Consequences of pollutant gases in the air

The pollutant gases in the air are one of the poisons we live with every day. The environment suffers from human and natural activity, and living beings suffer the effects of air pollution. Whether through pollutant particles generated by human activity -known as anthropogenic pollutants-, or from harmful elements in the air that have been produced naturally. Like those that occur when an ecological disaster happens.

While it is not necessary to be overly alarmed by the presence of pollutant agents in the air, it is important to know their effects and the risks they carry. Similarly, it is important to try to reduce pollution as much as possible. Using ventilation systems with energy efficiency is a measure that helps fight pollutant gases, while intelligent use of air conditioning devices is also essential.

Indeed, poor air quality has harmful effects on people and reduces healthiness. The respiratory apparatus and the cardiovascular system are affected by pollution and by pollutant agents in the air.
That is the first harmful effect of pollutant gases in the air: the damage to people. In cities with high pollution, one can suffer from cough, difficulty breathing, excessive mucus in the respiratory tracts, and other damages such as bronchitis or asthma. In extreme cases, it can lead to cancer.

One way to discover the effects of pollution on humans is to approach one of the most populated cities in China or India. Generally, Europeans landing in a city like Beijing notice that in the first few days they cough and find it hard to breathe. This is because the pollution is so high that it is equivalent to smoking 40 cigarettes in a day, according to a recent study. It is a perfect example of what air pollution means.

Heart-related problems can also occur due to pollutant gases in the air. All living beings suffer from these damages, which in humans can manifest as narrowing of coronary arteries or possible risks of clot formation.

The solution we can provide at a personal level is to take care of the air we breathe indoors. While we cannot control what happens outside, in our homes we can install air filters and use ventilation systems that take care of the air we breathe within walls. Avoiding problems like moisture in the areas where we live and sleep.

Material and environmental effects of pollutant gases

In the natural environment, the existence of pollutant gases in the air also significantly affects our planet. The best-known damage is the greenhouse effect. This is a phenomenon that occurs when negative radiations from the earth's activity cannot escape through the atmosphere due to the layer of pollution. Likewise, many more rays of sunlight come in.

For all this, a temperature increase on our planet occurs in the greenhouse effect due to this imbalance in received and eliminated energies. What is commonly explained as global warming.

The main pollutant gases related to such harmful effect are:

• Carbon dioxide.
• Methane.
• Nitrous oxide.

Of course, the very air pollution and the pollutant gases also have very damaging effects on material goods that are exposed to the elements. It can be clearly seen in vehicles and the facades of houses.

Combustion activity -such as that produced by automobiles or certain manufacturing processes- releases sulfur and nitrogen into the atmosphere. Then, when it rains, both poisons mix with the water and acid rain is produced, which can contain small parts of sulfuric and nitric acid. This phenomenon can corrode metals, woods, and even stones and other natural elements.

Other elements like marble can also be very sensitive to acid rain; it can deteriorate to look like a plaster paste. Many great monuments of humanity are affected by this, such as the Taj Mahal in India, where pollution is rampant.

To combat the blight of pollutant gases in the air, we must bet on renewable energies. At home, we can choose to use energy-efficient bulbs and LED energy. Responsible use of air conditioning systems is also essential to reduce pollution in the environment. Using air conditioning devices less in summer and restricting combustion heating in winter are helps to maintain a clean atmosphere.