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Interesting Facts About Air Pollution

Air pollution is a broad term applied to any chemical , physical (e.g. particulate matter), or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere . The atmosphere is a complex, dynamic natural system that is essential to support life on planet earth. Stratospheric ozone depletion due to air pollution has long been recognized as a threat to human health as well as to the earth's ecosystems.

Worldwide air pollution is responsible for large numbers of deaths and cases of respiratory disease . Setting of air quality standards, such as the U.S. Clean Air Act , has begun to improve air quality for some pollutants. While major stationary sources are often identified with air pollution, the greatest source of emissions are actually mobile sources, principally the automobile. There are many available air pollution control technologies and urban planning strategies available to reduce air pollution; however, worldwide costs of addressing this issue are high. The most immediately available method of improving air quality is adoption of greater use of bioethanol fuel, biodiesel , solar energy and increased reliance upon hybrid vehicle technology.

Sources

Air pollutants are classified as either directly released or formed by subsequent chemical reactions. A direct release air pollutant is one that is emitted directly from a given source, such as the carbon monoxide or sulfur dioxide, all of which are byproducts of combustion; whereas, a subsequent air pollutant is formed in the atmosphere through chemical reactions involving direct release pollutants. The formation of ozone in photochemical smog is the most important example of a subsequent air pollutant.

Anthropogenic sources (human activity) related to burning different kinds of fuel

• Controlled burn practices used in agriculture and forestry management,
• Motor vehicles generating air pollution emissions,
• Marine vessels, such as container ships or cruise ships, and related port air emissions,
• Wood, coal, fuel oil or natural gas burning fireplaces, stoves, furnaces and incinerators,

Other anthropogenic sources

• Oil refining, power plant operation and industrial activity in general,
• Chemicals, dust and crop waste burning in farming,
• Fumes from paint, varnish, aerosol sprays and other solvents,
• Waste deposition in landfills, which generate methane,
• Military uses, as nuclear weapons, toxic gases, germ warfare and rocketry.
  

Natural Sources

• Dust from natural sources, usually large areas of land with little or no vegetation.
• Methane, emitted by the digestion of food by animals, for example cattle.
• Pine trees, which emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Radon gas from radioactive decay within the Earth's crust.
• Smoke and carbon monoxide from wildfires.
• Volcanic activity, which produce sulfur, chlorine, and ash particulates.

Wikipedia - More Info on Air Pollution