fossil fuel (fuel, natural gas, and coal) and its role in air pollution

Fossils which include products of fuel (such as petrol and diesel), natural gas, coal, and others have been produced by the improper decomposition of dead organic materials over centuries (mainly plants and sea living agents) and fulfill 90 percent of the energy needs worldwide. Fossil products are not renewable sources or in other words, these sources will run out after some time and will not be available. But before these sources run out, the extraordinary pollution that it produces causes so many dangers to human life. One of the reasons for human industrial development is fossil energy. However, in the adversaries, fossil fuel has gradually seriously endangered the life of all, in particular humans.

Fossil fuels that are used in vehicles, machines, and factories are one of the main elements of air pollutants, particularly in densely populated cities such as Kabul city. Presence of chemical elements in the composition of fossils that are released into the air after they are burnt and after a series of chemical reactions, they produce compositions that pose a serious risk to all living things, particularly to humans. The presence of these compositions pollutes the air which has nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and noble gases such as Neon which brings about the phenomenon of greenhouse gases and cause acidic rains, warming of the earth, and changes in climate in the world, and finally risk the lives of all living things.  Below brief details have been provided about the fossils pollutants and their negative consequences on life. 

Carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide is one of the air pollutants which is produced after the use of fossils in machines and factories. This compound is produced naturally and by trees and some other plants. But excessive production of this composite and density in the atmosphere turned into one of the main problems of the environment.

Nitrogen oxide

Nitrogen oxide is one of the other air pollutants. This compound is produced after the use of fossils. This compound makes up the foundation of acidic rains, which causes serious harm to live agents, particularly humans. The environmental impact of these compounds on humans varies, some of the impacts could be eye, nasal, and lungs sensitivity and increased vulnerability to viral infections including influenza which causes bronchitis and pneumonia.

Sulfur dioxide

Sulfur dioxide is one of the air pollutants and the source of its production is the use of fossils such as coal and the fuel that is used in factory machines such as the factories producing aluminum sheets. The presence of this compound in the air causes dangerous acidic rain which harms living agents, particularly humans and plants. People who suffer from asthma and heart diseases and people at the extreme of their lives are vulnerable to the risk of this compound.

Hydrocarbon

Hydrocarbon consists of carbon and hydrogen which is usually produced and released into the air after the natural gas is burnt. This compound produces dust in reaction to the sunlight. Humans play the main role in producing this compound through the use of fuel vehicles and industrial factories.

Ozone

Air pollutants such as nitrogen oxide cause a series of chemical reactions in the air which produces an ozone layer below the atmosphere (Troposphere). The presence of ozone in this layer causes the emergence of some diseases and hypersensitivities in the respiratory system of humans and reduced growth of plants.

The earth warming

Gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide that are released after the use of fossils attract the sun which subsequently results in warming the temperature of the earth, this warming is called the greenhouse phenomenon. Global warming results in climate changes worldwide, melting of ice in the North Pole, storms, tsunami, drought, and others. 

Acidic rains

Nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide are the sources of acidic rains. These oxides are produced after the use of fossils, these oxides compound with the water steam, and oxygen in the atmosphere and produce nitric and sulfuric acids. These acids along with rainfall to the earth and cause a negative impact on humans, animals, and plants. Examples of such impacts are problems in the respiratory system, loss of hair, and destruction of archaeological statues.

In general, we can conclude that the main cause of air pollution is the use of fossil fuels in industries and transportation. In Kabul city, the over-density of vehicles, use of low-quality fuel sources, lack of following the rules of the environment, and lack of awareness of society about the environment cause serious issues in terms of air, water, and soil pollutions. In order to create a safe and sound environment and continue stable use of natural resources, it is essential that different entities working in the environmental protection shall work on establishing laws on environment, public awareness about the importance of environment, establishment of the law enforcement agencies on fuel quality and finally institutionalizing the culture of environmental protection the society so that a sounder and safer environment can be attained.