Pollution
Pollution is a term used to describe the presence of an unwanted substance. Although air contains lots of microscopic particles, like volcanic dust and tiny sand grains from deserts, this pollution is natural in origin. Man-made pollution of the atmosphere however, is now causing a lot of concern. Most of this air pollution comes from the burning of coal, oil and gas - the fossil fuels - in power stations, factories and homes, and petrol and diesel in cars and other road vehicles. We need energy and electricity to keep us warm and to cook our food, but unfortunately we do not make enough from other non-polluting sources.
Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases into the air. This may be changing the climate and causing global warming. Other pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are also given off. This can reduce the quality of air which we breathe, leading to health problems, and can cause acid rain.
Print Topic
Websites
Other topics
Technical Page
• Chain Reaction
• Pollution
• K8 Aeronautics
• Introduction
• Air
• Air Layers
• Clouds
• Meteors
• Moisture
• Pollution
• Pressure
• Temperature
• Weather
• Wind