Air Pollution
What is Air Pollution?
Air pollution occurs when gases, dust particles, fumes or odor are introduced to the atmosphere, which harms humans, animals and even plants. This results from the air becoming contaminated or unclean. Most people are not aware of this situation while others choose to ignore it. As the world advances, many countries are becomes industrialized, meaning there are more factories and industries that release chemicals into the air; thus, we have air pollution. Vehicles, machines, and power plants also lead to this devastating problem. We rely heavily on transportation to travel from one place to another, adding to the pollution in the air.To avoid making things any worse, we must use them wisely, so we may reduce the harmful effect they have on our environment.
Household and farming chemicals contaminate our air as well. Crop dusting, fumigation, and cleaning products are some of the many common things that emit harmful chemicals into the atmosphere. With these chemicals filtering the air, both animals and people can't help it and inhale these toxications.
As inhabitants of this world, we must all collaborate to help improve our environment. "Be the change that you wish to see in the world." - Muhammad Ghandi
What Causes Air Pollution?
Some major sources of air pollution include industries, manufacturing activities, and factories. You have probably noticed how black smoke emerges from chimneys on factories or homes. These fumes evaporate, condense into clouds, and eventually turns into acid rain. Waste incinerators, manufacturing industries, and power plants emit high levels of carbon monoxide, organic compounds, and other chemicals into the air. Petroleum refineries also release lots of hydrocarbons into the air.
Burning fossil fuels is another air pollutant, which is the most difficult to stop. Cars, heavy-duty trucks, trains, shipping vessels, and airplanes burn a lot of fossil fuels.
Lastly, household and farming chemicals contribute to air pollutants. These products include common things such as pest killers and painting supplies.
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Air Pollution Facts
- - Air pollution kills more people than AIDS and malaria combined
- - According to the U.N., about 3.5 million deaths a year are caused by indoor air pollution
- - Another 3.3 million are caused by outdoor air pollution.
- - On average, air pollution takes one to two years off of the typical human life span
- - The health effects of smog have even been seen in dolphins that live off of the coast of large cities
- - In a recent study, dolphins have shown signs of black lung disease.
- - Motor vehicles produce more air pollution than any other single human activity
- - One full commuter bus can mean 40 less cars going through your neighbourhood
- - One ship sitting at the dock unloading its cargo releases an entire ton of toxic pollutants
| Air Pollutant | Cause | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Monoxide | Fuel combustion from vehicles and engines. | Reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the body, which results in chest pain. |
| Ground Level Ozone | Chemical reaction in the presence of sunlight. | Decreases lung functions and causes respiratory problems. |
| Lead | Smelter and other metal industries. | Damages the developing nervous system. |
| Nitrogen Dioxide | Fuel combustion and wood burning. | Worsens lung diseases. |
| Particulate Matter | Chemical reaction and combustion. | Worsens ear or lung diseases. |
| Sulphur Dioxide | Fuel combustion. | Aggravates asthma and makes breathing difficult. |
