Air Pollution Essay

 Air Pollution Essay

Air pollution is a mix of hazardous solid or gaseous substances into the atmosphere that are very harmful for humans and all living beings and can affect the whole environment.

Presence of harmful substances polluted the air, which are called pollutants. There are six major air pollutants identified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These are carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone, particulate matter and lead.

Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide are emitted directly into the air by burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, natural gas, fuel oil. Tiny solid or liquid particles which are less than 10 micrometres in size are called particulates such as dust, smoke, fumes, mist etc. are significant air pollutants and are very harmful for human health. Toxic lead fumes are important pollutants and are harmful for children.

Causes of Air Pollution

Burning fossil fuels-

Burning fossil fuels such as coal, gasoline, natural gas to produce energy for transportation or electricity which release carbon dioxide into the air, is a main cause of air pollution.

Agricultural activities

Ammonia is one of the most hazardous gases in the atmosphere which is release in the air as a common by-product of agricultural activities. The farmers also burn weeds in the fields to clean them for the next round of sowing. Burning weeds also released harmful gases in the air.

Waste in Landfills

Landfills are land areas where waste or garbage is deposited or buried. These garbage or waste release methane in the air which is a harmful gas.

Mining operations

During mining, dust and chemicals are released into the air and polluted the air.

Household products

50% of commercial cleaning products have harmful ingredients that are harmful for our respiratory system. Formaldehyde, used as preservative or disinfectant was voted as the “Allergen of the Year” in 2015. Ammonia, bleach, fragrance, painting supplies etc. emit toxic chemicals in the air which causes air pollution.

Natural causes

The ozone layer acts as a shield to protect the Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are used in refrigerator, air-conditioners, aircrafts and in many industrial processes that harm the ozone layer. Though Ozone gas protects the earth, it is also one of the main air pollutants, which is the cause for smog in cities.

Natural events like volcanic eruption, forest fire, dust, storms, pollen, mold spores, aerosol etc. are the causes of air pollution.

Deforestation

In the day time, the trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen into the air during photosynthesis. At night, the trees breathe out a small quantity of carbon dioxide during respiration. The extra carbon dioxide is stored into the trees as carbon. When the trees burn, the stored carbon dioxide get released into the air again and causes air pollution. Deforestation is one of the main causes of increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the environment.

Effects of Air Pollutions

Acid rain

Sulfur dioxide is harmful for lung tissue. Sulfur dioxide reacts with water vapour and oxygen in the air and produces sulphuric acid that comes down as rain, called acid rain. Acid rain destroys the water eco-system by killing aquatic animals. It also damages the crops, soils, constructions etc.

Essay on Pollution

Ozone and smog effects

Smog is one kind of air pollution that is very harmful for humans, animals and also plants. Ozone can cause itchy burning eyes, respiratory illness, skin cancer, cataracts, and impaired immune system.

Global warming

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, which trap the heat of the sun and prevent the heat from the earth to radiate back into the space, result raising the atmospheric temperature. Increasing of earth’s average temperature is called global warming.

Climate change

Carbon dioxide trap the sun’s heat and increases the temperature of earth, as a result climate change progress. Climate change affects the weather phenomena, droughts, flood, forest fire, death or extinction of many species of flora and fauna. Climate change also responsible for water pollution that affects the agriculture and change the crop cycle.

Growth of population, urbanization, industrialization, deforestation, vehicular emission etc. make the air polluted which make the cities smoky, dusty, smelly or noisy. About 7 million people die for air pollution every year.

How to reduce air pollution

Prevention is the best solution for air pollution. To stop air pollution, we should plant more and more trees. We should use biodegradable things. We can reduce air pollution by using eco-friendly fuels like bio-gas, CNG or LPG. Using public transport and carpool reduce the less emission of carbon dioxide, smoke and carbon monoxide into the air. Recycle paper, plastics, metals and organic materials to reduce air pollution.

Conclusion

Air pollution is a major threat to the whole world. Raise public awareness and influence people by educating them about the causes and effects of air pollution. Our awareness and love for nature can make this planet healthy and beautiful.