CWTS REPORT

AIR POLLUTION

 Any substance that alters the natural properties of the atmosphere,

whether it be chemical, physical, or biological, is considered an air
pollutant
 Air pollution can occur indoors or outdoors.
 The combination of solid particles and gases in the air is known as air
pollution.
 A significant source of ozone pollution in cities is a gas.
 Smog is the term used for the air pollution that results from ozone.
 The term “air pollutant” means any air pollution agent or combination of
such agents, including any physical, chemical, biological, radioactive
(including source material, special nuclear material, and byproduct
material) substance or matter which is emitted into or otherwise enters the
ambient air.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION

 The Burning of Fossil Fuels

- The incomplete combustion of fossil fuels is the primary cause of air
pollution. Coal, oil, and gasoline are some of these that can be used to
generate energy for transportation or electricity.
- A high concentration of CO (carbon monoxide) released shows how
much fossil fuel is used.
- Along with nitrogen oxides, this releases additional harmful chemicals
into the atmosphere. Breathing air contaminated by pollution from burning
fossil fuels and natural gas lowers the heart's capacity to pump enough
oxygen.
- Consequently, one may develop a number of respiratory and cardiac
conditions.

 Industrial Emission
- Industrial processes release a number of pollutants into the
atmosphere that have a profound impact on the quality of the air.
- pollutants released by industries that use coal and wood as their
main energy source for product manufacture are NO2(Nitrogen dioxide),
SO2(sulfur dioxide), and CO(carbon monoxide).
- The industries release enormous volumes of organic substances,
such as CO2, hydrocarbons, etc., as well as other toxins.
 Indoor Air Pollution
- No matter where you are—in an office, a classroom, or your cozy
home—inadequate ventilation, the usage of harmful goods, also known as
volatile organic compounds (VOCs), uneven temperature, and humidity levels
can all contribute to indoor air pollution.
- House air pollution can take place due to ignorant factors, for
instance, smoking tobacco inside a room or leaving mold-infected walls
untreated. The use of wood stoves or space heaters is capable of increasing
the humidity level which can directly affect the health of a person in no time.

 Wildfires
-Climate change is not just increasing wildfire but also spiking air
pollution
- Because of this Smog makes the air hazy and people find it difficult
to breathe. Visibility also decreases as a result of this smog.
- Difficulty in breathing, irritation in the eyes, nose, and throat,
itchiness in the respiratory tract, etc. are all symptoms of inhaling smog.

 Transportation
- Every day, there are more cars on the roadways. There is no
doubting that automobile emissions are the main cause of air pollution,
particularly in metropolitan areas where the percentage of people who own a
car is higher than in rural areas. Pollutants released into the air by burning
gasoline in an automobile are just as dangerous as smoking ten cigarettes a
day.
- Your vehicle emits:

1. Carbon monoxide,
2. Hydrocarbons,
3. Nitrogen oxide, and
4. Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10)

- When vehicle pollution is high in the atmosphere, it creates a hole

in the ozone layer contributing to smog and causing various health issues.

 Open Burning of Garbage Waste

- Open air garbage burning releases toxins such as black carbon,
soot, and carcinogens. It actively contributes to the greenhouse effect, and
in turn to climate change. Black carbon and soot gets deposited on the ice
peaks, which results in their meltdown.
 - Exposure to open burning of garbage waste can pose serious
health risks including :
1. Cancer
2. Liver issues
3. Impairment of the immune system
4. Reduced reproductive functions
5. Can also affect the developing nervous system.

 Agricultural activities
- The deteriorating air quality has been significantly impacted by
agricultural activities. To start, the principal sources that contaminate the
nearby air are pesticides and fertilizers. In order to promote the rapid growth
of crops and vegetation, modern invasive species are combined with fertilizers
and insecticides. The pesticides' odor and effect remain in the air after being
sprayed on them. Some of it mixes with water, and some seeps into the
ground, destroying crops and leading to a variety of health problems.

 Use of chemical and synthetic products

- Indoor air pollution from household items is 10 times more damaging
than outdoor air pollution. Since we spend more than 90% of our time indoors,
the effects of indoor air pollution are grave and cause for concern. Common
health problems are caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are
present in paints, cleansers, and personal care items like deodorants and
perfumes. These silent killers can lead to hazards such as lung disease,
asthma, and other respiratory conditions brought on by breathing in low
quality indoor air.

EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION

Air pollution affects all things. It is harmful to our health, and it impacts the
environment by reducing visibility and blocking sunlight, causing acid rain, and
harming forests, wildlife, and agriculture. Greenhouse gas pollution, the cause
of climate change, affects the entire planet.

 Harming animals and plants

- Wildlife can experience many of the same negative health effects of
air pollution that humans do. Damage to respiratory systems is the most
common effect on animals, but neurological problems and skin irritations are
also common.
- When subjected to persistent air pollution, plants and crops grow less.
Plants are harmed by ozone pollution because it damages stomata, which are
microscopic pores on the underside of leaves that allow the plant to "breathe."
Some plant species are more resilient than others and can defend themselves
by producing antioxidants or temporarily closing their stomata.
 Causing Acid rain
- Burning fossil fuels releases sulfur and nitrogen oxides into the
atmosphere
- When sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide combine with atmospheric
water droplets to produce sulfuric and nitric acids, acid rain is created.
- These pollutants can be carried by the wind for thousands of
kilometers until they are eventually released as acid rain, which damages
plant leaves, raises the acidity of soils and water, and is responsible for more
than 500 fatalities annually.

 Making a hole in the Ozone layer

- Air pollution is the cause of the ozone hole. Chlorine atoms are
present in substances that are employed as refrigerants, such as
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Ozone is destroyed when chlorine atoms are
released into the atmosphere. Thousands of ozone molecules can be
destroyed by a single chlorine atom.
- The ozone layer blocks harmful ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation from the
Sun — it protects us in a way that is similar to putting sunscreen on your skin
to prevent sunburn

 Effects of greenhouse gas pollution

- Climate change is brought on by greenhouse gas pollution. Because
of this, ecosystems are changing more quickly than animals and plants can
adapt, leading to the extinction of numerous species. Ocean acidification,
which occurs when carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere dissolves in
saltwater, poses a threat to marine ecosystems. Many marine organisms find
it challenging to develop their shells and skeletons as a result of ocean
acidification.
- The Earth's ecosystems are at risk from climate change brought on by
greenhouse gas emissions, as seen by melting ice sheets, warming oceans,
and harsh weather. The balance of entire ecosystems can frequently be upset
by the extinction of one or a few species as a result of air pollution.
EFFECTS IN TERMS OF HEALTH

Short-term exposure to air pollution can cause:

 Coughing
 Wheezing/difficulty breathing
 Irritation to eyes, nose, and throat
 Headache
 Dizziness
 Fatigue

Long-term exposure to air pollution can cause:

 Respiratory diseases (asthma, emphysema)

 Cardiovascular damage
 Harm to liver, spleen, and blood
 Nervous system damage
 Cancer
 Birth defects
 Death

REFERENCES

AIR POLLUTION:

https://www.who.int/health-topics/air-pollution#tab=tab_1

https://medlineplus.gov/airpollution.html#:~:text=Air%20pollution%20is%20a%
20mixture,Some%20air%20pollutants%20are%20poisonous.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/uscode.php?width=840&height=800&if
rame=true&def_id=42-USC-1462657843-
1186899448&term_occur=40&term_src=#:~:text=(g)%20The%20term%20“air,
otherwise%20enters%20the%20ambient%20air.

https://www.aqi.in/blog/here-are-the-10-main-causes-of-air-pollution/

https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/air-quality/effects-air-pollution