4. Air Pollution

Demonstrate an understanding of the primary sources and factors contributing to air pollution, including natural and human-induced causes
Evaluate the environmental, health, and societal consequences of air pollution

Pollution occurs when waste, chemicals, and other harmful substances dirty the environment1.

When unwelcome chemicals, gases, and particles enter the air and atmosphere, it is called air pollution. These tiny particles, known as pollutants can be gases, solid particles, or liquid droplets. These are bad for life and disrupt the Earth's natural systems2.

Fig 4.1 Air Pollution

Pollution enters the atmosphere in many different ways.

Natural Sources of Air Pollution:

Nature itself can be a source of air pollution. These include forest fires, dust storms, and volcanic eruptions.

Man Made Sources of Air Pollution:

Many human activities also cause air pollution.

Factories, power plants, the burning of fuels in vehicles, the burning of firewood, and dung cakes are some of the sources of air pollution3.

Burning of Fossil Fuels2

Burning fossil fuels, like coal, oil, and gas is one of the ways that humans cause air pollution. When we burn fossil fuels, many gases are released into the atmosphere, generating air pollution like smog (a mix of smoke and fog).

Fig. 4.3a Burning of Fossil Fuels

Vehicles4

Pollutants are released by all motor vehicles. The exhaust fumes that come out of a car’s tailpipe when the engine is running is an add on to air pollution.

Fig. 4.3b. Vehicles cause Pollution

Agriculture5

Pesticides, fertilisers, and insecticides all contribute to chemical pollution of the air and water. Farmers sometimes burn old crops to prepare fields for new crops. This burning also disperses pollutants into the air that are dangerous.

Fig. 4.3c. Agricultural Activities

Landfill Waste

Landfills are regions of land where people bury or deposit trash, which releases an extremely dangerous and highly combustible gas (methane).

Fig. 4.3d. Landfills

Industries and Factories:

Factories release pollutants, gases, and other unwanted chemicals into the air.

Fig. 4.3e. Industries and factories

Indoor Sources

Products like cleaning materials for the home and paint supplies, for instance, contribute to indoor air pollution.

Fig 4.3f Indoor Air Pollution

Watch this video to recap our learning:

Vid 4.1 Pollution

Effects on human health:

Human health is negatively impacted by air pollution. Pollutants irritate the eyes, nose, and throat when there are greater quantities in the air. Humans who breathe in polluted air may have wheezing, coughing, and breathing difficulties.

The following are some of the main effects of air pollution on people10:

Effects on the environment:

The emission of gases into the atmosphere, causing air pollution, can have many negative effects on the environment.

Watch this video to recall the causes of air pollution and its effects11:

Vid 4.2 Causes of Air Pollution

Glossary

fossil fuel: naturally occurring fuels in earth’s crust made from decomposing plants and animals, which can be burned for energy
smog: a mix of smoke and fog that reduces visibility
wheezing: a high-pitched whistling sound made while breathing
fatigue: a feeling of constant exhaustion, burnout or lack of energy
radiation: energy produced by the sun
dung cake: undigested waste of plant-feeding animals
nervous system: includes the brain, spinal cord, and a complex network of nerves. This system sends messages back and forth between the brain and the body.
altitude: the height of something above sea level
radiation: heat, light or energy that is sent out from something

Summary

Air pollution is the introduction of unwanted substances into the natural environment.
These pollutants (unwanted substances) are the presence of certain solid and liquid particles in air that are not normally present and can cause damage to living and nonliving things.