Air Pollution Control

Introduction

The thin layer of air or gases that surrounds the earth is known as the atmosphere.

The earth’s life depends on air, which is a fundamental component of nature. One of the most important worldwide issues is the contamination of the air. The air we breathe is contaminated with dangerous chemicals, biological agents, or physical things which not only harm the environment and materials but also endanger the health of people and other living things. Both natural and artificial causes are contributors to air pollution, but human activity is the main contributor.

Types of Pollutants

There are basically two types of pollutants- 

• Primary pollutants– These pollutants are directly emitted from various resources and lead to air pollution. Some of the primary pollutants are- Carbon monoxide, Sulphur dioxide, Nitrogen oxides, Suspended particles, Volatile organic compounds, Chlorofluorocarbons, etc.
• Secondary pollutant-When there is a chemical or physical interaction between primary pollutants and an atmospheric component, secondary pollutants are formed. These secondary pollutants are not any specific chemicals or particles. Some secondary pollutants are- Smog, Ground level ozone, sulfuric acid, nitric acid with water vapour, etc.

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Causes of Air Pollution

Causes of air pollution are as follows-

• Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gasoline results in the majority of air pollution since they are used to provide energy for transportation or electricity.
• Several particulate matter emissions, including, CO2, SO2, and CO, can result in pollution from industrial activity.
• Smoking tobacco, cooking smoke, hazardous chemicals from home painting supplies, etc. all contribute to air pollution.
• Ammonia is one of the most hazardous gases in the environment and is produced as a byproduct of numerous agricultural usage.

Harmful Effects

Air pollution has adverse effects on humans as well as the environment. Following are the ill effects of air pollution-

Air pollution effect on humans-

• Aerosol sprays and paint removers include methylene chloride, which can be carcinogenic.
• Gasoline and benzene can lead to leukemia.
• Lung cancer is brought on by gases generated when fossil fuels are burned.
• Asthma and other respiratory illnesses like COPD are caused by suspended particles such as dust, pollen, ashes, etc.
• The likelihood of pneumonia, lung inflammation, chest pain, cough, exhaustion, shortness of breath, and fever is increased by nitric oxide and sulphur dioxide exposure.

Air pollution effect on the environment-

• Acid Rain is the term for the precipitation of dangerous nitric and sulfuric acids along with rainwater. These gases are generated by the burning of fossil fuels and combine with rainwater to produce various acids, such as nitric acid and sulfuric acid.
• Aquatic life and various tree species are negatively impacted by acidic buildup in the water body by a major decline in biodiversity.
• Buildings, monuments, and sculptures built of sandstone, limestone, marble, and granite are damaged and discoloured by acid rain.
• Ozone depletion occurs due to air pollutant such as CFCs. Due to this depletion UV light then penetrates the earth’s surface and has serious consequences like DNA mutation, skin cancers etc.
• Also, air pollution causes other harmful effects such as Global warming, and climate change which affect the biodiversity of the Earth adversely.

Prevention

To prevent air pollution following should be done-

• Reduction of forest fires.
• Stop burning crackers.
• All chimneys should contain filters.
• Use green energy 
• Using carpooling and public transportation.
• The Air Act of 1981, which forbids burning fuel that contributes to air pollution, must be followed.
• Implement planting trees.
• Paper, plastic, metals, and organic materials should all be recycled and used.

Control

Following ways are there to control air pollution-

• Reduce vehicular pollution. Numerous vehicles on the road each day produce dangerous air pollution. Use fewer cars and more environmentally friendly forms of transportation.
• Using alternative and eco-friendly forms of  fuels.
• Utilizing unleaded gasoline
• Plant more trees. 

Summary 

When dangerous chemicals like chemical, biological, and physical pollutants from both man-made and natural sources contaminate the atmosphere, it causes air pollution, which is an unwelcome change. Rising morbidity and mortality, has an impact on not just the climate but also on public and individual health. Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, ground ozone, particulate matter, sulphur oxides, CFC’s, Hydrocarbons etc. are examples of common air pollutants which cause air pollution. Plants are referred to as the “lungs” of an ecosystem as they take in carbon dioxide and give fresh oxygen to the environment. Hence, they should be planted more to prevent air pollution.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Describe a Scrubber.
Ans: A scrubber is a device that traps any particle matter or other similar contaminants in the air and cleans the air to prevent pollution. It contains an ionized liquid that traps the small particles of a contaminant.

2. Explain Alternative Fuels.
Ans: There are several compounds known as alternative fuels that can be used in place of traditional fuels like gasoline, diesel, etc. CNG, hydrogen, and other such fuels are examples of alternative fuels. These are unconventional and don’t pollute the air.

3. What is Smog?
Ans: Smog is an air contaminant and is made when fog, smoke, and sunlight are combined. Sulphurous smog and photochemical smog are the two types of smog. When sulphur oxides are present in significant concentrations in the air, sulphurous smog, also known as London smog, forms. When sunlight and at least one volatile organic compound (VOC) react in the sky, photochemical smog, often known as Los Angeles smog, is created.