Question

The air prevention and control of pollution act came into force in
a. 1975
b. 1981
c. 1985
d. 1990

Answer 1

Hint: Pollution is any undesirable change in physical, chemical or biological characteristics of air, land, water and soil. Agents that bring about such an undesirable change are called pollutants.

Complete answer:
Air pollution is the occurrence or presence of any material or gas in the air in such a concentration which is harmful to humans, vegetation, animals and the environment. Substances and factors which cause air pollution are called air pollutants.
Air pollution is both natural and anthropogenic. Anthropogenic pollution comes from both mobile and fixed sources.
Carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and hydrocarbons are the primary air pollutants.
Ozone and PAN are the secondary air pollutants.

There are so many causes of air pollution:
- Smokestacks of thermal power plants, smelters and other industries release particulate and gaseous air pollutants.
- Pollutants from automobiles, locomotives, and aircrafts are the major part of the air pollution.
- Incomplete and complete combustion of the carbon containing compounds.
- Wood and charcoal produce carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide along with sulphur dioxide.
- Pollen, dust and smoke are the natural pollutants which are emitted into the atmosphere.

In order to control environmental pollution, the government of India has passed the Environment (protection) Act, 1986 to protect and improve the quality of our environment (air, water and soil).
The Air Act, 1981 for the prevention and control of air pollution. This act deals with the preservation of air quality and control of air pollution.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Note: There are two types of air pollutants: Gaseous materials $(CO_2, CO etc)$ and particulate matter (Aerosol, smoke and dust). In 1987, an important amendment to the air act 1981 was made and noise was added as air pollutant.