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Air pollution has severe consequences for the environment. Air pollution, in the form of forest fires and volcanic eruptions, has existed long before civilization. Only anthropogenically introduced air pollution started the current environmental problem. Since the beginning of coal consumption, greenhouse gases have been accumulating in the atmosphere. This has a negative influence on the earth, which, in turn, has an impact on all living things.
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Keyterms: Air, Air pollution, Coal consumption, Greenhouse gas, Atmosphere, Earth, Pollution, Water, Industrial waste, Pollutants, Ozone, Gas
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Definition of Air Pollution
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Pollution of the air is defined as the addition of any pollutants such as gases, or any other particulate matter in the air which degrades the quality of air and makes it harmful for humans and the environment.
Pollution can be caused by both natural(such as volcanic eruptions) and man-made factors. However, man-made factors are currently creating more pollution than natural factors. Each contributes to air pollution in some way, from the expanding number of automobiles to the ever-increasing industrial wastes in the form of air or water.
Types of Pollutants
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Primary and secondary pollutants are the two types of air pollutants. Pollutants are compounds that produce pollution in the air.
- Primary Pollutants: The primary pollutants that cause air pollution are those that cause it directly. These include harmful gases emitted by factories, such as sulphur dioxide.
- Secondary Pollutants: Secondary pollutants are formed as a result of primary pollutants intermixing or intermingling. A secondary pollutant is smog, which is a combination of fog and smoke.
A few of the most dangerous pollutants are:
- Carbon Monoxide
- Sulphur Oxides
- Nitrogen Oxides
- Carbon Dioxide
- Ammonia
- Particulate Matter
- Radioactive Pollutants
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Causes of Air Pollution
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To prevent the pollution of the air around you, you must first understand the causes of air pollution. The primary causes are as follows:
- Fossil fuel combustion emits harmful gases into the atmosphere, such as sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide.
- Automobiles: The excessive use of automobiles contributes to the emission of harmful gases.
- Agricultural Operations: Various processes occur during agricultural activities, such as ammonia emissions and overuse of insecticides, pesticides, and fertilizers.
- Industries and Factories: Increased industrial activity results in the release of hazardous gases and chemicals into the atmosphere.
- Mining Operations: Mining activities are increasing the release of hazardous substances.
Air Pollution Effects
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According to the air pollution data, increasing air pollution can have a negative impact on plants, animals, and humans.
- Diseases: In humans, air pollution can cause an increase in diseases such as throat infections and lung cancer.
- Global warming: Air pollution can exacerbate global warming by causing the earth's temperature to rise as a result of harmful gas emissions.
- Acid rain occurs when water droplets combine with hazardous chemicals and pollutants.
- Depletion of the Ozone Layer: All of this will eventually lead to the depletion of the ozone layer, which protects us from harmful UV sun rays.
- Effects on Animals: Increased air pollution has an impact on animals and aquatic life, causing them to stray and wander in search of food. As a result, many animals are on the verge of extinction.
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Controlling Air Pollution
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Although controlling air pollution is difficult, some simple steps must be taken, such as:
- Avoid personal transportation: Instead, take public transportation, which reduces CO emissions into the atmosphere. The availability of carpools can aid in the reduction of vehicles, thereby reducing pollution. Prefer walking or cycling to nearby locations, among other things.
- Energy Conservation: Use energy-saving electrical devices at work and home. When not in use, you can turn off your lights. Electrical appliances should be checked regularly to ensure that they do not interfere with conservation.
- Utilization of Clean Energy Resources: It will aid in the reduction of pollution. Instead of using fossil fuels, we can harness natural resources to generate energy, such as solar energy, wind energy, etc.
Things to Remember
- Carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and lead pollution are the four most dangerous types of air pollution.
- Air conditioners emit a gas known as CFC (chlorofluorocarbon), which contributes to air pollution and harms the ozone layer.
- According to WHO statistics, approximately 7 million people die each year as a result of air pollution's various effects.
- The official pollution control authorities measure and use the air quality index to show the public how polluted the air is at the moment. It is a metric that indicates how polluted the air we breathe is.
- Various methods can be used to control air pollution – we can start by reducing our use of private cars, purchasing electric appliances with an energy star label, conserving energy whenever possible, and using air conditioners less.
Sample Questions
Ques: List some of the causes of air pollution. (3 marks)
Ans: Some of the causes of Air pollution are:
- Smokestacks from thermal power plants, forest fires, volcanic eruptions, and other sources of pollution
- Garbage decomposition also emits unwanted gases into the atmosphere.
- Excessive use of fossil fuels by automobiles and industries results in particulate and air pollution.
- The use of leaded gasoline.
Ques: Explain ESP for control of air pollution. (3 marks)
Ans: The Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) is an electrical device used to remove particulate matter from thermal power plant exhaust.
- ESP can remove up to 99 percent of particulate matter.
- It has electrode wires and a collecting plate stage.
- A high-voltage electric current is applied to electrode wires, creating a corona that releases electrons.
- Within a fraction of a second, these electrons attach to the dust Electrostatic precipitator particles and charge them negatively.
- The collecting plates are grounded, and the charged dust particles attract them.
- The air velocity between the plates must be low enough for the dust to fall.
Ques: What are catalytic converters? (3 marks)
Ans: Catalytic converters are installed in automobiles to reduce the emission of poisonous gases such as NO2 and CO.
As catalysts, they are made of expensive metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium.
When exhaust passes through the catalytic converter, nitric oxide is split into nitrogen and oxygen, carbon monoxide is oxidised into carbon dioxide, and unburned hydrocarbons are completely burned into CO2 and H2O.
Unleaded gasoline should be used in vehicles equipped with catalytic converters because leaded gasoline deactivates the catalyst.
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