Air Pollution: An Environmental Threat
Air Pollution is not a new phenomenon but a very common one these days but then also people take it very lightly and ignore it. Through this article I want to highlight the dismal condition caused by air pollution. Firstly, What is air pollution ? It is the release of pollutants into the air causing air pollution. Air pollutants include harmful gases , biological particles , smoke , dust etc . Air Pollution is the significant factor for a number of diseases like respiratory related problems, cardiac related, stroke and lung cancer and adverse reproductive and neurological effects many more .
The most common sources of air pollution are industrial activities, transportation, energy production, and agricultural practices. Industrial emissions from factories and power plants release pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter into the air. Vehicle emissions, particularly from cars and trucks, contribute to the release of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and fine particulate matter. Burning of fossil fuels for energy production and residential heating also releases pollutants into the air.
In addition to its impact on human health, air pollution can also harm the environment and ecosystems. Acid rain, for example, is caused by the release of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, which reacts with water vapour to form acidic compounds. Acid rain can damage crops, forests, and bodies of water, leading to the decline of plant and animal species. Air pollution can also contribute to climate change by increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere.
To reduce air pollution, various measures can be taken. These include implementing stricter emissions standards for industries and vehicles, promoting cleaner and renewable energy sources, improving public transportation systems, and encouraging the use of energy-efficient technologies. Additionally, raising awareness about the health and environmental impacts of air pollution can also lead to individuals adopting more sustainable practices in their daily lives, such as reducing vehicle emissions and conserving energy. Although there are many practices in India, which focus on repairing the quality of air, most of them are either forgotten or not being enforced properly. There are still a lot of vehicles on roads which haven’t been tested for vehicle emissions. Another way of controlling air pollution caused by industries is to modify and maintain existing pieces of equipment so that the emission of pollutants is minimised. Sometimes controlling pollutants at the source is not possible. In that case, we can have process control equipment to control the pollution. A very effective way of controlling air pollution is by diluting the air pollutants. The last and the best way of reducing the ill effects of air pollution is tree plantation. Plants and trees reduce a large number of pollutants in the air. Ideally, planting trees in areas of high pollution levels will be extremely effective.
By implementing these measures it is possible to significantly reduce the air pollution , improve air quality and protect human health and environment.
Author – Khushi Singh, a student of Dr.BR Ambedkar National Law University, Sonepat
