Outdoor air
pollution solutions have become equally important as indoor air pollution solutions. People need to understand the
gravity of air pollution as a common threat faced by today’s generation. It is
equally important to understand how to deal with the increasing air pollution
outdoors as installing Hepa filter air
purifiers in your houses as a protective measure to avoid health
effects of indoor air pollution.
Two of the major air pollutants, its sources
and effects are mentioned below to raise awareness regarding the issue.
What is Ozone?
Ozone is an air pollutant that is found in two
places, i.e the troposphere- near the ground and as a major constituent of
smog. Ozone has been introduced to us as the protective layer of the atmosphere
(the stratosphere layer that saved us from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the
sun), however, the ozone that pollutes the air is different than that.
What is the source of Ozone as a pollutant?
Ozone gas is not created directly. It is
formed when but is formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds get
to mix in the sunlight and thus are found mostly during the summer season. The
source of nitrogen oxide as a major component of polluting ozone comes from
the bringing of coal, gasoline, or other fossil fuels. The emission out of
factories and trees also accounts for the release of certain volatile organic
compounds.
What are the harmful effects of Ozone as an air pollutant?
The ozone that is found near the ground is a
source of several health problems nowadays. It is one of the major factors
responsible for increasing frequent asthma attacks in people who have asthma
and can cause sore throats, coughs, and breathing difficulty which causes
severe discomfort and health issues in the long run. It may even lead to
premature death. Ozone can also hurt plants and crops. Therefore the need for
installing Hepa filter air purifiers inside the house has become more
important than ever due to the rising ozone levels in the air.
What is Carbon monoxide?
Carbon Mono oxide is an air pollutant that is
released into the air during the burning of fossil fuels, mostly in
cars. One cannot see or smell it however it can be somehow distinguished with a
very faint smell in the air.
What are the sources of Carbon monoxide as an air pollutant?
Carbon monoxide is a pollutant in the air is
released when engines burn fossil fuels. It occurs when one does not get their
engines tuned properly to reduce vehicle emissions. This causes the fuel to
not burn properly thus producing carbon monoxide. Cars are known to emit high
concentrations of carbon monoxide, too, if they are not properly maintained
therefore it is foremost important to get a pollution control check done to
avoid air pollution.
What are the harmful effects of Carbon monoxide as an air pollutant?
Carbon monoxide inhibits the human body to breathe
in oxygen. This oxygen is required for a human body’s organs to work properly.
Exposure to this gas makes a person experience dizziness and tiredness inducing
headaches. The high concentration of carbon monoxide in the air is fatal to human
life. Elderly people with heart disease are hospitalized more often when they
are exposed to higher amounts of carbon monoxide. Protective measure for
outdoor air pollution has become equally important in addition to indoorair pollution solutions.
