Question

How does the burning of agricultural waste (stubble) harm the environment?

Answer 1

Burning agricultural stubble releases large amounts of smoke, fine particulate matter, and toxic gases (including carbon monoxide), which sharply degrade air quality, produce smog, reduce visibility, and cause respiratory illness, eye irritation, and other health problems for people and animals. It also emits greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane that contribute to global warming, and nitrogen/sulfur oxides that can form acid rain, damaging crops, forests, aquatic life, and built structures. Wind can carry the smoke and particles far from the fields, spreading these health and environmental impacts over large regions and increasing the overall burden of air pollution.