Air pollution is described as a change in air quality that is measured by chemical, biological, or physical contaminants in the atmosphere. As a result, air pollution refers to the undesired presence of contaminants in the atmosphere, as well as an abnormal increase in the quantity of certain atmospheric constituents. Air pollution can be divided into two categories: visible and invisible.
- Locally, this refers to the air quality within a few kilometres’ radius.
- At distances of a few kilometres to a thousand kilometres, regional pollutants such as acid rain, photochemical reactions, and water quality degradation
- Global ozone depletion and warming due to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2)
Air Pollution
According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is described as the occurrence of substances in the atmosphere that are toxic to humans including the health of other living creatures. Pollution of the atmosphere also has a negative impact on Earth’s climate, often exacerbating natural disasters such as drought and flooding on the planet.
Causes of Air Pollution
To begin preventing air pollution in the surrounding area, it is necessary to first understand the sources of pollution. The primary reasons for this are as follows:
1.Burning of Fossil Fuels:
When fossil fuels are burned, they release harmful gases into the atmosphere, including sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide, which are harmful to human health. sulphur dioxide is one of the most significant contributors to air pollution.
2.Automobiles:
The excessive use of automobiles contributes to the release of harmful gases into the atmosphere.
3.Agricultural Activities:
Agriculture involves many different processes, including the emission of ammonia as well as an excessive use of pesticides and fertilisers as well as the use of insecticides and herbicides. They release potentially hazardous chemicals into the atmosphere and have the potential to pollute water supplies.
4.Factories and Industries:
Increased emissions of hazardous gases and chemicals into the atmosphere as a result of increased industrial activity. Chemicals, hydrocarbons, organic compounds, and other pollutants are emitted into the atmosphere by manufacturing companies, degrading the quality of the surrounding environment.
5.Mining Activities:
Mining activities are increasing the emission of harmful substances into the environment. Mining is the process of extracting minerals from beneath the surface of the earth with the help of heavy machinery. During the course of the process, dust and chemicals are released into the atmosphere, resulting in significant air pollution.
PARTICULATE MATTER (PM)
When coal, gasoline, diesel fuels, and wood are burned, PM is released into the environment as a complex mixture of both solid and liquid particles suspended throughout air. Chemical interactions of nitrogen oxides with organic substances in the atmosphere also produce it. PM can also be found in plants and cattle. PM is produced in large cities by vehicles, trucks, and coal-fired power stations.
The size and content of the particles, as well as the degree and duration of the exposure, as well as the gender, age, and responsiveness of the person who is exposed, all influence the health impacts of PM. Coughing, sore throat, burning eyes, and chest tightness are some of the symptoms of exposure. PM can also provoke asthma or cause premature mortality, especially in the elderly and those who already have a medical condition.
OZONE
UV light interacts with nitrogen oxides and organic molecules to produce O3. O3 is an antioxidant that causes changes in the airways depending on the concentration and time of exposure.
Air quality measurements
chemiluminescence, flame ionisation, and other laser-based technologies are used in measurement equipment. These devices can be found near traffic, far from traffic, or near industrial zones, for example. The Air Quality Index is a value scale that is created from all of the collected data (AQI).
Currently, millions of people are afflicted by air pollution. Information on the impact of pollution on patients with respiratory impairments has been given. O3 and PM, for example, might exacerbate asthma symptoms or cause premature death in the elderly, especially those who already have respiratory or cardiovascular problems. Pollutants also trigger the effects on allergenic pollen grains, leading to a rise in pollen-induced asthma cases. As a result, there is a compelling justification for action to minimise air pollution, which can take numerous forms. Urban planning, technological advancements (e.g., the design of new low-pollution vehicles), and the implementation of new regulations at the federal level are just a few examples. Lowering combined black carbon or O3 levels is projected to save over 3 million lives and enhance crop yields by 50 million tonnes each year. Cooking stove improvements would also cut firewood usage and deforestation in underdeveloped countries. Improved brick kilns used in regions of Asia And South America, on the other hand, consume half the fuel that traditional kilns do.
Conclusion
Air pollution is severely harmful to humanity’s ability to survive on this planet. Air is among the most important resources on the globe, because it is both plentiful and in short supply, but we overuse and abuse it. Pollution in these regions has a detrimental effect on both humans and animals. Once air pollution has been misused to its maximum extent, it is hard to turn back the clock. Several diseases and ailments previously unrecognized to humans have been recognised as a result of harmful compounds emitted by chemical and other environmentally deteriorating industries polluting the air and water.