Question

Name and explain four activities by which humans pollute air in a big way.

Answer 1

Most of the pollution is caused by the activities of human beings :

• Thermal power plants consume a considerable amount of coal to generate energy. These plants emit massive volumes of smoke and ash into the atmosphere, which can be noticed up to 20 kilometres away from the power plant.
• Vehicles that run on gasoline or diesel emit a lot of smoke and carbon monoxide. Vehicle pollution is a major issue in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and others. Hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter are all emitted by the automobiles.
• Smoke, ash, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide are all produced when wood, coal, or kerosene oil are burned in improperly designed 'chulhas' or stoves.
• The creation of carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide when garbage is burned in big cities, especially plastic bags, creates a lot of pollution.
• Pesticides used in the fields pollute the air as well.