The human population has grown enormously over the last hundred years, resulting in increased demand for food, water, housing, electricity, roads, automobiles, and various other commodities. This burgeoning demand exerts tremendous pressure on natural resources and contributes significantly to the pollution of air, water, and soil. To ensure sustainable development, it is essential to check the degradation and depletion of natural resources and control pollution.

Pollution is any undesirable change in the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of air, land, water, or soil. Agents causing such undesirable changes are called pollutants. To control environmental pollution, the Government of India enacted the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, aimed at protecting and improving the quality of air, water, and soil.

Air pollution poses a significant threat to all living organisms, affecting human health, crop yield, and overall ecosystem integrity. The severity of harmful effects depends on the concentration of pollutants, the duration of exposure, and the susceptibility of the organism.

Sources of Air Pollution

1.Industrial Emissions: Smokestacks of thermal power plants, smelters, and other industries release particulate and gaseous air pollutants. These pollutants must be filtered before releasing harmless gases like nitrogen and oxygen into the atmosphere.

2.Automobile Emissions: Automobiles are a major source of air pollution, particularly in metropolitan cities. Proper maintenance of vehicles and the use of lead-free petrol or diesel can reduce emissions. Catalytic converters are fitted into automobiles to reduce the emission of poisonous gases by converting unburnt hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water, and carbon monoxide and nitric oxide into carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas.

Control Measures