Which of the following is not a result of air pollution?

Correct option is D

The correct answer is option (d) Malnutrition

Explanation

Air pollution causes various harmful effects on the environment, including:

• Climate change: Air pollution, particularly the release of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, contributes to global warming and climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere.

• Ozone layer depletion: Certain air pollutants, especially chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), contribute to the breakdown of the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

• Acid rain: The release of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) into the atmosphere from industries, vehicles, and other sources leads to the formation of acid rain, which can harm aquatic ecosystems, soil, and vegetation.

However, malnutrition is not a direct result of air pollution. Malnutrition is typically caused by inadequate intake of nutrients, poor diet, and insufficient access to food, and is not directly linked to the presence of pollutants in the air.

Information Booster

• Climate change: Air pollution contributes to the increase in greenhouse gases, which leads to global warming, changing weather patterns, and rising sea levels.

• Ozone layer depletion: Ozone-depleting substances (ODS) like CFCs break down ozone molecules in the stratosphere, leading to a thinner ozone layer and increased UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface.

• Acid rain: Acid rain forms when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides combine with water vapor in the atmosphere, resulting in acidic precipitation that harms ecosystems and buildings.

• Malnutrition: Though air pollution can indirectly affect agriculture and food production by altering weather patterns, it is not a direct cause of malnutrition, which is mainly related to poverty and lack of access to nutritious food.

Additional Knowledge

• Climate change: Increases in pollutants like CO₂, methane, and nitrous oxide trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming and environmental disruptions.

• Ozone layer depletion: The ozone layer absorbs most of the Sun’s harmful UV radiation, and its depletion increases the risk of skin cancer, cataracts, and other health issues.

• Acid rain: Acid rain can lower the pH of water bodies, leading to the death of aquatic life and damaging plant life.

• Malnutrition: Factors such as poverty, lack of food security, and health conditions are more directly related to malnutrition than air pollution.