CHAPTER- 19

POLLUTION OF AIR
CONTENT-
• INTRODUCTION- POLLUTION
• AIR POLLUTION
• CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION
• GREEN HOUSE EFFECT
• CONSEQUENCES OF GREEN HOUSE EFFECT
GLOBAL WARMING
MEASURES TO CHECK GLOBAL WARMING
• MEASURES TO CONTROL AIR POLLUTION
• Relevant contribution on our part
 POLLUTION

▪ Derived from Latin word Pollotioneum ,

which means ‘to make dirty.

▪ Definition-
The contamination of environment by harmful substances known as
pollutants.

▪ Pollution-
A substance capable of causing harmful effects, when present in
the environment in proportion greater than its natural abundance
 AIR POLLUTION

Definition of air pollution-

The contamination of air by unwanted

substances having harmful effects
On both the living and non living things is
referred to as air pollution.

Air pollutants-

Substances that contaminate air are called

air pollutants
 CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION

Major causes

❖Excessive burning of fossil fuel like coal , kerosene, petrol or diesel.

❖Smoke from factories and vehicles.

❖Use of harmful substances like Chlorofluorocarbons.

 SOME MAJOR AIR POLLUTANTS
1.Carbon Monoxide
Formed by-
Incomplete combustion of fuel

Harmful effects
On Animals On Plants

When inhales combines with haemoglobin It’s high concentration affects

to form complex substances known as the growth of plants causing
Carboxy-haemoglobin, which is unable to the leaves to drop.
transport oxygen to various parts of the
body. This causes suffocation and
ultimately death
Note- Carbon dioxide when present in excess also causes pollution of air.
2. Nitrogen Dioxide
Formed by-
Produced by combustion of petrol/gasoline
In automobiles.

Harmful effects

On Animals On Plants

It results in respiratory problems It’s high concentration in the air

is harmful to plants. It results in
respiratory problems in humans
 3. Smog ( Smoke + Fog)
Formed by-
In winters, a thick fog like layer envelops the environment
the atmosphere. When smoke, containing oxides of
Nitrogen, combines with other air pollutants and fog, it
forms Smog.

Harmful effects
On Animals On Plants

It leads to diseases related to It prevents the sunlight from reaching

lungs. Such as Bronchitis, Asthma the Earth, this effects the normal
etc. functioning of plants.
 3. Chloroflurocarbons (CFCs)
Formed by-
They are mostly used as refrigerant, solvents and
foaming agents.
When released in the atmosphere, they decompose
under the ultraviolet radiation, present in sunlight.

Harmful effects-
❖ CFCs cause the depletion of Ozone layer by decomposing
oxygen to ozone which results in an increased amount of
Ultraviolet radiation from the sun, reaching the earth.
❖ Causes skin cancer and damages to eyes.
4. Acid Rain
Formed by-
Excessive carbon dioxide smoke and Nitrogen
dioxide when released in the atmosphere come in
contact with the water vapours present there. This
results in the formation of sulphuric acid and nitric
acid. These acids down fall with rain making is
acidic such rain is called acid rain.

Harmful effects of Acid rain-

❑ Acid rain washes away number of essential minerals from the soil.

❑ Acid rain has an adverse effect on aquatic life, particularly, that in the lakes..
❑Statues and structures made up of marble and
limestone get slowly corroded when rainwater,
containing the acid, falls on them. The acids present in
this rain water dissolve marble to form salts and
corrode the marble of the monument. This phenomenon
is called marble cancer. These pollutants can cause
this colouring of white marbles.

❑Articles made of metals and gold and silver

ornaments slowly lose their last year when they are
affected by acid rain
 GREEN HOUSE EFFECT
Green house-
The name greenhouse is given to special glass houses in
which plants are grown. The temperature inside the
greenhouse is higher than the temperature outside. This is
because the rays entering from the glass walls
( of the greenhouse) get trapped there.

Green house effect-

Trapping of radiation by greenhouse gases causing
warming of the Earth is known as greenhouse effect
Green house gases-
Gases which have the capacity to trap some of the (sun's)
heat radiations reflected back from the Earth.
Eg.- Carbon dioxide, methane, Water vapour, nitrous oxide,
chlorofluorocarbons
 Causes Of Increase in Concentration Of
Greenhouse Gases in the Atmosphere
1. Coal and wood, when burnt as domestic fuels,
releases carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere

2. Thermal power plant use the heat produced through

burning of coal to generate electricity which leads to
enormous release of carbon dioxide and carbon
monoxide gases in the atmosphere.

3. Indiscriminate deforestation causes imbalance in the

concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. due
to less plants less carbon dioxide is consumed which
reduces quantity of oxygen.
 Consequences of Green House Effect

GLOBAL WARMING –
Gradual increase in the average temperature of the
Earth is known as global warming
LIKELY CONSEQUENCES OF GLOBAL WARMING –

a. Glaciers will melt at a height risk and this will lead

to rise in the sea level resulting in flats and loss of soil.

b. Warming of atmosphere often leads to forest fires,

please have become more common over the years
 Measures to check Global Warming

Global warming can be checked by checking the release of

greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Some of the
suggestions are-
1. The use of fossil fuel, such as wood, coal, petrol etc,
should be minimised.
2. Electricity should be generated from hydroelectric power
plants and nuclear reactors.
3. Deforestation must be stopped.
4. More trees should be planted. ( Afforestation)
5. Use of chlorofluorocarbons must be reduced.
 Measures to check Global Warming
1.Use of smokeless chulha, solar cookers and biogas.
2.Use of CNG in automobiles
3.Use of alternative sources of energy like solar energy hydropower wind energy and
nuclear energy instant of conventional sources of energy such as coal and petroleum.
4.Use of unleaded petrol in vehicles
5.Taking to pollution emission norms from automobile exhaust and continuous upgrading to
the relevant Euro standard
6. Avoid burning of crackers as the cause lot of air and noise pollution
7. Install tall chimneys with filters in factories, locate them away from residential area.
8. Plant more trees
9. Undertake more Van Mahotsava live programs ( celebrated every year in the month of
July).
10. Enforce Strict anti pollution measures.
11. Regular monitoring of air quality at various locations.
12. Avoid the burning of dry vegetable waste collect it in a pit and make compost.
 Relevant Contribution on our Part

Small contributions on a part can make a huge difference in the

state of environment.
1. Plant trees and nurture the ones already present in the
neighbourhood
2. Many countries have reached an agreement to reduce
emission of greenhouse gases
3. The countries need to take appropriate measures to reduce
the greenhouse gas emission
4. Try to walk short distances
5. Try car-pool .