Air Pollution The Greatest Disaster Of Lebanon

Air pollution is something that we cannot really ignore now a days. This is evident from the moment we step out of our house and are greeted with black colored smog that hits us directly reminding us that breathing clean air is more of a distant dream. It is so easy for us to endlessly rant and rave about the causes of air pollution and its ill effects, but little do we realize that each person is responsible for all the causes of air pollution and the situation that we face today. Take a look around you at the dismal state of affairs. The thick smog that is seen in the morning hours is not really due to somebody else but rather due to each and every one of us. Here is a look at the causes of air pollution and its effect, and how it can solve this problem (by kashmira lad, http://www.buzzle.com/articles/causes-of-air-pollution.html). The most evident aspect of the problem of the environment has been the least researched in Lebanon. The air of the cities and areas of large human population is poor, and the quality of the air decreases with the increase of factories and with the formation of enveloping fog around the cities. In 1973, the National Council for Scientific Research (NCSR) launched a scheme for the continuous observation of contents in the air of harmful matters (gas and dust). The war put an end to the project and since then atmospheric pollution problems continued to worsen. Air pollution has not been the subject of any regulation with the exception of the prohibition of the importation and use of diesel vehicles (law of the 10th June, 1961 and decree 579 of the 1st August, 1956) and the required conditions for vehicle engines, which currently are not being applied. There exists no authority in Lebanon which is directly responsible for the quality of the air and the protection of the atmosphere against pollution.( Rania Masri rmasri@ncsu.edu November 1995 Copyright 1995, Rania Masri, International Relief Fund All rights reserved http://almashriq.hiof.no/lebanon/300/360/363/363.7/impact.html)

Causes of air pollution

Air pollution is a major problem faced by people across the globe. A number of causes are related to the contamination of atmosphere. Polluted air leads to numerous health problems, ranging from the mild to the chronic ones. As far as human health is concerned, poor quality of air seriously affects the body's respiratory and cardiovascular system. The severity in diseases may depend upon the degree of exposure to polluted air. Given below is the complete information about the causes and effects of air pollution. Take a look around you at the dismal state of affairs. The thick smog that is seen in the morning hours is not really due to somebody else but rather due to each and every one of us. Here is a look at the causes of air pollution and how it can affect us if the matter is not taken care of at this stage itself. Causes of Air Pollution: Combustion of fuel is one of the major causes of air pollution in urban areas. .Burning of fossil fuels such as natural gas and gasoline leads to the emission of carbon dioxide and other gases, which deteriorate the quality of air, making it polluted. .Increased level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is one of the prime causes of air pollution. Power plants exhaust fumes of automobiles, airplanes and other human activities involving the burning of gasoline and natural gas are related to the emission of this greenhouse gas. .The chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a class of synthetic chemicals used in refrigerants and aerosol propellants, have caused hole in Earth's ozone layer. The use of this banned chemicals is related with the increasing levels of air pollution.

.Sulfur dioxide is one of the components of smog, which is related with contamination of the Earth's atmosphere. This synthetic chemical is the prime cause of acid rain. Air pollution is partially caused by the particulates formed by a variety of substances, such as dust, pollen and other organic materials. .Increased road and air traffic is another reason related to the high level of air pollution.( http://www.ehow.com/about_4779837_causes-effects-air-pollution.html#ixzz1LxN0e5XG By an eHow Contributor

http://www.ehow.com/about_4779837_causes-effects-air-pollution.html)
Uncontrolled usage and/or release of chemicals in Lebanon may increase the risk of developing cancer. Successive wars on Lebanon, usage of excessive amounts of pesticides and fertilizers, smoking of cigarettes and pipes, combustion of low-quality fuel, diesel exhausts, and dust from quarrying locations are among the main sources of these chemicals. Scientists have discovered clear evidence linking different types of cancer to air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, sooty and fine particles and nitrogen oxides.

Professor Ismail Abbas is a Lecturer of Physical and Organic Chemistry at the Beirut Arab University. Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/Jul/28/Air-pollution-link-to-cancer-in-Lebanon.ashx#ixzz1LxJFkyVr (The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/Jul/28/Air-pollution-link-to-cancer-inLebanon.ashx#axzz1LwssG9Ru These and a number of other hazardous air pollutants are emitted with the various numbers of activities that we carry out during the day which are the main causes of air pollution.

By Kashmira Lad http://www.buzzle.com/articles/causes-of-air-pollution.html.

Effects of air pollution

Air Pollution Effects on Humans
Air pollution is responsible for major health effects. Every year, the health of countless people is ruined or endangered by air pollution. Asthma is a chronic disease common among children and adults. Pollutants present in the air, such as smog, can trigger the shortness of breath, a prime symptom of this disease. Lung infections can occur when polluted air is inhaled. This can also lead to shortness of breath. Air pollution may influence the development of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Air pollution can also lead to lung cancer. Air pollution can result in blockage in the coronary artery or blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. This condition is diagnosed as Coronary Artery Disease. High level of pollution in the air can also lead to heart failure. Irregular or abnormal rhythms of heartbeat are often cited as health problems related to air pollution.

Many different chemicals in the air affect the human body in negative ways. Just how sick people will get depends on what chemicals they are exposed to, in what concentrations, and for how long. Older people are highly vulnerable to diseases induced by air pollution. Those with heart or lung disorders are under additional risk. Children and infants are also at serious risk. Because people are exposed to so many potentially dangerous pollutants, it is often hard to know exactly which pollutants are responsible for causing sickness. Also, because a mixture of different pollutants can intensify sickness, it is often difficult to isolate those pollutants that are at fault. Many diseases could be caused by air pollution without their becoming apparent for a long time. Diseases such as bronchitis, lung cancer, and heart disease may all eventually appear in people exposed to air pollution. Air pollutants such as ozone, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide also have harmful effects on natural. They can kill plants and trees by destroying their leaves, and can kill animals,

principally fish in highly polluted rivers. Caroline, David, Michael, Mindy, Neil Franklin, and Vikas created this project for the ThinkQuest Internet contest in 1999. Please read our copyright information or contact us if you have questions about this site. http://library.thinkquest.org/26026/Environmental_Problems/air_pollution_-_effects.html

Air Pollution Effects on Wider Environment The effects of acid rain have been known for a long time. Though experts admit that the problem of acid rain is generally under control, its still worth reiterating the effects brought on by acid rain on the wider environment. Acid rain has adverse effects on :

Forests & other vegetation Freshwater lakes & streams destroying aquatic life Soil Buildings & materials Economic Losses as Air Pollution Effects

Apart from direct health-related and other environmental issues, air pollution brings with it economic losses as well. Some of the economic losses caused by air pollution are as follows :

Direct medical losses Lost income from being absent from work Decreased productivity Travel time losses due to reduced visibility Losses from repair of damage to buildings Increased costs of cleaning
www.tropical-rainforest-animals.com/air-pollution-effects.html www.tropical-rainforest-animals.com/air-pollution-effects.html

Losses due to damage to crops & plants

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SOLUTIONS OF AIR POLUTION

First, air pollution is the greatest threat towards the health of the Lebanese. Direct actions must be taken in order to protect the citizens and lessen the extreme dangers that are increasing daily. Toxic and virulent fumes have excessively been transmitted into the atmosphere by factories. This release of toxic fumes must be controlled. The production of many commodities will further contaminate the air, but by recycling, less toxins will be released. How you can help to prevent Air Pollution:

Carpool- This will help to reduce the number of vehicles on the already congested roads. Always keep your car tuned properly so that it remains in a good condition. Save energy- Try to use minimum amounts of natural gas and even electricity. Whenever possible, avoid the use of air conditioner and use a fan instead. Always buy recycled products. Reuse things such as paper and plastic bags, paper etc. This will contribute a lot towards reducing the effects of air pollution and global warming. Avoid the use of firecrackers. You do not really need it to express your feeling of happiness. Go in for water-based paints instead of varnishes By Kashmira Lad

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/causes-of-air-pollution.html

. There are so many ways that we could help prevent air pollution from reaching its worst level. At home and at work,
turn off the lights when not needed; change the light bulbs into low power ratings with high efficiency; buy airconditioning and refrigeration units using refrigerant, which emits limited CFCs into our air; dispose old appliances or household materials with aerosols properly; walk instead of using the car when going to a place only a block away; and let your school children ride in a school bus rather than sending them to school with the family car, and the list goes on.
By Staff Contributorhttp://www.howtodothings.com/home-garden/solutions-to-air-pollution If you really cannot avoid using your car, plan your work systematically to reduce air pollution. The causes of air pollution can be many to name if one really scrutinizes this subject closely. With a little effort from our side, we can help to reduce the harmful effects of air pollution so that we can breathe in a clean and healthy environment.

By Kashmira Lad http://www.buzzle.com/articles/causes-of-air-pollution.html

In conclusion, extreme measures must be taken as soon as possible in order to make every Lebanese citizen aware of the crucial corrupting condition of one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The Lebanese government must take action at once, by focusing everyone's attention to save the country. Gathering groups, creating advertisements, banners, or slogans could do this. Officers and police must be put on watch at all times and fine people who try to corrupt the beauty of Lebanon. We all must learn and eventually work together as one to vanquish the corruption, and to conserve the natural image of our country. http://gobiidae.com/PN/pollutionprobinleb.htm By : LENA KAKATI SCHOOL:L.A.S GRADE:12