Effects of Air Pollution

Air pollution can cause number of health hazards to human beings, animals, birds, in addition to causing number of deleterious effects on earth's atmosphere as well as vegetation and even on some buildings. It is a global malady causing innumerable irreversible changes to our planet. The effects of air pollution have no limitations or country boundaries. They can extend to any adjoining country or even far off country from the country of origin.

Pollution, in general, is not caused by anybody deliberately. Air pollution is the result of many activities - which are as normal as human diet in life. But, effects of such pollution are far reaching and irreversible. The dangerous effects of some important air pollutants on human health are discussed here.

Carbon monoxide (CO)

It has strong affinity to combine/bind with haemoglobin in blood to form carboxyhaemoglobin, which reduces oxygen carrying capacity of blood to cause headache,nausea ,asphyxiation and fainting (low supply of O₂ to body though one may inhale normally). Against normal level of 0.5% CO in blood, severe pollution may lead to 8 to 9% CO.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

It is estimated that in the last 100 years 360 billion tons of CO₂ is added to atmosphere. CO₂ has risen by 7% in the last 30 years. As CO₂ in atmosphere has capacity to trap infrared rays in the band with 2.1 to 15mm, higher CO₂ in atmosphere has caused global warming (rise in temperature). This is also known as “green house effect”. Global warming has number of effects like rise in sea water level and increase in incidence of some diseases. Increased CO₂ level in air has also caused imbalance in atmosphere and reduced supply of O₂.

Carbon disulphide (CS₂)

It is highly dangerous gas causing mental illness like depression, norexia, insomnia, loss of memory. It can also cause other effects like loss of sensation, muscular weakness, loss of vision, dizziness, symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Chlorofluoromethane (CFM)

Also called as freons, they belong to a group called chlorofluorocarbons (CFC). They are used as propellant in aerosols or as refrigerants in domestic refrigerators, deep freezers, air conditioners. CFM are not disintegrated in air, but rise to troposphere. There they are dissociated due to ultra violet rays to release free chlorine. This nascent chlorine causes ozone depletion, as ozone gas has strong affinity to react with free chlorine gas. Thinning of ozone shield will allow UV-radiations in earths atmosphere and cause extensive damage to planets and animals.

Methane (CH₄)

 

Methane has capacity to mix with blood haemoglobin to form methamoglobin - which has no capacity to carry O₂ like normal haemoglobin. This reduces oxygen supply to body causing asphyxia.

Methyl Iodide (CH₃l)

 

It can cause cancerous tumours in respiratory tracts.

Sulphur dioxide (SO₂)

 

Excess SO₂ levels in air can lead to some consequences like:

• lead to acid rain - which is the result of

 

 

That is SO₂ is converted into sulphite in presence of atmospheric oxygen. SO₃ (sulphite) can mix with rain water to bring mild sulphuric acid to earth's surface during its movement.

• Inhalation of sulphur dioxide damages the respiratory tract very badly causing inflammation, irritation, ulcers as well as disruption of alveoli activity.

• SO₂ + atmospheric humidity (H₂O) can result into fine particles of sulphites and H₂SO_4. They are often attached to dust or fine carbon particles released out of vehicular pollution. When inhaled they have capacity to damage delicate tissue linings to eyes, nose, respiratory tract, inhibit cilial action in nose.

• Cyanide gases (Hydrogen cyanide - HCN, Methyl isocyanide CH₃CN)

Highly dangerous gases are often released out of leakages in chemical industries. They are also released in metal finishing processes like electroplating, case hardening activities. They are fatal in their action causing instant deaths if exposed to such gas for 3 - 5 minutes continuously. In milder form, it can cause damage cells of bronchi, alveoli, nasal tract. It can also lead to many heart problems and vision problems.

Chlorine Gas (Cl)

Chlorine is a highly irritant gas with possible damages like skin irritation, eye irritations, throat irritation leading to inflammation and disfunction on long exposure to chlorine gas.

Hydrogen Chloride (HCl)

HCl gas is also an irritant gas that causes damages to skin, eyes, throat, nasal tract. It is also corrosive, damaging the cells.

Ammonia (NH₃)

 

Gaseous ammonia is a pungent, irritant gas often causing effects like skin irritation, eye irritation and irritation to throat. It can cause number of allergies.

Control of Air Pollution

a) Checking the air pollution by strict imposition of laws on factories.

b) Reducing vehicular traffic and encouraging public transport vehicles than individual vehicles.

c) Use of unleaded petrol.

d) Regular check of exhaust gases from vehicles to declare their status in respect of pollution.

e) Ban and imposition of fines on polluting vehicles.

f) Strict control measures to take care of accidental pollution by industries.

g) Safe burial of atomic wastes.

h) Raising the height of chimneys of factories so that pollutant gas released from chimneys will reach upper strata of atmosphere.

i) Ban on illegal burning of hazardous materials and illegal handling of radioactive materials.

Electrostatic Precipitator is an Efficient Device to Eliminate Particulate Matters from the Industrial Emissions