Meaning of air pollution

Air pollution occurs when small chemical or biological substances are released into atmosphere.

Substances that are causing pollution are called pollutants.

Air pollutants can be in the form of liquid droplets, solid particles, or gases

There are two types of air pollutants that is primary and secondary.

Primary pollutants are the pollutants that are released directly into the air.

Examples of these pollutants are ash released from volcanic eruptions, and carbon monoxide from vehicles.

Secondary pollutants are produced by the reaction between the primary pollutant and atmospheric compounds.

There are various threats of air pollution such as acid rain, global warming, ozone depletion and smog formation.

Let us discuss these dangers of Air Pollution one by one

Acid Rain

Pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides enter air from coal fired power stations, road vehicles and others.

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides combine with air humidity to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid.

When rain and snow mix with these acids, it results in acid rain.

The acid rain causes damage to forests, fish, animals, human beings, statues and stonework of buildings.

It also causes crop destruction and respiratory problems in children.

Global Warming

When some gases are released due to human activities, these rise into the atmosphere and trap the heat of the sun.

Then temperature rises causing the phenomena of Global warming.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one such gas produced mainly by the burning of fossil fuels.

Methane released by coal based industries, and Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) released by refrigerators also result in global warming.

Ozone

The ozone layer in the stratosphere absorbs sun's ultraviolet rays and protects the life on the earth.

But the destruction of the ozone layer causes an increased amount of solar radiation on Earth surface.

This increased radiation damages the plants, animals and human beings.

Diseases caused due to sun radiation are like Skin cancer, eye diseases and others.

Ozone also forms in the lower the atmosphere when different air pollutants mix and causes chemical reactions.

But this Ozone is harmful and irritates the eyes, nose, throat and damage the lungs.

Smog

Smog appears when sunlight falls on gases released from automobiles and factories.

There are two types of smog: London type smog and photochemical smog.

London type smog occurs when moisture in the air mixes with smoke particles produced by burning coal, and others.

Photochemical smog occurs when various types of air pollution from industry and automobiles are mixed.

Smog formation due to the pollutants of thermal power station and nuclear power plants are harmful to humans.

Revision

Air pollution occurs when small chemical or biological substances are released into atmosphere.

There are two types of pollutants: Primary pollutants and Secondary pollutants.

Acid rain consists of major air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide.

Acid rain causes damage to forests, fish, animals and human beings. It also damages the statues and stonework of buildings.

Global warming occur when some gases are released into the atmosphere that trap the heat of the sun.

Such gases are Carbon dioxide, Methane and Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Ozone layer in stratosphere is good but the ozone formed in the troposphere is bad.

Ozone is harmful and irritates the eyes, nose, throat and damage the lungs.

Smog is another air pollutant which is harmful to humans.

The End