- 2071 Magh · 1+2+2 marks
Pollutant vs pollution; gaseous and particulate pollutants
Short answer
A pollutant is a harmful substance or agent; pollution is the undesirable environmental change it causes. Air pollution comprises gaseous pollutants like CO (binds haemoglobin), SO₂ and NOx (acid rain), and particulate matter such as dust and PM₂.₅ causing asthma and lung cancer, controlled by scrubbers, catalytic converters, and filters.
Differentiate between pollutant and pollution. Describe the air pollution with reference to gaseous pollutant and particulate matter.
Pollutant vs pollution
| Point | Pollutant | Pollution |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | A substance or agent that harms the environment | The undesirable change in air, water or soil caused by a pollutant |
| Nature | A cause | A state/effect |
| Examples | CO, SO₂, DDT, plastic, noise | Air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution |
Air pollution
Air pollution is the presence in the air of one or more substances (gases, liquids or solids) in such quantity and for such duration that they are harmful to human beings, animals, plants, materials or the environment.
Gaseous pollutants: CO (incomplete combustion; binds haemoglobin), SO₂ and NOx (burning fuels; acid rain, respiratory trouble), hydrocarbons and O₃ (photochemical smog), CO₂ and CH₄ (global warming). They spread widely and are removed by absorption (scrubbers) or adsorption and by catalytic converters.
Particulate matter: tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in air: dust, smoke, soot, fumes, fly ash, mist, PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅. Sources: brick kilns, construction, road dust, vehicles, burning of waste and forests. They cause asthma, bronchitis, lung cancer and reduced visibility; they are controlled by electrostatic precipitators, cyclone separators, bag filters and water sprays.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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