Journal of Pollution Effects & Control
Open Access

A Short Note on Types and Causes of Air Pollution

Alfie Verano^{* *}Correspondence: Dr. Alfie Verano, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Email:

Author info »

About the Study

Most people are unaware that the World Health Organization estimates that more than 90% of the world's population breathes polluted air. When we look at the causes of air pollution, we will notice that humans are the primary cause of air pollution. Growing industrialization has both positive and negative effects on people and the environment. Furthermore, one of the significant drawbacks that we are facing as a result of our actions is the increasing rate of environmental pollution. Before we can discuss how to control air pollution, we must first understand what they mean.

Air pollution is defined as the contamination of air, water, or soil by any substance harmful to living organisms. It's analogous to introducing or releasing a toxic substance into the environment, which can harm the elements in the environment. Pollution can occur as a result of both natural (such as a volcanic eruption) and man-made causes. However, man-made factors are now causing more pollution than natural ones. The growing number of vehicles, as well as industrial wastes in the form of air or water, all contribute to air pollution in some way.

According to the definition of air pollution, it occurs when any physical, chemical, or biological change occurs in the air and contaminates it. Air pollution can be caused by a variety of factors, including poisonous or harmful gases, smoke, fog, smog, dust, and so on. Air pollution has an impact on both plants and animals.

Types of air pollutants

There are two types of air pollutants: primary and secondary pollutants. Pollutants are substances that contribute to air pollution.

1. The primary pollutants that cause air pollution are those that cause it directly. These include harmful gases emitted by factories, such as sulphur dioxide. Primary pollutants are those that are created directly as a result of the process. Sulfur dioxide, which is produced by factories, is a prime example of a primary pollutant.

2. Secondary pollutants are created as a result of the intermixing or intermingling of primary pollutants. Smog, a mixture of fog and smoke, is a secondary pollutant.

Causes of air pollution

In order to prevent the pollution of the air around you, you must first understand the causes of air pollution. The primary causes are as follows:

• The excessive use of automobiles contributes to the emission of harmful gases.

• Various processes occur during agricultural activities, such as ammonia emissions and excessive use of insecticides, pesticides, and fertilizers. Ammonia is a common agricultural byproduct and one of the most toxic substances.

• Ammonia is a common agricultural byproduct and one of the most dangerous gases in the atmosphere. In agricultural practices, insecticides, pesticides, and fertilizers have all become more common. They emit hazardous chemicals into the atmosphere and have the potential to pollute water.

• Farmers also set fire to fields and old crops to clear them for the next sowing cycle. According to reports, burning to clean up fields pollutes the environment by emitting toxic pollutants into the atmosphere.

• Increased industrial activity results in the release of hazardous gases and chemicals into the atmosphere. Manufacturing plants emit significant amounts of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, organic compounds, and chemicals into the atmosphere, reducing air quality.

• Manufacturing industries can be found all over the world, and no region has been spared their influence. Petroleum refineries also emit hydrocarbons and other pollutants that pollute the air and soil.

• Mining activities are increasing the release of hazardous substances. Mining is the extraction of minerals from beneath the earth's surface with the help of heavy machinery. Throughout the process, dust and chemicals are released into the air, resulting in significant air pollution.

• This is one of the factors contributing to the poor health of the area's workers and residents.

• Domestic sources of pollution include the use of chemical paints and excessive use of air conditioners. Hazardous chemicals are released into the air by household cleaning products and painting supplies, polluting the environment. Have you ever noticed that when you paint your house's walls, it emits a strong odour that makes it difficult to breathe?

• Suspended particle matter, is another source of pollution. SPM refers to airborne particles that are typically caused by dust, combustion, and other factors.