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Air pollutants: effects and remedies

Short answer

Air pollutants like CO form carboxyhaemoglobin reducing oxygen; SO₂/NOx cause respiratory diseases; particulates cause lung cancer; lead damages the brain. Remedies: clean fuels, catalytic converters, industrial filters (electrostatic precipitators, scrubbers), afforestation, and public awareness.

What are air pollutants? Give a brief account about the adverse effects of air pollutants on human beings and their possible remedies.

Air pollutants are substances in the atmosphere (gases, vapours, particles) in amounts harmful to life and property. Examples: CO, SO₂, NOx, hydrocarbons, ozone and particulate matter.

Adverse effects on human beings

  • CO: forms carboxyhaemoglobin, reducing oxygen supply; headache, dizziness, death.
  • SO₂ and NOx: irritate eyes and lungs, cause asthma, bronchitis; acid rain.
  • Particulates: lung diseases, silicosis, lung cancer, heart disease.
  • Ozone and smog: eye irritation, breathing problems.
  • Lead: damages brain and kidneys, especially of children.
  • Hydrocarbons (benzene): carcinogenic.

Possible remedies

  • Use clean fuels (LPG, CNG, electricity, biogas), low-sulphur fuel, and lead-free petrol.
  • Fit catalytic converters and enforce vehicle emission standards; ban old polluting vehicles.
  • Install control devices in industries: electrostatic precipitators, cyclone separators, bag filters, scrubbers.
  • Convert to zigzag kilns in brick industry; avoid open burning of waste.
  • Plant trees and green belts; better town planning and public transport.
  • Strict pollution-control laws and public awareness.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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