Air Pollution: Sources and its Effects on Humans and Plants

Abstract

Pollution of air is among the serious issue that the world is confronting today in developed and developing countries. An escalating number
of automobiles and industries incessantly add toxic gases like SO2, NOx, and particulate matter into the atmosphere. Simultaneously,
secondary pollutant tropospheric O3 formed by the reactions of primary pollutant is equally hazardous. Suspension of these contaminants
in air leads to damaging effects on human health and plant productivity and results in the degradation of ecosystems and biodiversity.
Human health issues associated with pollutants in air include cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, nervous and reproductive system
disorders, lowered life expectancy, and mutations. Moreover, air pollutants negatively affect different morphological and physiological
characteristics of the plants. Air pollutants generate reactive oxygen species that negatively affect various physiological pathways in
the plants inducing their anti-oxidative defense system to counteract oxidative stress. Air pollutants are also accountable for injury to
vegetation and losses in crop productivity which is an increased cause of concern. Hence considering the air pollution menace, effective
regulations, policies, and strategies should be developed for good human health, agricultural production, and food security.