TYPES OF AIR POLLUTION

AIR POLLUTION
INTRODUCTION
In recent years our environment has been
dealt with on a very serious level. Todays
generation has demanded that something
be done to preserve our environment.
They are speaking out and asking
countless questions. In many ways the
environment has been damaged beyond
repair. The focus today is on repairing
and preserving what remains.
CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION
1) Particulates of both natural and human origin also
cause pollution.

Smoke both natural from fires and human activities
cause from industries and other sources are major and
cause much damage .

The chemicals that are most trouble-some in air
pollution are formed in the atmosphere by gases. The
pollutant introduced into the atmosphere in the
largest quantities by human activity is carbon
monoxide. It is the product of incomplete combustion
and the largest contribution comes from exhaust.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas,
with the formula CO.
2) Carbon dioxide (CO2) is also a product of
combustion of fossil fuels. It is a minor constituent of
natural air (about 0.03%), but the increased use of
fossil fuels may cause an increase in the amount of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

3) The gases given off by engine exhaust are the
oxides of nitrogen and the unburned hydrocarbons.
The energy that causes these gases to react to form
new compounds, comes from the sun. This reaction
is called a photochemical reaction. The air that is
exhausted from diesel engines is also too poor to
breathe, although it contains more oxygen per cubic
foot, but more particles.

4) Industrial or gray smog is considered the most
serious type of air pollution. Smoke and oxides of
that are released by burning coal and oil
containing minor amounts of sulfur is the cause.
5) The oxides of sulfur form sulfuric acid in the
atmosphere which is both toxic to life and
damaging to many materials. The smoke gives the
air a gray color.
Anthropogenic sources (human
activity) mostly related to burning
different kinds of fuel

1)Stationary Sources" as smoke stacks of power plants,
manufacturing facilities, municipal waste incinerators
2)"Mobile Sources" as motor vehicles, aircraft etc.

3) Combustion-fired power plants .
4) Controlled burn practices used in agriculture and forestry
management .
Motor vehicles generating air pollution emissions.

5)Marine vessels, such as container ships or cruise ships, and related
port air pollution.

6)Burning wood, fireplaces, stoves, furnaces and incinerators

7)Oil refining, power plant operation and industrial activity in general.

8)Chemicals, dust and crop waste burning in farming, (see Dust Bowl).
9)Fumes from paint, hair spray, varnish, aerosol sprays and other
solvents.
10)Waste deposition in landfills, which generate methane.
Military uses, such as nuclear weapons, toxic gases, germ warfare and
rocketry.

Natural sources

Dust from natural sources, usually large areas of
land with little or no vegetation.
Methane, emitted by the digestion of food by
animals, for example cattle.
Radon gas from radioactive decay within the
Earth's crust.
Smoke and carbon monoxide from wildfires.
Volcanic activity, which produce sulfur, chlorine,
and ash particulates.
POLLUTANTS

The emissions from power
plant contained excessive
amounts of sulfur dioxide.
Sulfur oxides (SO
x
) especially sulfur dioxide are
emitted from burning of coal and oil.
Nitrogen oxides (NO
x
) especially nitrogen dioxide
are emitted from high temperature combustion.
Can be seen as the brown haze dome above or
plume downwind of cities.
Carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless, non-
irritating but very poisonous gas. It is a product by
incomplete combustion of fuel such as natural gas,
coal or wood. Vehicular exhaust is a major source
of carbon monoxide.
Carbon dioxide (CO
2
), a greenhouse gas emitted
from combustion.
Volatile organic compounds (VOC), such as hydrocarbon
fuel vapors and solvents.
Particulate matter (PM), measured as smoke and dust.
PM
10
is the fraction of suspended particles 10
micrometers in diameter and smaller that will enter the
nasal cavity. PM
2.5
has a maximum particle size of 2.5 m
and will enter the bronchies and lungs.
Toxic metals, such as lead, cadmium and copper.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), harmful to the ozone layer
emitted from products currently banned from use.
Ammonia (NH
3
) emitted from agricultural processes.
Odors, such as from garbage, sewage, and industrial
processes
Radioactive pollutants produced by nuclear explosions
and war explosives, and natural processes such as radon
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a good indicator of how
much fossil fuel is burned and how much of other
pollutants we cause to be emitted. Using CO2 as an
example, the average family in ASIA causes air
pollution in the following ways:
Pollutant Anthropogenic
Sources
Health Effects Environmental
Effects
Ozone
(O
3
)
Secondary pollutant
formed by chemical
reaction of VOCs and
NOx in the presence
of sunlight.
Breathing problems,
reduced lung
function, asthma,
irritates eyes, stuffy
nose, reduces
resistance to colds
and infections,
premature aging of
lung tissue.
Damages crops,
forests, and other
vegetation; damages
rubber, fabric, and
other materials;
smog reduces
visibility.
Nitrogen Oxides
(NOx)
Burning of gasoline,
natural gas, coal, oil.
(Cars are a major
source of NOx.)

Lung damage,
respiratory illnesses,
ozone (smog) effects.
Ozone (smog)
effects; precursor of
acid rain which
damages trees, lakes,
and soil; aerosols can
reduce visibility. Acid
rain also causes
buildings, statues,
and monuments to
deteriorate.

Sources and Effects of Common Air Pollutants
Pollutant Anthropogenic
Sources
Health Effects Environmental
Effects
Carbon Monoxide
(CO)
Burning of gasoline,
natural gas, coal, oil.
Reduces ability of
blood to bring
oxygen to body cells
and tissues.
Volatile Organic
Compounds (VOCs)
Fuel combustion,
solvents, paint. (Cars
are a major source of
VOCs.)

Ozone (smog) effects,
cancer, and other
serious health
problems.
Ozone (smog) effects,
vegetation damage.
Particulate Matter Emitted as particles
or formed through
chemical reactions;
burning of wood,
diesel, and other
fuels; industrial
processes;
agriculture (plowing,
field burning);
unpaved roads.
Eye, nose, and throat
irritation; lung
damage; bronchitis;
cancer; early death.
Source of haze which
reduces visibility.
Ashes, smoke, soot,
and dust can dirty
and discolor
structures and
property, including
clothes and furniture.
Pollutant

Anthropogenic
Sources

Health Effects

Environmental
Effects

Sulfur Dioxide
(SO
2
)
Burning of coal and
oil, especially high-
sulfur coal; industrial
processes (paper
manufacturing, metal
smelting).
Respiratory illness,
breathing problems,
may cause
permanent damage
to lungs.
Precursor of acid
rain, which can
damage trees, lakes,
and soil; aerosols can
reduce visibility. Acid
rain also causes
buildings, statues,
and monuments to
deteriorate.
Lead Combustion of fossil
fuels and leaded
gasoline; paint;
smelters (metal
refineries); battery
manufacturing.
Brain and nervous
system damage (esp.
children), digestive
and other problems.
Some lead-
containing chemicals
cause cancer in
animals.
Harm to wildlife and
livestock.
Mercury Fossil fuel
combustion, waste
disposal, industrial
processes
(incineration,
smelting, chlor-alkali
plants), mining.
Liver, kidney, and
brain damage;
neurological and
developmental
damage.
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
1)In an effort to control the concentration of air pollutants at ground
level, some companies have built very tall smokestacksup to a
thousand feet high.

2) Legal actions to place control over the emission of air pollutants
have been instituted in several ways. One is in the form of a public
nuisance law. This is when conditions cause discomfort,
inconvenience, damage to property, or injury. A court injunction
can be placed against the person or corporation responsible. In a
case of community smog it would be pretty impossible to identify
who is responsible. So the law governing public nuisances is not
very effective.

3)Private litigation may be sought in cases of damages for
individuals. The individual must clearly link the damage to the
pollutant emitted. Thus the burden of proof is on the complainant.
This can be very expensive. Often the court will weigh the costs of
improving conditions against the benefits.



4)The government has also intefein the protection of
the public. As a result of much research; devices for
pollution control have been developed, guidelines for
air quality were established, tax incentives were
introduced, and most importantly, enforcement of
ordinances for restricting the emission of
contaminantsprescribed emission standards.

5)In 1970, Congress passed the CLEAN AIR ACT, the
first comprehensive legislation to reduce air
pollution in the United States. This was
complemented in 1972 by the similarly aimed
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ACT. Both dealt with
industrial sources of pollution.
Conclusion
Responsibility to improve
environmental conditions lies upon all
of us as individuals
Concentrate on preventing
environmental degradation before it
starts
Alternatives ARE feasible and Can be
Used




CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION
1) Particulates of both natural and human origin also cause
pollution.

Smoke both natural from fires and human activities cause
from industries and other sources are major and cause
much damage .

The chemicals that are most trouble-some in air pollution
are formed in the atmosphere by gases. The pollutant
introduced into the atmosphere in the largest quantities by
human activity is carbon monoxide. It is the product of
incomplete combustion and the largest contribution comes
from exhaust. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless,
tasteless gas, with the formula CO.
CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION


1) Particulates of both natural and human origin also
cause pollution.

Smoke both natural from fires and human activities
cause from industries and other sources are major
and cause much damage .

The chemicals that are most trouble-some in air
pollution are formed in the atmosphere by gases.
The pollutant introduced into the atmosphere in the
largest quantities by human activity is carbon
monoxide. It is the product of incomplete
combustion and the largest contribution comes from
exhaust. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless,
tasteless gas, with the formula CO.