The Problem of Air Pollution
Air pollution is the biggest problem in the world. The definition of
air pollution is "The presence in the atmosphere of one ormore
contaminants as is injurious, or tends to be injurious, to human
health or welfare, animal or plantlife." Acid rain and smog are the
two major effects of air pollution. The main source of air pollution
comes from industry, which causes a lot of problems for plants,
animals, and human beings. Thermal power plants, refineries, petro
chemicals and mines release dangerous pollutants into the air; for
instance, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxedes and lead.
Burning coal, producing paper or smelting metal cause terrible
pollution too.
Private houses and office buildings are also responsible for air
pollution. When chemical and synthetic materials are used for
construction, air pollution can become a problem. Smoking, cooking,
burning coal or wood in the house cause indoor air pollution. If the
ventilation is poor, it's even worse.
In addition, active volcanos, desert storms and forest fires make air
pollution.
Acid rain, smog, and greenhouse effect cause air pollution. Acid rain
is a mixture of sulphuric and nitric acid, which is in snow, rain and
fog. It affects soil, water, plants, buildings, and the health of
animals and people badly.
Smog is fog that contains smoke and ozone. It is found in areas where
there are high temperatures, heavy traffic, and occurs mostly during
winter time when there is less wind. The reaction of ozone, nitrogen
oxide, carbon monoxide with heat and sunlight produces smog. During
the industrial revolution, 500 people died of smog in London. A few
years later, 1000 people died when the smog lasted for three days. In
1952, 4000 people died there when smog lasted for almost a week.
The greenhouse effect causes air polluton also. It increases the
world's temperature, as there is too much carbon dioxide and not
enough oxygen because of pollutants in the air.
Smog causes many health problems. Most of all respiratory problems