Pollution

Pollution

The first thing people see, in the morning, when they walk outside is the

sky and the colored sun. Is this world giving us the privilege of seeing the natural

colors of the earth and sun through all the layers of pollution within the air? Not

only are beautiful sights such as this hidden behind the pollution this world

causes everyday, but an increase in diseases, infections and death occurs.

What causes pollution? What can we do to prevent it, and get rid of it?

Air pollution is the presence in the atmosphere of harmful gases, liquids,

or solids. Air pollution, known as smoke pollution for many years, resulted from

coal combustion. Smog has been a problem in coal-burning areas for several

centuries. Smog finally decreased when coal combustion was replaced by oil

and gas combustion. Air pollution is caused by a number of different types of

pollutants.

The first type, particulate matter, consists of solid and liquid aerosols

suspended in the atmosphere. These arise from the burning of coal and from

industrial processes. Atmospheric particles can scatter and absorb sunlight

which reduces visibility. Particles also reduce visibility by attenuating the light

from objects and illuminating the air causing the contrast between the objects

and their backgrounds to reduce. Not only does it effect visibility, but it hastens

the erosion of building materials and the corrosion of metals, interferes with the

human respiratory system, and brings toxic materials into the body. The small

particles cause chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, emphysema and lung

cancer. The second type is sulfur oxides which come from the burning of coal

and industrial processes. Damage to materials, to vegetation, and to the human

respiratory system are caused by the acid nature of oxides. Small quantities of

sulfur oxides can increase illness and mortality.

The third type of pollutant is carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a

colorless, odorless, tasteless gas against which humans have no protection.

Carbon monoxide comes from the exhaust of gasoline-powered vehicles and

secondarily from industrial processes. Hemoglobin, which is in the blood,

combines with carbon monoxide and carries less oxygen to body tissues causing

health and heart effects. Some health problems come from the exhaust fumes

leaking into the interior of the automobile.

The fourth type is hydrocarbons which are chemical compounds

containing only carbon and hydrogen. Hydrocarbons also arise from

gasoline-powered vehicles and from industrial processes. Hydrocarbons are an

important part of the production of photochemical smog.

The last type is nitrogen oxides that come from high-temperature

combustion, such as that occurring in motor vehicle engines, electric power

plants and other fuel usage. Nitrogen oxide contributes to acidity in precipitation

and production of photochemical smog. Nitrogen oxide is also dangerous

it causes serious illness and deaths even if the exposure to NO2 is short.

As one can surely see these types of air pollutants are harmful to our

atmosphere, environment and personal health. Factory owners can help prevent

all of these effects. Researchers have found different ways to remove these

pollutants from the air. One device designed to remove hydrocarbons from the

atmosphere "is an improved low pollution invisible flare burner which comprises

a tall stack lined with ceramic. Primary air is introduced under pressure in a tube

below and coaxial with the stack. The top of the tube contains a burner for the

vented hydrocarbon gases". Within this device different air mixtures provide

means for complete combustion of the vented gases with low emission of smoke

and light. Another method wherein gases contaminate with vapors from volatile

organic liquids are recovered by containing the vapor- containing gas in an

absorbed tower with a sponge oil which absorbs the vapors. Both methods can

successfully remove hydrocarbon.

A method has been discovered for removing nitrogen oxides from gases.

An ionizing radiation allows the noxious gas pollutants to enable a collection of

the particles or mist electrostatic precipitators. Another air pollutant which is able

to be reduced is carbon monoxide. Factories simply have to change their coal or

oil combustion's to natural gas combustion. Afterburners can cause the

combustion of CO. This combustion is a source of heat as in blast furnaces.

Water Pollution is the contamination of streams, lakes, underground

water, bays, or oceans by substances