i AIR POLLUTION Definition = pollution may be defined as, one (or) more contaminants like dust, a in the atmosphere which are inju | beings, plants and animals.”) | fast urbanization, rapid | e in vehicles on the disturbed ehe presence of smoke, mist and | rious #0 human | The rapid industrialization, growth in population, drastic increas roads and other activities of human beings have | the balance of natural atmosphere. Composition of Atmospheric Air several billion years of chemical the composition of the earth’s about 99% of the volume Nitrogen and | and During biological evolution, ' atmosphere has varied. Today, of air we inhale consists of two gases:» —— ironmental Pollution Table 2.1 Composition of atmospheric air Constituents Nitrogen Oxygen : ‘ mF Argon (Ar) Remaining Traceamount 2.2.1. Sources of Air Pollution The sources of air pollution are of two types | 1. Natural sources DESEENIIEY Volcanic eruptions, forest fires, biological | decay, pollen grains, marshes, radioactive — materials etc. These pollutants are caused by the natural sources. | 2. Man-made (anthropogenic) activities | BESESTSSY 7hermal power plants, vehicular emissions, i fossil fuel burning, agricultural activities ete... l | 2.2.2 Classification of Air Pollutants | Depending upon the form (origin) of pollutants — | Present in the environment, they are class ied as (i) Primary air pollutants. Ee Gi) Secondary air pollutants.Environmental Sciences and Sustainabj lvtants mary air poll : 1 Os air pollutants are those emitted directly j, | the atmosphere in harmful form: (ERIE co, NO, 50, etc., Indoor Air Pollutants ; " | Indoor air pollutants are primary air pollutants, The | most important indoor air pollutant is radon gas. Sources (causes) of indoor air pollutants a 1. Radon gas is emitted from the building materials like l bricks, concrete, tiles, etc., which are derived from | soil containing radium. It is also present in natural gas and ground w, and is emitted indoors while using them. Burning of fuels in the kitchen, cigarette smoke, | liberates the pollutants like CO, S0O,, formaldehyde, BAP (benzo-(a) pyrene). / ater | w | 2. Secondary air pollutants Some of the primary air pollutants may react with One another (or) with the basic components of air to form new pollutants. They are called as secondary air pollutants. Moist NOINO,—> (HNOYNO}) etc., 2.2.3 Common air Pollutants sources (causes) and their effects According to the World Health Organization (WHOh"Environmental Pollution 1. Carbon monoxide (CO) Description It is a colourless, odourless gas that is poisonous to air-breathing animals. It is formed during the incomplete combustion of carbon containing fuels. 2C +O, ——>2CO Human Sources (causes) Cigarette smoking, incomplete burning of fossil fuels. About 77% comes from motor vehicle exhaust. Health Effects Reacts with heamoglobin in red blood cells and | reduces the ability of blood to bring oxygen to body cells and tissues, which causes headaches and anemia. At high levels it causes coma, irreversible brain cell damage and death. Environmental Effects It increases the globe temperature. 2. Nitrogen dioxide (NO») Description It is a reddish-brown irritating gas that gives photochemical smog. In the atmosphere it can be converted into nitric acid (HNO3). NO) + Moisture ——>HNO} Human Sources (causes) Fossil fuel burning in motor vehicles (49%) and power industrial plants (49%). th Effects Lung irritation and damage.Reo. snes | Environmental Effects | Acid deposition of HNO; can damage trees, soils ang ! aquatic life in lakes, HNO can corrode metals and eat | away stone on buildings, statues and monuments. NO, can | | damage fabrics. | 3. Sulphur dioxide (S02) ! | Description Environmental Sciences and Sustainabir It is a colourless and irritating gas. It is formed | mostly from the combustion of sulphur containing fossil | fuels such as coal and oil. In the atmosphere it can be | converted to sulphuric acid (H,S0,) which is a major component of acid deposition. Human Sources (causes) Coal burning in power plants (88%) and industrial Processes (10%). Health Effects Breathing problems for healthy people. Environmental Effects Reduce visibility, damage trees, CE raided acid deposition of HSO,4 can soils and aquatic life in lak es, It includes vari They can be sus long periods, iety of Particles and droplets pended in atmosphere for Short (aerosols), Periods to Human Sources (causes) tt ernelyar in power and industrial plants (40%), : fuels; 7 i agriculture, i a hicles (17%),Pollution, 27 [enn ee iffects |Health AO and throat irritation, tun ig damage, bronchitis, hma. reproductive problems and cancer, asthma, Reduces visibility, acid deposition i | ! i Environmental Effects |B droplets can damage trees, and H,S0, soils and aquatic life in lakes. 5. Ozone (03) fi iption oi De Highly reactive irritating odour that forms in the troposphere. It is 3 Major | component of photochemical smog. | gas with an unpleasant | Human Sources (causes) Chemical reaction with vol; (emitted mostly by cars and indus! latile organic compounds | tries) and nitrogen oxides. | cough, e S, reduces re:Solid toxic metal and its compounds, emitted inty the atmosphere as particulate matter. | Human Sources (causes) : Paint, smelters (metal refineries), lead manufacture, " storage batteries, leaded petrol. | Health Effects | Accumulates in the body, brain and other nervous | system damage and mental retardation (especially in children); digestive and other health problems, some | on ¥ Jead-containing chemicals cause cancer in test animals. | Description ] Hydrocarbons especially low. | er_hydrocarbo t ited due to y ms gel | Bene ue to the decay of vegetable matter. | | Human sources (causes) Agriculture, decay of pl i ! a y of plants, burning of wet logs. | Health Effects Carcinogenic. Environmental effect It produces an oily film on the surface ae as such causes a serious problem until they reyc, do not € to formsecondary pollutants. Ethylene causes plant damage even j at low concentrations, | 9, Chromium (Cr) Description It is a solid toxic metal, emitted into the masoephiete:| as particulate matter. Human Sources (causes) ! Paint, smelters, chromium manufacture, chromium _ plating. | | Health effects Perforation of nasal septum, chrome holes, gastro intestinal ulcer, central nervous system disease and cancer. 1.2.4 Control (or) Preventive Measures of air pollution The atmosphere has several built-in self cleaning processes such as dispersion, gravitational _ settling, flocculation, absorption, rain washout and so on, to cleanse the atmosphere. In terms of a long range control of air pollution, control of contaminants at their source is a more | desirable and effective method through preventive (or) control technologies. Source control Since we know the substances that causes air pollution, the first approach to its control will be through source | teduction. Some actions that can be taken in this regard are as follows: 1. Use only unleaded petrol. |) 2 Use petroleum products and other fuels that have low ; sulphur and ash content.———— - Environmental Sciences and Suey lair Reduce the number of private vehicles on the by developing an efficient public-transport oi and encouraging people to walk (or) use cycles, 4, Ensure that houses, schools, restaurants and place, 1 where children play are not located on busy streets ts because they remoye along busy street! monoxide, and absorb noise, 5. Plant trees particulates and carbon | 6. Industries and waste disposal sites should be situated | outside the city centre preferably downwind of the city, | 7. Use catalytic converters to help control the emissions i of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. The emission rates should levels by each and every industry. ion of air pollution control equipmen design of the plant layout must be 3. Continuous monitoring of the atmosphere for the | pollutants should be carried out to know sion | levels. | Equipments used to control air pollution Air pollution can be reduc 5 the | following approaches. eft, by adopans | G) To ensure sufficient suy . Z pply of oxygen to the combustion chamber and adequate te Bt sal the combustion is complete, eiaibar ae aan ao role toasating'of partly: bint makes nrigee af tbe | Gi) To. use mechanical devices such at cyclones, bag houses and electro-static scrubbers, reducing particulate pollutants., Precipitators, The four figures (fig 2.1) are common; |_methods for removing particulates from the ‘Ghee - i ust gases| Serer Pollution a nenneeaiiiaidina icine LD, i Bogs | 7 Cleanedgas — Electrodes Cleaned i pos oi oo % 4 I | } | Dust discharge Dirty gas ] Dust discharge (2) Electrostatic precipitator ay ee Cleaned gas Cleaned Dirty gas ee Dirty gas —= 7 = Clean water | Wet gas t Dirty water Dust discharge (c) Cyclone separator (4) Wet scrubber Fig. 2.1 Control methods for removing particulates from exhaust gases of electric power and industrial plants, All these methods retain hazardous materials that must be disposed of safely. The wet scrubber can also reduce sulphurdioxide emissions. (ii) Chemical treatment to deal with factory fumes. ‘ The disposal of the collected air pollutants ig equally important for successful control of air pollution. eee eS