Releasing carbon dioxide is considered the major cause of the pollution. It is true that factories do not only emit CO2.However, “carbon dioxide remains to be at least 40% of the emission” (Lad, “causes of Air pollution”) this pollutant is also responsible for many worldwide problems such as global warming and climate changes. Another cause of the “factorial pollution” is the disposal of factories’ wastes(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/). When a factory throws unwanted products, whether in landfills or in water, it releases large quantities of methane in the atmosphere. Methane is not dangerous by itself, but it tends to combine with other gases in the air to create a harmful gas. In addition, this gas can generate dangerous explosions like what happened in LA. “Methane gas venting in the, Fairfax District of Los Angeles resulted in the explosion of a Ross Dress for Less department store in 1985, and the evacuation of several buildings in 1989” . A further point is the pollutants that are known to be the main sources of the industrial and air pollution. The pollutants are nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide. These gases come from burning fossil fuels in factories such as oil and natural gas.
The industrial pollution has several direct impacts on the environment, buildings, animals and humans especially the ones living in big cities. One noticeable effect is the chronic diseases like lung cancer, asthma and heart diseases. Older people and children are mostly to be influenced by pollution. According to Niehs.nih.gov: “children who live in highly polluted communities are five times more likely to have clinically low lung function—less than 80% of the lung function normal for their age” A second effect is the ozone depletion (http://www.standford.edu)/ .The industrial pollution makes “holes” in the ozone layer in the atmosphere. This can increase the amount of harmful rays reaching the earth. Finally, the pollutants we mentioned before are damaging the living and non-living things. Chronic exposure to pollution breaks down the leaves’ cover which lets the plants lose water and then die. Moreover, the combination of the pollutants sometimes forms “the acid rain”. According to Epa.gov: “acid rain accelerates the decay of building materials and paints, including irreplaceable buildings, statues, and sculptures that are part of our nation's cultural heritage.”
In conclusion, talking about this problem seems hopeless, but there is a chance to change and make a difference. Stopping producing the manufactured materials and human activities is not exactly practical so we should think of other solutions. I think looking for natural alternative resources in yours own country is the best solution for pollution. These resources must not be toxic or harmful to the environment and would be better if they are renewable ones so we won’t be afraid of losing them. MASDAR in Abu Dhabi as an example is trying to use the solar energy as an alternative to oil. The wind energy and the water energy are also possible solutions; however the practical application is somehow difficult. It is true that these alternatives are well known but are not widely available and the finance is involved. Many industrial businesses depend on the current resources and if they change that, they will pay more money. I hope that governments can settle these arguments and make it easier for companies to accept this solution. It may take years to do so, but at least we decided to change and save ourselves and our environments from this disaster.
References:
"Air Pollution & Respiratory Disease." National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). 22 Dec. 2009
"(Lad causes of Air pollution)
(Hamilton, “Explosion and other gas ventings at the Fairfax District, Los Angeles”)
: Intelligent Life on the Web. 22 Dec. 2009"Press." Stanford University. 22 Dec. 2009
"Press." Stanford University. 22 Dec. 2009
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