Air pollution is the introduction of harmful substances into the atmosphere, which can cause health issues and environmental damage. It is caused by the burning of fossil fuels like coal and petroleum, which release nitrogen, sulfur, and particulate matter. This can produce smog and acid rain. Regular inhalation of these polluted air can increase risks of diseases like asthma, COPD, and lung cancer. Governments have made efforts to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions with some success, but air pollution remains a threat, especially to children and the elderly. Reduction efforts include embracing cleaner transportation, fuels, production, and increasing green spaces.

2. WHAT IS AIR POLLUTION??
 Detailed Def. : Air pollution is the introduction of
particulates, biological molecules, or other harmful
materials into the Earth's atmosphere, possibly causing
disease, death to humans, damage to other living
organisms such as food crops, or the natural or built
environment.
 The atmosphere is a complex natural gaseous system
that is essential to support life on
planet Earth. Stratospheric ozone depletion due to air
pollution has been recognized as a threat to human
health as well as to the Earth's ecosystems.

3. The fossil fuels like coal and petroleum contain small amounts of
nitrogen and sulphur. When these fuels are burnt, nitrogen and
sulphur too are burnt and this produces different oxides of
nitrogen and sulphur. Not only is the inhalation of these gases
dangerous, they also dissolve in rain to give rise to acid rain. The
combustion of fossil fuels also increases the amount of suspended
particles in air. These suspended particles could be unburnt
carbon particles or substances called hydrocarbons. High levels in
presence of all these pollutants cause visibility to be lowered,
especially in cold weather when water also condenses out of air.
This is known as smog and is a visible indication of air pollution.
Studies have shown that regularly breathing air that contains
any of these substances increases the incidence of allergies,
cancer and heart diseases. An increase in the content of these
harmful substances in air is called air pollution.

4.  Acid rain is a rain that is unusually acidic, meaning that
it possesses elevated levels of hydrogen ions (low pH). It
can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals and
infrastructure. Acid rain is caused by emissions of sulfur
dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which react with the water
molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids.
 Governments have made efforts since the 1970s to
reduce the release of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere
with positive results. Nitrogen oxides can also be
produced naturally by lightning strikes and sulfur
dioxide is produced by volcanic eruptions. The chemicals
in acid rain can cause paint to peel, corrosion of steel
structures such as bridges, and erosion of stone statues.

7. DISEASES CAUSED BY AIR
POLLUTION
 National Institute of Environment Health Sciences votes that
children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to the
detrimental health effects of ozone, fine particulate matter and
other air borne toxicants. Pollution-related diseases range from
mild to severe and can significantly effect a person’s life.
 Diseases Mostly Caused:
1. Asthma
2. COPD
3. Lung Cancer
 COPD – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
 National Institute of Health (NIH) states that with COPD a
person’s airways and air sacs lose their shape and become
floppy. COPD-related death due to chronic exposure to diesel
emissions while on the job or near a factory.

9. REDUCTION EFFORTS
• Rethinking
transportation.
• Using eco-friendly fuels.
• Buying only necessary
amount of items.
• Plant more trees.
• Using the Golden R’s;
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.