Air Pollution

Air pollution may be described as contamination of the atmosphere by gaseous, liquid, or solid wastes or by-products that can endanger human health and welfare of plants and animals, attack materials, reduce visibility (To read about how Haze caused by air pollution can affect visibility   or produce undesirable odors. Although some pollutants are released by natural sources like volcanoes, coniferous forests, and hot springs, the effect of this pollution is very small when compared to that caused by emissions from industrial sources, power and heat generation, waste disposal, and the operation of internal combustion engines. Fuel combustion is the largest contributor to air pollutant emissions, caused by man, with stationary and mobile sources equally responsible. The air pollution problem is encountered  outdoor as well as indoor. To read more about the Outdoor Air Pollution and to read more about the Indoor Air Pollution.

Definition Of Air Pollution Air pollution occurs when the air contains gases, dust, fumes or odour in harmful amounts. That is, amounts which could be harmful to the health or comfort of humans and animals or which could cause damage to plants and materials. The substances that cause air pollution are called pollutants. Pollutants that are pumped into our atmosphere and directly pollute the air are called primary pollutants. Primary pollutant examples include carbon monoxide from car exhausts and sulfur dioxide from the combustion of coal. Further pollution can arise if primary pollutants in the atmosphere undergo chemical reactions. The resulting compounds are called secondary pollutants. Photochemical smog is an example of this.

Air pollution

Air pollution is the introduction of particulates, biological molecules, or other harmful materials into Earth's atmosphere, causing diseases, death to humans, damage to other living organisms such as animals and food crops, or the natural or built environment. Air pollution may come from anthropogenic or natural sources.

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.

Health effects

Air pollution is a significant risk factor for a number of health conditions including respiratory infections, heart disease, COPD, stroke and lung cancer. The health effects caused by air pollution may include difficulty in breathing, wheezing, coughing, asthma and worsening of existing respiratory and cardiac conditions. These effects can result in increased medication use, increased doctor or emergency room visits, more hospital admissions and premature death. The human health effects of poor air quality are far reaching, but principally affect the body's respiratory system and the cardiovascular system. Individual reactions to air pollutants depend on the type of pollutant a person is exposed to, the degree of exposure, and the individual's health status and genetics. The most common sources of air pollution include particulates, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. Children aged less than five years that live in developing countries are the most vulnerable population in terms of total deaths attributable to indoor and outdoor air pollution.

Disadvantages:

·         Noise pollution. Constantly, even at late hours, major highways have heavy truck traffic. Controls such as trees and sound walls can only partially mitigate the noise, or perhaps redirect it. It is also possible to build in sound-proofing with good insulation and double-paned windows, but opening the windows for ventilation instantly negates any such improvements. Most of it is white noise, meaning some may be able to "get used to it", but some freeway noise can be very loud. I used to live by a freeway off-ramp, and trucks would come slamming down it using their jake brakes (engine braking), which makes a loud bang-bang-bang sound. Noise pollution, in turn, may result in less restful sleep or interrupt concentration or studying. 

·         Air pollution. I'm sure the traffic on all highways and freeways contributes to air pollution in general, but living in proximity to the source might mean being exposed to a continual and higher concentration of it, especially depending on wind and weather conditions. This may have particular effects on children, not only in the usual symptoms of exposure to air pollution (e.g. asthma), but may affect their overall lung development, as well: Living Near A Highway Affects Lung Development In Children, Study Shows

·         Soil pollution. In Farm City, author Novella Carpenter describes her squat garden in downtown Oakland. Because it is near a freeway, she has her soil tested early on for pollutants that might have resulted, including heavy metals and lead. Her soil comes up clean, but I wonder how many would-be gardeners would have the means or foresight to test before planting.

Advantages: 

·         Depending on your area and the nearest on-ramp, you'll have a shorter trip to get onto the highway. If you are renting out or selling your home, you can advertise it as "convenient to major thoroughfares" or similar.

·         If you like white noise, you have a steady supply of it.

·         Home sound-proofing measures may also improve energy efficiency.