Air pollution
Chapter 2 Social Pharmacy Notes 2.1 Demography and Family Planning, 2.2 Mother and child health, 2.3 Importance of breastfeeding, 2.4 Ill effects of infant milk substitutes and bottle feeding 2.5 Overview of Vaccines, 2.6 Types of immunity 2.7 Immunization 2.8 Effect of Environment on Health 2.8.1 Water pollution 2.8.1.2 Importance of safe drinking water, waterborne diseases 2.8.2 Air pollution 2.8.3 Noise pollution 2.8.4 Sewage and solid waste disposal 2.8.5 Occupational illnesses 2.8.6 Environmental pollution due to pharmaceuticals 2.8.7 Psychosocial Pharmacy: Drugs of misuse and abuse – psychotropics, narcotics, alcohol, tobacco products.
Table of contents
Composition of air :
The components of pure air may change from place to place but roughly it consist of Nitrogen:78%, Oxygen: 21%, Carbon dioxide: 0.03 to 0.05 % where the remaining part contain of some inert gases, water vapours, suspended impurities such as micro-organism, dust, soot etc. along with it various impurities like Dust, fumes, vapours, harmful industrial gases and natural pollutants like pollens, fungi, bacteria etc. are also present in the air which are responsible for making the air impure.
Sources of Air pollution :
The air is rendered impure by
1. Respiration of human beings and animals
2. Combustion of coal, gas, oil etc.( oxides of sulphur and oxides of carbon )
3. Decomposition of organic matter (vegetables and organic matter )
4. Traffic, industries – which give off dust, fumes, vapours, harmful gases
5. Industrial and domestic combustion of coal, oil and other fuel is the source of smoke, dust, and sulphur dioxide.( particulate matter or gases such as co2, co .)
6. Chemical industries, textile industries, oil refineries, fertilizer factories etc contribute to air pollution. (Insecticides and Pesticides)
7. Automobiles like heavy and light vehicles, aircraft, trains and other forms of transport contribute to air pollution by emitting hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter. Strong sunlight converts some of these hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides into photochemical pollutants of oxidizing nature.
Effects of air pollution :
1. Air pollution causes several effects on health and it has contributed to increasing in morbidity and mortality.
2. Respiratory tract disorders are common such as asthma, bronchitis and lung cancer.
3. Air pollution also affects the respiratory system of animals as well as the toxicity of chemicals like fluorides.
4. It also causes retardation of growth in plants, spotting, burning of leaves etc.
5. Ill effects on organs such as heart, kidney, liver, skin, eyes etc.
6. Beyond its effects on plants, animals and humans air also causes corrosion of metals, building materials etc. because of which repair and maintenance issues arise.
Prevention and Control of air pollution:
1. Prevention at origin to stop toxic substances released from the source itself by providing enclosures.
2. The fuel sources as wood and coal should be replaced by natural gas or electricity which is non-polluting.
3. Regular checkup of automobile vehicles for PUC as their exhaust is a major source of pollution, under the implementation of legislation as “Smoke Nuisance Act”.
4. Very tall design of chimneys for industries so that gaseous exhaust is not released immediately surrounding the biosphere.
5. Neutralizers, cyclone chambers, filters, electrostatic precipitators can be used at release points of air pollutants.
6. Pollutants in the air are diluted by promoting proper ventilation and plantation so as to decrease the detrimental effects of air pollution.
7. Disinfection of air can also be done by various techniques like mechanical. chemical, UV radiation treatment & air conditioning etc.
MCQ on AIr Pollution
- What is the primary source of air pollution?
a) Industrial emissions
b) Vehicle exhaust
c) Natural wildfires
d) All of the above - Which of the following air pollutants is primarily responsible for smog formation?
a) Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
b) Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
c) Carbon monoxide (CO)
d) Particulate matter (PM) - Which of the following is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change?
a) Carbon dioxide (CO2)
b) Methane (CH4)
c) Ozone (O3)
d) All of the above - Acid rain is caused by the emission of:
a) Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx)
b) Carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
c) Lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg)
d) Particulate matter (PM) and ozone (O3) - Which of the following health problems can be associated with long-term exposure to air pollution?
a) Respiratory diseases
b) Cardiovascular diseases
c) Impaired lung function
d) All of the above - The burning of fossil fuels releases which air pollutant?
a) Carbon monoxide (CO)
b) Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
c) Particulate matter (PM)
d) All of the above - What is the main cause of indoor air pollution in households?
a) Tobacco smoke
b) Radon gas
c) Cooking and heating appliances
d) Mold and allergens - Which of the following is a natural process that helps reduce air pollution?
a) Volcanic eruptions
b) Photosynthesis
c) Forest fires
d) All of the above - Which air pollutant is known for its damaging effects on the ozone layer?
a) Carbon monoxide (CO)
b) Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
c) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
d) Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) - Which of the following is an effective strategy to reduce air pollution?
a) Using public transportation
b) Transitioning to renewable energy sources
c) Implementing stricter emission standards
d) All of the above
Answers:
- d) All of the above
- a) Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- d) All of the above
- a) Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- d) All of the above
- d) All of the above
- c) Cooking and heating appliances
- b) Photosynthesis
- c) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
- d) All of the above
Noise Pollution
For more details on Noise Pollutions
Water Pollution
For more details on Water Pollutions
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