Air Pollution

Air Pollution and its responsible pollutants 

The Air is an Ocean of Gases; around the living Organisms, It is composed of 99%, two Gases: Nitrogen 78%, Oxygen 21%, and Remaining 01 Percent includes Argon 0.96%, Carbon 0.03%, and Hydrogen 0.01%.

Air Pollution turns the clear and odorless air into a poisonous Gas, that harms health, kills plants and damages property. The most common form of air pollution is smog(a mixture of smoke and fog).


The Atmosphere of the Earth Comprises one-fifth percent of the Oxygen. which makes it an only planet in the Universe where life is possible, where everything is going on its Natural balance... when any adverse change occurs into its Natural Environment because of the addition of some external contaminants called Pollution...  

According to the World Health Organization, Air Pollution is: “The presence of Harmful Materials in the air, in Such concentration that becomes harmful to the Man and his environment,".

 Air Pollution is addition the foreign Particles, Toxic Gases, and other Solid Pollutants  into the Air, which cause a harmful (adverse) effect on Man, Animals, Vegetation, Buildings, Monuments, and Rocks, etc

 However, air pollution occurs because of the addition of some poisonous gases and other harmful unwanted substances into the Air. those substances are produced by the burning of different fossil fuels in Automobiles (vehicles), Industries and the domestic use of Natural Gas, etc.

Here we will have a look at some important gases which takes part in the pollution of the Air:

• Sulfur dioxide (SO2),  
• Carbon dioxide (C O2). 
• Carbon Mono Oxide (CO). 
• Ammonia (NH3). 
• Nitrogen-dioxide (N O2). 
• Chlorine (Cl). 
• Bromide (Br). 
• Florine (F). 
• Ozone (O3).
• 
  

However, besides being above gases there are also many Solid Pollutants - Solid Carbon, Lead, Dust particles, Pollen of Plants - are includes that take part in the air pollution.

Important Pollutants

Now we will discuss some important pollutants, their causes, effects, and their chief sources.

01. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

It is Produced from Industries and motor vehicles because of the burning of fossil fuels at high temperatures. it is very harmful to plants and animals. 

At low temperatures, it reacts with hydrocarbons and forms a poisonous fog called  Smog. The Smog is a mixture of Smoke and Fog which is very harmful to Human beings when one breathes it. in Man's, it is responsible for the burning of Respiratory Organs (Respiratory-Tract, Lungs), and eyes, etc.

Chief Sources of NOx:

Here we are going to have a look at some important sources NO2. the most important sources of NO2 are  

02. Sulfur dioxide (SO2)

The Sulfur dioxide is a colorless gas that has a pungent Odor. It is produced by burning Fossil fuels; such as Sulfur-containing Coal and Oil (Petroleum).

The Sulfur dioxide affects the Man and other living Organisms: Like in Man it causes Lung-Cancer and Hurt diseases.

However, Sulfur dioxide also Reduces  Plant growth. As it is acidic when it combines with moisture. it badly affects the Crops, forests, and Orchards, etc.

however, not only that but the Sulfur  dioxide can also badly affects the Animals and other things including Metals, Rubber, Buildings, Rocks, Statues, etc

Chief Sources of SO2

Now we will have a look at the Chief sources of SO2.

It is Mostly Produced from:

• Industry (83.3%).
• Transportation (7.6%).
• Pulp and Paper 7.3%.
• Petroleum 5.2%
• Transportation 7.6%
• Aluminum 13.6%
• Non-ferrous metals 48.3%
• Other industries 13.9% 
• Other sources 4.1%

03. Carbon Mono Oxide (CO)

    It is the Odor-less Taste-less, Color-less gas, which is produced by incomplete burning of Organic matter, fossil fuels...

Affects

• It is the Poisonous Gas, which greatly affects human health. therefore Red, Blood, Corpuscles (RBC) cannot get Oxygen Properly.

• It causes Blood Anemia Disease in Man (Reduction of Red Corpuscles and general Weaknesses).

• In this way, the CO is lethal to man and sometimes death may occur.

Sources

Smoke is a chief source of Carbon mono Oxide, which contains one atom of Carbon and one Oxygen Atom, it atmosphere it doesn't remain alone, therefore it and Carbon, therefore it needs to one more Oxygen atom to become CO2, therefore from the atmosphere, it takes one oxygen atom from the atmosphere.

 has to Smoke is also one of the Most important cases of Air Pollution.

A smoker not only harms himself but also other people on his surroundings.

Tobacco smoke contains Carbon mono Oxide (CO) Nicotine, Tar Carbon dioxide  CO2, Hydrogen Cyanide and other harmful substances.

In Man, Smoking may cause many Respiratory other disorders such as Lung Cancer, Body-Ulcer,.

Chief Sources of CO:

                                        It is Mostly Produced from Transportation (75.7%), Industry (13.5%). and residential wood burning (10.6%).

Fine Dust and other particles

• 
   The fine particles less than 2.5 microns present in the Atmosphere, which includes Airborne Aerosols: Dust, Soot (Produced burning of wood, Coal and Oil Combustion), Pollen, etc.
•  These particles are so small enough to be Trapped by the 'Natural Defense Systems of the Man'.

• When these fine particles are Inhaled, through Breathing, they cause some serious disorders (of Lungs), Continuous coughing, Pneumonia, Lung Cancer, and Other Cardiovascular Problems may occur.

• These Dust Particles also affect the plants and other living organisms.
• These particles are deposited on the leaves, which results in the Reduction of Photosynthesis, this way, plants can’t get sunlight properly in the end Plant growth is disturbed.

• Because of the reduction of Photosynthesis, many diseases occur in plants like Necrosis (holes in leaves), it reduces the Production. and some times plants may become dry.

Different sources of these particles are given below    

Some important effects of air pollution in Points 

Now we will discuss some important effects of air pollution.

It is estimated that in the USA there is about 150000/- to 350,000/- peoples are dying every year through out-Door Pollution.

The USA Spends 1.50 Billion dollars annually on health care. (EPA).

However, it is also a fact that about 12500/- Americans get Cancer from breathing.

According to the study of the Commonwealth science council, that due to air pollution worldwide about 03 million people prematurely die (Most of them from Asia).

Are about 2.8 million of death occurs from indoor air pollution and 200000 for outdoor air pollution.

Most people who live in large cities in developing countries breathe air that is equal smoking 2-3 Packets of Cigarette a day (WHO)