Consequences & Control Measures of Air Pollution

Consequences of Air Pollution:

i. Carbon monoxide:

In low concentration dizziness, headache, nausea, and tiredness are caused. If inhaled for a long period even at low concentrations, it causes brain damage, at a higher concentration, it can cause unconsciousness and eventually death. It reacts with haemoglobinHaemoglobin (Hb) is a protein, found in the red blood cells, that carries oxygen in your body and gives blood its red colour. More in the blood, preventing it from taking oxygen, and forms carboxyhemoglobin, which can lead to death by suffocation.

ii. Sulphur dioxide:

It causes lung diseases in humans. It changes the green colour of plants’ leaves and corrodes metals.

iii. Nitrogen oxides:

This causes lung irritation, suffocation, disease in plants, and corrosionCorrosion is defined as a natural process that causes the transformation of pure metals into undesirable substances when they react with substances like water or air. This reaction causes damage and... More of metallic objects.

iv. Hydrogen sulfide:

It has a rotten egg smell which is irritating and can cause suffocation in humans.

v. Dust:

This can cause injury to the eyes, nose and ears.

vi. Smoke:

This causes injury to the lungs of the respiratory tracts and discomfort to humans. Smoke from cigarettes causes lung cancer, asthma, and chronic bronchitis. It also causes eye irritation, respiratory ailment, and nausea.

vii. Radioactive:

Radioactive rays are very dangerous to health and can destroy genes.

Control Measures of Air Pollution:

1. Proper maintenance of machinery, motor vehicles, boilers, furnaces, and chimneys.

2. Planting of trees: Plants can use carbon oxide for photosynthesisPhotosynthesis is the process by which green plants, and some algae and bacteria, convert the energy of sunlight into chemical energy. This energy is then used to synthesize carbohydrates such as... More, and at the same time release oxygen into the atmosphere

3. Noses should be covered properly with a white clean handkerchief if you accidentally get to an air-polluted area.

Evaluation Questions: