What is Air Pollution?

What is Air Pollution? Air is the ocean we breathe. Air supplies us with oxygen which is essential for our bodies to live. Air is 99.9% nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor and inert gases. Human activities can release substances into the air, some of which can cause problems for humans, plants, and animals. One type of air pollution is the release of particles into the air from burning fuel for energy. Diesel smoke is a good example of this particulate matter . The exhaust from burning fuels in automobiles, homes, and industries is a major source of pollution in the air. Another type of pollution is the release of noxious gases, such as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and chemical vapors. These can take part in further chemical reactions once they are in the atmosphere, forming smog and acid rain.

Outdoor Air Pollution

Smog is a type of large-scale outdoor pollution. It is caused by chemical reactions between pollutants derived from different sources, primarily automobile exhaust and industrial emissions. Cities are often centers of these types of activities, and many suffer from the effects of smog, especially during the warm months of the year. For each city, the exact causes of pollution may be different. Depending on the geographical location, temperature, wind and weather factors, pollution is dispersed differently. However, sometimes this does not happen and the pollution can build up to dangerous levels. A temperature inversion occurs when air close to the earth is cooler than the air above it. Under these conditions the pollution cannot rise and be dispersed. Cities surrounded by mountains also experience trapping of pollution. Inversion can happen in any season. Winter inversions are likely to cause particulate and carbon monoxide pollution. Summer inversions are more likely to create smog.

Indoor Air Pollution

Many people spend large portion of time indoors - as much as 80-90% of their lives. We work, study, eat, drink and sleep in enclosed environments where air circulation may be restricted. For these reasons, some experts feel that more people suffer from the effects of indoor air pollution than outdoor pollution. There are many sources of indoor air pollution. Tobacco smoke, cooking and heating appliances, and vapors from building materials, paints, furniture, etc. cause pollution inside buildings. Pollution exposure at home and work is often greater than outdoors. We estimate that indoor air pollutant levels are 25-62% greater than outside levels and can pose serious health problems. Both indoor and outdoor pollution need to be controlled .

Gaseous pollutants Greenhouse effect Acid rain Damage to the ozone layer Particulate matter Climatic effects

Air pollution can affect our health in many ways with both shortterm and long-term effects. Different groups of individuals are affected by air pollution in different ways. Some individuals are much more sensitive to pollutants than are others. Young children and elderly people often suffer more from the effects of air pollution. People with health problems such as asthma, heart and lung disease may also suffer more when the air is polluted. The extent to which an individual is harmed by air pollution usually depends on the total exposure to the damaging chemicals, i.e., the duration of exposure and the concentration of the chemicals must be taken into account.

How To Solve Air Pollution

Solutions to Air Pollution on the Industrial Level

Air pollution aggravates the health problems of elderly and others who have cardio and respiratory diseases. Though everybody plays a vital role in combating air pollution, the industry should be the most aggressive in the implementation of the Clean Air Act. Meeting the ambient air quality standards by installing equipment such as smokestack scrubbers, electrostatic precipitators, and other filters will regulate the emissions of various pollutants.

How To Solve Air Pollution

Individual Level

Every action or inaction of any person in regard to her or his surroundings has an effect- be it good, neutral or bad- on the environment. By becoming aware and doing the right action, we choose to be part of the solution. What comes to mind now to serve as reminder includes the following: Stop smoking or at least follow the No Smoking sign. Use unleaded gasoline in your cars Keep your car properly maintained to keep it in good running condition to avoid smoke emissions Never use open fires to dispose of wastes
Have a proper waste disposal system especially for toxic wastes Take very good care of your pets and their wastes. Never throw, run or drain or dispose into the water, air, or land any substance in solid, liquid or gaseous form that shall cause pollution. Do not cause loud noises and unwanted sounds to avoid noise pollution. Do not litter in public places. Anti-litter campaigns can educate the populace.