which cause heavy air pollution. Governments are also forcing companies to be more responsible with their manufacturing activities, so that even though they still cause pollution, they are a lot controlled. Companies are also building more energy efficient cars, which pollute less than before.
Individual Level Prevention
Encourage your family to use the bus, train or bike when commuting. If we all do
this, there will be fewer cars on road and less fumes.
Use energy (light, water, boiler, kettle and fire woods) wisely. This is because lots of fossil fuels are burned to generate electricity, and so if we can cut down the use, we will also cut down the amount of pollution we create. Recycle and re-use things. This will minimize the dependence of producing new things. Remember manufacturing industries create a lot of pollution, so if we can re-use things like shopping plastic bags, clothing, paper and bottles, it can help.
9|Page Conclusion Air pollution can be prevented only if individuals and businesses stop using toxic substances that cause air pollution in the first place. This would require the cessation of all fossil fuel-burning processes, from industrial manufacturing to home use of air conditioners. This is an unlikely scenario at this time. However, we have to make rules which set stringent regulations on industrial and power supply manufacturing and handling. The regulations are to be designed to further reduce harmful emissions into the Earth's atmosphere.
