Air
pollution is most dreadful and adversely affects the human health. Various air
pollutants are available in our environment which affects the human health in
different ways. Principally the pollutants are produced by power generation,
industries and motor vehicles traffic. These pollutants not only affect the
peoples living in the vicinity but these pollutants travels to long distance,
therefore, also affect those who live far from pollution emitting sources.
Pollutants are mainly consisting of Particulate Matters, Ozone, Nitrogen Oxide
and Sulphur Dioxide. Particulate Matters in environment causes most serious
concern for our health, exposure to Ozone, Nitrogen Oxide and Sulphur Dioxide also
causes to serious concern to human health.
Particulate Matter
is mainly consisting of sulfate, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, black
carbon, mineral, dust and water. It is generally available in our environment
in the form of complex mixture of solid and liquid particles of organic and
inorganic substances. Different sizes of particles are available in our
environment, but particulate matter equal and below to 10 microns with high
concentration adversely affect to human health.
Heavy exposure of Particulate Matters equal and below to 10 microns contributes
to the risk of developing cardiovascular, respiratory diseases, as well as it
may cause to lung cancer.
Ozone (O3)
This ozone is
available at ground level; this is different from ozone layer in the upper
atmosphere. It is formed by reaction of sunlight (photochemical reaction) with
the pollutants such as nitrogen oxide from vehicles and industries emissions
and volatile organic compound (VOCs) emitted by the vehicles and industry.
Highest level of ozone pollution exists in day time and sunny weather
conditions.
Excessive ozone in the air may cause breathing problems, develop
asthma, reduce lung function and may cause to lung diseases.
Nitrogen Oxide
Emission
of Nitrogen Oxide is associated with combustion process (heating, power
generation and engines in vehicles)
Long exposure to nitrogen oxide may
develop the symptoms of bronchitis in asthmatic children. Reduced lung function
growth has been observed with concentrations of nitrogen oxide.
Sulphur Dioxide
Sulphur
Dioxide is colourless gas having sharp odour. It is produced by burning of
fossil fuels that contains sulphur such as coal and oil (power generation and motor
vehicles). It is also produced by smelting of mineral ores that contain
sulphur.
Irritation of eyes, coughing and
mucus secretion may cause due to sulphur dioxide. It may also cause to asthma
and chronic bronchitis and makes people more prone infection of respiratory
tract.
Conclusion
Power
generation from coal and oil, industries and the motor vehicles are most
responsible for the pollution. The
concentration of particulate matters equal and below to 10 microns adversely
affect the human health. Other pollutants ozone, nitrogen oxide and sulphur
dioxide also affect the human health.
