How Industrial Smoke Affects Your Health

The rapid advancement in the field of science in the past century has lead to large scale industrialization. Advancement in science has lead to many great inventions like fans, air conditioners, vehicles, refrigerators, computers which have made human life very comfortable. Industrialization has also created many lucrative job opportunities. Many nations have advanced economically due to rapid industrialization.

But industrialization has been the main cause behind large scale environmental pollution in the last century. Industrial smoke is generated due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, wood,diesel, kerosene, petrol etc in industries, Industrial pollution is the main cause behind the depletion in the ozone layer in the past century. It is also the main cause behind the increase in the average temperature of the earth by one degree Celsius during the past century. This phenomenon is also known as global warming. If the temperature of the earth continues to increase then the polar regions would get submerged in to the sea leading to rise in sea level. This rise in sea level could lead to submersion of all the islands in to the sea leading to heavy loss of life and property.The various ill effects of the various components of industrial smoke are:

1. Carbon monoxide - Carbon monoxide is an integral part of industrial smoke. It is produced due to incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons and fuels. This gas is extremely harmful for the human body due to its ability to combine with hemoglobin. Continuous exposure to carbon monoxide could lead to:

a.Reduction in the oxygen carrying capacity of blood.
b.Blurred vision.c.Headache, unconsciousness and death .

2. Hydrocarbons - Automobiles carrying industrial goods emit a large amount of smoke. This smoke contains hydrocarbons in huge quantities produced from unburnt fuel. During the rainy season these hydrocarbons present in the atmosphere get absorbed in rain water. Most of the water bodies which provide potable water are dependent on rain. So it leads to contamination of drinking water. Drinking contaminated water could lead to various diseases like typhoid, hepatitis, jaundice, cholera, diarrhea, dysentery etc.

3. Particulate Matter - Burning of fossil fuels like petrol, diesel, kerosene etc is a common exercise in industries. The combustion of fossil fuels leads to the emission of particulate matter consisting of minute particles of carbon. Inhalation of air containing particulate matter could to lead to lung ailments like lung cancer, asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.

4. Sulphur dioxide - It is formed by the burning of various industrial fuels containing sulphur. Acids are formed when sulphur dioxide gets immersed in the water present in the atmosphere. These acids are extremely detrimental for the respiratory system. The presence of these acids in the air is the main cause behind the corrosion of metals and buildings. Regular repair and use of welding safety equipments can help in protecting buildings from corrosion.

5. Oxides of nitrogen - Industrial smoke also consists of oxides of nitrogen, another harmful air pollutant. Oxides of nitrogen mix with other compounds to produce Photochemical smog is formed by the unison of oxides of nitrogen and other compounds. Regular exposure to oxides of nitrogen could lead to various respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and respiratory failure.

6. Volatile organic compounds - The industrial smoke also consists of methane compounds and non methane compounds. The presence of methane compounds in the atmosphere is among the main causes behind the depletion of ozone layer and global warming. Regular exposure non methane compounds like benzene, toluene and xylene could lead to deadly diseases like blood cancer and bone marrow cancer.