AIR POLLUTION
Air
pollution is actually the addition of any harmful substances to the atmosphere,
which causes the damaging of the environment, human health and the quality of
life. With the development in industry, came along the increase in air
pollution, which occurs inside homes, schools offices even in the countryside. Consequently
there has been an increase in the death rates resulting from various diseases
caused by air pollution varying from breathing problem to lung cancer. Air pollution
does not only affect people but it also damages the whole ecological system in
which plants and animals are harmed as well. Air pollution affects the earth’s
atmosphere as it lets in more harmful radiation from the sun. Consequently, our
polluted atmosphere is becoming a better insulator, thus, preventing heat from
escaping back into space. That is why there is a global rise in temperature
which scientists refer to as ‘’Global Warming’’. As a result of this rise in
temperature the world food supply and see level will be affected, also there is
the probability of increase in the tropical disease.
Human activities are the major
sources of pollution. Burning fossil fuels, natural gases, coal and oil,
factories and motor vehicles all emit harmful substances. Among these harmful
chemical compounds this burning adds to the atmosphere are carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, and solid particles called particulate.
Another source of pollutant is the decomposing of garbage in landfills and
solid waste disposal which emit methane gas, and many households’ products give
off what is known as volatile organic chemicals.
There are two types of air pollution
sources which are natural sources and man-made sources. Some natural sources of
the air pollution are like volcanic eruptions , volcanoes , deflation of sands
, dusts , salts spray from seas and ocean , soil particles , storms , forest
fires , cosmic particles , rays , bombardment of asteroid materials , comets ,
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 , 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.
Air pollution can cause
health problems and it can also damage the environment and property. Industries,
vehicles, increase in the population, and urbanization are some of the major
factors responsible for air pollution. Air pollution reduces the beauty of nature.
It affects climates .In the modern world technology also has the role in the
condition of air pollution.
Air pollution is one of the
virtual problems nowadays. It creates many other problems. We can solve these
problems through the change of attitude of human behaviour. Use public
transportation , buy energy efficient vehicles , make use of solar energy , use
natural gases , always use Recyclable products , use paper bags , avoid plastic
bags , don’t use hazardous chemicals , grown your own fruits and vegetables ,
educate your companion , etc. are some of the measures to avoid the air
pollution .
So think properly,
understand clearly and act rightly.
