Air pollution:

Air pollution happens when the air gets contaminated due to harmful air pollutants like smoke, toxic gases, dust, etc., and this results in the
degradation of air quality and causes serious health problems.

Causes of air pollution:

1. Automobiles:
Motor vehicles like cars, buses, trucks emit harmful gases. The principal gas emitted by motor vehicles is carbon dioxide and some
nitrous oxide. These gases cause the surrounding air to get polluted and contribute to climate change and global warming.

2. Fertilisers:Chemical fertilisers give off ammonia, a very harmful gas that causes air pollution.

3. Emission from factories:Factories emit several gaseous pollutants like sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and other
hydrocarbons that mix with the air causing degradation of the air quality.
4. Indoor air pollutants:We are not protected from air pollution even in our homes due to indoor air pollutants like excess moisture,
volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and radon.

5. Mining activities:While mining, several harmful gases and dust particles are emitted into the surrounding air, causing air
pollution.

6. Burning of fossil fuels:

The burning of fossil fuels emits a large amount of carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide, both responsible for air pollution.7.
Deforestation:Deforestation is one of the primary causes of air pollution because fewer plants and trees mean less absorption of
carbon dioxide. We know that increase in the amount of carbon dioxide is not suitable for our environment.

Effects of air pollution:

1. Ozone layer depletion:Our atmosphere is divided into many layers, among which there is an ozone layer that protects the earth
from the harmful radiation of the sun. However, air pollutants like chlorofluorocarbons and halons emitted by refrigerants, solvents
and propellants cause the depletion of the ozone layer. As a result, the sun's harmful radiations can reach the earth’s surface.

2. Global warming:Due to excessive emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide etc., the earth is
becoming hotter every year. This phenomenon is known as global warming. Due to global warming, the polar glaciers are melting, and the
sea level is rising, and regions close to the sea are getting submerged.

3. Acid rain:Harmful air pollutants like nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, etc., combine with the oxygen and water in the air to form acids like
nitric acid and sulphuric acid. These acids mix with rainwater and come down on the earth’s surface in the form of acid rain. Acid rain
causes extensive damage to plants, animals, and human beings and wears away buildings and monuments.

4. Respiratory diseases:Air pollution causes many respiratory diseases like asthma, pneumonia and even lung cancer.

Controlling air pollution:

1. Using renewable sources of energy:If we want to reduce air pollution, we should use renewable sources of energy like solar
energy, geothermal energy and wind energy as these emit no toxic gases.
2. Minimising the use of vehicles that cause pollution:Vehicles that emit toxic gases should be avoided. Instead, the use of
non-polluting vehicles like trams, electric cars etc., should be encouraged. We should also try carpooling and not use personal
vehicles to travel short distances.
3. Conservation of energy:We should turn off our car engines when waiting at traffic signals and switch off the electric appliances
when they are not being used to reduce the usage of fossil fuels because we know that the burning of fossil fuels leads to air
pollution.
4. Afforestation:Afforestation or planting more trees can help improve the air quality as trees can absorb the toxic gases present in
the air and reduce greenhouse gases.