AIR POLLUTION AND THEIR CAUSES

• • Air Pollution: 
  • 
    
  • The presence of harmful substances, 
  • such as gases, particulate matter, or 
  • organic molecules, in the atmosphere. 
  • This can originate from industrial emissions,
  •  vehicles, or even natural events like volcanic 
  • eruptions.
  • 
    
  • CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION:
  • 
    

  • 1. The Burning of Fossil Fuels

    Most of the air pollution takes place due to the incomplete burning of fossil fuels. These include coal, oil, and gasoline to produce energy for electricity or transportation. The release of CO at a high level indicates how much fossil fuel is burned. This also emits other toxic pollutants like nitrogen oxides into the air. Inhaling air induced with pollutants due to the burning of natural gas and fossil fuel reduces the heart’s ability to pump enough oxygen. Hence causing one to suffer from various respiratory and heart illnesses. Furthermore, the nitrogen oxides are responsible for acid rain and the formation of smog. 

    When fossil fuels are burned, they emit more than just CO2.

    • Coal-fired power stations alone account for 35% of harmful mercury emissions in the US.
    • Two-thirds of SO2 emissions cause acid rain
    • The great majority of dust (particle pollution) is released in our air due to fossil fuel burning.

    2. Industrial Emission 

    Industrial activities emit several pollutants in the air that affect the air quality more than we can even imagine. Particulate matter 2.5 and 10, NO2, SO2, and CO are key pollutants that are emitted from industries that use coal and wood as their primary energy source for the production of their goods. Industrial pollution effects associated with your health can range from

    • Irritation in your eyes and throat
    • Breathing issues
    • At times can even lead to chronic illness
    • VOCs and other emissions from industries can aggregate respiratory disorders like asthma and bronchitis.
    • O3 is also released from industries that can increase in asthma attacks. 

    Huge amounts of organic chemicals like CO2, hydrocarbons, etc. are released by the industries including other toxicants. They furthermore affect the climate as CO2 causes a greenhouse effect. Hence, causing the heat to be trapped within the earth’s atmosphere. Therefore, the temperature and humidity increase. More and more industries are being built as the demand grows. And as a result the emissions also increase day by day. We are already observing the after-effects of this, as the earth’s temperature rises by 1 degree Celsius per decade.

    3. Indoor Air Pollution

    

    Use of toxic products also called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), inadequate ventilation, uneven temperature, and humidity level can cause indoor air pollution, whether you are in an office, school, or at your comfortable home. House air pollution can take place due to ignorant factors, for instance, smoking tobacco inside a room or leaving mold-infected walls untreated. The use of wood stoves or space heaters is capable of increasing the humidity level which can directly affect the health of a person in no time. Carcinogens and toxins from indoor air pollution cause 17% of deaths from lung cancer.

    According to the ‘Household air pollution and Health’ report published by the WHO in 2018, “Pneumonia is the cause of 27% of yearly deaths attributed to indoor air pollution and 45% of all pneumonia deaths in children under five years old.” The report further added that, “In 2020, household air pollution was predicted to be responsible for 3.2 million deaths per year, including approximately 2,37,000 deaths of children under the age of five.”

    4. Wildfires 

    Climate change is not just increasing wildfire but also spiking air pollution. Burning stubble and farm residue is also a major contribution to wildfire. It causes increased PM2.5 in the air which collides with other harmful substances like chemical gas and pollen creating smog. Smog makes the air hazy and people find it difficult to breathe. Visibility also decreases as a result of this smog. Difficulty in breathing, irritation in the eyes, nose, and throat, itchiness in the respiratory tract, etc. are all symptoms of inhaling smog. 

    • As many as 90% of the wildfires are caused by anthropogenic reasons, a small spark can turn acres of forest area into ashes.
    • The soot and dust particles, smoke (that contains several toxic chemicals) can stay suspended in the air for days.
    • The average temperature is increasing day by day due to the greenhouse effect. As a result, the rise in temperature affects the rate of wildfires.
    • More the temperature, more the cases of wildfires and forest fires. Wildlife, plants, and animals are all impacted by wildfires.