ENVIRONMENTAL AIR POLLUTION
Definiton Causes Effects Control
DEFINITION Air pollution is the term used to describe any chemical, physical, or biological factor that tampers with the natural properties of the atmosphere to contaminate the indoor or outdoor environment. Common causes of air pollution include motor vehicles, industrial operations, household combustion appliances, and forest fires.
CAUSES:
TRANSPORTATION The number of cars on the road is growing daily. Undoubtedly, automobile emissions are the primary cause of air pollution, particularly in metropolitan regions where the percentage of people who own a car is higher than in rural areas. Pollutants released into the air by burning petrol in an automobile are just as dangerous as smoking ten cigarettes a day. The following are released by your car: nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). High levels of automobile pollution in the atmosphere cause an ozone hole, which exacerbates smog and other health problems. Numerous cars and other vehicles on the road add to traffic congestion, which has a significant impact on the area ' s air quality. This makes it necessary to keep an eye on the local air quality in each location in order to identify the sources and take appropriate action. Reducing vehicle emissions can be achieved by individuals adopting appropriate and efficient measures, such as carpooling and using public transport (buses, metros and trains).
WILDFIRE Air pollution is rising along with wildfires due to climate change. Burning agricultural waste and stubble also makes a significant impact to wildfires. It results in an increase in PM2.5 in the atmosphere, which combines with other dangerous elements like pollen and chemical gas to form smog. The air is foggy and difficult for people to breathe when there is smog. This pollution also makes it harder to see. Smog inhalation can cause a variety of symptoms, such as breathing difficulties, irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, itching in the respiratory tract, etc. Up to 90% of wildfires are started by humans; a single spark has the power to reduce acres of woodland to ashes. Days might pass while soot, dust, and smoke—which contains a number of hazardous chemicals—stay suspended in the atmosphere. The greenhouse effect is causing the average temperature to rise daily. Consequently, the rate of wildfires is impacted by temperature rise. More heat equals more wildfire and forest fire incidents. Wildfires have an effect on plants, animals, and wildlife.
THE BURNING OF FOSSIL FUELS The incomplete combustion of fossil fuels is the primary cause of the majority of air pollution. Coal, oil, and petrol are some of these that can be used to generate energy for transportation or electricity. A high concentration of CO released signifies the amount of fossil fuel used. In addition, this releases harmful chemicals into the atmosphere, such as nitrogen oxides. Breathing air contaminated by pollution from burning fossil fuels and natural gas lowers the heart' s capacity to pump enough oxygen. thus leading to a variety of cardiac and respiratory ailments. Furthermore, acid rain and smog generation are caused by nitrogen oxides. Burning fossil fuels releases more emissions than merely CO2. In the US, coal-fired power plants are solely responsible for 35% of the hazardous mercury emissions. Acid rain is caused by two-thirds of SO2 emissions. The combustion of fossil fuels releases the vast bulk of dust, or particle pollution, into the atmosphere.
TRANSPORTATION WILDFIRE THE BURNING OF FOSSIL FUELS
EFFECTS:
GLOBAL WARMING The immediate changes that global warming is causing in the world are another obvious result of air pollution. Global warming is causing sea levels to rise, icebergs and colder regions to melt, habitat loss and displacement, and ice to melt. These indicators point to a crisis that is coming if we do not act quickly to protect and stabilise our ecosystem.
RESPIRATORY AND HEART PROBLEM It is concerning how air pollution affects people. Among other dangers to the body, it is known to cause a number of cardiac and respiratory disorders, including cancer, heart attacks, strokes, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. It is estimated that the direct or indirect impacts of air pollution have claimed the lives of several million individuals.
ACID RAIN When fossil fuels are burned, harmful pollutants like sulphur and nitrogen oxides are discharged into the atmosphere. Acid rain, which may seriously harm people, animals, and crops, is created when raindrops mix with these air pollutants and fall to the ground.
GLOBAL WARMING ACID RAIN RESPIRATORY AND HEART PROBLEM
CONTROLS:
Don 't burn your garbage.It is harmful to both our environment and your health to burn domestic waste. If you continue to dispose of your waste in a burn barrel, wood stove or fire pit, speak with your county about setting up a trash hauling service. Plant and care for trees. Trees take up carbon dioxide and filter pollutants. In addition to cooling our homes, trees also emit oxygen into the atmosphere. Drive your car less. One of the main causes of air pollution is vehicle exhaust. Ride together. Bus. Bike. Work remotely. electric cars.
Use less energy.Select heating and appliance systems that are efficient. Obtain an energy audit and heed the recommendations. Switch off any electrical devices that are not in use. All of it adds up. Turn off your engine.An engine that is idle produces a hotspot of pollutants. Large trucks and buses emit especially harmful pollution. Schools and daycares can create and execute no-idling rules with the assistance of parents and teachers. Switch to electric or hand-powered lawn equipment. Pollution control mechanisms are frequently absent from gas-powered engines, such as those found in lawnmowers and leaf or snow blowers. A hundred miles in a car can generate almost as much pollution as an hour spent operating a lawnmower! Instead, make use of electric or hand-powered lawn care tools.
World Health Organization. (n.d.). Air Pollution. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/air-pollution#tab=tab_1 10 main causes of air pollution that make everyone worry. AQI India. (2023, April 4). https://www.aqi.in/blog/here-are-the-10-main-causes-of-air-pollution/ Rinkesh, Rinkesh, About RinkeshA true environmentalist by heart ❤️. Founded Conserve Energy Future with the sole motto of providing helpful information related to our rapidly depleting environment. Unless you strongly believe in Elon Musk‘s idea of making Mars as another h, Rinkesh, A., A true environmentalist by heart ❤️. Founded Conserve Energy Future with the sole motto of providing helpful information related to our rapidly depleting environment. Unless you strongly believe in Elon Musk‘s idea of making Mars as another habitable plan, 13 Most Polluted Rivers in the US (+Pics), How Does Water Pollution Affect Biodiversity?, How Does Air Pollution Affect Biodiversity?, Causes, How Does Recycling Help Reduce Pollution?, & Are Campfires Bad for The Environment? (And Should We Stop Camping?). (2023, September 30). Causes, effects and impressive solutions to air pollution. Conserve Energy Future. https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-of-airpollution.php#:~:text=The%20effects%20of%20air%20pollution,pollution’s%20direct%20 or%20indirect%20effects What you can do about air pollution. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. (n.d.). https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/what-you-can-do-about-airpollution REFERENCES:
A WARM THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU!