While there is a myth on the use of diesel generators sets in winters due the pollution levels being high during these days there is a need to understand that generators contributes less than 2% of the air pollution being caused. Most of the times Gensets are being used only as a back up power supply so they run only for 2-3 hours a day at max. Whereas there are certain major other factors which are ignored and not being considered and if proper measures are taken the pollution level can be brought down to a great extent. So let us understand this topic in details to have a brief idea on the Air pollution its causes and solutions.

What is Air Pollution?

Air pollution refers to the contamination of the air. Any physical, biological or chemical alteration to the air in the atmosphere can be termed as pollution. Its occurrence is mainly due to the mixing of harmful gases, dust, smoke into the air which makes it difficult for the living beings to breathe.

Primary Air Pollutants which are majorly caused by the sulfur-dioxide emitted from the factories.

Secondary Air Pollutants which caused by the intermingling and reactions of primary pollutants such as smog.

Various causes of Air Pollution

1. Agricultural Activities: Burning of fields after the cutting of crops contributes to a big extent of toxic components in the air and due to the lowering in temperature during these days the smoke thus produced gets mixed with fog and produces harmful SMOG.  Ammonia a very common byproduct from agriculture-related activities is one of the most hazardous gases in the atmosphere. Insecticides used in the agricultural activities emit harmful chemicals into the air and also contributes towards the water pollution.
2. Exhaust from Factories: Most of the manufacturing industries releases huge amount of Carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, organic compounds and chemicals which plays a vital role in depleting the air quality.
3. Mining Operations: During the process a major amount of dust and chemical are released in the air causing air pollution which is one of the reasons of poor health condition of workers and nearby residents.
4. Burning of Garbage dumps: There are major dumps made in the outskirts of major cities which catches fire and emits harmful components in the air.
5. Traffic Jams: In metro cities a huge contribution to air pollution is done via traffic jams making the vehicles stand still at a particular spot and causing air pollution. Incomplete combustion caused in certain vehicles also contributes in release of harmful toxic gases.

 Hazardous Effects of Air pollution

1. Respiratory and Heart Problems: Air pollution contributes to a wide extent in creating respiratory problems and heart problems along with cancer. Children at a very young age are suffering from pneumonia and asthma.
2. Global Warming: With the increase in air pollution there is a worldwide increase in temperature causing melting of ice, increase in sea levels.
3. Acid Rain: When certain harmful gases such as nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide present in air gets combined with rain water droplets they become acidic and fall on the ground in the form of Acid Rain causing damage to humans, animals and crops.
4. Eutrophication: It is a condition where a high amount of nitrogen present in some pollutants gets developed on sea’s or water surface and turns itself into algae effecting the life of water animals and plants.
5. Depletion of Ozone layer: The presence of ozone layer keeps us protected from harmful ultraviolet rays (UV) which is getting depleted due to the air pollutants.
6. Effect on wildlife: Animals also face effects of air pollution. Toxic chemicals present in the air creates health problem to certain birds and even causes death. These harmful air particles force the species to move to a new place.

Solutions for Air Pollution:

1. Use of Public mode of transportation: Public should be encouraged to use public means of transport such as buses, trains. Car pooling can also help a lot in reducing the emission of pollutants caused due to vehicles.
2. Conserve Energy: Unnecessary fans, lights and other electrical equipment should be switched off when not in use. Since a large number of fossil fuel is burnt to produce the electricity.
3. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle: Tendency to throw away things not in use also contributes to air pollution since if they are not recycled properly, they produce toxic gases in the environment such as batteries, plastic waste etc.,
4. Use of LED Bulbs: Switch to LED bulbs which consumes lower amount of electricity and thereby reducing the use of fossil fuels needed to produce electricity.
5. Plant more and more trees: Trees consumes harmful Co2 and gives fresh oxygen planting more and more trees absorbs the air pollutant to a huge extent.
6. Artificial Rain: Rains reduces the presence of pollutants in the air. If natural rain is absent then to control the air pollution artificial rains can be done.
7. Traffic Jams: If proper check on traffic jams is taken and measures are taken to reduce the traffic jams then there can be a massive control over the reduction of pollution emitted in the air through the vehicles.
8. Showering the plants: Showering the plants located on the roads makes their leaves exposed to the air which absorbs the harmful pollutants and produces fresh oxygen.