Classification of Air Pollutants

Air pollution happens when harmful substances are released into the air, which can hurt people,
animals, and the environment. There are different types of air pollutants. Here’s an easy explanation
of them:

1. Primary Pollutants: Primary pollutants are harmful substances that are directly released into
the air from sources like vehicles, factories, and power plants. These include

• Carbon Monoxide (CO): This colorless and odorless gas is produced when things like
cars and factories burn fuel. It can be dangerous because it reduces the amount of
oxygen the blood can carry, which can cause health problems, especially in high
amounts.
• Nitrogen Oxides (NOx): These gases are produced when vehicles (like cars and
trucks) and factories burn fuels such as gasoline (Petrol), coal, or oil. When these
gases mix with sunlight, they can form harmful substances like smog and ground-
level ozone. Smog can make the air look hazy (Foggy), while ozone near the ground
can irritate your lungs. This can cause breathing difficulties and make existing health
conditions, like asthma, even worse. People with respiratory issues are particularly at
risk.
• Sulfur Dioxide (SO2): This gas mainly comes from burning coal and oil in power
plants. It can lead to acid rain, which harms plants, animals, and water bodies. SO2
can also cause breathing problems when inhaled.
• Particulate Matter (PM): consists of tiny particles like dust, dirt, smoke, and small
liquid droplets floating in the air. These particles can come from factories, car
exhaust, and even natural sources like wildfires. Breathing in these particles can
cause problems like asthma, bronchitis, and heart disease.
• Volatile(that can change suddenly and unexpectedly) Organic Compounds (VOCs):
These are chemicals that are emitted from products like paints, solvents(a liquid that
can dissolve another substance), and vehicle exhaust. They react with sunlight to
form ozone, which contributes to smog and can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat.

2. Secondary Pollutants: Secondary pollutants are not directly released into the air but are
formed through chemical reactions between primary pollutants and other substances in the
atmosphere, like sunlight or water. Some common secondary pollutants are:

• Ozone (O3): Ground-level ozone is a harmful pollutant formed when nitrogen oxides
(NOx) and VOCs react with sunlight. While ozone is protective in the upper
atmosphere, near the ground, it can cause breathing difficulties and aggravate lung
diseases.
• Smog: Smog is a mixture of smoke and fog, which is often formed from the
interaction of ground-level ozone and particulate matter. Smog reduces visibility and
can cause respiratory problems, especially in urban areas.
• Acid rain: Acid rain forms when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) mix
with water vapor in the air. This creates sulfuric and nitric acids that fall as rain,
snow, or fog, harming plants, aquatic life, and buildings.
 • Peroxyacetyl Nitrates (PANs): PANs are harmful chemicals formed by the reaction of
nitrogen oxides and VOCs in the presence of sunlight. These pollutants can damage
crops and irritate the eyes and respiratory system.

Sources of Air Pollution and Their Effects on Human Health and Property

Air pollution is caused by various sources, and it can have serious effects on both human
health and property. Understanding these sources and their impacts is important for skill
development and employability in fields like environmental science, healthcare, urban
planning, and engineering.

1. Vehicle Emissions (Cars, Trucks, and Motorbikes)

Source:
Vehicles are a major source of air pollution, especially in cities. Cars, trucks, and motorbikes release
gases like carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and tiny particles (PM) when they burn fuel.

Effects on Human Health:

• Breathing problems: These gases can make it hard to breathe and worsen lung diseases like
asthma and bronchitis.

• Heart problems: Long-term exposure to vehicle emissions can lead to heart diseases and
increase the risk of heart attacks.

• Cancer: Some gases from cars, like benzene, can increase the risk of lung cancer.

• Shortened life: Breathing in these pollutants for a long time can make people sick and
shorten life expectancy.

Effects on Property:

• Damage to buildings: Pollutants like sulphur dioxide (SO2) can cause acid rain, which slowly
breaks down buildings, statues, and other structures.

• Dirt and stains: Tiny particles from vehicle exhaust can build up on cars, homes, and other
property, making them dirty and needing regular cleaning.

2. Industrial Emissions (Factories and Power Plants)

Source:
Factories, power plants, and other industries burn coal, oil, or natural gas to make energy or
products. This process releases harmful gases like sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and
volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Effects on Human Health:

• Breathing problems: Industrial emissions can cause or worsen lung conditions like asthma
and bronchitis.

• Cancer and other diseases: Long-term exposure to chemicals from factories can lead to
cancer and other serious health issues.

• Premature death: Living near factories with high pollution can increase the risk of dying
early from diseases caused by pollution.
Effects on Property:

• Building damage: Industrial pollutants can cause damage to homes and public buildings,
especially when acid rain forms.

• Dirt and staining: Soot and chemicals from factories can stain walls, windows, and roofs,
requiring constant maintenance.

3. Agricultural Activities (Farming and Livestock)

Source:
Farming activities, including using fertilizers, pesticides, and raising livestock, release gases like
methane (CH4), ammonia (NH3), and dust into the air.

Effects on Human Health:

• Breathing issues: Ammonia and dust from farms can irritate the lungs and worsen asthma.

• Infections: If waste from farms isn't managed well, it can contaminate air and water, leading
to diseases like E. coli.

• Heat-related problems: Livestock farming produces methane, which contributes to climate

change and can make extreme heat more dangerous.

Effects on Property:

• Damage to buildings: Ammonia from farming can weaken metal and damage concrete.

• Contaminated water: Chemicals from farms can mix with water supplies, lowering water
quality and hurting property value.

4. Residential Heating and Cooking (Wood, Coal, and Gas)

Source:
Using wood stoves, coal, or gas for heating homes and cooking releases smoke, carbon monoxide
(CO), and other pollutants into the air.

Effects on Human Health:

• Respiratory problems: Smoke from burning wood or coal can cause breathing problems,
especially for people with lung diseases.

• Poisoning: Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that can make people dizzy, confused, and even
cause death if inhaled in large amounts.

Effects on Property:

• Smoke damage: Smoke from wood stoves or coal can leave stains and odors on furniture and
walls.

• Fire risk: Using these heating methods can increase the risk of house fires, leading to
property damage.

5. Natural Sources (Wildfires, Volcanoes, Dust Storms)

Source:
Natural events like wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and dust storms release pollutants such as carbon
dioxide (CO2), particulate matter(particulate matter), and sulphur dioxide (SO2).

Effects on Human Health:

• Breathing issues: Smoke from wildfires and dust from storms can cause lung irritation and
make breathing harder, especially for people with asthma.

• Eye and throat irritation: Volcanic ash and wildfire smoke can make the eyes and throat
sore, causing discomfort.

Effects on Property:

• Damage to buildings: Wildfires can destroy homes, forests, and infrastructure, while volcanic
ash can damage roofs and machinery.

• Cleaning and repairs: Dust storms and ash from wildfires can cause buildings and cars to get
dirty, leading to expensive cleaning and repairs.

Skill Development and Employability

Learning about air pollution and its effects can help people in different jobs, such as:

• Environmental Science and Engineering: Understanding where pollution comes from helps
us find ways to reduce it, like using clean energy and air purifiers.

• Healthcare: Doctors and healthcare workers need to understand how air pollution affects
health, so they can help patients and educate people about staying safe.

• Urban Planning: City planners use this knowledge to design cities that have clean air and
green spaces, making life better for residents.

• Policy and Law: People working in law can use this information to create rules and laws to
control air pollution and protect people’s health.

• Renewable Energy and Technology: As the world shifts to cleaner energy, people with
knowledge of air pollution will help develop new technologies like solar panels, electric cars,
and wind energy.