Air pollution, biological effects of air pollution and control of air pollution

Air pollution

              The earth's air envelope is called atmosphere. It consists of 78% nitrogen, 21% of oxygen and 1% of other gases like helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, water vapour, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide. 

            Ozone layer protects us from most harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. It absorbs 99 percent of ultraviolet rays from the sun.

            The air is mainly polluted by smoke. It contains carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, unburnt hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulphur and some metals like mercury, lead, copper and iron. Radioactive dusts from atomic bomb test and nuclear power stations also pollute the atmosphere and cause deleterious effect on living things.

Biological effects of air pollution

1. Respiratory diseases like bronchitis, emphysema and asthuma are aggravated by smoke polluted atmosphere. 

2. Carbon monoxide is highly poisonous to most animals. When carbon monoxide is inhaled, it reduces the oxygen carrying of blood.

3. Smoking cigarette affects the air spaces in the lungs and causes lung cancer. Smoking cigarette is injurious to health. The cigarette smoke not only affects the smoker but also infects the non-smokers. In is the source for many diseases. Smoking cigarettes is banned in public places. Smoke contains benzopyrene which causes cancer.

4. Burning of polythene cover, plastic pipe and other plastic items should strictly be avoided. When they are burnt, dioxane and phosphophene are emitted. They affect central nerve system of children.

5. Printed papers contain more amount of lead. The fast food culture in thickly populated towns encourages the use of printed papers as dining plates. Lead affects the central nervous system and kidneys.

6. Oxides of sulphur, nitrogen and carbon dissolve in water droplets to produce sulphuric acid, nitric acid and carbonic acid respectively. They constitute acid rain.

Control of air pollution

           Government and private sectors are taking major steps to control air pollution. Pollution control board implements the following anti-pollution measures to check the pollution.

1. There must be a world-wide compaign to banish smoking of cigarettes in public places, as the smokers affect the health of non-smokers.

2. Use of good quality of automobile fuels without adulteration will reduce the pollution. 

3. Planting trees on both sides of the road and on vacant lands, laying of parks and gardens will also reduce the problem of pollution.