Air Pollution Causes
Natural Air Pollution Causes:
Although the majority of air pollution causes
are manmade, some of them are due to naturally occurred phenomena. They are
part of natural cycles and common under certain climatic conditions. Some of them
are as follows:
Wild Fires and Forest Fires:
Due to a prolong dry period, large part of a forest can become
dead and dry and then forest fires can occur naturally. In such condition
forest fires can spread very rapidly engulfing a huge area and produce a
significant amount of smoke and carbon monoxide in the air. These pollutants
cause air pollution locally and contribute to green house effect and global
warming globally.
Dust Storms and Dry Lands:
Large dry and arid areas, resulted from lack of rain and heat are very prone to dust storms. These dry lands are usually exposed without any vegetative cover. Wind can naturally pick up a lot of soil and dust along with it and create dust storms. These dusts can cause significant air pollution effecting human, animal, vegetative crops and other plants. Dust and particulate matter poses health hazard to living creatures when inhaled. Also they effect natural vegetation by creating a layer on top of them.
Volcano and Volcanic Activities:
Volcano and volcanic activities are a significant source of
natural air pollution. When a volcano erupts it releases a huge amount of
sulfuric, chlorine and ash products in the atmosphere. Huge volcanic eruption
can affect a large area by spreading these pollutants and creating a pollutant
cover. These pollutants reflect solar radiation and create a cooling effect
that can last over years.
Man-Made Air Pollution Causes:
Man-made air pollution causes are product of our rapid industrialization and unplanned growth, some of them are as follows:
Combustion of Fossil fuel:
Combustion of fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, gasoline, diesel etc. is a significant source of air pollution. Burning of fossil fuels release air pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ozone, different volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matters(PM). Increased civilization and industrialization has caused us using more and more fossil fuels to meet our energy needs, which contribute directly in increasing air pollution.
Traffic and Transportation:
Increased traffic and transpiration is one of the major causes
of air pollution worldwide. Fossil fuels are traditionally used to power the
vehicles and combustion of fossil fuel generates a variety of air pollutants.
We use automobiles and vehicles like car, bus, trucks, recreation vehicles,
shipping vessels, air plane etc. in our everyday activities. On top of that lack
of good public transportation in some countries encourages personal vehicles
which worsen the situation.
Electricity Generation and Power Plants:
Conventional power plant uses fossil fuels like coal, gas, oil etc. to produce electricity and release air pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide and various particulate matters. The pollutant generated by electricity sectors contribute majorly in smog, acid rain and global warming; some direct effect of air pollution.
Factories and Industrial Emissions:
We rely on industries and factories for manufacturing products
and goods to support our existence and civilization. But majority of the
factories uses fossil fuel based energy sources. A vast quantity of air
pollutants also gets release due to various manufacturing and industrial
activities like carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, volatile organic matters and particulates.
Industries that produces aluminum, iron, steel, cement; base metal smelters and
refineries; pulp and paper mills etc., are major contributors to air pollution.
Mining Operations:
Various mining operation involves digging and heavy machineries. As a result a large amount of dust and other mining chemical get released to the air and caused air pollutions.
Household and Agricultural Chemicals:
Sometimes household cleaning products, pest killers and paints on the walls release harmful air pollutants. Also various fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides etc., also release harmful chemical to the air and cause air pollution.
Waste Dumping and Landfills:
Different waste dumping sites and landfills can generate and
release methane, a gas responsible for long term global warming and green house
effect. Unmindful dumping and uncontrolled landfill sites thus contributes to
air pollution.
Discover more of Air Pollution Causes here
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