Q.List out the major air pollutants and describe their effects on human beings.

Major air pollutants like SO2, NOx, CO, particulate matter and ozone damage human respiratory and cardiovascular health, and some (like CFCs) cause indirect harm by depleting the ozone layer.

Major air pollutants and their effects on human beings:

1. Sulphur dioxide (SO2) — released from burning coal/fossil fuels; irritates the respiratory tract, causes coughing, bronchitis, and combines with atmospheric moisture to form acid rain, which indirectly affects health via contaminated water/food.
2. Oxides of nitrogen (NOx) — from vehicle exhaust and industrial combustion; irritate the lungs, aggravate asthma, and contribute to the formation of photochemical smog and acid rain.
3. Carbon monoxide (CO) — from incomplete combustion (vehicles, etc.); binds to haemoglobin far more strongly than oxygen, forming carboxyhaemoglobin, which reduces the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity, causing headache, dizziness, and at high concentrations, death.
4. Particulate matter (smoke, soot, dust, PM2.5/PM10) — penetrates deep into the lungs; causes/aggravates bronchitis, asthma, and increases risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease.
5. Ground-level (photochemical) ozone — formed by reaction of pollutants in sunlight; irritates eyes and throat, reduces lung function, and damages lung tissue with prolonged exposure.
6. Hydrocarbons — many are carcinogenic and contribute to smog formation, causing eye and respiratory irritation.
7. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) — though not directly toxic to breathe, they deplete the stratospheric ozone layer, increasing harmful UV radiation reaching the earth, which raises the risk of skin cancer and eye cataracts. …