Question

Which of the following is a type of air pollution that can cause respiratory problems?

• A. Smog
• B. Acid rain
• C. Eutrophication
• D. Ozone depletion

Hint:

Smog, a mixture of smoke and fog, is a major air pollutant in urban areas, often exacerbated by vehicle emissions and industrial activity. Its components, like particulate matter and ground-level ozone, are known to cause respiratory issues, making it a significant public health concern.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Identify the given data.
The question asks for a type of air pollution that can cause respiratory problems. The options are:
(1) Smog
(2) Acid rain
(3) Eutrophication
(4) Ozone depletion
We need to determine which of these is an air pollution type linked to respiratory issues.
Step 2: Analyze each option for its relation to air pollution and respiratory health.
Option 1: Smog
Smog is a type of air pollution formed by the interaction of pollutants like nitrogen oxides (\(NO_x\)), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter, often in the presence of sunlight. It includes photochemical smog and industrial smog, both of which contain harmful substances like ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), and sulfur dioxide. These pollutants can irritate the respiratory system, causing issues like asthma, bronchitis, and reduced lung function. Smog is directly linked to respiratory problems, making this a likely candidate.
Option 2: Acid rain
Acid rain results from air pollutants like sulfur dioxide (\(SO_2\)) and nitrogen oxides (\(NO_x\)) reacting with water vapor to form acids, which fall as precipitation. While the precursor pollutants (\(SO_2\), \(NO_X\)) can cause respiratory issues, acid rain itself primarily affects ecosystems, water bodies, and infrastructure, not directly causing respiratory problems.
Option 3: Eutrophication
Eutrophication is the excessive nutrient enrichment of water bodies, leading to algal blooms and oxygen depletion. It is a water pollution issue, not air pollution, and does not directly cause respiratory problems.
Option 4: Ozone depletion
Ozone depletion refers to the thinning of the stratospheric ozone layer due to pollutants like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). This increases UV radiation reaching the Earth, which can cause skin cancer and eye damage, but it is not directly linked to respiratory problems. (Note: Ground-level ozone, a component of smog, does cause respiratory issues, but ozone depletion is a different phenomenon.)
Step 3: Determine the type of air pollution.
Among the options, smog is a clear type of air pollution, as it involves a mixture of atmospheric pollutants. Acid rain is a consequence of air pollution but not a type of air pollution itself. Eutrophication is unrelated to air pollution, and ozone depletion is an atmospheric issue but not classified as air pollution in the same direct sense as smog.
Step 4: Link to respiratory problems.
Smog directly causes respiratory problems due to its components (e.g., particulate matter, ground-level ozone). The other options either do not involve air pollution (eutrophication) or do not directly cause respiratory issues (acid rain, ozone depletion).
Step 5: Select the correct option.
Smog is the type of air pollution that can cause respiratory problems, matching option (1).
\[ \boxed{\text{smog}} \]