Introduction to Air Pollution: Air pollution is the presence of foreign substances (pollutants) in the atmosphere, emitted by industries and motor vehicles that cause damage to living organisms.
Air pollution is the leading cause of several diseases. During the past few years, air pollution has emerged as one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
Air Pollutants: Air Pollutants refer to the liquids, solids and gases that are not normal constituents of air. Presence of such substances beyond tolerable limits may be hazardous to plant, animal and human life.
Air pollutants include oxides of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur, halogenated and non-halogenated hydrocarbons, suspended inorganic particulate matters, inorganic and organic acids, insecticides, bacteria, viruses, etc.
Also read: Essay on Environmental Pollution: Causes, Effects and Solution
Characteristics: Air pollution characteristics in a particular region are influenced by: * The type and amount of pollutant and their source of emission. * The topographical and meteorological conditions affecting dispersion, concentration and trans-boundary transport of pollutants. * The type of technology and various raw materials used in the manufacturing process and the type and quantum of emissions. * The extent of industrialization and population density.
Sources of air pollutants
Major sources of air pollution includes both natural sources and man-made source (anthropogenic).
A. Natural sources:
The natural sources of air pollutants includes volcanic eruptions, forest fires, deflation of sands and dusts, storms, etc.
Pollutants from natural sources
Volcanoes: Volcanic activity produces pollutants such as ashes, smokes, carbon dioxide, chlorine, sulfur, dust and other gases.
Land surface: The dusts and soil particles from large ground surfaces, and salts from seas and ocean, etc. often get mixed with earth’s