How has technology helped with air pollution problem - Research Paper Example

Interestingly, despite the fact that transportation sector is vital for economic and social development; the sector has been heavily criticized for contributing a large portion of environmental pollution, particularly with regard to air pollution. This is because the sector consumes a significant amount of fossil fuels that provide energy used to run engines used in transport. Combustion of fossil fuels leads to production of green house gasses that are detrimental to the environment. In this regard, technological solutions have been implemented in the transport sector to help reduce environmental pollution.

Therefore, this essay will evaluate the extent to which technology and public transportation in trains, buses and planes has helped to reduce air pollution. To begin with, there are several air pollutants whose sources are closely associated with the transport sector in one way or another. In reality, the atmospheric components are not exclusively ‘pure’ in relation to the quantities of pollutants in the air. However, there are specific threshold concentrations of the pollutants beyond which the atmosphere is classified as being polluted and therefore posing serious health concerns to living creatures on the ground.

According to National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI), atmospheric pollution is classified according to the type of effects associated to the pollutants hence resulting into atmospheric Acidification, eutrophication and formation of ground level ozone (2013). Atmospheric acidification, which results from pollutants such as sulphur dioxide (SO2), results into destruction of vegetations and buildings because of the chemical reactions that take place between acidic water and contact agents.

Similarly, eutrophication, which results from nitrogen containing compounds such as nitrogen oxides, leads to nutrient imbalances in the environment hence negatively affecting vegetations that are sensitive to