The air pollution is caused by burning of fossil fuels.

Explanation

Air is essential for respiration in all living organisms.
Pollutants reduce growth and production of crops as well as premature death of plants.
The harmful effect of pollution on all the living organisms depends upon (a) Concentration of pollutants (b) Duration of exposure (c) Organisms involved.
Thermal power plants, smelters and other industries release particulate and gaseous air pollutants along with harmless gases such as nitrogen, oxygen etc.
These pollutants should be filtered out before releasing the harmless gases into the atmosphere.
There are many methods of removing particulate matter, the most widely used is the electrostatic precipitator.
Electrostatic Precipitator : It can remove over `99%` of particulate matter present in the exhaust from thermal power plant.

It has electrode wires that are maintained at several thousand volts to produce a corona that releases electrons.
 These electrons attach to dust particles giving them a net negative charge.
The collecting plates are grounded and attract the charged dust particles to that clean air can pass through electrostatic precipitator.
A scrubber can remove gases like sulphur dioxide.
The exhaust is passed through spray of water or lime.
According to CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) particulate size less 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter (PM 2.5) cause greatest harm to human health.
The fine particles can be inhaled deep into the lungs and can cause breathing and respiratory symptoms, irritation, inflammations and damage to lungs and premature death.