Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other

living organisms, or cause damage to the natural environment or built environment, into the atmosphere. Causes of Air pollution The most well-known and pervasive causes of air pollution are man-made. The burning of petroleum products is a very common cause of air pollution, especially in metropolitan areas. This pollution comes from chemical factors present when these fuels combust. When hydrocarbons such as gasoline are burned, they produce carbon dioxide and water vapor. Incomplete combustion leads to carbon monoxide also being created as a byproduct. Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are both considered to be pollutants. Also, no fossil fuel is perfectly pure and no engine is perfectly efficient, so small particles of soot are also released into the atmosphere, along with trace amounts of other undesirable substances. Other man-made causes of air pollution include smokestack emissions from factories and power plants. The substances emitted at these sources can include sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, which are responsible for the formation of acid rain.

Effects:
The effects of air pollution on humans are fatal and life threatening. WHO statistics report that over 2 million people succumb to the fatalities attributed to air pollution. Consistent exposure to the pollutants leads to the development of: Cardiopulmonary disease
Pneumonia

Premature mortality
Heart attack Asthma

Wheezing and coughing Acute vascular dysfunction Thrombus formation Emphysema Prevention The information about air pollution given above must have given you enough reasons to contribute your bit towards its prevention. The anthropogenic causes of air
pollution are more as compared to natural causes, and thus the onus in on us to take

the necessary steps to ensure that we don't contribute to air pollution - directly or indirectly, any more. Given below are some simple methods which can play a crucial role when it comes to prevention of air pollution and saving the planet. Reduce the use of vehicles either by resorting to public transport for daily transportation or switching over from vehicles to other means - such as cycling or walking. If the use of vehicle is inevitable, make sure that you use it efficiently - drive within the speed limit recommended by the manufacturer, turn the engine off on red light and make sure that you maintain your vehicle. Buying fuel efficient vehicles is yet another option that you have. Several car manufacturers are using advanced technology to roll out vehicles which minimize emissions. Implement practices such as 'car pool', wherein you take turns to use your vehicles, in your neighborhood or workplace. Simple, but effective measure when it comes to vehicle pollution. Do not burn the waste generated in your homes, instead resort to other means of garbage disposal. The same rule implies when it comes to disposal of your garden waste. A better way out is to opt for traditional methods such as composting. You can also resort to technologically advanced air pollution control equipment
systems such as use of filters to remove dust particles and use of wet scrubbers to

remove acid gases in the atmosphere. Use a thermostat in your homes so that your heater or air conditioner is automatically switched off when it's not require.