Context
Air pollution
Sources of air pollution
Short term effects of air pollution
Long term effects of air pollution
What is Air pollution?
Air pollution is generally accomplished through the pollutants of gases and solid and liquids particles of both organic and inoragnic chemical.
Air pollution is the contamination of air due to the presence of substances in the atmosphere that are harmful to the health of humans and other living beings, or cause damage to the climate or to materials.
Sources of Air pollution
Indoor Air Pollution
Pollution enters the Earth's atmosphere in many different ways. Most air pollution is created by people, taking the form of emissions from factories, cars, planes, or aerosol cans. Second-hand cigarette smoke is also considered air pollution. These man-made sources of pollution are called anthropogenic sources.
Some types of air pollution, such as smoke from wildfires or ash from volcanoes, occur naturally. These are called natural sources
Air pollution is usually thought of as smoke from large factories or exhaust from vehicles. But there are many types of indoor air pollution as well.
Heating a house by burning substances such as kerosene, wood, and coal can contaminate the air inside the house. Ash and smoke make breathing difficult, and they can stick to walls, food, and clothing.
Naturally-occurring radon gas, a cancer-causing material, can also build up in homes. Radon is released through the surface of the Earth. Inexpensive systems installed by professionals can reduce radon levels.
Some construction materials, including insulation, are also dangerous to people's health. In addition, ventilation, or air movement, in homes and rooms can lead to the spread of toxic mold. A single colony of mold may exist in a damp, cool place in a house, such as between walls. The mold's spores enter the air and spread throughout the house. People can become sick from breathing in the spores.
there are two major sources of air pollution as follows:
1- Natural sources :
Such as volcanic eruptions, deflation of sand and dust , forest or wild fires of natural vegetation
2 Man made sources
Man made sources with human activites , such as industries , factories , urban centres ,aircraft , nuclear experiments automobiles, agriculture , power plants.
Principle of air pollutants emitted from these different sources are as follows ;
1 Carbon compound
these are mainly CO2 and CO the former released by complete combustion of fossil fuels and the later by automobile exhausts.
2 Sulphaur compounds
these include SO2 ,H2S and H2SO4 . Mostly released by fossil fuel based power generating plants and industrial units as refineries
3 Nitrogen oxides
these include chiefly nitrogen monooxide , nitrogen oxide, nitric acid mostly released by automobiles, power plants and industries
4 Ozone
It level may rise in atmosphere due to human activities
5 fluoro carbons ;
These come from industries, insecticides spray etc .
6 hydro carbons;
These are chiefly benzene, benzpyrene etc , which are mostly discharged by automobiles and industries
7 Metal
these include mainly lead , nickel,arsenic, beryllium,tin,vanadium,titanium,cadmium etc.
effects of air pollution on human health
Effects can be broken down into short-term effects and long-term effects.
Short-term effects of air pollution
Short-term effects, which are temporary, include illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchitis. They also include discomfort such as irritation to the nose, throat, eyes, or skin. Air pollution can also cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
Long term effects of air pollution
Long-term exposure to polluted air can have permanent health effects such as: Accelerated aging of the lungs. Loss of lung capacity and decreased lung function. Development of diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and possibly cancer.
What are the long-term causes of air pollution?
Household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities and forest fires are common sources of air pollution. Pollutants of major public health concern include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide.
Effect of Air pollution on economy
Air pollution has become a critical issue in many developing countries lately .The issue has received a lot of media attention espically since it is responsible for premature deaths and other health issues. However air pollution has economic consequences too.
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