Causes of Air Pollution Which Makes Our Lungs Suffocate
As the world is moving forward with advancements and progress in technology, the air quality is deteriorating day by day. The factories, industries, and petrol-driven cars that we, humans invented for development and comfort, have now become the sources of air pollution and started to suffocate our lungs with impure air. Many reasons for air pollution deprive us of the right to breathe fresh air and live in a healthy environment. In this article, we will emphasize What causes air pollution and how it is affecting our lives.
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What is Air Pollution?
Air pollution refers to the deterioration of air quality by the suspension of solid, liquid, and gaseous harmful particles into the air. The solid and liquid particles released into the air are scientifically called aerosols. According to a study conducted by WHO, approximately seven million deaths around the globe are happening because of air pollution. The main causes of air pollution are the release of sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and volatile organic compounds, etc.
Types of Air Pollutants
Air can get polluted in two ways:
Primary pollutants: These are the ones that directly make the air polluted. For example, when factories release sulfur dioxide, it becomes a primary pollutant.
Secondary pollutants: These are formed when primary pollutants mix and react with each other. A good example is smog, which happens when smoke and fog mingle, creating a secondary pollutant.
How does Air get Polluted?
Air pollution is one of the most serious and challenging environmental issues that the whole world is facing. Despite several attempts, agreements, and conferences, air pollution seems to be worsening in many countries. To understand why such a situation is being currently faced by the countries, we need to first learn what causes air pollution. It will give us a clear idea to map out what areas need to be controlled to bring down the air pollution. The list below shows the 7 causes of air pollution, which are as follows:
1. Burning fossils to Produce Energy
One of the major reasons for air pollution is the burning of fossils like coal, petroleum to generate electricity or use them for transportation. The burning of fossils leads to the release of carbon monoxide into the air. This reduces the heart’s pumping capacity to produce oxygen and leads to respiratory problems in humans.
2. Wildfires and Volcanic Eruption
The harmful gases released by the eruption of volcanoes or wildfires also lead to air pollution. These two are the natural causes of air pollution. The gases erupt by the wildfires raise the PM 2.5 level in the air which then collides with the toxic chemical components already present in the air. As a result, a heavy sheet of smog is created which leads to severe breathing problems.
3. Vehicle Movement: Automobiles
It’s a well-known fact that transportation is one of the major sources of air pollution, particularly in cities. The vehicle movement leads to emissions of several toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, PM 10, and so on. All these gases raise the temperature of the air which ultimately leads to the depletion of the ozone layer.
4. Harmful Decay of Microbes
This is one of the causes of air pollution that is rarely acknowledged by many. The decay of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi in the environment by the emission of gases from chemical and textile industries leads to the release of methane gas.
5. Emission From Industries
Industrial emission is undoubtedly one of the biggest reasons for air pollution. Industries that are running primarily on wood and coal emit harmful gases like carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, PM 2.5 and 10, and more. The release of such harmful gases in the air deteriorates our health and leads to either eye irritation, respiratory issues, or even chronic diseases.
6. Burning of Waste in an Open Area
Burning of waste and garbage at a large scale in the open is one of the main causes of air pollution in several cities around the world. This human activity leads to emissions of such hazardous gases that even exposure to it can lead to serious health threats like impairment of the reproductive system, liver problems, etc.
7. Indoor Activities
Whenever we search for answers for what causes air pollution, we often consider the external factors only. The fact that our indoor activities can also lead to air pollution inside our homes never crosses our minds. But it’s one reality. The use of wood stoves or smoking cigarettes inside or using heaters to increase humidity without proper ventilation leads to air pollution and can pose serious health issues.
Effects of Air Pollution
Air pollution harms the environment in various ways:
1. Health Issues
Breathing polluted air can cause respiratory problems and heart diseases in humans. Lung cancer cases have risen, especially in the last few decades. Children living in polluted areas are more likely to suffer from pneumonia and asthma. Unfortunately, many people lose their lives each year due to the direct or indirect impacts of air pollution.
2. Global Warming
Greenhouse gas emissions upset the balance of gases in the air, leading to a rise in Earth's temperature known as global warming. This warming contributes to the melting of glaciers and a subsequent increase in sea levels, causing flooding in various regions.
3. Acid Rain
Burning fossil fuels releases harmful gases like nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides. When these pollutants combine with water droplets, they form acidic rain that damages human, animal, and plant life.
4. Ozone Layer Depletion
The release of substances like chlorofluorocarbons into the atmosphere is a major contributor to the depletion of the ozone layer. This thinning of the ozone layer allows harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun to reach the Earth, leading to skin diseases and eye problems in individuals.
5. Impact on Animals
Air pollutants suspended in water bodies adversely affect aquatic life. Pollution also forces animals to leave their natural habitats, making them stray and contributing to the extinction of many animal species.
What are the Examples of Air Pollution?
Mostly, air pollutants cannot be seen by the naked eye or smell. But to imply that they won’t be available in high amounts because of this is outright wrong. Some major gases lead to the greenhouse effect and ultimately contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. The common greenhouse gases that are examples of air pollution as well are carbon dioxide and methane.
The examples of air pollution are as follows:
Natural Causes of Air Pollution
Increasing temperature
Wildfires
Volcanic eruption
Wind currents
Anthropogenic Sources of Pollution
Transportation
Garbage Burning
Mining and chemical activities
Construction activities
Controlling Air Pollution: Simple Steps
To tackle air pollution, here are some straightforward measures you can take:
1. Limit Vehicle Use:
Opt for public transport when traveling short distances.
This not only helps prevent pollution but also saves energy.
2. Conserve Energy:
Turn off electrical appliances when not in use to reduce the burning of fossil fuels.
Use energy-efficient devices like CFLs to further control pollution.
3. Embrace Clean Energy:
Utilise solar, wind, and geothermal energies to decrease air pollution.
Many countries, including India, are adopting these resources for a cleaner environment.
4. Other Measures to Control Air Pollution:
Minimise the use of fire and fire-related products.
Control or treat pollutants at the source to minimise industrial emissions.
Substitute raw materials with less polluting alternatives.
Replace petrol and diesel with CNG-fueled vehicles to reduce vehicular emissions.
Ensure that existing air quality practices are enforced properly.
Test and regulate vehicle emissions to keep the roads cleaner.
Modify and maintain industrial equipment to minimise pollutant emissions.
Use process control equipment when controlling pollutants at the source is challenging.
Dilute air pollutants to control their concentration.
Plant trees in areas with high pollution levels as they effectively reduce pollutants in the air.
Conclusion
From this article we have learnt about the various reasons why air pollution is caused. In order to curb air pollution, we need to take actions against the causes which are mentioned above. For example, we can limit the use of private vehicles and opt for public transport in order to curb air pollution.
FAQs on Causes of Air Pollution
1. What are the main causes of air pollution, categorised by their origin?
The causes of air pollution can be broadly categorised into two main types based on their origin: Natural Sources and Human-Made (Anthropogenic) Sources.
- Human-Made Causes: These are the most significant contributors and include the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil) for electricity and transport, industrial emissions of gases like SO2 and NOx, agricultural activities (ammonia from fertilisers, methane from livestock), and waste incineration.
- Natural Causes: These include events like volcanic eruptions releasing ash and sulphur dioxide, wildfires producing smoke and particulate matter, and large-scale dust storms.
2. What is the fundamental difference between primary and secondary air pollutants?
The fundamental difference lies in how they are formed. Primary pollutants are substances emitted directly into the atmosphere from a source. For example, carbon monoxide (CO) from a car's exhaust or sulphur dioxide (SO2) from a factory chimney are primary pollutants. In contrast, secondary pollutants are not emitted directly. They form in the air when primary pollutants react with other atmospheric compounds in the presence of sunlight. A key example is ground-level ozone (O3), which is formed from the reaction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
3. How do agricultural practices contribute to air pollution?
Agricultural activities cause significant air pollution through several key processes:
- Fertiliser Use: Nitrogen-based fertilisers release ammonia (NH3), a pungent gas that can contribute to the formation of fine particulate matter in the atmosphere.
- Livestock Farming: Farm animals, particularly cattle, release large quantities of methane (CH4), a potent greenhouse gas, during their digestive processes.
- Stubble Burning: The practice of burning crop residues after harvesting is a major source of particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, and other harmful gases, often leading to severe regional smog.
4. What is smog, and how is it formed through photochemical reactions?
Smog is a type of severe air pollution that reduces visibility, creating a brownish haze. It is a mixture of smoke and fog. The most common type, photochemical smog, is a secondary pollutant. It is formed when primary pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), typically from vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions, react chemically in the presence of sunlight. This reaction creates a toxic mixture including particulate matter and ground-level ozone, which is highly damaging to the respiratory system.
5. Why is particulate matter, especially PM2.5, considered a major health hazard?
Particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air. PM2.5 refers to fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less. They are considered a major health hazard because their tiny size allows them to bypass the body's natural defences, like nose hairs and mucus. They can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, leading to severe health issues like asthma, bronchitis, cardiovascular diseases, and reduced lung function. Their sources are mainly combustion activities like burning fossil fuels and biomass.
6. How can the same act of burning fossil fuels lead to two different environmental problems: acid rain and global warming?
Burning fossil fuels causes these two distinct problems through different chemical byproducts:
- Global Warming: This is caused by the release of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2 traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to a gradual increase in global average temperatures, known as the greenhouse effect.
- Acid Rain: This is caused by the release of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). These gases react with water vapour in the atmosphere to form sulphuric and nitric acids. These acids then fall back to Earth as acid rain, damaging buildings, forests, and aquatic ecosystems.
7. Why can indoor air pollution sometimes be more dangerous than outdoor air pollution?
Indoor air pollution can be more dangerous because pollutants become highly concentrated in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation. While outdoor pollutants can disperse over a large area, indoor pollutants from sources like cleaning products (VOCs), cooking on poorly ventilated stoves (carbon monoxide, PM2.5), and building materials (formaldehyde) remain trapped. This leads to prolonged, high-level exposure for inhabitants, increasing the risk of chronic respiratory and other health problems more effectively than short-term exposure outdoors.
8. Are natural causes of air pollution, like volcanoes, as harmful as man-made causes?
While natural events like volcanic eruptions can release massive amounts of pollutants and cause severe, short-term, regional disruption, they are generally not considered as harmful in the long term as man-made causes. The primary reason is that anthropogenic (man-made) pollution is chronic, widespread, and relentless. Industrial and vehicular emissions occur daily across the globe, continuously adding to the atmospheric load of pollutants and greenhouse gases, driving long-term problems like climate change and persistent poor air quality in populated areas.
9. What is the role of a catalytic converter in a vehicle in the context of air pollution?
A catalytic converter is a device in a vehicle's exhaust system designed to reduce pollution. It addresses the cause of pollution at the source by converting toxic primary pollutants into less harmful substances. Specifically, it uses a catalyst (like platinum and rhodium) to transform carbon monoxide (CO) into carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) into harmless nitrogen gas (N2), and unburnt hydrocarbons into CO2 and water. This significantly reduces the amount of smog-forming and poisonous gases released into the atmosphere.
10. How does a weather phenomenon called 'temperature inversion' worsen air pollution?
Normally, air is warmer near the ground and gets cooler with altitude, allowing pollutants to rise and disperse. A temperature inversion is an atmospheric condition where a layer of warm air settles over a layer of cooler air near the ground. This warm air layer acts like a lid, trapping the cooler air and all the pollutants within it. This prevents the vertical mixing of air, causing pollutants like smog, PM2.5, and CO from vehicle exhaust and industries to accumulate to very high and dangerous concentrations, leading to severe air quality episodes, particularly in valleys and large cities.
