|
|
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| [[File:Claude Monet 015.jpg|350px|thumb|[[Claude Monet]]'s painting of 19th century [[London]] [[smog]]. It was caused mainly by burning [[coal]] fires]]
| | {{Short description|Contamination of the air by harmful substances}} |
| | {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}} |
|
| |
|
| '''Air pollution''' is a type of environmental [[pollution]] that affects the air and is usually caused by [[smoke]] or other harmful gases, mainly [[oxide]]s of [[carbon]], [[sulphur]] and [[nitrogen]]. | | ==Overview== |
| | '''Air pollution''' refers to the presence of substances in the atmosphere that are harmful to the health of humans and other living beings, or cause damage to the climate or materials. These substances can be in the form of solid particles, liquid droplets, or gases. Air pollution can originate from natural sources, such as volcanic eruptions and wildfires, or from human activities, such as industrial processes, vehicle emissions, and the burning of fossil fuels. |
|
| |
|
| In other words, air pollution is the contamination of air due to the presence or introduction of a substance which has a poisonous effect.
| | ==Types of Air Pollutants== |
| | Air pollutants can be classified into two main categories: primary and secondary pollutants. |
|
| |
|
| Many of the world's large cities today have polluted air or low air [[wikt:quality|quality]].<ref name=camilla>{{cite book | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Earth Science| publisher = Holt, Rinehart and Winston| date = 2001| location = 1120 South Capital of Texas Highway, Austin, [[Texas]] 78746-6487| pages = | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = 0-03-055667-8}}</ref>
| | ===Primary Pollutants=== |
| | Primary pollutants are emitted directly from a source. These include: |
| | * [[Carbon monoxide]] (CO) - A colorless, odorless gas produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. |
| | * [[Sulfur dioxide]] (SO₂) - A gas produced by volcanic eruptions and industrial processes, particularly the burning of coal and oil. |
| | * [[Nitrogen oxides]] (NOx) - Gases produced from vehicle emissions and industrial activities. |
| | * [[Particulate matter]] (PM) - A mixture of tiny particles and droplets in the air, which can include dust, dirt, soot, and smoke. |
| | * [[Volatile organic compounds]] (VOCs) - Organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at room temperature, emitted from products like paints and solvents. |
|
| |
|
| Even 2,000 years ago, the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] were complaining about the polluted air in their cities. At that time, the air was thick with smoke from [[fire]]s and the smell of [[sewer]]s.<ref name=camilla/> Air pollution has been classified as a danger to human [[health]] and [[Earth]]'s many [[ecosystem]]s for a long time.
| | ===Secondary Pollutants=== |
| | Secondary pollutants are not emitted directly. Instead, they form in the air when primary pollutants react or interact. Examples include: |
| | * [[Ozone]] (O₃) - A gas that forms in the atmosphere when sunlight reacts with pollutants like VOCs and NOx. |
| | * [[Smog]] - A type of air pollution that is a mixture of smoke and fog, often exacerbated by weather conditions. |
| | * [[Acid rain]] - Precipitation that contains higher levels of sulfuric and nitric acids, formed from SO₂ and NOx emissions. |
|
| |
|
| == Air quality == | | ==Sources of Air Pollution== |
| Pollution can be [[gas]] or [[liquid]] or [[solid]]. It can also be classified chemically, such as:- oxide, hydrocarbon, acid or other kinds. Pollution can also be classified by what makes it.
| | Air pollution arises from both natural and anthropogenic sources. |
|
| |
|
| Many [[pollutant]]s go into the air from natural [[wikt:source|sources]]. These pollutants include dust, sea [[salt]], [[volcano|volcanic]] [[wikt:ash|ashes]] and [[gas]]es, smoke from forest fires, [[pollen]], and many other [[material]]s.<ref name=camilla/> In fact, there are many more natural pollutants than pollutants that [[human]]s make.<ref name=camilla/> However, humans and other living things have [[wikt:adapt|adapted]] to most of these natural pollutants.<ref name=camilla/>
| | ===Natural Sources=== |
| | * [[Volcanic eruptions]] - Release large quantities of ash and gases into the atmosphere. |
| | * [[Wildfires]] - Emit smoke and particulate matter. |
| | * [[Dust storms]] - Transport dust and sand over large areas. |
|
| |
|
| [[File:MSH80 eruption mount st helens 05-18-80.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Mount St Helens erupting|Ash from volcanic eruptions is an example of primary pollutants]] | | ===Anthropogenic Sources=== |
| | * [[Industrial activities]] - Factories and power plants emit pollutants from burning fossil fuels. |
| | * [[Transportation]] - Vehicles emit exhaust gases, including CO, NOx, and VOCs. |
| | * [[Agricultural activities]] - Use of fertilizers and pesticides releases ammonia and other chemicals. |
| | * [[Residential heating and cooking]] - Burning wood, coal, or other fuels in homes contributes to indoor and outdoor air pollution. |
|
| |
|
| Air pollution is usually described as either ''primary pollutants'' or ''secondary pollutants''.Primary pollutants are pollutants that are put directly into the air by humans or natural sources. Examples of primary pollutants are exhaust fumes ([[gas]]) from [[car]]s, [[soot]] from smoke, [[dust storms]] and ash from [[volcanic eruption]]s (as seen in the picture on the left).<ref name=camilla/>
| | ==Health Effects== |
| | Exposure to air pollution can have serious health effects, particularly on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Short-term exposure can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, while long-term exposure can lead to chronic respiratory diseases, heart disease, lung cancer, and can affect brain health. |
|
| |
|
| Secondary pollutants are pollutants that are made from [[chemical]] reactions when pollutants mix with other primary pollutants or natural [[wikt:substance|substances]] like [[water|water vapor]].<ref name=camilla/> Many secondary pollutants are made when a primary pollutant reacts with [[sunlight]]. [[Ozone]] and [[smog]] are secondary pollutants. Ozone is a [[gas]] that stops harmful [[ultraviolet]] rays from the [[sun]]. When it is near the ground, though, it can [[poison]] people and other organisms.<ref name=camilla/>
| | ==Environmental Impact== |
|
| | Air pollution can have detrimental effects on the environment, including: |
| [[File:Air Pollution-Causes&Effects.svg|thumb|230px|There are many problems caused by air pollution, like greenhouse effect and acid rain]] | | * [[Climate change]] - Greenhouse gases like CO₂ and methane contribute to global warming. |
| | * [[Ecosystem damage]] - Acid rain can harm forests, lakes, and soil. |
| | * [[Biodiversity loss]] - Pollutants can affect wildlife and plant species. |
|
| |
|
| Human-made air pollution comes from many things. Most air pollution made by humans today is because of [[transportation]]. Automobiles , for instance, make about 60% of the human-made air pollution. The gases inside car exhaust, like [[nitrogen oxide]], make [[smog]] and [[acid rain]].
| | ==Prevention and Control== |
| | Efforts to reduce air pollution include: |
| | * Implementing stricter emissions standards for vehicles and industries. |
| | * Promoting the use of [[renewable energy]] sources. |
| | * Enhancing public transportation systems to reduce vehicle emissions. |
| | * Encouraging energy efficiency and conservation practices. |
|
| |
|
| Farmlands and forests sometimes burn in wildfires producing soot (a black powder composed mainly of carbon, produced when coal, grasses, wood etc. is burned) from smoke. Soot can affect people and other life. People start many of those fires.
| | ==Related Pages== |
| | * [[Climate change]] |
| | * [[Environmental health]] |
| | * [[Sustainable development]] |
| | * [[Renewable energy]] |
|
| |
|
| === Industrial air pollution ===
| | [[Category:Air pollution]] |
| Many [[wikt:industry|industrial]] [[power plant]]s burn fossil fuels to get their energy. However, burning fossil fuels can make a lot of oxides ([[chemical compound]]s that have [[oxygen]] and other [[element]]s inside). In fact, the burning of fossil fuels makes 96% of the [[sulphur]] oxides in the [[atmosphere]]. Some industries also make chemicals that make poisonous fumes (smoke).
| | [[Category:Environmental issues]] |
| | | [[Category:Public health]] |
| === Indoor air pollution ===
| |
| Air pollution is not only on the outside. Homes, schools, and buildings can also have air pollution. Sometimes the air inside a building is even worse than the air outside.<ref name=camilla/> Many things which humans use every day can pollute the air. Compounds inside carpets, paints, building materials and [[furniture]] also pollute the air, especially when they are new.
| |
| | |
| In buildings where the windows are tightly shut to stop air leaks, the air inside can be polluted more than the air outside.<ref name=camilla/>
| |
| | |
| === Acid precipitation ===
| |
| Acid precipitation is [[precipitation]], like [[rain]], [[sleet]], or [[snow]], that contains [[acid]]s from air pollution. When fossil fuels are burned, they let out oxides into the air. When these oxides mix with water in the atmosphere, they make acid, which fall as precipitation.<ref name=camilla/> Acid precipitation can kill living things like fish and trees, by making the place where they live too [[acid]]ic. [[Acid rain]] can also damage buildings made of [[limestone]] and [[concrete]].
| |
| | |
| === Ozone hole ===
| |
| A global concern is the hole in the [[ozone layer]] in the [[stratosphere]]. The Earth's ozone layer protects life from the Sun's harmful [[ultraviolet]] rays, but in the 1970s, scientists found out that some [[chemical]]s let out into the atmosphere makes the ozone turn into [[oxygen]]. This lets more ultraviolet rays reach the Earth. During the 1980s, scientists found that the ozone layer above the [[South Pole]] had thinned by 50 to 98%.
| |
| | |
| == Human health ==
| |
| On March 17, 1992, in [[Mexico City]], all children under the age of 14 could not go to school because of air pollution. This does not often happen, but being [[wikt:expose|exposed]] to air pollution every day can make people have many health problems. Children, elderly (old) people, and people with [[allergy|allergies]] especially, can have a lot of problems because of air pollution. Studies from the University of Birmingham showed that deaths because of [[pneumonia]] and air pollution from [[wikt:vehicle|motor vehicles]] like [[car]]s are [[wikt:relate|related]].<ref>
| |
| {{cite news| title= Study links traffic pollution to thousands of deaths
| |
| | url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/apr/15/health
| |
| | work= [[The Guardian]]
| |
| | publisher= Guardian Media Group
| |
| | location=London, UK
| |
| | date= 2008-04-15
| |
| | accessdate=2008-04-15
| |
| | language=English}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| The World Health Organization said that 2.4 million people died because of the direct problems of air pollution.<ref>[http://www.who.int/entity/quantifying_ehimpacts/countryprofilesebd.xls Estimated deaths & DALYs attributable to selected environmental risk factors, by WHO Member State, 2002]</ref><ref>
| |
| {{cite web
| |
| | url=http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-08/acs-nda072308.php
| |
| | title=Newly detected air pollutant mimics damaging effects of cigarette smoke
| |
| | publisher=www.eurekalert.org
| |
| | accessdate=2008-08-17
| |
| | last=
| |
| | first=
| |
| }}
| |
| </ref> Some of the problems include:<ref name=camilla/>
| |
| {{Multicol}}
| |
| ;Head:
| |
| *Dizziness
| |
| *Headaches
| |
| {{Multicol-break}}
| |
| ;Face:
| |
| *Burning, scratchy eyes
| |
| *[[wiktionary:runny|Runny]] nose
| |
| *Coughing and hard breathing
| |
| {{Multicol-break}}
| |
| ;Other:
| |
| *Lung cancer and lung diseases
| |
| *Sore throat
| |
| *Chest pains, [[cold]]s, and allergies
| |
| {{Multicol-end}}
| |
| | |
| == Agricultural effects ==
| |
| In India in 2014, it was reported that air pollution had cut crop yields in the most affected areas by almost half in 2010 when compared to 1980 levels. There can also be increased yield of crops due to some air quality conditions.
| |
| | |
| == References ==
| |
| {{reflist}}
| |
| | |
| == Other websites ==
| |
| {{Commons|Air pollution}}
| |
| ; Air quality science and general information
| |
| * [http://www.unep.org/urban%5Fenvironment/ UNEP Urban Issues]
| |
| * [http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/index.htm European Commission > Environment > Policies > Air >Air Quality].
| |
| * [http://www.unep.org/pcfv/ UNEP Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles]
| |
| == Air quality modelling ==
| |
| * [http://www.stuffintheair.com/airqualitymodeling.html Stuff in the air] Standard air quality modelling procedure for industrial sources.
| |
| * [http://atmosphericdispersion.wikia.com/ Wiki on Atmospheric Dispersion Modelling]. Addresses the international community of atmospheric dispersion modellers — primarily researchers, but also users of models. Its purpose is to pool experiences gained by dispersion modellers during their work.
| |
| * [http://www.air-dispersion.com/formulas.html Air Dispersion Modeling Conversions and Formulas] One of six technical articles devoted to air quality and air pollution dispersion modeling.
| |
| {{Pollution}}
| |
| {{Asia Pollution|state=collapsed}}
| |
| {{Environmental science}}
| |
| {{Public health}}
| |
| {{Natural resources}}
| |
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Air Pollution}}
| |
| [[Category:Air pollution| ]] | |
| [[Category:Articles containing video clips]] | |
| [[Category:Climate forcing]] | |
| [[Category:Pollution]]
| |
Contamination of the air by harmful substances
Overview[edit]
Air pollution refers to the presence of substances in the atmosphere that are harmful to the health of humans and other living beings, or cause damage to the climate or materials. These substances can be in the form of solid particles, liquid droplets, or gases. Air pollution can originate from natural sources, such as volcanic eruptions and wildfires, or from human activities, such as industrial processes, vehicle emissions, and the burning of fossil fuels.
Types of Air Pollutants[edit]
Air pollutants can be classified into two main categories: primary and secondary pollutants.
Primary Pollutants[edit]
Primary pollutants are emitted directly from a source. These include:
- Carbon monoxide (CO) - A colorless, odorless gas produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels.
- Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) - A gas produced by volcanic eruptions and industrial processes, particularly the burning of coal and oil.
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx) - Gases produced from vehicle emissions and industrial activities.
- Particulate matter (PM) - A mixture of tiny particles and droplets in the air, which can include dust, dirt, soot, and smoke.
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) - Organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at room temperature, emitted from products like paints and solvents.
Secondary Pollutants[edit]
Secondary pollutants are not emitted directly. Instead, they form in the air when primary pollutants react or interact. Examples include:
- Ozone (O₃) - A gas that forms in the atmosphere when sunlight reacts with pollutants like VOCs and NOx.
- Smog - A type of air pollution that is a mixture of smoke and fog, often exacerbated by weather conditions.
- Acid rain - Precipitation that contains higher levels of sulfuric and nitric acids, formed from SO₂ and NOx emissions.
Sources of Air Pollution[edit]
Air pollution arises from both natural and anthropogenic sources.
Natural Sources[edit]
Anthropogenic Sources[edit]
Health Effects[edit]
Exposure to air pollution can have serious health effects, particularly on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Short-term exposure can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, while long-term exposure can lead to chronic respiratory diseases, heart disease, lung cancer, and can affect brain health.
Environmental Impact[edit]
Air pollution can have detrimental effects on the environment, including:
Prevention and Control[edit]
Efforts to reduce air pollution include:
- Implementing stricter emissions standards for vehicles and industries.
- Promoting the use of renewable energy sources.
- Enhancing public transportation systems to reduce vehicle emissions.
- Encouraging energy efficiency and conservation practices.
Related Pages[edit]
