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Nov 3, 20219 min read

Air Pollution - Causes, Effects and Control

By Aastha, Khushi and Pooja

via NRDC.org


"Water and air, the two essential fluids on which all life depends, have become global garbage cans." - Jacques Yves Cousteau

Air pollution occurs due to the existence of unwanted solid or gaseous particles in the air. It can cause harmful impacts to human health and the environment. It is defined as the alteration of the quality of air that can be characterized by the assessment of chemical, physical and biological pollutants in the air. Pollution happens to commemorate the short term economic gains at the cost of long-term ecological benefits of human society. It is apparent to notice that the impact of human induced ecological changes is much more drastic than any other nature induced effects on the environment. Pollutants involve solid, liquid and gaseous substances. The liquid and solid particles suspended in the atmosphere are known as aerosols. They instigate detrimental effects on the ecology and humanity by penetrating into the air and causing impact on the living beings of the environment. Considering the case of an average human, the requirement of air for each day must be 12kg which is 12 to 15 times more than the amount of food we eat. Looking back at the historical roots of air pollution, it can be traced from the times when men started using firewood to meet their daily cooking and heating needs. The unprecedented increase in the rate of air pollution was incited in the beginning of 20th century, with the development of transportation systems by the usage of fossil fuels in large quantities. More hazardous pollutants are released into the air every year than are released to surface water, ground water, and land combined.


CAUSES The pure quality of air in our surroundings is affected with the hazardous pollutants.The causes of air pollution can be of two types: natural causes and man-made causes. Natural sources of air pollution are organic compounds from plants, sea salt, dust and suspended soils. It also includes the natural pollutants emitted during volcanic eruptions and forest fires. Ozone is considered to be the most vital natural air pollutant. Man made sources of air pollution are caused by human activities in the environment. The most common effluents that are produced by human activities include industrial effluents, agricultural effluents, vehicular emissions etc. The effect of man-made causes on air is much more drastic than natural causes. The following are the main causes of air pollution in the environment. COMBUSTION OF FOSSIL FUELS Air pollution is caused due to the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil to produce energy for electricity or transportation. Burning results in the release of carbon monoxide, nitrogen, and sulphur dioxide in large quantities into the environment. These can penetrate the air sources and affect the quality of air. Burning causes the emission of other toxic pollutants in the air. Inhaling air induced with pollutants can impact human health and ecological air quality. EFFLUENTS FROM INDUSTRIES AND FACTORIES Industries emit several pollutants in the air that affect the air quality in a more drastic manner than any other natural causes combined. Factories use coal and wood as their basic energy sources for production of their goods. Particulate matter, hydrocarbons, chemical compounds, Nitrogen dioxide, Sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide are the main pollutants that are emitted from industries.

INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS Toxic products also known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), inadequate ventilation, uneven temperature, and humidity level in our indoor spaces like office, school or at your congenial home can impact the air quality of the surroundings. Indoor air pollution can take place due to ungracious factors, for instance, smoking tobacco inside a room or leaving the wall untreated. Use of a wood stove or space heaters can in turn increase the humidity level which can directly affect the health of humans. WILDFIRE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Climate change is not only increasing wildfires but also alarming the rate of air pollution. Burning whiskers and farm residue are also contributing to wildfires. The growth of PM2.5 rate in the air collides with other harmful substances like chemical gas and pollen creating smog which will adversely affect the ecology. The smog produced adds to the hazy and poisonous quality of air.

MICROBIAL DECAYING PROCESS AND AFTER EFFECTS Industries like chemical, manufacturing and textile units release large quantities of carbon monoxides, hydrocarbons, chemicals and organic compounds which can contaminate our environment. Biogeochemical cycling processes need fungi and bacteria as basic supporting agents. Unfortunately they are the key indicators of abnormal environmental conditions. Decaying of these microorganisms present in the surrounding releases methane gas which is highly toxic in nature. Inhaling toxic gas like methane may lead to the death of the living beings in the environment.

VEHICULAR EMISSIONS The major cause of air pollution is caused by vehicles like buses, cars etc. When the car burns gasoline, it produces pollutants in the air which are as harmful as smoking 10 cigarettes a day. The pollutants discharged include carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide, smoke and particulate matter. In addition, vehicular pollution can cause harm to the ozone layer by creating holes in the same, which will in turn cause long term effects on human health by allowing the direct flow of UV radiations. CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded the highest number of air pollution complaints in Delhi NCR due to construction pollution and demolition activities in the environment. With the growth of population in the city, construction and demolition is a recurring routine in different parts of the country. The construction sites can produce raw materials such as bricks and concrete which causes haze and foul air which is perilous for the people. BURNING OF WASTES Burning of garbage like vegetable waste, Plastic wastes, Sanitary pads etc in the environment can cause depressing effects on air quality. When these pollutants get discharged they will come directly in contact with the atmosphere. This causes a drastic effect on human health and ecological well being. AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES Agricultural activities indeed cause serious impacts on the precarious air quality. Pesticides and fertilizers are the key determinants to contaminate the air quality. Today, the farmers and corporates tend to mix pesticides and fertilizers with new incursive man made species, for sudden growth of crops and vegetation. During the spraying process, the smell and the effect of the pesticides are left in the surrounding air. Inhaling these pollutants can cause heart and lung diseases.



AIR POLLUTION EFFECTS ON ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN HEALTH Air pollution affects the environment and human health adversely and it has been getting worse instead of getting better.in this particular essay, we are going to discuss “Air pollution effects on the environment and human health”. EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON THE ENVIRONMENT

via Boldsky.com

Air Pollution can cause a variety of environmental effects which are as follows : Acid rain: It is a type of precipitation that contains high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids. When fossil fuels are burned, these acids are generated and fall to the Earth as wet or dry precipitation. Acid rain harms plants and causes soils and water bodies to become acidic, making the water unfit for a few fish and a distinct natural world. Haze: It is prompted while daylight encounters tiny pollutant debris in the air. Haze obscures the clarity, color, texture, and shape of what we see. Some haze-causing pollutants (primarily fine debris) are immediately emitted to the surroundings via means of sources such as power plants, industrial facilities, vehicles and automobiles, and construction activities. Others are shaped while gases emitted to the air (which include sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) shape debris as they're carried downwind. Ozone layer: The ozone layer occurs at stratosphere and ground level. Stratosphere level ozone is a good one as it prevents the sun’s harmful UV rays from reaching the earth but this good ozone is gradually being destroyed by man-made chemicals eg. chlorofluorocarbon etc. Thinning of this layer can also cause damage to the crops, skin cancer, etc. Global climate change: A complex mix of naturally occurring gases exists in the Earth's atmosphere, trapping some of the sun's heat near the surface. The Earth's temperature is maintained by this "greenhouse effect." Regrettably, the proof is lacking. There is emerging evidence that people have disrupted this natural balance by producing significant volumes of pollution. Carbon dioxide and methane are two examples of greenhouse gases. As a consequence, the Earth's atmosphere appears to be trapping more of the sun's heat, which is driving the global temperature to rise. The average temperature of the Earth is rising, which is known as global warming. Global warming, according to scientists, might have a severe influence on human health. Agriculture, water resources, forests, and wildlands are just a few of the issues that need to be addressed. EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON HUMAN HEALTH

via eMedicineHealth

Along with harming the environment, air pollution can cause effects on human health as well. Pollutants (small, invisible particles) enter deep into your lungs, bloodstream, and body when you breathe contaminated air. This might have a variety of effects on your body. Air pollution can have the following effects in the short term: 1. Affect the efficiency with which your lungs work, making breathing more difficult. 2. Irritate respiratory airways, resulting in inflammation and a raw, scratchy throat, as well as a cough. One may also have congestion as a result of mucus buildup. 3. Exacerbating respiratory health issues including asthma and allergies like hay fever, as well as making cold symptoms worse. 4. Make eyes itchy and irritated. In the long run, air pollution can cause the following: 1. Clogging in blood vessels, resulting in heart diseases and stroke. 2. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or infections like pneumonia. Lung cancer can also be caused by air pollution.


AIR POLLUTION IN DELHI


via NDTV


According to a WHO analysis of 1,650 world cities, the air quality in Delhi, India's capital region, is the worst of any large city in the world. It also has an impact on the areas surrounding Delhi. Air pollution is projected to kill around 2 million people in India each year, making it the country's fifth leading cause of death. According to the WHO, India has the highest death rate from chronic respiratory disorders including asthma in the world. In Delhi, poor air quality permanently harms the lungs of 2.2 million youngsters or half of the city's population.


Between March and September, the air quality index in Delhi ranges from Good (0–50), Satisfactory (51–100), to Moderate (101–200), before rapidly deteriorating to Poor (201–300), Very Poor (301–400), Severe (401–500), or Hazardous (500+) levels due to a variety of factors such as stubble burning, road dust, vehicle pollution, and cold weather. The Great Smog of Delhi occurred in November 2017, when air pollution levels reached dangerously high levels. PM2.5 and PM 10 particulate matter levels reached 999 micrograms per cubic metre, exceeding the acceptable limits of 60 and 100, respectively.


Farmers burning their crops in other states have been producing smog and other dangerous particles in other states since 2002, contributing to Delhi's pollution crisis. Animal agriculture accounts for around 80% of agriculturally used land in Delhi, hence animal agriculture can be blamed for the city's air pollution. To tackle pollution, plans are being proposed for a 1,600 km long and 5 km wide green ecological corridor through the Aravalli range from Gujarat to Delhi, which will also connect to the Shivalik hill range, with 1.35 billion (135 crores) new native trees planted over ten years.


GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND ACTS TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION


When it comes to India’s status on Air pollution, places like Kanpur or Delhi usually get all the attention. But the problem is much more grave. In 2019, it was found that among the 30 most polluted cities worldwide, 21 are in India and the Indian pollution level is 5 times more than what WTO recommends. This means serious health effects with more comorbidities.


Indian government has brought some policies and acts to check this concern, but the trade off between environment and development always exists. In 2019, the government of India inaugurated the National clean air Program to reduce the pollution level by 20%-30% by 2024 in over 122 worst affected cities. Major implementation sites include New Delhi, Ahmedabad and Pune supplemented by health risk communication plans, better control and monitoring of industrial emissions etc..


Several sites including Ahmedabad have also shown a significant reduction in PM10 over the past few years. Levels of Sulphur dioxide, due to reduction in consumption of fossil fuels, have also reduced in cites, such as Mumbai, Lucknow and Bhopal. This with innovation in green fuels has encouraged the auto rickshaw drivers and other modes of transportation to use CNG or electrical auto rickshaws. India aims at introducing over 1000 electrically powered busses and upgrading the engines of privately owned vehicles by BS6 standards. It attempts to ban all below BS6 standard vehicles from city roads in the coming 15 years, which shows its honest commitment to control air pollution.


India has set up the National Green Tribunal, an independent statutory body to look into the environment related cases and keep check on government and private developmental projects with respect to its environmental consequences. India also agrees with international agreements like Paris Agreement, Kyoto and Montreal protocol to

name a few.


MEASURES TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION AT INDIVIDUAL LEVEL


An individual is always a core to any policy implementation. No policy or plan can ever succeed without the active participation of the concerned individuals. Hence, besides government’s institutions, an individual must recognize their own responsibility to mitigate the pollution. Very basic action one should take is to generate sensitivity about the issues which could be by talking to someone, watching documentaries or being part of a related organization. As an individual, our attempt should be to use available resources consciously and judiciously, like being conscious of how much fuel is going wasted while waiting during signals with the car on, how much ash goes into the environment while we burn crackers, etc. There are so many activities we do in our daily lives without being conscious of their output.



REFERENCES


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