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Easy2Siksha
6. What is Air Pollution and its remedial measures?
Ans: Air Pollution and Its Remedial Measures
Introduction
Air pollution is one of the biggest environmental problems in the world today. It occurs when
harmful substances such as smoke, dust, and chemicals enter the air, making it unsafe for humans,
animals, and plants to breathe. Clean air is essential for all living beings, but due to human
activities, the quality of air has been decreasing rapidly.
In this explanation, we will discuss what air pollution is, its causes, effects, and how we can control
or reduce it through various remedial measures.
What is Air Pollution?
Air pollution happens when harmful substances, including gases, chemicals, and tiny particles, get
mixed with the air, making it dirty. These pollutants come from natural sources like volcanic
eruptions and wildfires, as well as human activities like vehicle emissions, industrial smoke, and
burning of waste.
For example, when a car releases smoke from its exhaust pipe, it adds harmful gases like carbon
monoxide and nitrogen oxides into the air, leading to pollution. Similarly, factories that burn coal
to produce electricity release large amounts of pollutants into the air.
Types of Air Pollution
Air pollution can be categorized into two main types:
1. Outdoor Air Pollution
This type of pollution happens outside in the environment and is mainly caused by vehicles,
industries, and burning of fossil fuels (like coal and petrol). It includes:
• Smog: A thick layer of fog mixed with smoke and pollutants, seen mostly in big cities.
• Acid Rain: When polluted air mixes with rainwater, it creates acidic rain, which harms
plants, soil, and buildings.
• Ozone Layer Depletion: Certain chemicals in the air damage the ozone layer, which
protects us from harmful UV rays of the sun.
2. Indoor Air Pollution
This occurs inside homes, offices, and other buildings. It is caused by things like smoke from
cooking, dust, chemicals from cleaning products, and cigarette smoke. For example, if someone
smokes inside a house, the air quality in that room becomes polluted, which can cause breathing
problems for others.
Causes of Air Pollution
There are several reasons why air pollution occurs. Some of the major causes include: