THE AIR
ENVIRONMENT
ENGR. ALLYZZA NICHOLE VELASCO, CIE,AAE
Industrial Engineering Department, UB
Learning Objectives:
After the discussion, the students are able to:
• Analyze the importance of Air
• List down the types of air pollutants
• Analyze the sources, causes and effects of air pollution
• Give possible solutions to air pollution problems
Air
Air is the Earth’s atmosphere. Air around us is a mixture of many
gases and dust particles. It is the clear gas in which living things live
and breathe. It has an indefinite shape and volume. It has
no color or smell. It is a matter as it has mass and weight. Air
creates atmospheric pressure.
Animals need the oxygen in the air to live. In the human body,
the lungs give oxygen to the blood, and give back carbon dioxide to the
air. Plants need the carbon dioxide in the air to live. They give off oxygen
that humans can breathe again.
Importance of Air
1. Air is a essential supply of energy to all living beings
2. Air is a conducting medium for sound
3. Air supports water cycle
4. Air helps in pollination of crops
5. Air maintains temperature on the earth surface
6. Bring monsoon
7. Air helps in transport
8. Aerodynamics in landing
9. Air helps in drying (humidity balance)
10. Air helps in normalizing Temperature
11. Air helps reduce friction in tires
12. Air minimizes pollution
13. Wind power electricity
Air Quality
The term “air quality” means the state of the air around us.
• Good air quality refers to clean, clear, unpolluted air.
• Poor air quality is a result of a number of factors, including
emissions from various sources, both natural and “human-
caused.” Poor air quality occurs when pollutants reach high
enough concentrations to endanger human health and/or the
environment. Our everyday choices, such as driving cars and
burning wood, can have a significant impact on air quality.
Air Pollution
A substance in the air that can cause harm to humans
and the environment is known as an air pollutant.
Air pollution is a mixture of natural and man-made
substances in the air we breathe. It is typically separated
into two categories:
1. Outdoor air pollution and
2. Indoor air pollution.
SOURCES OF
AIR POLLUTION
Where does pollution come from?
There are four main types of air pollution sources:
1. mobile sources – such as cars, buses, planes, trucks, and trains
2. stationary sources – such as power plants, oil refineries,
industrial facilities, and factories
3. area sources – such as agricultural areas, cities, and wood
burning fireplaces
4. natural sources – such as wind-blown dust, wildfires, and
volcanoes
Two (2) Types of Pollutants
1. Primary Pollutants
Are those gases or particles that are pumped into the
air to make it unclean. They include carbon monoxide
from automobile (cars) exhausts and sulphur dioxide
from the combustion of coal or put directly into air by
human activities.
Primary air pollutants can be caused by primary
sources or secondary sources. The pollutants that are a
direct result of the process can be called primary
pollutant.
Two (2) Types of Pollutants
2. Secondary Pollutants
When pollutants in the air mix up in a chemical
reaction (primary pollutants react with other primary
pollutants to make a new substance), they form an even
more dangerous chemical. Photochemical smog is an
example of this.
They are caused by inter mingling and reactions of
primary pollutants.
CAUSES OF
AIR POLLUTION
Causes of Air Pollution
Air pollution consists of gaseous, liquid,
or solid substances that, when present in
sufficient concentration, for a sufficient time,
and under certain conditions, tend to interfere
with human comfort, health or welfare, and
cause environmental damage.
Causes of Air Pollution
1. Burning of Fossil Fuels
Carbon monoxide emitted from the combustion
of fossil fuels like coal, petroleum and other factory
combustibles is one the major cause of air pollution.
Pollution emitting from vehicles including
trucks, jeeps, cars, trains, airplanes cause immense
amount of pollution.
We rely on them to fulfil our daily basic needs
of transportation. But, there overuse is killing our
environment as dangerous gases are polluting the
environment.
Causes of Air Pollution
2. Emissions from industries and manufacturing
activities
Manufacturing industries release large amount of
sulfur dioxide, hydrocarbons, organic compounds, and
chemicals into the air thereby depleting the quality of
air. Manufacturing industries can be found at every
corner of the earth and there is no area that has not
been affected by it. Petroleum refineries also release
hydrocarbons and various other chemicals that pollute
the air and also cause land pollution.
Causes of Air Pollution
3. Applying/ Using of Household and Farming
Chemicals
Crop dusting, fumigating homes, household cleaning
products or painting supplies, over the counter
insect/pest killers, fertilizer dust emit harmful chemicals
into the air and cause pollution. In many case, when
we use these chemicals at home or offices with no or
little ventilation, we may fall ill if we breathe them.
Causes of Air Pollution
4. Mining operations
Mining is a process wherein minerals below the
earth are extracted using large equipments. During the
process dust and chemicals are released in the air
causing massive air pollution. This is one of the reason
which is responsible for the deteriorating health
conditions of workers and nearby residents.
EFFECTS OF
AIR POLLUTION
Effects of Air Pollution
1. Global warming
The term used to describe a gradual increase in the average
temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and its oceans, a change that
is believed to be permanently changing the Earth's climate.
Global warming occurs when carbon –
dioxide and other air pollutants collect in
the atmosphere and absorb sunlight and
solar radiation that have bounce off the
earths surface.
Effects of Air Pollution
2. Depletion of Ozone layer
Ozone exists in earth’s stratosphere and is
responsible for protecting humans from harmful
ultraviolet (UV) rays. Earth’s ozone layer is depleting
due to the presence of chlorofluorocarbons, hydro
chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere. As ozone layer
will go thin, it will emit harmful rays back on earth and
can cause skin and eye related problems. UV rays also
have the capability to affect crops.
Effects of Air Pollution
3. Acid Rain / Acidification
Rain is very important for life. All living things need water to
live, even [Link] brings us the water we need. But in many
places in the world even where you live, rain has become a menace.
Harmful gases like nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides are
released into the atmosphere during the burning of fossil fuels.
When it rains, the water droplets combines with these air
pollutants, becomes acidic and then falls on the ground in the
form of acid rain. Acid rain can cause great damage to human,
animals and crops.
Acid rain affects
• Trees and Plants
• Lakes and Water Life
• Our Health
• Buildings
Effects of Air Pollution
4. Eutrophication
Eutrophication is a condition where high amount of
nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus is present
in some pollutants gets developed on sea’s surface
and turns itself into algae and adversely affect fish,
plants and animal species.
The green color algae that is present on lakes and
ponds is due to presence of this chemical only.
Effects of Air Pollution
5. Particulate Matter
Air pollutants can be in the form of particulate
matter which can be very harmful to our health.
The level of effect usually depends on the length
of time of exposure, as well the kind and
concentration of chemicals and particles
exposed to.
SOLUTIONS TO
AIR POLLUTION
Air pollution prevention, monitoring and solution.
Solution efforts on pollution is always a big
problem. This is why prevention interventions are
always a better way of controlling air pollution.
These prevention methods can either come from
government (laws) or by individual actions.
In many big cities, monitoring equipment have
been installed at many points in the city. Authorities
read them regularly to check the quality of air.
Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality Monitoring Equipment
Air pollution prevention, monitoring and solution.
Government (or community) level prevention
Governments throughout the world have
already taken action against air pollution by
introducing green energy. Some governments are
investing in wind energy and solar energy, as well
as other renewable energy, to minimize burning of
fossil fuels, which cause heavy air pollution.
Renewable Energy
Renewable Energy – SOLAR ENERGY
Renewable Energy – BIOMASS ENERGY
Renewable Energy – HYDROPOWER ENERGY
Renewable Energy – GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Renewable Energy – WIND ENERGY
Air pollution prevention, monitoring and solution.
Individual Level Prevention
Encourage your family to use the bus, train or bike
when commuting. If we all do this, there will be less cars
on road and less fumes.
Air pollution prevention, monitoring and solution.
Individual Level Prevention
Use energy (light, water, boiler, kettle and fire
woods) wisely. This is because lots of fossil fuels are
burned to generate electricity, and so if we can cut down
the use, we will also cut down the amount of pollution we
create.
Air pollution prevention, monitoring and solution.
Individual Level Prevention
Recycle and re-use things. This will minimize
the dependence of producing new things.
Remember manufacturing industries create a lot of
pollution, so if we can re-use things like shopping
plastic bags, clothing, paper and bottles, it can help.
Air pollution prevention, monitoring and solution.
Individual Level Prevention
One can also keep or create green spaces
wherever possible and plant more trees, as they
provide the environment with oxygen and take in
carbon dioxide, a major gas pollutant.
Thank You!
Atmosphere
Atmospheric Pressure
Essay
Direction: On a crosswise yellow paper, answer
the following questions.
1. What can you do to sustain or improve the air
quality now and for the next generation?
2. How does air pollution spread and how
can we handle this?
