Air pollution, also known as air pollution, is characterized by the presence of pollutants in the atmosphere in an amount and duration harmful to humans, plants and animals.
These pollutants can come from anthropogenic sources, such as industrial activities, motor vehicle emissions, and outdoor garbage burning, for example, or from natural sources such as fires, sandstorms, or volcanic eruptions.
- All of these contaminants are harmful to health and can cause breathing problems.
- Skin.
- Eye and mucous membrane irritation.
- Aggravation of respiratory diseases and even increase the risk of developing cancer.
For example, it is important to take measures to prevent and reduce air pollution, such as increasing the use of renewable energy, using public transport, preventing fires and increasing green spaces, for example.
Air pollutants can be divided into primary and secondary contaminants; primary pollutants are those emitted directly from sources of pollution and secondary pollutants are those that form in the atmosphere by chemical reaction between primary pollutants and natural constituents in the atmosphere.
On the other hand, primary contaminants can be classified as natural or anthropogenic:
Natural pollutants come from natural sources such as ash and volcanic emission gases, sand and dust storms, decomposition of animals and plants, particles and smoke from wildfires, cosmic dust, natural evaporation, gases from the decomposition of organic matter and sea air.of the seas and oceans.
Anthropogenic pollutants are those that result from human action, such as industrial pollution sources, vehicles that use fossil fuels, the burning of waste in the open air and the incineration of waste, the use of volatile products, the burning of fuels in industry and thermoelectric plants. .and emissions from chemical processes.
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The main pollutants in the outdoor air and their consequences on health and the environment are:
Carbon monoxide is a highly toxic and flammable gas that causes most tobacco smoke and incomplete combustion of fuels, such as those emitted by motor vehicles.
Consequences: This pollutant reduces the ability of the blood to transport oxygen to cells and tissues, which can affect perception and thinking functions, delay reflexes, cause headaches, drowsiness, dizziness and nausea, heart attacks, agony, damage to the development of babies during pregnancy and young children; It can also further aggravate diseases such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema and anemia.At very high levels, it causes collapse, coma, brain damage and death.
It is an irritating gas that causes most of the combustion of coal and heavy oils in thermoelectric plants, industries and the combustion of diesel in vehicles.In the atmosphere, it can be converted into sulfuric acid.
Consequences: Sulfur dioxide can cause breathing problems, especially in people with asthma and bronchitis; It also reduces visibility and, in the atmosphere, can become sulfuric acid, eventually depositing and damaging trees, soil and aquatic life by acid rain.
Nitrogen dioxide is an irritating, highly toxic and oxidizing gas that in the atmosphere can be transformed into nitric acid and organic nitrates.This pollutant comes largely from the combustion of fuels by motor vehicles and thermoelectric and industrial installations.
Consequences: Nitrogen dioxide can cause irritation and lung damage, aggravate chronic asthma and bronchitis, and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections such as colds and flu, as well as contribute to reduced visibility and deposits of nitric acid, as a result of its transformation in the atmosphere, can damage trees, soil and aquatic life in lakes.
Particulate matter is all small and light particles and droplets that are suspended in the atmosphere due to their small size, the composition of which depends on the polluting source, such as burning coal in thermoelectric plants and industrial installations, the combustion of diesel from automobiles, cement plants, fires, fires, construction activities and aerosols, for example.
Consequences: These particles can cause nose and throat irritation, lung damage, bronchitis, worsening of bronchitis and asthma.If toxic particles are composed of lead, cadmium, polychlorinated biphenyls and/or dioxins, they can cause mutations, fertility problems and cancers.In addition, some of these particles also reduce visibility and can damage trees, soil and aquatic life.
Lead is a toxic metal, resulting from painting old buildings, metal refineries, lead manufacturing, batteries, and leaded gasoline, for example.
Consequences: This contaminant builds up in the body and can cause damage to the central nervous system, such as mental retardation, digestive problems or even cancer, and also has a negative impact on wildlife, knowing how to identify symptoms of lead poisoning.
Ozone is a highly reactive and irritating gas that results from emissions from motor vehicles and industrial installations.Ozone in the upper layers of the atmosphere protects from ultraviolet rays from the sun, however, when it is near the ground, it behaves like a pollutant, which is more concentrated during periods of heat, high solar radiation and dry environment.
Consequences: Like other pollutants, ozone can also cause breathing problems, cough, eye, nose and throat irritation, aggravate chronic diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and heart disease, reduce resistance to respiratory infections and accelerate aging of lung tissue.In addition, it also contributes to the destruction of plants and trees and reduces visibility.
Air pollution can be reduced by adopting measures such as
See also indoor plants that help purify air and improve health.
It is also very important to monitor air quality frequently in order to develop pollution reduction programs and assess its effectiveness in controlling air quality. Air quality analysis is essential for decision-makers to be informed of potential impacts and risks, which enables them to plan actions and public policies.