Air Pollution In An Environment
INTRODUCTION
Air pollution is the term used to describe the tainting of the earth's atmosphere by the presence of hazardous substances. Techniques for reducing or eliminating atmospheric emissions of pollutants that could endanger human or environmental health are known as air pollution control. One of the main focuses of pollution control is the control of air pollution, along with wastewater treatment, solid waste management, and hazardous waste management.
WHAT IS POLLUTION OF THE AIR?
• The introduction of contaminants, organic molecules, or other dangerous substances into the atmosphere of the Earth is referred to as "air pollution."
• Excess gases like carbon dioxide and other vapors that cannot be properly eliminated by natural cycles like the nitrogen cycle or the carbon cycle can be one example of this.
• Humans are susceptible to illnesses, allergies, and even death from air pollution.
• It can also cause harm to other living things like animals and food crops, as well as to the constructed environment (acid rain, for instance), as well as to the natural environment (climate change, ozone depletion, or habitat destruction).
• Air pollution is a problem that can be caused by both human activities and natural causes.
• An exact number of gases make up the atmosphere. It is impossible to survive if the composition of these gases changes, whether in a favorable or negative way.
• The earth's temperature has increased due to this imbalance in the gaseous composition, resulting in global warming.
MEASURES TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION
• Using a public transport system: Public transport consumes less energy and gas than a car, and even carpooling can help reduce air pollution.
• Using public transport can help you save money and reduce the amount of fuel and petrol released.
• When not in use, turn off the lights: Using less power can reduce energy consumption, which helps to reduce air pollution. Use fluorescent lighting that uses less energy to benefit the environment.
• Recycle and reuse: The idea of recycling and reuse helps to reduce pollution emissions, which helps to lower air pollution. It also conserves resources and uses them wisely.
• Don't Use Plastic Bags: Products made of plastic may be bad for the environment because they take a while to degrade because they are made of oil.
• Paper bags degrade faster and can be recycled, making them a superior alternative.
• Reduce smoking and forest fires: In addition to smoking obviously having a negative impact on one's health, other major contributors to air pollution include the collection of trash and lighting it on fire during dry seasons, or dry leaves catching fire.
• Use fans instead of air conditioners to reduce energy use and heat production, which are both detrimental to the environment. Like fans, air conditioners use a lot of energy and power to run.
• Use chimney filters: The gas that fireplaces in homes and factories produce seriously degrades the quality of the air and is particularly dangerous for air pollution. If consumption cannot be decreased, filters should at least be employed; this will lessen the influence of dangerous gases absorbed in the air.
• Avoid using crackers: Sadly, one of the biggest sources of air pollution at celebrations and weddings is the usage of crackers, which creates a layer of haze that is quite dangerous to one's health. Therefore, it is advisable to adopt the practice of not utilizing crackers.
• Use items without chemicals instead: Paints and perfumes, for example, should only be used sparingly or outside the house because they contain chemicals or have a strong odor.
• Utilizing goods with low chemical content and organic qualities is another option.
• Implement planting trees: As many trees as you can plant and grow. Planting trees helps release oxygen and has many positive effects on the environment.
• Utilization of Clean Energy: Using geothermal, solar, and wind energy helps to significantly reduce air pollution. In order to create a cleaner environment, many nations, including India, have adopted the use of these resources.
• Control of particulate matter: Arresters and scrubbers are two different types of equipment that are used to remove particle contaminants from the air.
• They are used to remove airborne contaminants from particles.
• Scrubbers: These are devices that circulate air through dry or wet packing materials to remove dust and gases.
• Gaseous pollutants can be regulated by the use of combustion, absorption, and adsorption procedures.
OTHER ACTIONS COMPRISE
• In many regions of India, CNG—compressed natural gas—powered vehicles are replacing petrol and diesel automobiles. These are frequently utilized by automobiles with less-than-ideal emission engines.
• Choosing the right fuel (such low-sulfur fuel) and using it effectively.
• Modifications to industrial processes and/or equipment to cut emissions.
• Zoning and picking an appropriate manufacturing location. For instance, big chimneys should be erected and enterprises should be placed away from populated regions.
• Through burning, either thermal or catalytic, pollutants are eliminated.
• Transformation of pollution into a less hazardous state.
GOVERNMENTAL PROGRAMS TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION
• The National Capital Region (NCR) and Surrounding Regions Commission for the Management of Air Quality: It would set regional air quality standards and coordinate state government initiatives to reduce air pollution.
• Standards for Bharat Stage VI: These emission control requirements were put in place by the government to lessen air pollution.
• Dashboard for Monitoring Air Quality: It is a dashboard based on the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) that utilizes information from the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (NAAQM) Network of the Central Pollution Control Board, which started in 1984–1985 and includes 344 cities/towns in 29 states and 6 UTs.
• National Clean Air Programme: It was established in 2019 as a comprehensive pan-Indian programme to reduce air pollution in 102 cities.
• The National Air Quality Index (AQI) is concerned with the potential negative impacts on health that prolonged exposure to polluted air may have.
• National Ambient Air Quality Standards: Under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981, the Central Pollution Control Board has announced these standards for ambient air quality.
INDIA: A 15-POINT ACTION PLAN HAS BEEN CREATED BY NITI AAYOG TO TACKLE AIR POLLUTION
• Pradhan the PMUY (Mantri Ujjwala Yojana): It aims to improve living conditions while also giving clean cooking fuel to low-income households.
• International Coalition for Climate and Clean Air: India is a member of this coalition, which was created in 2019.
• Governments, intergovernmental organizations, industries, academic institutions, and organizations from the civil society work together voluntarily to enhance air quality and safeguard the environment by reducing short-lived climatic pollutants.
• United Nations Clean Air Initiative: It exhorts national and local governments to make a commitment to achieving safe air quality for citizens by 2030 and to harmonize their air pollution and climate change strategies.
• The WHO's four-pillar strategy is as follows: (2015), the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted a resolution to address the detrimental consequences of air pollution on human health.
This four-pillar strategy urges a more forceful international response to the harmful impacts of air pollution on human health. The following are these four pillars:
1. Expanding one's knowledge.
2. Monitoring and reporting.
3. Global coordination and leadership.
4. Improving institutional capabilities.
CONCLUSION
Air pollution has grown significantly in importance in recent years, posing considerable risks to both the environment and social well-being. Air pollution control methods involve reducing or stopping the release of pollutants into the atmosphere that can be hazardous to both human and environmental health. Air pollution control, which encompasses wastewater treatment, solid waste management, and hazardous waste management, is one of the main areas of pollution control.