In the 21st Century, Air pollution has become a great challenge to the world which can be either outdoor air pollution or indoor air pollution. Interestingly a lot of actions are being taken by different organizations, countries, etc to minimize the effects of air pollution. Including greenhouse gas effects, ozone depletion, and photochemical smog, a lot of scenarios affect all living and non-living beings on Earth.
A lot of air pollutants including toxic gaseous compounds can be found, which are mainly formed due to human activities. Whenever we inhale, there can be many air pollutants in the air that we breathe. By having short-term or long-term effects, air pollutants can affect humans and the environment.
Content
- What are the air pollutant gases
- How air pollutant gases are generated
- What are the effects of air pollutant gases
- How can we control the air pollutant gas emissions
What are the Air Pollutant Gases
The polluted air may have particles in the solid state, liquid droplets, and gases. There are several pollutants causing air pollution.
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Nitrogen oxides (NO)
- Ground-level ozone (O3)
- Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5)
- Sulfur oxides (SO2)
The available components in polluted air can be varied based on
- Weather on that particular moment
- Season
- Types of sources
- Number of sources.
How air pollutant gases are generated
Mainly it is due to human activities including
- Industrialization
- Automobiles
- Power generation
- Smoking etc.
Also, natural scenarios like bushfires, etc can cause air pollutants. Even though we can't control natural scenarios, anthropogenic causes can be controlled in a significant manner.
What are the effects of air pollutant gases
Both humans and the environment are affected by the effects of air pollutant gases.
Effects on humans
Whenever you are exposed to polluted air, a wide range of health effects can arise. It can be either tiny symptoms like irritation of your nose, throat, and eyes or more adverse effects like respiratory or cardiovascular diseases.
These health effects can be either short-term or long-term. However, these two types of exposure have different health effects based on the particular air pollutant.
- Usually, pre-existing diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, or heart diseases can be exacerbated or worsened by short-term exposure.
- The long term exposure can develop respiratory or cardiovascular diseases and even reduce the life span of a person.
So basically, people with asthma, lung diseases, and heart diseases can be severely affected. They can be identified as the more susceptible people.
Effects on the environment
Both plants and animals can be impacted by air pollutants.
- The rate of photosynthesis can be reduced leading to issues of food security. The reductions in agricultural crop and commercial forest yields can be led.
- The growth and survivability of tree seedlings can be reduced.
- plant susceptibility to disease, pests, and other environmental stresses such as harsh weather can be increased
- Animals show birth defects, reproductive failure, and disease due to exposure to air pollutants
Simple steps to protect your health from air pollution
What we can do is either reduce air pollution or limit exposure to air pollution.
Simple steps for individuals to reduce air pollution can be selecting cleaner domestic heaters or reducing the number of trips by your vehicle and shifting to public transport etc.
How can we reduce exposure to the air pollutants
- Consider where and when air pollution can be severe
- Avoid your leisure walks and exercises near busy roads or in industrial areas
- Minimize air pollution inside your own home
- Use face masks while traveling through heavy congested traffic
The air pollutants and their management is a global concern where we all should contribute together as individuals, nations, and a globe not a single step does a lot. But by above mentioned simple practices let's reduce the exposure.