AIR POLLUTION

1. AIR POLLUTION WHAT ARE ITS CAUSES, EFFECTS AND SOLUTIONS

2. IN GENERAL, WHAT IS POLLUTION? Pollutionisthe introduction of a contaminant into the environment. It is created mostly by human actions, but can also be a result of natural disasters. Pollution has a detrimental effect on any living organism in environment, making it virtually impossible to sustain life.

3. FORMS OF POLLUTION • The realiseofchemical, biological, physical or radiocativesubstances in the environmentiscalledpollution. Among the mainkindsofpollution are: • soilcontamination: mainly due tohumanactivitiesthat cause animbalance in the naturalsoilenvironment. The dumping of industrial waste, landfills and the useofharmfulchemicals can allleadtosoilpollution. • air pollution: due toreleaseofchemicals and particulatessuchasnitrogenoxidesthat create smog and hydrocarbons. Industryand motor vehicles are responsiblefor the production ofnitrogenoxides. • water pollution: causedby industrial waste, agriculturaldrainage and sewage. • radioactiveconamination: causedbyaccidentshappening in nuclearpowerstations and by the production and useofnuclearweapons. • noise production: includingroadway, aircraft and industrial noise and high-intensitysonars. • light pollution: including light trespass and over-illumination. • visualpollution: referringto the presenceofoverheadpowerlines, motorwaybillboards or open storageof junk and municipalsolidwaste.

4. WHAT IS AIR POLLUTION? Air pollutionoccurswhengases, dustparticles, fumes (or smoke) or odour are introducedintothe atmosphere in a way thatmakesitharmfultohumans, animals and plant. Thisisbecause the air becomesdirty. Thingsthatpollute the air are calledpollutants; there are twotypesofpollutant: • PRIMARY POLLUTANTS are thosegasesor particlesthat are pumpedinto the air tomakeitunclean. They include carbonmonoxidefromcars. • SECONDARY POLLUTANTS: whenpollutants in the air mix up in a chemicalreaction, theyformaneven more dangerouschemical.

5. AIR POLLUTION CAUSES EFFECTS SOLUTIONS

6. CAUSES Humanactivitiesthatresult in air pollution include: • Emissionsfromindustries and manifacturingactivities: in the manifacturing company there are long tubeserected high into the air, whitlotsofsmoke and fumescoming out ofit. Wasteincinerators, manifactuingindustries and powerplantsemit high levelsofcarbonmonoxide and chemicalsinto the air. Thishappensalmosteverywherethat people live. Petroleumrefineriesalsoreleaselotsofhydrocarbonsinto the air. • Burningfossilfuels: after the industrial age, trasportationhasbecome a key part ofourlivels. Cars and heavyvehiclesburnlotsoffossilfuelsto work. Emissionsfrom automobile enginescontainbothprimary and secondarypollutants. Thisis a mayor cause ofpollution, and onethatisverydifficulttomanage. • Household and farmingchemicals: cropdusting, fumigatinghomes, householdcleaningproducts or paintingsupplies, over the counterinsect/pestkillers, fertilizerdustemitharmfulchemicalsinto the air cause pollution. In many case, whenweusethesechemicals at home or officieswith no or littleventilation, wemayfallillifwebreathethem.

7. EFFECTS Acidification: Chemicalreactionsinvolving air pollutants can create acidiccompoundswhich can cause harmtovegetation and buildings. Sometimes, whenan air pollutant, forexample acid combineswith the water dropletsthatmake up clouds, the water dropletsbecomeacidic, forming acid rain. When acid rainfallsoveran area, it can killtrees and harmanimals, fish, and otherwildlife. Acid raindestroys the levelofplants. When acid raininfiltratesintosoils, itchanges the chemistryof the soilmakingitunfitformany living thingsthatrely on soilas a habitat or fornutrition Ground-levelozone: chemicalreactionsinsolving air pollutants create a poisonous gas ozone. Gas ozone can affect people’s health and can damagevegetationtypes and some animal life too.

8. SOLUTIONS Solutionefforts on pollutionisalways a big problem. Thisisbecousepreventioninterventions are always a better way ofcontrolling air pollution. Thesepreventionmetods can either come fromgovernment or byindividualactions. In many big cities, monitoringequipmenthavebeeninstalled at manypoints in the city. gouvernamentencourageyour family touse the bus, train or bike whencommutin. Ifweall do this, therewillbelesscars on road and lessfumes. Useenergywisely. Thisisbecauselotsofossilfuels are burnedto generate electricity, and so ifwe can cut down the use, wewillalso cut down the amountofpollutionwe create. Recycle and re-usethings. Thiswillminimize the dependenceofproducingnewthings. Remembermanifacturingindustries create a lotofpollution, so ifwe can re-usethongslike shopping plastic bags, clothing, paper and bottles, it can help.