๐ Important for GNM/BSc Nursing, NHM, AIIMS, NORCET, GPSC & Community Health Nursing Exams
Air Pollution refers to the presence of harmful substances in the air that are injurious to human health, environment, and living beings.
๐ These pollutants may be gaseous, particulate, or biological in nature.
| ๐ฅ Source | ๐ Examples |
|---|---|
| Industrial | Factories, refineries, power plants |
| Automobile | Exhaust from vehicles (diesel/petrol) |
| Domestic | Cooking with wood, cow dung, open burning |
| Agricultural | Pesticides, crop burning |
| Natural | Volcanoes, dust storms, forest fires |
| โ ๏ธ Pollutant | ๐งฌ Effect |
|---|---|
| Carbon monoxide (CO) | Headache, suffocation, death in high doses |
| Sulphur dioxide (SOโ) | Cough, bronchitis, acid rain |
| Nitrogen dioxide (NOโ) | Lung irritation, asthma |
| Ozone (Oโ) | Eye and throat irritation |
| Particulate Matter (PM2.5/PM10) | Asthma, lung cancer, cardiovascular problems |
| Lead | Brain damage, anemia, developmental delay in children |
| ๐คง Disease | ๐ฆ Cause/Link |
|---|---|
| Bronchial Asthma | Triggered by pollutants, allergens |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) | Long-term exposure to dust, smoke |
| Lung Cancer | Linked to inhalation of PM2.5, industrial toxins |
| Tuberculosis (TB) | Spread by droplet nuclei in air |
| Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI) | Dust, pollen, viruses |
| Allergic Rhinitis | Pollens, smoke, chemical exposure |
| Pneumonia | Spread via airborne droplets |
| COVID-19 | Viral airborne transmission |
| Silicosis & Asbestosis | Inhalation of industrial particles |
| Carbon Monoxide Poisoning | Incomplete combustion in closed spaces |
๐น Droplets: >5 ฮผm, settle quickly (e.g., influenza, COVID-19)
๐น Aerosols: <5 ฮผm, stay suspended (e.g., TB, measles)
๐จ Inhalation โ Infection when close to infected persons
โ ๏ธ Short-Term Effects:
โ ๏ธ Long-Term Effects:
๐ฉโโ๏ธ Educate community on clean fuel (LPG, biogas)
๐ฉโโ๏ธ Promote indoor ventilation and chimney use
๐ฉโโ๏ธ Encourage plantation and greenery
๐ฉโโ๏ธ Report cases of respiratory illness
๐ฉโโ๏ธ Support use of masks and air purifiers in urban areas
๐ฉโโ๏ธ Participate in pollution awareness campaigns
๐จ PM2.5 causes deep lung damage and cancer
๐จ SOโ causes acid rain and bronchitis
๐จ TB and COVID-19 are airborne infectious diseases
๐จ COPD and Asthma are worsened by air pollution
๐จ Carbon monoxide is called a silent killer gas
Q1. Which air pollutant is known as the ‘silent killer’?
๐
ฐ๏ธ Sulphur dioxide
โ
๐
ฑ๏ธ Carbon monoxide
๐
ฒ๏ธ Nitrogen dioxide
๐
ณ๏ธ Ozone
Q2. What is the main source of PM2.5 in cities?
๐
ฐ๏ธ Trees
โ
๐
ฑ๏ธ Vehicle exhaust
๐
ฒ๏ธ Rain
๐
ณ๏ธ Food waste
Q3. Which disease is airborne and spreads through aerosols?
๐
ฐ๏ธ Typhoid
๐
ฑ๏ธ Cholera
โ
๐
ฒ๏ธ Tuberculosis
๐
ณ๏ธ Dengue
Q4. Which disease is occupational and caused by inhalation of silica dust?
๐
ฐ๏ธ Asthma
๐
ฑ๏ธ COPD
โ
๐
ฒ๏ธ Silicosis
๐
ณ๏ธ Pneumonia
Q5. Which gas causes acid rain and bronchial irritation?
๐
ฐ๏ธ COโ
โ
๐
ฑ๏ธ SOโ
๐
ฒ๏ธ Ozone
๐
ณ๏ธ Methane
๐ Important for GNM/BSc Nursing, NHM, AIIMS, NORCET, GPSC & Community Health Nursing Exams
Air pollution is a major environmental hazard that causes serious health problems.
๐ To prevent diseases and protect the environment, control measures and safety precautions are essential at individual, community, and governmental levels.
โ
Enforce emission norms for industries and vehicles
โ
Promote Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) fuel and engines
โ
Ban stubble burning, garbage burning & plastic incineration
โ
Establish green belts in urban & industrial zones
โ
Promote Metro, EVs, public transport
โ
Strict pollution control laws (Air Act 1981, Environment Act 1986)
โ
Monitor pollution through AQI (Air Quality Index)
๐ฟ Tree plantation drives
๐ด Promote cycling, carpooling, walking
โป๏ธ Manage waste through segregation, composting
๐ซ Avoid use of firecrackers, open wood fires
๐ก Build eco-friendly buildings with ventilation
โ๏ธ Use clean fuels โ LPG, electricity, biogas
โ๏ธ Install chimneys or exhaust fans
โ๏ธ Avoid smoking indoors
โ๏ธ Use air purifiers or indoor plants (e.g., Areca palm, Spider plant)
โ๏ธ Perform wet mopping, not dry dusting
๐ท Wear N95 masks during high pollution
๐ช Keep windows closed during peak hours
๐ฌ๏ธ Ensure proper ventilation
๐ง Drink more water to stay hydrated and detoxify
๐ Eat foods rich in Vitamin C, Omega-3, antioxidants
๐ Check AQI apps before going outside
๐ For asthma/COPD patients: Always carry inhalers
๐ฉโโ๏ธ Educate community about air pollution effects
๐ฉโโ๏ธ Promote use of clean energy and proper ventilation
๐ฉโโ๏ธ Demonstrate mask usage and household safety
๐ฉโโ๏ธ Identify and report pollution-related diseases
๐ฉโโ๏ธ Support government campaigns and school health programs
๐จ Air Act 1981 controls and prevents air pollution in India
๐จ N95 masks filter 95% airborne particles
๐จ Indoor air pollution is caused by biomass cooking, smoking
๐จ Tree plantation is a natural purifier
๐จ AQI measures air quality from 0 (good) to 500+ (hazardous)
Q1. Which fuel is considered clean and reduces indoor air pollution?
๐
ฐ๏ธ Firewood
๐
ฑ๏ธ Kerosene
โ
๐
ฒ๏ธ LPG
๐
ณ๏ธ Coal
Q2. What is the ideal personal protective measure during high smog?
๐
ฐ๏ธ Handkerchief
๐
ฑ๏ธ Cloth mask
โ
๐
ฒ๏ธ N95 mask
๐
ณ๏ธ Paper mask
Q3. Which plant helps purify indoor air naturally?
๐
ฐ๏ธ Tulsi
โ
๐
ฑ๏ธ Spider plant
๐
ฒ๏ธ Neem
๐
ณ๏ธ Mango
Q4. Which Act controls air pollution in India?
๐
ฐ๏ธ Water Act 1974
๐
ฑ๏ธ MTP Act 1971
โ
๐
ฒ๏ธ Air Act 1981
๐
ณ๏ธ Environmental Act 2000
Q5. Which habit reduces community air pollution?
๐
ฐ๏ธ Bursting crackers
๐
ฑ๏ธ Burning plastic
โ
๐
ฒ๏ธ Using public transport
๐
ณ๏ธ Smoking indoors