Air Pollution

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In recent years, there has been increased awareness of the serious problems posed by air pollution on all forms of life. Are existing solutions really effective in improving the quality of the air?

Air pollution is the result of undesirable chemicals and gases being expelled into the atmosphere by various sources. Increased vehicle use, together with bigger and more powerful cars, has resulted in the release of more toxic gases into the atmosphere. Millions of people live in areas where urban smog and toxic pollutants pose serious health concerns. Short-term exposure to air pollutants above certain levels may cause temporary health concerns, such as eye irritation and burning, throat irritation, and difficult breathing. Long-term exposure to air pollution can cause chronic health concerns, such as cancer and damage to the body’s immune and respiratory systems causing many hospital admissions. Children are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution as their lungs are still developing. Polluted air may contribute to permanent lung damage or death because of acute respiratory disorders due to indoor air pollution.

Air pollution is also responsible for global warming, causing rises in temperature around the world, which leads to climate change and melting of the polar ice caps. As a result of the melting, rising ocean levels cause flooding in coastal cities. Many air pollutants, such as those that form urban smog and toxic compounds, remain in the environment for long periods of time. These air pollutants can also be carried hundreds of miles by winds, affecting areas far-removed from the source of the pollution. The pollutants present in the air reach the waters, either marine or fresh, through acid rains, and produce disastrous effects. It increases the acidity of the waters killing insects and invertebrates upon which the fish depend for their food intake thus leading to the latter’s death. Similarly, they can be directly toxic to plant life. They cause dead spots to develop on the leaves and eventually the whole plant can die.

Yet, solutions exist at different levels. Pollution would be reduced if each car-driving person pledged to use his car less and opt for public transport system. This can be successful only if there is improved public transportation. One can walk instead of using the car when going to a place only a block away. This is a responsible, individual contribution to a global problem. Cities can create car free zones and develop park-like corridors that would allow movement through the city by walking and cycling. Limited use of small, light electric vehicles in corridors can be specially designed to be safe and efficient. Energy-conservative vehicles such as the new hybrid technology ones, which use a balance of electricity and fuel, pollute far less than regular vehicles and are more economical. Industries should be the most aggressive in implementing measures for a pollution-free environment. Meeting the ambient air quality standards by installing filters will regulate the emissions of various pollutants. The ultimate goal of every industry should be to eliminate the use of fossil fuel and replace internal-combustion engines if long-term solution to air pollution is important to them. Other suggested solutions such

s increasing electricity rates and gasoline prices would discourage waste and inefficiency.

New sources of energy also lower the amount of fossil fuels that enter the atmosphere, thus lowering air pollution. According to its proponents, solar power is one source of energy that is being used more frequently to power cities with electricity, to heat houses instead of furnaces and fuel. There is no better environment-safe source of electricity than the wind. Windmills generate an excellent source of energy. One more power source that does not pollute the earth is hydro­electricity. Hydroelectric generators are clean, efficient, and reliable. The electricity is generated by building a dam and placing tunnels at the bottom with large fans and generators. The flow of water can be increased or decreased at will, and they put out a large amount of electricity.

Air is the most important element to live. The solution to air pollution is not a government concern. It is everybody’s issue if we want to have a better and healthy life for ourselves and the generations to come.