Introduction: Air pollution can be defined as an alteration of air quality that can be characterized by measurements of chemical, biological or physical pollutants in the air. Therefore, air pollution means the undesirable presence of impurities or the abnormal rise in the proportion of some constituents of the atmosphere. It can be classified in 2 sections: visible and invisible air pollution.
We know that air is an important element of our environment. But it is a matter of great regret that it is being polluted day by day in different reasons.
Causes of Air pollution: There are different kinds of reasons of air pollution. The causes of air pollution are described below.
Using poison in agriculture – In agricultural sectors, farmers often use insecticides, pesticides, and fertilizers etc. These get mixed with air and cause air pollution. Besides, Ammonia is a very common by-product from agriculture-related activities and is one of the most hazardous gases in the atmosphere.
Burning of Fossil Fuels – Burning of fossil fuels like coal, petroleum and other factory combustibles is one the major causes of air pollution. Smoke emitting from vehicles like buses, trucks, jeeps, cars, trains, airplanes etc. causes air pollution.
Industrial smoke – In mills and factories, large amount of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, organic compounds, and chemicals is emitted that causes air pollution. It is true that mills and factories can be found at every corner of the world that causes a huge amount of harmful gases that are the major causes of air pollution.
Indoor activities – Different kinds of household activities like cleaning products, washing, painting, etc. emit different kinds of toxic chemicals in the air and cause air pollution.
Effects of Air pollution: There are different kinds of negative and harmful effects of air pollution. The effects of air pollution are described below.
Global warming – Air pollution causes global warming in a great scale. With increased temperatures worldwide, increase in sea levels and melting of ice from colder regions and icebergs, displacement and loss of habitat have already signaled an impending disaster if actions for preservation and normalization aren’t undertaken soon.
Causes diseases – The effects of Air pollution are very harmful for health. It causes different kinds of respiratory diseases like heart attack, Cancer, bronchitis, etc. Every year millions of people of all over the world die due to direct or indirect effects of air pollution.
Acid Rain – Acid raining is another effects of air pollution. Harmful gases like nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides are released into the atmosphere during the burning of fossil fuels. When it rains, the water droplets combines with these air pollutants, becomes acidic and then falls on the ground in the form of acid rain. Acid rain can cause great damage to human, animals, and crops.
Depletion of Ozone layer – Air pollution depletes Ozone layer. Ozone exists in earth’s stratosphere and is responsible for protecting humans from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Earth’s ozone layer is depleting due to the presence of chlorofluorocarbons, hydro chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere. As ozone layer will go thin, it will emit harmful rays back on earth and can cause skin and eye related problems. UV rays also have the capability to affect crops.
Harms to the wild life – Air pollution harms the wilderness. Humans and animals face a lot of devastating effects due to air pollution. Toxic chemicals present in the air can force wildlife species to move to new place and change their habitat. The toxic pollutants deposit over the surface of the water and can also affect sea animals.
Depletion of Ozone layer – Air pollution depletes Ozone layer. Ozone exists in earth’s stratosphere and is responsible for protecting humans from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Earth’s ozone layer is depleting due to the presence of chlorofluorocarbons, hydro chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere. As ozone layer will go thin, it will emit harmful rays back on earth and can cause skin and eye related problems. UV rays also have the capability to affect crops.
Conclusion: The most basic solution for air pollution is to move away from fossil fuels, replacing them with alternative energies like solar, wind and geothermal. In the long run, it can be said that it is the right time to protect air pollution. To create a better place to live in for the human being and wilderness we have stop air pollution. Monitoring air pollution levels has become very important to detect pollution peaks, better control air pollution and eventually improve air quality.
