Explain the sources and effects of …

Sources of gasesous pollution:

1. Natural Causes: Smoke and dust from forest fire and volcano
2. Automobile Exhaust: Petrol and diesel are used as fuel in automobiles. Combustion of these fuels produces many polluting gases; like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, etc. Automobile engines also produce minute particles which remain suspended in air. These particles are called Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM).
3. Factories: Fossil fuel is also used in factories and hence factories produce pollutants; like carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.
4. Construction sites and Stone Quarries: Construction sites and stone quarries produce lot of dust particles. Mining activities and power plants also produce dust particles.
5. Households: Many fuels are used in kitchens, and thus kitchen is a significant source of air pollution.

Effects of gases Pollution:

• Carbon dioxide cause global warming because it is a potent greenhouse gas.
• Smog: Smog is a mixture of smoke and fog. Smog reduces visibility, and thus can create problems for drivers at highways. Pilots face problems while landing or taking off; due to smog.
• Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas even at low concentration. It reduces oxygen carrying capacity of blood, and a person may die on exposure to carbon monoxide.
• Acid Rain: Oxides of sulphur and nitrogen mix with rainwater to create acid rain. Acid rain can be harmful for living beings and also for non-living things. Acid rain corrodes the outer surface of buildings. This has caused the Taj Mahal becoming pale.
• Suspended Particulate Matter in air can cause respiratory problems; like asthma and other respiratory disease.
• Greenhouse Effect: Greenhouse gases; like carbon dioxide and methane trap solar radiation and thus increase atmospheric temperature. This is called greenhouse effect.
• Global Warming: Overall increase in temperature of earth is called global warming.