Air Pollution: Causes, Side Effects and Control Measures

Air Pollution: Causes, Side Effects and Control Measures

Air is an essential element for man, animal and plant world. The atmosphere is found all around us in which the fraction of different gases is present. When there is an excess or decrease in its normal amount, then the condition of air pollution arises. The definition of air pollution has been given in the Prevention of Pollution Act as follows- “Air pollution means any solid, liquid or gaseous substance present in the atmosphere, including noise, in such concentration which is harmful to human beings, other living beings or plants or the environment.” may be harmful or is prone to cause harm."

The causes of air pollution can be seen by dividing it into two parts-

Nature is the cause of (1) natural air pollution and (2) artificial or man-made air pollution. Dangerous gases, lava, dust, smoke emanating from the eruption of a volcano, falling mountains or rocks, dust storms, lightning, etc. are natural causes due to which the air is getting polluted. The noise of machines is also a cause of noise air pollution.

Dust- The dust of iron ore and coal mines causes many types of diseases in the wealthy working there. Aerosols released from refrigerators and jets are harmful.

Smoke – Smoke produced by burning domestic fuel and smoke from factory chimneys and thermal power stations spreads air pollution. This smoke contains unburnt carbon particles, toxic gases and gases such as hydrocarbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, which are the cause of air pollution.

Increasing number of industries – The smoke coming out of the chimneys of the factories of rapid industrialization which enters the atmosphere in the form of gases is also the main source of air pollution. Industries related to cement, brick kilns and chemicals release a large amount of gases which pollute the atmosphere.

Use of Pesticides – Nowadays, many types of insecticides are sprayed in the fields to destroy the pests that damage the crops. Due to this type of spraying, toxic chemicals reach wide areas of the atmosphere in the form of vapors and fine particles and cause serious air pollution. These chemicals are likely to cause diseases related to the eye and respiratory system.

Side Effects of Air Pollution- The following side effects come to the fore due to air pollution- (1) Life in the metropolis has become very difficult due to increasing air pollution and toxic gases. Due to the smoke and toxic gases emitted from the factory, the breathing process of human beings is being affected very badly.

(2) The smoke emanating from the vehicles is also no less deadly. The smoke from the engine of the car causes headache and nausea, darkening of the eyes, and lack of oxygen in the blood.

(3) Hydrocarbons are released in the smoke from the residual and burnt fuel of vehicles, due to which there is a possibility of cancer.

(4) Large vehicles release lead into the air which is toxic and dissolves bones.

(5) The risk of diseases like cough, asthma, lung cancer etc. has increased due to air pollution.

(6) Due to the rising fog of smoke, there is a burning sensation in the eyes.

(7) Smoke and toxic gases from factories and vehicles are directly attacking the ozone layer above the atmosphere and this has created a hole in the protective shield of ozone. The ozone layer blocks the dangerous ultraviolet rays from the sun to the earth. Due to the hole in the ozone layer, ultraviolet rays start coming directly to the earth. This increases the risk of skin cancer. These rays also have a bad effect on the eyes.

A study of the amount of pollution in the air and its increasing effect was done in the metropolis of Delhi, on the basis of which it was estimated that the pollution in the metropolis would increase so much that it would become difficult to breathe and stations would be opened to fill cylinders of oxygen gas in places. Due to which there will be long queues of people who will stand to fill gas to breathe. It is clear from this how the environment is becoming toxic due to air pollution. If the gases emitted from vehicles and other flammable materials are not controlled immediately, then this earth will not be habitable for humans and other animals.

For almost 100 years, scientists have been warning that due to the continuous increase in the amount of carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere, the warming of the earth will increase. The weather will change as the heat rises. In hot areas, there will be drought due to unfathomable heat. There will be heavy damage to crops. As temperatures rise, the ice at the poles will melt. Rivers will be flooded due to melting snow. The sea level will rise and cities and people will start drowning. It is a dreadful fear of the future.

Measures to control air pollution

(1) Domestic fuel combustion has to be got rid of. However, traditional sources are becoming scarce. Smokeless chulhas can be used in rural areas. Solar Energy, Modern LPG Use of dung gas and biogas should be encouraged.

(2) Control devices should be installed on the gases emitted from various types of vehicles, automatic machines. The use of heavy vehicles should be banned like the use of odd-even vehicles was used recently in the Delhi Municipal Corporation. Due to this, while on one hand the traffic bottleneck will end, on the other hand air pollution will be stopped.

(3) Drugs, pesticides, which release toxic gases, should be stopped or controlled. (4) Refining plants should be set up at oil refineries.

(5) Garbage should not be thrown in the open.

(6) Even dead animals should not be thrown in the open.

(7) Green belts should be developed so that oxygen can be obtained and carbon dioxide can be used.

(8) Pollution related surveys should be conducted regularly and information should be collected and treated.

(9) Green houses should not be encouraged much.

(10) Sulfur dioxide mixed with air should be separated by gas vulfization (PGD) method.

(11) 550°C. has. There is less emission of nitrogen oxides when burning coal at higher temperatures. Now the emissions of carbon monoxide should be reduced by converting such fuels into combustion systems.

(12) Consciousness should be created in the public about the knowledge related to air pollution. This work should be done at every level.

(13) Schools, NGOs And public awareness should be made by government establishments to stop air pollution. Its promotion is necessary in rural areas, otherwise air pollution will increase in cities as well as in rural areas.

(14) Electrostatic processivators should be installed to separate industries, dust etc.

(15) Use of electric crematoriums should be encouraged in place of firewood for cremation.

(16) The Explosive Act (1908) should be followed and the Air Prevention and Control Pollution Act 1981 should be strictly followed.

(17) Forest development should be stopped. Plantation should be encouraged.

(18) Increasing population is also helpful in destroying the environment because due to the needs of increased population, forests etc. are being destroyed, so population growth should be controlled.