Causes of Air pollution

1. Burning of Fossil Fuels: Sulfur dioxide emitted from the combustion of fossil fuels like coal, petroleum
and other factory combustibles is one the major cause of air pollution. Pollution emitting from vehicles
including trucks, jeeps, cars, trains, airplanes cause immense amount of pollution. We rely on them to fulfill
our daily basic needs of transportation. But, there overuse is killing our environment as dangerous gases are
polluting the environment. Carbon Monooxide caused by improper or incomplete combustion and generally
emitted from vehicles is another major pollutant along with Nitrogen Oxides, that is produced from both
natural and man made processes.

2. Agricultural activities: Ammonia is a very common by product from agriculture related activities and is
one of the most hazardous gases in the atmosphere. Use of insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers in
agricultural activities has grown quite a lot. They emit harmful chemicals into the air and can also cause
water pollution.

3. Exhaust from factories and industries: Manufacturing industries release large amount of carbon
monoxide, hydrocarbons, organic compounds, and chemicals into the air thereby depleting the quality of
air. Manufacturing industries can be found at every corner of the earth and there is no area that has not been
affected by it. Petroleum refineries also release hydrocarbons and various other chemicals that pollute the
air and also cause land pollution.

4. Mining operations: Mining is a process wherein minerals below the earth are extracted using large
equipments. During the process dust and chemicals are released in the air causing massive air pollution.
This is one of the reason which is responsible for the deteriorating health conditions of workers and nearby
residents.

5. Indoor air pollution: Household cleaning products, painting supplies emit toxic chemicals in the air and
cause air pollution. Have you ever noticed that once you paint walls of your house, it creates some sort of
smell which makes it literally impossible for you to breathe.

Suspended particulate matter popular by its acronym SPM, is another cause of pollution. Referring to the
particles afloat in the air, SPM is usually caused by dust, combustion etc.

Effects of Air pollution

2. Global warming: Another direct effect is the immediate alterations that the world is witnessing due to
Global warming. With increased temperatures world wide, increase in sea levels and melting of ice from
colder regions and icebergs, displacement and loss of habitat have already signaled an impending disaster if
actions for preservation and normalization aren’t undertaken soon.

3. Acid Rain: Harmful gases like nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides are released into the atmosphere during
the burning of fossil fuels. When it rains, the water droplets combines with these air pollutants, becomes
acidic and then falls on the ground in the form of acid rain. Acid rain can cause great damage to human,
animals and crops.
4. Eutrophication: Eutrophication is a condition where high amount of nitrogen present in some pollutants
gets developed on sea’s surface and turns itself into algae and and adversely affect fish, plants and animal
species. The green colored algae that is present on lakes and ponds is due to presence of this chemical only.

5. Effect on Wildlife: Just like humans, animals also face some devastating affects of air pollution. Toxic
chemicals present in the air can force wildlife species to move to new place and change their habitat. The
toxic pollutants deposit over the surface of the water and can also affect sea animals.

6. Depletion of Ozone layer: Ozone exists in earth’s stratosphere and is responsible for protecting humans from
harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Earth’s ozone layer is depleting due to the presence of chlorofluorocarbons, hydro
chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere. As ozone layer will go thin, it will emit harmful rays back on earth and can
cause skin and eye related problems. UV rays also have the capability to affect crops.

When you try to study the sources of Air pollution, you enlist a series of activities and interactions that
create these pollutants. There are two types of sources that we will take a look at: Natural sources and
Man-made sources.

Natural sources of pollution include dust carried by the wind from locations with very little or no green
cover, gases released from the body processes of living beings (Carbon dioxide from humans during
respiration, Methane from cattle during digestion, Oxygen from plants during Photosynthesis). Smoke from
the combustion of various inflammable objects, volcanic eruptions etc along with the emission of polluted
gases also make it to the list of Natural sources of Pollution.

While looking at the man-made contributions towards air pollution, smoke again features as a prominent
component. The smoke emitted from various forms of combustion like in bio mass, factories, vehicles,
furnaces etc. Waste used to create landfills generate methane, that is harmful in several ways. The reactions
of certain gases and chemicals also form harmful fumes that can be dangerous to the well being of living
creatures.

Solutions for Air Pollution

2. Conserve energy: Switch off fans and lights when you are going out. Large amount of fossil fuels are
burnt to produce electricity. You can save the environment from degradation by reducing the amount of
fossil fuels to be burned.

3. Understand the concept of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle: Do not throw away items that are of no use to
you. In-fact reuse them for some other purpose. For e.g. you can use old jars to store cereals or pulses.

4. Emphasis on clean energy resources: Clean energy technologies like solar, wind and geothermal are on
high these days. Governments of various countries have been providing grants to consumers who are
interested in installing solar panels for their home. This will go a long way to curb air pollution.

5. Use energy efficient devices: CFL lights consume less electricity as against their counterparts. They live
longer, consume less electricity, lower electricity bills and also help you to reduce pollution by consuming
less energy.

Several attempts are being made world wide on a personal, industrial and governmental levels to curb the
intensity at which Air Pollution is rising and regain a balance as far as the proportions of the foundation
gases are concerned. This is a direct attempt at slacking Global warming. We are seeing a series of
innovations and experiments aimed at alternate and unconventional options to reduce pollutants. Air
Pollution is one of the larger mirrors of man’s follies, and a challenge we need to overcome to see a
tomorrow.