Air Pollution: Gaseous Pollutants
* Pollution is the harmful effect on the environment that can prove fatal to all living organisms.
* Pollutants can be solid, liquid or gaseous, and originated from human actions and natural sources.
* Air pollution takes place in two different layers of the earth’s atmosphere – the Atmospheric pollution
* The major pollutants of the troposphere are harmful gaseous oxide and oxidants, and particulate pollutants such as dust, mist and smoke.
* An increase in the level of the oxides of sulphur and nitrogen makes the pH value of rain water drop 5.6, causing acid rain.
* An increase in the level of the carbon dioxide leads to an increase in the average global temperature, and this is known as global warming.
Air Pollution: Stratospheric Pollution
* The sun’s rays contain ultra violet or UV radiations, which are harmful for animals and plants.
* Ozone acts as an umbrella to the earth’s planet, absorbing most of the ultra violet radiations.
* Chlorofluorocarbon compounds are non-reactive, non – inflammable and non – toxic organic compounds, and are responsible for ozone depletion.
* Chlorofluorocarbon compounds are used in refrigerators, air conditioners and electronic goods.
* Chlorine radicals are regenerated constantly in a chain reaction and cause ozone depletion.
* Stratospheric clouds are responsible for the ozone hole over Antarctica.
* UV radiation causes aging of skin, sunburn, skin cancer and cataract.
