Air pollution is the combination of artificial or synthetic constituents in the air we inhale. It is one of the greatest coercions for the atmosphere and upsets everyone:-people, creatures, farm yields, towns, plantations, marine etc. Most of these air contaminants are considered particularly destructive to human health since they cause diseases, sensitive allergies, and to some extent, death. Pollution can be caused by both manly activities and natural processes.
Types of Air Pollution
There are mainly two categories of pollutants, namely primary and secondary pollutants.
Primary pollutants come into the environments unswervingly while the secondary is as a result of chemical reactions.
- Primary Pollutants
These are pollutants that are discharged straight from the source. They include carbon oxides, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, lead, volatile organic compounds. Carbon dioxide is a colourless, odourless gas that is present in the atmosphere at a small concentration and consists of two oxygen atoms. Carbon dioxide is added to the atmosphere through human activities when fuels like wood, coal, gasoline and natural gas are burned. In the process of burning, carbon released from the fuels combines with clean air (oxygen) to form carbon dioxide and water vapour. Most people use fuel for cooking, cooling or heating, therefore, making this an indoor activity which affects about half of the world’s population.
Nitrogen oxides are formed when nitrogen and oxygen gases combine in high temperatures. They are particularly manufactured from hot exhaust gases from vehicles and factories. Sulfur oxides are modules of acid rain. Sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide happen when sulfur from burning coal mixes with the air.
Lead, which is a very heavy metal was once widely used to in the manufacturing of fuels, pipes and paints. It was later established to cause brain damage and blood poisoning.
- Secondary Pollutants
These are pollutants that are instigated by responses in the air previously adulterated by primary radiations from greenhouses, automobiles and factories. An example of this secondary air pollution is photochemical smog. Photochemical smog is made up of secondary impurities like ozone, sulfuric and nitric acids, particulate matter among others. This is a cloud of vapour in the troposphere, complemented by high levels of ozone, and nitrogen oxides triggered by the accomplishment of sunlight on impurities. This occurs mostly during summer because that is when there is most sunlight. The ozone layer above in the sky shield’s us from the hazardous ultraviolet radiation, but when the ozone in nearer to the ground, it becomes unsafe for human health. The main effects of photochemical smog are damaged respiratory systems and other environmental systems with the discharge of nitrogen oxide.
Particulate matter is the amount of solid and liquid elements held up in the air, most of which are dangerous. This concentrated concoction consists of both organic and inorganic atoms such as smoke, pollen, dust, soot and liquid droplets.
Effects of Air Pollution
Various air pollutants have established or alleged dangerous consequences on human and the environment as well. Poor quality of air may cause respiratory diseases, damaged reproductive organs, cardiovascular damage, irritation on eyes, nose and throat etc.
The concentration of chemicals in water bodies and vegetation make it unsafe for animals which if consumed, may result in chronic respiratory diseases or even deaths. The only solution to a safe environment is to try and keep habits that pollute the air at bay.