What Causes of Air Pollution?
The atmosphere is a blanket of gases that protects the earth from the harmful radiation emitted from the sun. The process of the addition of harmful and toxic chemicals and biological matter into the atmosphere is air pollution. Pollutants can cause discomfort and numerous health risks in individuals and also destroy the natural habitats of the plant and animal species. Various steps are being taken all over to cut down on the emission of pollutants to reduce the impact of air pollution on humans. Numerous factors such as vehicle exhaust, indoor emissions, smoking and waste disposal are considered to be among the major factors contributing toward air pollution.
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Natural Factors Causing Air Pollution
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Volcanic eruptions, gases emitted from animal waste, forest fires and dust are some of the common natural sources resulting in air pollution. Large levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2) are liberated into the atmosphere as a result of volcanic eruptions and forest fires, thereby disturbing the ecological balance with resulting air pollution.
Immobile/Stationary Sources
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Emissions from power plants, industries, factories and furnaces are some of the common stationary sources causing air pollution. Most emit enormous quantities of CO2 (carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere. Despite being one of the natural components of the atmosphere, carbon dioxide results in air pollution and serious consequences such as global warming when present in increased levels.
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Vehicle Exhaust
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Emissions from vehicles including aircraft are often considered to be one of the chief factors resulting in air pollution. Vehicles often emit large amounts of carbon monoxide (CO) into the atmosphere, which can result in numerous serious respiratory disorders such as bronchitis and asthma.
Waste Disposal
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Accumulation and improper disposal of waste products is another source of air pollution. Waste products generally emit increased levels of methane (CH4) into the earth's atmosphere. While methane is harmless in its original form, it frequently reacts with the gases in the atmosphere to form harmful gases that in turn cause air pollution.
Other Common Causes
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Dispersal of pollen grains, wind erosion, emissions from radioactive decay taking place inside the earth's crust, burning of fossil fuels and chemicals such as fungicides, insecticides are a few of the common factors that often result in air pollution.
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