Air pollutant is a waste material present in the air which could potentially harm humans and the environment alike. The pollutants can be of various forms, such as, solid particles, liquid droplets, or gases.
It is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that may pose a threat or cause discomfort to humans or other living organisms. It could also cause an imbalance in the nature by damaging the natural environment.
The atmosphere is made up of various types of gases and this it is a very complicated and crucial natural gaseous system, which is responsible for supporting life on planet Earth.
Scientists considered the stratospheric ozone depletion as one of the main harmful affect of air pollution. The generation of air pollution could be either natural or man-made. But, in either case, it has long been recognized as a threat to human health as well as to the natural ecosystems.
The main pollutants are identified as:
• Heavy metals
• Persistent organic pollutants
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• Volatile organic compounds
• Environmental xenobiotics
Thus, due to its various ill affects, its extremely important to reduce air pollution by making people aware throughout the world and educate them on the required steps to be taken.

According to a latest research in the USA, the risk of heart diseases increases due to air pollution.

A body’s ability to control and regulate the heartbeat does not remain constant which is extremely important for the body to function properly. Depending on the heart’s electrical activity, the heart sends the right quantity of blood into the circulation system. Thus, the overall blood circulation of a body is distorted.

Duanping Liao, a professor of public health sciences, at Pennsylvania State College of Medicine said: “air pollution is associated with cardiopulmonary mortality and morbidity, and it is generally accepted that impaired heart electrophysiology is one of the underlying mechanisms”.

Professor Liao conducted a research among 106 non-smokers in the age group of 45+ to find out the rate of their heart beat. He asked the respondents to wear an air-quality and heart-rate monitors continuously for 24 hours.

On the completion of this research, Professor Liao was able to conclude that the heart electrophysiology was affected up to six hours after elevated PM2.5.

He further added that: “this impairment is exhibited through fluctuations in the heart rate from beat to beat over an established period of time, known as heart rate variability. It is also exhibited through a longer period for the electric activity to return to the baseline, known as ventricular depolarisation.”

A study from experts at the University of Dusilburg-Essen in Germany has found that people who live in areas where air pollution is highest are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure and related diseases. 

To read the full story, click here. 

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have been used for almost 100 years, primarily in refrigeration.

Their primary characteristic is their inactivity. It was this that led to their widespread use in domestic appliances, along with hairsprays, spray paints and deodorants.

Unfortunately, their inactivity turned out to be a mixed blessing as it meant that once these gases got into the atmosphere they remained – in fact these gases have a lifespan of over 100 years. Once in the upper stratosphere, CFCs react with the sun’s radiation and deplete the ozone layer.

Since March 1989 the use of theses gases has been banned in the EU. However, the production and use of CFCs in developing countries continues.

CFCs are one of the leading contributors to air pollution and have been blamed for the dramatic depletion in the ozone layer over Antarctica.