Vehicle Exhaust Causes Air Quality Issues



Vehicle Exhaust Causes Air Quality Issues

Introduction

One of the major issues of environmental nature that the world is facing these days is that of pollution. Out of the many different types of pollution, the one that is affecting the atmosphere is the issue of air pollution. This problem is increasing day by day and is affecting not only the atmosphere, but also the health of the dwellers of this planet. That is the reason this issue needs attention and needs to be solved so that further problems to this environment, as well as, to the health of the humans and animals can be controlled. It is the need of hour to work on this issue and solve it for the betterment of this planet and the people and animals living on this planet (Ostro & Lipsett, 2007).

Thesis Statement

The motor vehicles and the exhaust that they emit cause air pollution and this problem needs to be solved on priority basis.

This essay will look into the problem of air pollution with special reference to the air pollution that is caused by the smoke and exhaust that is emitted from them. A general over view of the problem of air pollution and all the factors that are adding to it will also be a part of the essay. Towards the end, some solutions and recommendations will be proposed that can be employed and that are helpful in not only controlling this air pollution, but also eliminating it in the long run.

Discussion

Description of the Current Situation

The air pollution is a type of pollution characterized by altered levels of quality and purity of the air. This degradation is usually caused by one or more elements (particles, substances, materials ...) whose degrees of concentration and duration of presence are sufficient to produce a toxic effect. According to the WHO, it was responsible (in 2010-2011) of more than 2 million premature deaths per year, especially in middle-income countries while 1 to 1.3 million directly due to urban pollution. In about half the cases, it is pneumonia that claimed the life of children less than 5 years (Ostro & Lipsett, 2007). The UN framed established in 1979 a Convention on long distance Transboundary Air Pollution. WHO estimates that reducing the rate of particulate PM10 from 70 to 20 micrograms per cubic meter, the induced mortality to air pollution would drop by 15%.

Acidification, Eutrophication, Photochemical Pollution

Acidification

"Acidification is increasing the acidity of the soil, a river or air due to human activities. This can modify the chemical and biological balance and seriously affect ecosystems. The increase in the acidity of the air is mainly due to emissions of SO2, NOx and HCl, which by oxidation give the acid HNO 3 and H2SO4. The resulting acid rain has a pH close to 4 to 4.5.

Eutrophication

Eutrophication is a disruption of the biological balance of soil and water due to excess nitrogen relative to the absorption capacity of ...