Effects of Atmospheric Pollution
Health hazards: Impure / contaminated air exposes people to a lot of health hazards. Most respiratory diseases that attack people are caused by the pollution of the atmosphere. Diseases such as asthma, lung cancer, bronchitis and others are caused by polluted air.
Health Risk Facts: Old people and children are the most vulnerable to diseases caused by air pollution.
a. Older people with heart or lung disorders are high at risk.
b. Because children are outdoors a lot, they are exposed to diseases caused by air pollution, since they have weaker immune systems.
c. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that; 2.4 million people die each year from diseases caused from Air pollution with 1.5 million caused by indoor air pollution
d. Asthma is heavily associated with poor indoor air quality.
e. There is also an Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) which monitors the quality of air and its health risks. Its range of measurement is from a 1 to 10+ i.e.; 1-3 (low), 4-6 (moderate), 7-10 (high), above 10 (very high)
Poor Visibility: Another effect of atmospheric pollution is poor visibility. Smoke and dust released from human activities such as bush burning, the burning of solid materials, industrial activities and exhaust of automobile (vehicles) into atmosphere, reduces the visibility needed for movement.
Global warming: Continuous emission of gases such as carbon monoxide (CO) as well as Carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere allows these gases to absorb the incoming sunlight and traps it in the atmosphere increasing the temperature and in effect heating the earth. These gases form part of the Green House Gases which are known for Global Warming.
Aerosol Sprays and Refrigerators that use chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) when let out cause gradual depletion of the Ozone Layer (O3) exposing all living organisms to infrared rays and heat radiation.
Pollutants like nitrogen oxides, ozone, and sulfur oxides have harmful effects on vegetation. These gases can kill off plants and trees by destroying their leaves, barks when they come into contact with them. Animals that also feed on the contaminated vegetation may also be affected indirectly. The particles that come from Carbon monoxide can also cover the surface of plant leaves thus reducing the rate of its photosynthesis.
People and animals that live near Volcanoes (mountain gods) are exposed to their harmful effects when they erupt. There are people who worship volcanoes and live near them rearing their animals and farming around these areas. When volcanoes erupt, molten lava, smoke and other chemical compounds are present in the surrounding atmosphere. There are usually clouds of smoke and dust particles covering where people live as well as particles from the lava spraying around. Heavy smoke can cause visual problems and affect the eyes. When particles from lava come into contact with skin it can cause burns and irritations on the skin.
Again when compounds like nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide are released into the air they mix and react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to form more acidic pollutants and eventually fall down as acidic rain.