Atmosphere is a complex combination of gaseous system that is essential
for the survival of life on earth. Air Pollution refers to the harmful
materials that enter the Atmosphere causing harm to nature and living
beings. Various substances like Chemicals, Particulate or other
biological matter when settles in the atmosphere causes unnecessary
changes in Natural cycles and Human survival becomes problematic.
World
Heath Organization has stated that every year around 2.4 billion people
die of Pollution. There are other such numerous astonishing figures
that indicate the numerous health hazards caused by Air Pollution.
PollutantsAny
substance that when embeds in the atmosphere causes harm to environment
and life on Earth is called a Pollutant. Pollutants have different
classifications. They can be classified on the basis of state as Solid,
Liquid or Gaseous. Additionally they can be classified as Natural or
Man-made. Apart from above two classifications they can also be
classified as Primary or Secondary.
Primary Pollutants are
directly emitted from a process, e.g. Sulphur Oxides, Nitrogen Oxides,
Carbon mono-oxide, Carbon-di-Oxide etc. Secondary Pollutants are
produced on interaction of some primary pollutants that is the
secondary pollutants are not emitted directly.
SourcesVarious
Sources or activities that are responsible for releasing pollutants in
the atmosphere are classified in two categories namely Anthropogenic
(Factors related to Human activity) and Natural Sources. Anthropogenic
Sources include dust and pollution from manufacturing Plants, pollution
by vehicles, prescribed burning in agriculture, fumes and waste
deposition generating Methane.
Natural Sources refer to
release of these pollutants due to natural processes in the
environment, for example, the release of Methane by digestion in
various animals, dust from scarcely cultivated areas, Radon gas from
various radioactive materials present in the atmosphere, Volcanic
Activity, smoke and wildfires.
In India In
India there is a severe Environmental concern of Air Pollution that is
growing day by day. Numerous deaths are reported every year reasoned to
Air Pollution. Amongst various forms of air-pollution, the Indoor Air
pollution is dominant in India. Looking at the health hazards there is
a lot to be done in this field and take care of Planet Earth.
Other Environmental Concerns in India.Explore more on geography of India.