What are the sources of air pollution?

Question

What are the sources of air pollutants?

Answer 1

Air pollutants are added in the atmosphere from different sources. These include:

1. Natural activities:
   Natural decomposition and fires, cyclones, volcanoes, storms produce dust particulates and different types of gases.
2. Combustion of fossil fuel:
   > Burning of coal produces smoke, SO₂ and hydrocarbons.
   > Combustion of petroleum, diesel and oils produce CO, CO₂, smoke, carbon particles, leaded gas and hydrocarbons.
3. Industries and factories:
   Industries are the major sources of air pollutants. They produce smoke, carbon particles, fumes, toxic gases and metallic particles such as Mercury, Lead and Cadmium.
4. Agricultural sources:
   Agricultural activities release spores, pollen grains, biocides, hydrocarbons and organic phosphates in the atmospheric air.
5. Automobiles:
   Various transportation system and vehicles produce dust, smoke and noise.
6. Construction and demolition:
   Construction of roads, buildings add dust particles of cement and asbestos.
7.  Nuclear activities:
   Nuclear tests, atomic explosions and atomic reactors produce radiations, heat, noise, and harmful gases.
8. Other sources:
   Mists, Fog, Smog, Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are added from different sources. H₂S is produced by decomposition of organic wastes.
9. Secondary air pollutants:
   Smoke, dust particles and different gases and different gases are primary air pollutants. These are produced from direct sources. Primary pollutants react photo-chemically with the contents of air and produce secondary air pollutants:
   eg. Acid rain, ozone, Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN), Fog, and smog, etc.