Ways To Prevent Air Pollution

Air pollution is a change in the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of air that causes adverse effects on humans and other organisms. The ultimate result is a change in the natural environment and/or ecosystem. The substances that are responsible for causing air pollution are called air pollutants. These air pollutants can be either natural (e.g. wildfires) or synthetic (man-made); they may be in the form of gas, liquid or solid.

Air pollutants are classified into two categories viz. primary and secondary. The former refers to air pollutants that are directly emitted from the source, for example, carbon monoxide gas from automobile exhaust. The secondary air pollutants, on the other hand, are the result of interaction of primary pollutants, for example, the ground level ozone, which is formed when sunlight hits fuel exhaust in the atmosphere. It is to be noted that some forms of air pollutants are both primary and secondary. Let's discuss in brief about the causes, effects and ways to prevent air pollution.

Causes and Effects of Air Pollution

The major air pollutants are sulfur dioxides, carbon monoxides, carbon dioxides, nitrogen oxides and particulate matters. Among several different causes of air pollution, burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, petroleum and gasoline is the main source. Fossil fuels are used in all major industries, including the automobiles, jet planes, manufacturing industries, power plants, petroleum refineries etc.

In the United States, automobile exhaust and power plants are responsible for more than 90 percent of air pollution. Carbon dioxide gas, which is used by the plants for photosynthesis, is identified as the major cause of global warming. Nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide, when dissolved in water, can cause acid rain, which in turn, leads to water pollution and and affects the aquatic life.

Air pollutants, either present inside the house (indoor pollutants) or outside (outdoor pollutants), are hazardous to humans. The effects of air pollution on the human health are many; to mention a few, air pollution can cause respiratory diseases and irritation of eyes and throat. The common symptoms observed after exposure to a high level air pollution are chest tightness, burning eyes and cough. Those with certain medical conditions like heart disease and asthma are more susceptible to the hazards of air pollution than others. The effect of air pollution is more serious in case of children; prolonged exposure to air pollution can lead to earache, bronchitis and asthma in children.

Ways To Prevent Air Pollution

The fact is that human activities contribute the most to air pollution. Considering the harmful effects of air pollution, now it is very essential that everyone should contribute a bit to prevent air pollution. There are certain ways that one can help to reduce the emission of air pollutants in the atmosphere. Following are some tips for preventing air pollution:

Car Pool: Forming and implementing a car pool will reduce the number of cars, thereby, preventing air pollution by cutting down the use of fossil fuels. This way, it will help in the sustainable use of fossil fuel and its conservation for the future generations.

Vehicle Care: Timely servicing of the car helps to keep it in a good condition and also minimizes fuel exhaust. Driving the car at an average speed and turning off in traffic is a key to save fuel. Make sure to use unleaded petrol and opt for regular pollution checking of your car.

Public Transport: Whenever possible, try to travel by public transports. This helps in two ways; prevents air pollution and increases public income. If you are going to a nearby place, go by walking or use bicycle, instead of using your vehicle. The objective is to minimize the use of fuels, as far as possible.

Alternative Energy Source: Another effective way to prevent air pollution is to use alternative energy sources such as solar energy, hydroelectric energy and wind energy. Nowadays, sophisticated technologies such as wind turbine, solar water heaters are introduced to generate electricity and other energy forms for the household use.

Saving Energy: Saving energy will, of course, help to prevent air pollution. Switch off the lights, fans, air conditioners, televisions, and other appliances, when not in use. You can also share a room with others when the air conditioner or fan is on, instead of switching them on in every room.

Minimize Air Pollutants: Always try to minimize smoke emission, as it can contribute to air pollution. One way is to compost dried leaves and kitchen waste, instead of burning them. Composting will also give you organic fertilizer for your garden. While buying the products, always choose air-friendly and recyclable products that will minimize the emission of pollutants.

Social awareness about air pollution is the most essential step to be taken for the prevention of air pollution. Awareness programs and/or advertisements should be encouraged, so that people understand the potential health hazards of air pollution. Improvement of transport facilities and proper use of land for the sake of social benefits are equally important for controlling air pollution.