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Meaning and effects of air pollution

Answer Text:
Air pollution.
- Air pollution means, the presence of contaminants or objects like metal which are injurious to human, plant or animal life in the atmosphere.
- Major atmospheric pollutants include gases such as ChloroFluoroCarbons (CFCs), Sulphur dioxide
(SO2), Hydrocarbons (HCs) and Nitrogen Oxide (NO).
- Increasing levels of natural gases such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, as a result of human activity, is another form of pollution.
- Air is also polluted by fumes from industries, automobiles, aircrafts and ships.
- Effects of air pollution include:
(i) Depletion of ozone layer which protects life forms ultra-violet and infra-red rays from the sun.
(ii) Rusting of roofs and other iron and steel surfaces.
(iii) Formation of acid rain which causes major
changes in the ecosystem and damages to buildings, destruction of trees and causes leaching of magnesium and calcium from soils.
(iv) Bring-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which has led to global warming and green-house effect.
(v) Formation of smog (thick fog) especially in temperate countries which reduces visibility in cities and urban centres thus increasing chances of accidents by motorists.
(vi) Production of foul smell which is associated with gaseous products in the atmosphere like sulphur dioxide.
(vii) Loss of eye sight as a result of gas leakages from industrial plants.
(viii) Formation of “coloured” rain as a result of concentration of large amounts of dust in the atmosphere.