7.3 Air Pollution

Air pollution is a situation which the pollutants are present in the air.
This situation will affect and bring discomfort to the living things and destroy the environment.

Sources of Air Pollutants

Causes and Effects of Air Pollution

Health

Smoke and dust cause breathing problems.
Sulphur dioxide cause respiratory problems.
Carbon monoxide cause headache, mental retardation and death.
Asbestos particles cause lung cancer.
Lead particles cause intellectual disability ( children and babies).

Buildings and Infrastructure

Dust and soot stain buildings.
Acid rain corrodes concrete and limestone buildings.
Acid rain speeds up iron rusting.

Plants and Animals

Acid rain makes the soil acidic and less fertile.
Acid rain makes the source of water acidic and not suitable for aquatic life.
Smoke and haze decrease the amount of sunlight to reach the Earth and lead the rate of photosynthesis decreases.

Climate

Smoke from factories, vehicles and open burning will cause haze.
Excessive carbon dioxide will cause greenhouse effect.
Excessive chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) will cause thinning of the ozone layer.
Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide will cause acid rain.

Ways to Prevent and Control Air Pollution

Law Enforcement

Fine smokers who smoke at restricted area.
Fine individuals who conduct open burning.
Fine drivers whose vehicles emit excessive smoke.
Prohibit factories from being built at housing area.

Education

Educate the students about the knowledge of air pollution.
Organise anti-smoking campaigns
Encourage the public to walk or ride bicycles or car pooling.
Encourage the usage of public transports.

Science and Technology

Implement hybrid technology in vehicles.
Choose refrigerators which use hydrochlorofluorocarbons(HCFC).
Install filters in smoke chimneys at factories.
Use catalytic converters on vehicles.
Replace the use of pesticide with biological control

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