Tag: industrial pollution and degradation of environment

Sulphur dioxide form a a very harmful gas. It is also responsible for the formation of acid rain and a potent atmospheric pollutant. People with asthma and similar bronchial conditions are at a greater risk through sulphur dioxide poisoning. It is also linked with cardio vascular diseases.

Aerosols are minute organic or inorganic particles suspended in the atmosphere. These are the colloids of solid and liquids suspended in air. Their scattering of sunlight can reduce visibility.

Heat in the form of thermal waste waters flowing out of electricity-generating units, e.g., thermal power plants, constitute important category of pollutants. Thermal waste water eliminates or reduces the number of organisms sensitive to high temperature, and may damage the indigenous flora and fauna. Noise is an unwanted sound, or sound which produces unpleasant effects and discomfort on the ears and reduces the quality of life. Radiation, that is given off by nuclear waste is extremely damaging to organisms, because it causes mutations at a very high rate. At high doses, nuclear radiation is lethal but at lower doses, it creates various disorders, the most frequent of all being cancer. All the three are pollutants but does not have any physical weight.  

Particulate matter is the small and fine solid particles present in the atmosphere. These suspended particles may be due to aerosols, dust particles, particles of carbon or other elements, etc. When the amount of these particles and the pollutants in the atmosphere are higher, there is a reduction in the intensity of the sunlight reaching this region. Due to the air pollution in the cities, there is less intensity of the light which is received compared to the villages. 

Carbon dioxide is described as pollutant or not a pollutant depending on the source of emission. The carbon dioxide which is released from the plants and animals as the end product of the respiration is not considered as a pollutant. The carbon dioxide gas which is released as the exhausts and emissions from the industries causes pollution and are referred as a pollutant. The main role of the gas is in increasing the temperature of Earth and so these are not pollutants

Industries are the chief cases of water, soil and air pollution. All the major cities of India are situated on the banks of some river or the others. Some of the commonly produced industrial waste are boiled ash, metal scraps etc. 

Ozone is formed through reactions between the primary nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons in the presence of sunlight. It is a gaseous pollutant. Particulate matter consists of soot, flash, dust of various types, fur, hair, spores etc. They are classified into settleable and suspended particulate matter. Thus, the correct answer is option B.