Air is around us , there is no place you can be without air. The mixture of gases that comprises air is odourless, colourless and essential to all life on Earth.
The earth’s atmosphere protects us from Ultra Violet radiation (UV rays) through the stratosphere (second layer of the atmosphere, as you go upwards) . UV rays are invisible rays that make up part of the sun’s energy. Its prolonged exposure can burn the skin, and cause premature skin aging, it can also lead to some eye problems.
In addition, Pollutants occurs as a result of introduction of substances into the atmosphere in significant quantity to cause problem on human being, plants, vegetation
Air Pollutants are caused as a result of discharged solid substances such as dust, smoke, soot and Industrial machine.
Fumes from Industrial processes such as Sulphuric acid, mist from the coal mining as well as cement Industries can cause the release of gases such as sulphur(IV) oxide.
These Pollutants can also be caused by the radioactivity from industrial processes such as radioactive plants, spray of liquid in form of vapour through herbicide and Insecticide , poor refuse disposal, and nuclear waste. They can also be caused from Volcanic eruption.
Here are endnotes on two popular gases that can affect our health:
- Carbonmonoxide (CO) is an odourless, colourless and a poisonous gas produced by incomplete burning of fossil fuel from oil, gasoline and natural gas. It comes from car, buses, engines, Industrial processes, cigarette smoking and forest fire. This gas affects the smooth flow of blood in our vessels, It causes drowsiness in the eyes,death, headache and stress
- Nitrogen Oxide (NO) is colourless and odourless gas. It comes from burning fuels in motor vehicles, power plants, industrial, commercial and residential sources that burn fuel. This gas is vulnerable to respiratory infection such as lung diseases, cancer of the lung, It contributes to brownish of the eyes, It can form corrosion when dissolve in water and form acid, thereby causing metal to decay.
It is advisable that we maintain good air quality by reducing the level of air pollution we get exposed to.
