Pollution is defined as the release of harmful or toxic wastes into the environment by natural forces or man or animals which can cause biological damage to man and his resources.

     Every year, millions of wastes are been released into the environment thereby making the environment unsafe for all life forms including man. Pollution can come in different forms such as sewage, radioactive rays, refuse, poisonous gases etc... just to name a few. There are different types of Pollution, some of which we are familiar with, e.g air pollution, water pollution and land pollution. But do you know that sound can be polluted in the form of noise pollution. These types of pollution can be gotten from different sources such as industrial and agricultural wastes, market Squares etc.... In today's article, we are focusing mostly on air pollution.

  The atmosphere consists of different gases with Nitrogen been the most abundant followed by oxygen. These gases covers a large portion of the atmosphere(air) about 99% and is important for all life forms. Oxygen is used by almost every living creature on earth including plants. There shouldn't be confusion as plants both respire and carry out photosynthesis. Plants like animals require oxygen for respiration. Since the atmosphere contains gases which is very important for the survival of all life forms, it is of the essence that pollution is brought to the minimum.

     Substances that causes pollution are known as pollutants and some common air pollutants are carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, Nitrogen oxides, smoke and soot, dust particles, Radioactive rays etc... there are wide ranges of Substances that causes air pollution but let's focus on this few. Carbon monoxide causes suffocation because it combines with haemoglobin and reduces its ability to carry oxygen which results in death. Sulphur dioxide causes impaired health such as irritation of eyes, lungs and skin, cough and other respiratory tract diseases. It can also cause acid rain. Nitrogen oxides forms nitric acid with water in air to form acid rain which corrodes metallic objects. Smoke and soot contains particles that can damage lungs and cause discomfort. Dust particles irritates respiratory system and causes catarrh and cough. Radioactive rays causes impaired health as it is known to destroy or alter genes. All these mentioned pollutants can be gotten from burning of fuel in cars, mining, machines and industrial processes etc.... 

    With all that in mind, control of air pollution should be sought for. These methods can be applicable to reducing air pollution 

1) conditions must be created for complete combustion of fuel in internal combustion engines.

2) chemical waste should be discharged into the air through fume Chambers.

3) Industries should be sited far away from residential areas.

4) There should be provision for filters and absorbers to be worn around mining and industrial areas so as to reduce pollution from waste gases

5) Legislation should be made against indiscriminate burning that may bring about smoke.

  All these are practical ways to reduce air pollution. Thanks for reading