Aerosol pollution of the atmosphere

Aerosols are solid or liquid particles being in suspension state in the atmosphere. Solid components of aerosols are especially detrimental for the health of living organisms, particularly for humans. In most cases aerosols are represented in the form of a fog, smoke, haze, smog and mist. Considerable part of aerosols is formed as a result of chemical reaction of the solid and liquid particles between each other or with water steam. A lot of dust-like particles are formed as a result of industrial activity of the humans.

The major sources of artificial aerosol pollution of the atmosphere are thermal power plants that burn a large amount of coal with high ash content, concentrating mills, metallurgical, cement, magnesite and soot plants. A great amount of aerosol pollution is caused by industrial dumps that cannot be processed. Shotfiring works are source of dust and toxic gases as well.

Photochemical smog is a multicomponent mixture of gases and solid and liquid particles of both primary and secondary origin. It includes nitric oxide, sulfur oxide, ozone and numerous organic compounds that are joinly called photooxidants. Smog is a usual phenomenon in urban areas with high concentrations of nitric oxides, hydrocarbon and other pollutants in the air, as well as high solar radiation and lack of wind. Citizens of such cities as London and New York often suffer from smog which is especially dangerous for the respiratory and blood-vascular systems and is often the cause of untimely death of city dwellers with low immunity.