Q. With reference to the Air Pollution, consider the following statements:
1.Primary air pollutants are harmful gases, while secondary air pollutants are solid particles.
2.One of the roles of the Air Quality Index (AQI) in managing air pollution is that it provides information to the public about air quality and potential health risks.
3.International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) monitors air quality and sets guidelines for pollution control.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation –
Statements 1 and 3 are incorrect. The distinction between primary and secondary air pollutants is not based on their physical state. Rather, primary pollutants are emitted directly into the atmosphere from sources like vehicles, industries, and biomass burning, while secondary pollutants are formed in the atmosphere from reactions between primary pollutants. For example, ground-level ozone, a secondary pollutant, is formed from the reaction of primary pollutants like nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight. The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) does not monitor air quality or set pollution control guidelines. IPCC’s primary role is to provide scientific information on climate change to governments and other stakeholders, assisting them in developing climate policies and solutions.
Statement 2 is correct. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool used to communicate air quality and associated health risks to the public. It converts complex air quality data into a simple numerical scale, making it easy for people to understand and take necessary actions to protect their health.
Source: Forum IAS
