Air Pollution Causes, Effects & Solutions

 By Renewable Resources Co | 

Last Updated:  December 14, 2016

When people think of air pollution, most immediately picture heavy smog drifting over cities and
industrial plants.

This is the first and most evident form of air pollution, but it’s not the only one.

Let’s begin today’s discussion by defining the term air pollution at a broader level. Air pollution
in its most basic definition is the introduction of harmful substances into the Earth’s atmosphere.

These substances linger and cause many adverse effects. As you know, humans and other living
creatures rely on the atmosphere for respiration. When air quality is dampened by pollution,
immediate and longer term consequences take place.

Pollution has been known to cause allergies, disease, damage to crops, and in extreme cases,
even death.

In addition, air pollution creates an imbalance in the natural gases that make up our Earth’s
atmosphere. These imbalances slowly aid in the depletion of the Ozone layer, an essential region
of the stratosphere that soaks up most of the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays.

As the Ozone depletes, the rate of global warming increases. If enough air pollution clutters our
environment, it creates the danger of more rapid deterioration of the Ozone layer.

You can see the trouble this may cause.

It’s important that we, as citizens of the world, fully understand the causes, effects, and possible
solutions of air pollution so that we can make an educated decision for Earth’s future.

Causes
There are many causes of air pollution. For sanity’s sake, we’ve done our best to categorize them
at a more general level.

Before we get into the different causes, let’s take a quick step back and look at the different
variations of air pollution.
First, there’s invisible and visible air pollution. The smog you see lingering over a city is a good
example of visible pollution.

Invisible pollutants aren’t as noticeable, but they can be just as deadly, if not more so. Examples
of invisible pollutants include nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide, to name a
few.

Carbon monoxide inhaled and introduced into the human blood stream spells trouble if the
pollution is a high enough concentration.

Digging down even deeper, air pollution can be split into primary and secondary pollutants.

Primary pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide, are ones directly released into the atmosphere.
Secondary pollutants, like smog for example, are the result of primary pollutants intermingling
with the already existing particles in the atmosphere.

Without any further ado, let’s get into some specific causes of air pollution.

1. Vehicle Exhaust Fumes.

The number one source of air pollution in city environments is vehicle exhaust fumes, which
happen to release high amounts of carbon monoxide. It’s no surprise then that carbon monoxide
also happens to be the largest air pollutant in the United States.

Millions of vehicles are operated on a daily basis in the US alone, each one leaving its own
carbon footprint on the environment. This is why hybrid and fully electric vehicles are making a
splash in the automobile marketplace.

People are looking to rely less on fossil fuels to power their cars, leading to less toxic emissions
into the environment.

2. Fossil Fuel-Based Power Plants.

In addition to vehicle exhaust pollution, fossil fuels also present a wider scale problem when
they’re burned for energy in power plants.
Chemicals like sulfur dioxide are released during the burning process, which travel straight into
the atmosphere. These types of pollutants react with water molecules to yield something known
as acid rain.

This is one of the reasons that alternative energy sources, such as nuclear, solar, and wind are
being explored in greater detail. They tend to release much less pollutants into the environment
to produce equivalent amounts of energy.

3. Exhaust from Industrial Plants and Factories.

Similar to exhaust being released from vehicles, heavier machinery located inside big factories
and industrial plants also emit pollutants into the air.

Industrial plants can be found pretty much everywhere in the world, so the spreading of air
pollution is basically global.

4. Construction and Agricultural Activities.

On a daily basis, dirt and dust is kicked up into the atmosphere from excavating and demolition
type construction activities.

Switching the focus to agricultural activities, ammonia is a frequent byproduct that just so
happens to be one of the most dangerous gases in our environment.

There are also plenty of nasty chemicals that get placed into the atmosphere from pesticides and
fertilizers, which are being used at increasingly higher rates.

5. Natural Causes.

When people think pollution, they almost always blame other people. Let’s not forget that the
Earth is one of the biggest polluters itself, though.

Volcanoes, forest fires, and dust storms are nature-born events that dump massive amounts of air
pollution into the environment.
It’s often debated that humans don’t come close to volcanoes when it comes to air pollutants, but
we’ll leave that for the readers to decide.

6. Household Activities.

Forget about outdoor pollution. What about the pollution that takes place inside our own homes?

Common household chemicals, notably bleach, without proper ventilation is a primary source of
indoor air pollution.

Smoking tobacco through the use of cigarettes and cigars also releases toxic pollutants into the
air.

It’s often easier to think of outdoor pollution as the primary danger on a wide scale level, but
don’t dismiss the little everyday activities that also impact our health.

Effects
Now that we know the culprits of air pollution, let’s start discussing the harmful effects.

There are many different types of effects that air pollutants can cause. For one, there’s the human
health factor to consider.

If humans are at risk, then other forms of wildlife and organic creatures are in danger as well.

Then there are the effects on the planet and its atmosphere.

In the paragraphs to follow, we’ll take a closer look at all of air pollution’s effects.

1. Accelerated Global Warming.

This is a green energy discussion, so let’s tackle this one first.

Earlier on, you learned about the Ozone layer and its role in protecting our planet. Air pollution
directly accelerates the rate at which global warming happens by depleting the Ozone layer.
Global warming refers to the increased temperatures Earth continues to experience. These higher
temperatures lead to the melting of the polar ice caps and icebergs, which elevates sea levels and
creates concern for the human race.

2. Human Respiratory and Heart Concerns.

Air pollution is known to cause irritation in the eyes, lungs, nose, and throat. It creates
respiratory problems and exacerbates existing conditions such as asthma and emphysema.

When continually exposed to air pollution, humans become at higher risk for cardiovascular
disease. Air filled with toxins can have a number of adverse effects on the arteries, and have
even been a contributor to heart attacks.

3. Wildlife Endangerment.

Most diseases and conditions that humans are susceptible to, animals are as well. Air pollution
creates many of the same issues that humans face.

Heavily polluted areas force inhabitants to seek new homes, which can negatively impact the
ecosystem.

Toxic chemicals, which we’ll discuss in the next bullet, also deposit over surfaces of water that
can lead to the endangerment of marine life animals.

4. Acid Rain.

When air pollution, specifically sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides, are released into sky through
fossil fuel burning, it creates the phenomenon known as acid rain.

Water, high in the atmosphere, combines with these chemicals and becomes acidic in nature. It
then scatters the ground, disguised as normal rainfall.

Acid rain has been known to cause harm to humans and animals alike, and even damage crops.

Solutions
Up until this point, we’ve covered all the bad of air pollution. Now let’s get onto the good.

Well, there’s actually not much good to say for air pollution, but there are a number of positive
ways it can be dealt with.

Understanding the causes and effects proves to be important so that we can determine how best
to combat it.

Reducing the use of fossil fuel powered automobiles is clearly something that can help. Same
with finding unique ways to reduce energy consumption.

Let’s dig a little deeper into common solutions for preventing and minimizing air pollution.

1. Minimize the Use of Fossil Fuel Powered Automobiles.

As a leading contributor to air pollution, it only makes sense that a vehicle-based solution
appears first on this list.

One way to do this is by switching to a hybrid vehicle, or better yet, one that runs on fully
electric.

Other ways include taking public transportation, carpooling with friends and colleagues, or even
riding a bike to your destination.

2. Be Mindful of Energy Consumption.

When you’re leaving home, be sure to turn off the lights, TV, and any other electronic
appliances.

Fossil fuel plants are a major cause of air pollutants, and the less energy you need, the less we
have to rely on those plants to generate electricity.

This also means turning to energy efficient devices when possible. Fluorescent lightbulbs over
the course of their lifespan can reduce energy consumption while adding significant savings to
your pocket.
3. Become an Advocate for Clean Energy.

Every day, technology continues to advance that improves the efficiency and cost of clean
energy such as solar, wind, and geothermal. These types of energy sources create much less air
pollution.

Even nuclear is leaps and bounds better than traditional fossil fuel plants when it comes to air
pollution.

Find ways to promote and educate the public on clean energy alternatives. A small contribution
goes a long way in the grand scheme of things.

4. Recycle.

Ah, yes. Recycling. Another topic of heated debates. Wherever you stand on the matter,
recycling can help reduce air pollution.

Instead of throwing away used containers and material, try reusing them or recycling them to be
used again by someone else.

One thing I personally love to do is reuse to-go containers from restaurants as plastic ware for
work lunches. This obviously only works with plastic material, not Styrofoam.

Conclusion
We have now discussed the common causes, effects, and solutions for dealing with air pollution.

With air pollutants being such a widespread epidemic, it’s imperative that we come together as
Earth’s inhabitants to become part of the solution, instead of continuing to be the problem.

We can make the choice to drive less toxic automobiles. We can choose how much energy we
consume on a daily basis. We can also choose to reuse our old materials instead of dumping
them into the environment.
 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 minimizing and reducing the use of fire and fire products.

Air pollution can have some devastating impacts on our bodies and the planet if left untouched.

What are your thoughts on the situation?

Resources

 http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/pollution-
overview/
 https://medlineplus.gov/airpollution.html
 https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/air-pollution/

Featured Image Credit: David Holt @ Flickr

 Pollution

About Renewable Resources Co

Renewable Resources Coalition is a research-based environmental publication, covering a range

of topics from Solar, Wind, & Nuclear energy - to various social & economic issues that affect
our planet.

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Air Pollution & Its Control
Air Pollution Definition
“Air Pollution is the release of pollutants such as gases, particles, biological molecules, etc.
into the air that is harmful to human health and the environment.”

What is Air Pollution?

Air pollution refers to any physical, chemical or biological change in the air. It is the
contamination of air by harmful gases, dust and smoke which affects the plants, animals, and
humans drastically.
There is a certain percentage of gases present in the atmosphere. An increase or decrease in the
composition of these gases is harmful to survival. This imbalance in the gaseous composition has
resulted in an increase in earth’s temperature which is known as global warming.

Types of Air Pollutants

There are two types of air pollutants:

Primary Pollutants
The pollutants that directly cause air pollution are known as primary pollutants. Sulphur-dioxide
emitted from factories is a primary pollutant.
Secondary Pollutants
The pollutants formed by the intermingling and reaction of primary pollutants are known as
secondary pollutants. Smog, formed by the intermingling of smoke and fog, is a secondary
pollutant.
Also Read: Water Pollution

Causes of Air Pollution

Following are the important causes of air pollution:

Burning of Fossil Fuels

The combustion of fossil fuels emits a large amount of sulphur dioxide. Carbon monoxide
released by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels also results in air pollution.

Automobiles
The gases emitted from vehicles such as jeeps, trucks, cars, buses, etc. pollute the environment.
These are the major sources of greenhouse gases and also result in diseases among individuals.

Agricultural Activities
Ammonia is one of the most hazardous gases emitted during agricultural activities. The
insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers emit harmful chemicals in the atmosphere and contaminate
it.

Factories and Industries

Factories and industries are the main source of carbon monoxide, organic compounds,
hydrocarbons, and chemicals. These are released into the air degrading its quality.

Mining Activities
In the mining process, the minerals below the earth are extracted using large pieces of
equipment. The dust and chemicals released during the process not only pollute the air but also
deteriorate the health of the workers and people living in the nearby areas.

Domestic Sources
The household cleaning products and paints contain toxic chemicals that are released in the air.
The smell from the newly painted walls is the smell of the chemicals present in the paints. It not
only pollutes the air but also affects breathing.
Also Read: Ozone Layer Depletion

Effects of Air Pollution

The hazardous effects of air pollution on the environment include:

Diseases
Air pollution has resulted in several respiratory disorders and heart diseases among humans. The
cases of lung cancer have increased in the last few decades. Children living near polluted areas
are more prone to pneumonia and asthma. Many people die every year due to the direct or
indirect effects of air pollution.

Global Warming
Due to the emission of greenhouse gases, there is an imbalance in the gaseous composition of the
air. This has led to an increase in the temperature of the earth. This increase in earth’s
temperature is known as global warming. This has resulted in the melting of glaciers and an
increase in sea levels. Many areas are submerged under water.

Acid Rain
The burning of fossil fuels releases harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides in
the air. The water droplets combine with these pollutants, become acidic, and fall as acid rain
which damages human, animal and plant life.

Ozone Layer Depletion

The release of chlorofluorocarbons, halons, and hydrochlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere is
the major cause of depletion of the ozone layer. The depleting ozone layer does not prevent the
harmful ultraviolet rays coming from the sun and causes skin diseases and eye problems among
individuals.

Effect on Animals
The air pollutants suspend on the water bodies and affect the aquatic life. Pollution also compels
the animals to leave their habitat and shift to a new place. This renders them stray and has also
led to the extinction of a large number of animals species.

Air Pollution Control

Following are the measures one should adopt to control air pollution:

Avoid Using Vehicles

People should avoid using vehicles for shorter distances. Rather they should prefer public modes
of transport to travel from one place to another. This not only prevents pollution but also
conserves energy.

Energy Conservation
A large number of fossil fuels are burnt to generate electricity. Therefore, do not forget to switch
off the electrical appliances when not in use. Thus, you can save the environment at the
individual level. Use of energy-efficient devices such CFLs also controls pollution to a greater
level.

Use of Clean Energy Resources

The use of solar, wind and geothermal energies reduce air pollution at a larger level. Various
countries including India have implemented the use of these resources as a step towards a cleaner
environment.
Other air pollution control measures include:

1. By minimizing and reducing the use of fire and fire products.

2. Since industrial emissions are one of the major causes of air pollution, the pollutants can
be controlled or treated at the source itself to reduce its effects. For example, if the
reactions of a certain raw material yield a pollutant, then the raw materials can be
substituted with other less polluting materials.
3. Fuel substitution is another way of controlling air pollution. In many parts of India, petrol
and diesel are being replaced by CNG – Compressed Natural Gas fuelled vehicles. These
are mostly adopted by vehicles that aren’t fully operating with ideal emission engines.
4. 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.
5. 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 minimized.
6. Sometimes controlling pollutants at the source is not possible. In that case, we can have
process control equipment to control the pollution.
7. A very effective way of controlling air pollution is by diluting the air pollutants.
8. 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.

Air Pollution & Its Control

Air Pollution Definition
“Air Pollution is the release of pollutants such as gases, particles, biological molecules, etc.
into the air that is harmful to human health and the environment.”
What is Air Pollution?
Air pollution refers to any physical, chemical or biological change in the air. It is the
contamination of air by harmful gases, dust and smoke which affects the plants, animals, and
humans drastically.
There is a certain percentage of gases present in the atmosphere. An increase or decrease in the
composition of these gases is harmful to survival. This imbalance in the gaseous composition has
resulted in an increase in earth’s temperature which is known as global warming.

Types of Air Pollutants

There are two types of air pollutants:

Primary Pollutants
The pollutants that directly cause air pollution are known as primary pollutants. Sulphur-dioxide
emitted from factories is a primary pollutant.

Secondary Pollutants
The pollutants formed by the intermingling and reaction of primary pollutants are known as
secondary pollutants. Smog, formed by the intermingling of smoke and fog, is a secondary
pollutant.
Also Read: Water Pollution
Causes of Air Pollution
Following are the important causes of air pollution:

Burning of Fossil Fuels

The combustion of fossil fuels emits a large amount of sulphur dioxide. Carbon monoxide
released by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels also results in air pollution.

Automobiles
The gases emitted from vehicles such as jeeps, trucks, cars, buses, etc. pollute the environment.
These are the major sources of greenhouse gases and also result in diseases among individuals.

Agricultural Activities
Ammonia is one of the most hazardous gases emitted during agricultural activities. The
insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers emit harmful chemicals in the atmosphere and contaminate
it.

Factories and Industries

Factories and industries are the main source of carbon monoxide, organic compounds,
hydrocarbons, and chemicals. These are released into the air degrading its quality.

Mining Activities
In the mining process, the minerals below the earth are extracted using large pieces of
equipment. The dust and chemicals released during the process not only pollute the air but also
deteriorate the health of the workers and people living in the nearby areas.

Domestic Sources
The household cleaning products and paints contain toxic chemicals that are released in the air.
The smell from the newly painted walls is the smell of the chemicals present in the paints. It not
only pollutes the air but also affects breathing.
Also Read: Ozone Layer Depletion

Effects of Air Pollution

The hazardous effects of air pollution on the environment include:

Diseases
Air pollution has resulted in several respiratory disorders and heart diseases among humans. The
cases of lung cancer have increased in the last few decades. Children living near polluted areas
are more prone to pneumonia and asthma. Many people die every year due to the direct or
indirect effects of air pollution.

Global Warming
Due to the emission of greenhouse gases, there is an imbalance in the gaseous composition of the
air. This has led to an increase in the temperature of the earth. This increase in earth’s
temperature is known as global warming. This has resulted in the melting of glaciers and an
increase in sea levels. Many areas are submerged under water.

Acid Rain
The burning of fossil fuels releases harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides in
the air. The water droplets combine with these pollutants, become acidic, and fall as acid rain
which damages human, animal and plant life.

Ozone Layer Depletion

The release of chlorofluorocarbons, halons, and hydrochlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere is
the major cause of depletion of the ozone layer. The depleting ozone layer does not prevent the
harmful ultraviolet rays coming from the sun and causes skin diseases and eye problems among
individuals.

Effect on Animals
The air pollutants suspend on the water bodies and affect the aquatic life. Pollution also compels
the animals to leave their habitat and shift to a new place. This renders them stray and has also
led to the extinction of a large number of animals species.

Air Pollution Control

Following are the measures one should adopt to control air pollution:

Avoid Using Vehicles

People should avoid using vehicles for shorter distances. Rather they should prefer public modes
of transport to travel from one place to another. This not only prevents pollution but also
conserves energy.

Energy Conservation
A large number of fossil fuels are burnt to generate electricity. Therefore, do not forget to switch
off the electrical appliances when not in use. Thus, you can save the environment at the
individual level. Use of energy-efficient devices such CFLs also controls pollution to a greater
level.

Use of Clean Energy Resources

The use of solar, wind and geothermal energies reduce air pollution at a larger level. Various
countries including India have implemented the use of these resources as a step towards a cleaner
environment.
Other air pollution control measures include:

1. By minimizing and reducing the use of fire and fire products.

2. Since industrial emissions are one of the major causes of air pollution, the pollutants can
be controlled or treated at the source itself to reduce its effects. For example, if the
reactions of a certain raw material yield a pollutant, then the raw materials can be
substituted with other less polluting materials.
3. Fuel substitution is another way of controlling air pollution. In many parts of India, petrol
and diesel are being replaced by CNG – Compressed Natural Gas fuelled vehicles. These
are mostly adopted by vehicles that aren’t fully operating with ideal emission engines.
4. 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.
5. 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 minimized.
6. Sometimes controlling pollutants at the source is not possible. In that case, we can have
process control equipment to control the pollution.
7. A very effective way of controlling air pollution is by diluting the air pollutants.
8. 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.

Air Pollution & Its Control

Air Pollution Definition
“Air Pollution is the release of pollutants such as gases, particles, biological molecules, etc.
into the air that is harmful to human health and the environment.”
What is Air Pollution?
Air pollution refers to any physical, chemical or biological change in the air. It is the
contamination of air by harmful gases, dust and smoke which affects the plants, animals, and
humans drastically.
There is a certain percentage of gases present in the atmosphere. An increase or decrease in the
composition of these gases is harmful to survival. This imbalance in the gaseous composition has
resulted in an increase in earth’s temperature which is known as global warming.

Types of Air Pollutants

There are two types of air pollutants:

Primary Pollutants
The pollutants that directly cause air pollution are known as primary pollutants. Sulphur-dioxide
emitted from factories is a primary pollutant.

Secondary Pollutants
The pollutants formed by the intermingling and reaction of primary pollutants are known as
secondary pollutants. Smog, formed by the intermingling of smoke and fog, is a secondary
pollutant.
Also Read: Water Pollution
Causes of Air Pollution
Following are the important causes of air pollution:

Burning of Fossil Fuels

The combustion of fossil fuels emits a large amount of sulphur dioxide. Carbon monoxide
released by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels also results in air pollution.

Automobiles
The gases emitted from vehicles such as jeeps, trucks, cars, buses, etc. pollute the environment.
These are the major sources of greenhouse gases and also result in diseases among individuals.

Agricultural Activities
Ammonia is one of the most hazardous gases emitted during agricultural activities. The
insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers emit harmful chemicals in the atmosphere and contaminate
it.

Factories and Industries

Factories and industries are the main source of carbon monoxide, organic compounds,
hydrocarbons, and chemicals. These are released into the air degrading its quality.

Mining Activities
In the mining process, the minerals below the earth are extracted using large pieces of
equipment. The dust and chemicals released during the process not only pollute the air but also
deteriorate the health of the workers and people living in the nearby areas.

Domestic Sources
The household cleaning products and paints contain toxic chemicals that are released in the air.
The smell from the newly painted walls is the smell of the chemicals present in the paints. It not
only pollutes the air but also affects breathing.
Also Read: Ozone Layer Depletion

Effects of Air Pollution

The hazardous effects of air pollution on the environment include:

Diseases
Air pollution has resulted in several respiratory disorders and heart diseases among humans. The
cases of lung cancer have increased in the last few decades. Children living near polluted areas
are more prone to pneumonia and asthma. Many people die every year due to the direct or
indirect effects of air pollution.

Global Warming
Due to the emission of greenhouse gases, there is an imbalance in the gaseous composition of the
air. This has led to an increase in the temperature of the earth. This increase in earth’s
temperature is known as global warming. This has resulted in the melting of glaciers and an
increase in sea levels. Many areas are submerged under water.

Acid Rain
The burning of fossil fuels releases harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides in
the air. The water droplets combine with these pollutants, become acidic, and fall as acid rain
which damages human, animal and plant life.

Ozone Layer Depletion

The release of chlorofluorocarbons, halons, and hydrochlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere is
the major cause of depletion of the ozone layer. The depleting ozone layer does not prevent the
harmful ultraviolet rays coming from the sun and causes skin diseases and eye problems among
individuals.

Effect on Animals
The air pollutants suspend on the water bodies and affect the aquatic life. Pollution also compels
the animals to leave their habitat and shift to a new place. This renders them stray and has also
led to the extinction of a large number of animals species.

Air Pollution Control

Following are the measures one should adopt to control air pollution:

Avoid Using Vehicles

People should avoid using vehicles for shorter distances. Rather they should prefer public modes
of transport to travel from one place to another. This not only prevents pollution but also
conserves energy.

Energy Conservation
A large number of fossil fuels are burnt to generate electricity. Therefore, do not forget to switch
off the electrical appliances when not in use. Thus, you can save the environment at the
individual level. Use of energy-efficient devices such CFLs also controls pollution to a greater
level.

Use of Clean Energy Resources

The use of solar, wind and geothermal energies reduce air pollution at a larger level. Various
countries including India have implemented the use of these resources as a step towards a cleaner
environment.
Other air pollution control measures include:

1. By minimizing and reducing the use of fire and fire products.

2. Since industrial emissions are one of the major causes of air pollution, the pollutants can
be controlled or treated at the source itself to reduce its effects. For example, if the
reactions of a certain raw material yield a pollutant, then the raw materials can be
substituted with other less polluting materials.
3. Fuel substitution is another way of controlling air pollution. In many parts of India, petrol
and diesel are being replaced by CNG – Compressed Natural Gas fuelled vehicles. These
are mostly adopted by vehicles that aren’t fully operating with ideal emission engines.
4. 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.
5. 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 minimized.
6. Sometimes controlling pollutants at the source is not possible. In that case, we can have
process control equipment to control the pollution.
7. A very effective way of controlling air pollution is by diluting the air pollutants.
8. 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.