AIR

Air is a vital component of Earth's ecosystem, providing essential gases necessary for
life. However, human activities and natural processes contribute to air pollution, which has
significant environmental and health effects. Addressing air pollution is crucial to sustaining
ecosystems and ensuring public well-being.

Components and their percentages:

• Nitrogen (78%)
• Oxygen (21%)
• Argon (0.93%)
• Carbon Dioxide (0.04%)
• Other trace gases (Neon, Xenon, Ozone, Methane, etc.)

Layers of the Atmosphere

The atmosphere is composed of several layers, each with distinct characteristics:
1. Troposphere - Closest to the Earth's surface, where weather occurs.
2. Stratosphere - Contains the ozone layer, which absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation.
3. Mesosphere - Protects Earth from meteoroids by burning them up.
4. Thermosphere - Hosts the ionosphere, which facilitates radio communication.
5. Exosphere - The outermost layer, where air molecules gradually dissipate into space

Clean Air
Clean air consists of essential gases and components that support life and maintain ecological
balance. These include:

Constituent Description Sources Properties Effects

Nitrogen Major component Atmosphere Inert, colorless, Supports plant
(N₂) of air, non-reactive odorless growth, dilutes
gas oxygen
concentration
Oxygen (O₂) Essential for Photosynthesis, Reactive, Vital for life,
respiration and atmosphere colorless, supports
combustion odorless combustion
Argon (Ar) Inert noble gas Atmosphere Non-reactive, Used in lighting,
colorless welding
Carbon Greenhouse gas, Respiration, Colorless, Regulates
Dioxide used by plants in combustion slightly acidic temperature,
(CO₂) photosynthesis excessive levels
cause warming
Neon (Ne) Inert noble gas, Atmosphere Colorless, Used in neon
used in lighting glows in signs, lasers
discharge tubes
Xenon (Xe) Heavy noble gas, Atmosphere Dense, Used in medical
used in lighting colorless, emits imaging,
blue glow specialized
lighting
Ozone (O₃) Protective layer in Sunlight reaction Sharp odor, Absorbs UV
the stratosphere with O₂ highly reactive radiation, harmful
at ground level
Methane Potent greenhouse Decomposition, Flammable, Contributes to
(CH₄) gas livestock odorless climate change
Ammonia Naturally Decay of organic Pungent smell, Irritates
(NH₃) occurring matter alkaline respiratory system
compound
 Water Vapor Essential for Evaporation, Colorless, Regulates
(H₂O) weather and respiration varies in temperature,
climate concentration forms clouds
Helium (He) Lightest noble gas, Radioactive Non-reactive, Used in medical
used in cooling decay, natural low density imaging, balloons
gas
Krypton Noble gas used in Atmosphere Non-reactive, Used in high-
(Kr) lighting emits light in performance
tubes lighting
Hydrogen Lightest element, Water Highly Used in fuel cells,
(H₂) potential clean fuel electrolysis, stars flammable, industry
colorless
Nitrous Greenhouse gas, Soil processes, Slightly sweet Contributes to
Oxide (N₂O) used in anesthesia combustion odor, oxidizer warming, medical
use in anesthesia

Dirty Air
Dirty air contains pollutants that negatively affect the environment and health.
The pollutants come from industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, burning fossil fuels, and other
human activities. They contribute to respiratory diseases, acid rain, and global warming

CONSTITUENT DESCRIPTION SOURCES PROPERTIES EFFECTS

Carbon Monoxide A colorless, Vehicle Toxic, reduces Causes
(CO) odorless gas emissions, oxygen dizziness,
produced from industrial transport in the headaches,
incomplete processes, blood respiratory
combustion of residential distress, and
carbon- heating, can be fatal in
containing fuels wildfires high
concentrations
Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) A toxic gas with Coal and oil Colorless, Causes
a strong odor that combustion, pungent smell, respiratory
can lead to acid industrial dissolves in issues, acid rain
rain processes, water to form damages
volcanic sulfuric acid ecosystems and
eruptions infrastructure
Ozone (O₃) A secondary Vehicle Sharp-smelling, Causes
pollutant formed emissions, highly reactive respiratory
by reactions industrial problems,
between sunlight activities damages crops,
and pollutants and contributes
like VOCs and to smog
NOx formation
Particulate Matter Fine particles Industrial Varies in size Causes lung
(PM2.5, PM10) suspended in the emissions, and diseases,
air vehicle composition cardiovascular
exhaust, issues
wildfires
Nitrogen Oxides Reactive gases Vehicle Highly reactive, Leads to
(NOx) that contribute to emissions, pungent odor respiratory
smog and acid power plants issues and
rain environmental
damage
 Benzene (C₆H₆) A carcinogenic Vehicle Volatile, Causes
organic exhaust, aromatic leukemia,
compound industrial hydrocarbon nervous system
emissions disorders
Hydrogen Sulfide A toxic gas with Decay of Colorless, Causes eye and
(H₂S) a rotten egg smell organic flammable, respiratory
matter, poisonous irritation
industrial
processes
Lead (Pb) A toxic heavy Industrial Heavy metal, Causes
metal emissions, persistent in neurological
leaded fuels environment damage,
developmental
issues in
children
Dioxins and Furans Persistent organic Industrial Highly toxic, Leads to
pollutants waste accumulates in cancer, immune
incineration, fat tissues system damage
chemical
processes
Formaldehyde A volatile organic Building Strong- Causes
(HCHO) compound materials, smelling, highly respiratory
tobacco reactive issues,
smoke carcinogenic
Chlorofluorocarbons Synthetic Refrigerants, Stable, long- Destroys the
(CFCs) compounds used aerosol lasting ozone layer
in refrigeration sprays
Hydrofluoric Acid A highly Industrial Colorless, Causes severe
(HF) corrosive acid processes highly toxic burns, damages
tissues
Polycyclic Aromatic Organic Vehicle Persistent, Causes
Hydrocarbons pollutants from exhaust, carcinogenic respiratory
(PAHs) incomplete burning of diseases, cancer
combustion organic
matter
Mercury Vapor A toxic heavy Coal Colorless, Affects the
(HG) metal in gaseous combustion, highly toxic nervous
form industrial system,
emissions bioaccumulates
in food chain
Ozone-Depleting Chemicals that Industrial Stable, reacts Contributes to
Substances (ODS) degrade the emissions, with ozone ozone layer
ozone layer refrigerants depletion
Sulfuric Acid A corrosive acid Industrial Strong acid, Damages
(H₂SO₄) contributing to emissions, highly reactive infrastructure,
acid rain chemical acidifies water
reactions bodies
Nitric Acid (HNO₃) A strong acid Vehicle Colorless, Reduces soil
leading to acid emissions, corrosive and water
rain power plants quality
Peroxyacetyl Nitrate A secondary Vehicle Reactive, eye- Leads to lung
(PANs) pollutant emissions, irritating irritation and
contributing to industrial smog formation
smog sources
Hydrofluorocarbons Man-made Refrigerants, Stable, long- Contributes to
(HFCs) greenhouse gases aerosol lasting climate change
propellants
Air Pollution ; Causes and Sources

• Natural Sources:
o Volcanic Eruptions – Release gases and ash.
o Wildfires – Emit carbon monoxide and particulates.
o Dust Storms – Carry fine particles over large distances.
• Human Activities:
o Industrial Emissions – Factories release NOₓ, SO₂, and PM.
o Transportation – Vehicles emit CO and hydrocarbons.
o Agriculture – Fertilizers release ammonia.
o Residential Heating – Burning coal and wood produces harmful pollutants.
o Deforestation – Reduces oxygen production and increases CO₂ levels.

Effects of Air Pollution

• On Human Health:
o Short-term: Coughing, wheezing, throat irritation, dizziness, headaches.
o Long-term: Respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, birth defects, premature
death.
• On the Environment:
o Vegetation Damage – Exposure to ozone harms plants.
o Eutrophication – Excess nutrients disrupt aquatic ecosystems.
o Acidification – Acid rain degrades soil and water bodies.
• On Animals:
o Respiratory Issues – Direct inhalation of pollutants.
o Food Chain Disruption – Pollutants accumulate in organisms.
o Habitat Degradation – Deforestation and pollution alter ecosystems.

Elimination of Air Pollution

Methods & Practices to reduce air pollution

• Transition to renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydro)
• Implementation of stricter emission regulations
• Use of public transportation and electric vehicles
• Afforestation and reforestation programs
• Adoption of clean industrial technologies
Air Pollution Prevention Strategies
Outdoor Solutions:
• Reduce vehicle emissions.
• Promote energy efficiency.
• Encourage recycling and sustainable resource use.
• Plant trees to absorb CO₂.
Air Pollution Control Technologies
1. Filtration Systems
o HEPA Filters – Capture fine particles.
o Electrostatic Precipitators – Remove particulate matter.
o Cyclone Separators – Separate larger particles.
2. Scrubbers
o Dry Scrubbers – Adsorb pollutants using activated carbon.
o Wet Scrubbers – Neutralize acid gases.
3. Settling Chambers – Allow large particles to settle before releasing clean air.

"Clean air, healthy lives—breathe the change!"