1.0.

INTRODUCTION:
The Earth is surrounded by a blanket of air, which we call the atmosphere. The

atmosphere consists of four layers called the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and
thermosphere. The atmosphere consists of gases mix with liquid and solid particles. The air in
our atmosphere consists mainly of nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), and other gas (1%). But
when the atmosphere unable to free itself from the substances that are added into it, the
atmosphere will then build up gases and aerosols causes it to become polluted. Generally, any
substance that has been introduced into the atmosphere that has damaging effects on living
things and the environment is considered air pollution. Air pollution is any addition to air that
threatens the health, survival or activities of humans or other living organisms. Air pollution
is the modification of the natural characteristics of the atmosphere by a chemical, particulate
matter, or biological agent. Air pollution can harm human health, the environment, and cause
property damage. Pollutants are chemicals found at high energy levels in the environment to
cause harm to people or other organisms. It is also substances that are not naturally found in
the air or at greater concentrations or in different locations from usual. The air pollution is
categorized to three following types which are the Natural pollutants, Primary pollutants and
Secondary pollutants. Natural pollutants are the natural phenomena of pollutants that affect
naturally on the atmosphere. Examples of natural pollutants are such as dust from natural
sources, usually large areas of land with little or no vegetation. Primary pollutants are
substances that are directly emitted from a process, such as ash from a volcanic eruption or
the carbon monoxide gas from a motor vehicle exhaust. Five major types of pollutants that
released directly to the atmosphere are particulate matter, carbon monoxide, Sulphur dioxide,
nitrogen compounds and hydrocarbons. These major pollutants in the presence of energy
sources can react with one another to form secondary pollutants such as ozone.

2.0.

LITERATURE REVIEW
Energy and climate are highly associated with the built environment. Built environment is
not only comprised of building collections, but also the physical results of various
economic, social and environmental processes (Santamouris & Asimakopoulos, 2001).
Urban micro-climate change effects can be seen when major cities experience the
formation of urban heat islands, due to urban expansion, pollution growth, and the
development of major industrial activities in metropolitan areas (Ghazanfari, Naseri,
Faridani, Aboutorabi, & Farid, 2009). Urbanization promotes the changes of land use and
land cover. Urban scale investigation of climate modification requires one to look into
human activities. Human activities are a major influence of urban climate because the
concentration effects of them
activities may differ considerably from surrounding rural regions. Changes of land cover
will relatively change surface properties, like heat capacity, heat conductivity, albedo,
roughness length, maximum evaporative conductivity, heterogeneity, Leaf Area Index
(LAI), and water features (Mlders, 2011).
A widespread series of biomass burning from the forest fires particularly in Sumatra and
Kalimantan, Indonesia caused a thick, smoky haze over a large portion of Southeast Asia,
especially Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Southern Thailand (Mahmud,
2008; Pentamwa and Oanh, 2008; Permadi and Kim Oanh, 2013; Sastry, 2002). A
significant amount of particulate matter (Wei et al., 1999) from this biomass burning was
transported by south-westerly winds (between June and September) to Malaysia. Heavy
loads of vehicular emissions and biomass burning activities, both at a local or transboundary level have in turn led to serious prolonged haze events being recorded on the
Malaysian Peninsula and at Sabah and Sarawak (Abas et al., 2004b; Afroz et al., 2003).
During haze days in Southeast Asia, the concentration of particulate matter pollutants
smaller than 10 microns (PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO 2), nitrogen

dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) was found to be significantly higher when compared to
non-haze day concentrations (Afroz et al., 2003; Mahmud, 2008). The amount of
particulate matter during haze episode was dominated by organic carbon, NO 3-, and SO4
2-

. Seasonal and weather conditions also played an important role in exacerbating the

distribution of air pollutants during hazy condition (Dominick et al., 2012; Norela et al.,
2007; Samoli et al.,
2008). Source apportionment by chemical mass balance receptor modelling indicates that
air pollutants can travel long distances and significantly affect the air of the downwind
area (See et al., 2007).

3.0.

CONTENT
3.1.

Types of processes that affect air pollution

Many forms of atmospheric pollution affect human health and the environment at
levels from local to global. These contaminants are emitted from diverse sources,
and some of them react together to form new compounds in the air. Industrialized
nations have made important progress toward controlling some pollutants in
recent decades, but air quality is much worse in many developing countries, and
global circulation patterns can transport some types of pollution rapidly around
the world.

There are four types of processes affect air pollution levels which are emissions,
chemistry, transport and deposition process. In emissions process, Chemicals are

emitted to the atmosphere by a range of sources. Anthropogenic emissions come

from human activities, such as burning fossil fuel. Biogenic emissions are
produced by natural functions of biological organisms, such as microbial
breakdown of organic materials. Emissions can also come from non-living natural
sources, most notably volcanic eruptions and desert dust. For chemistry process,
chemical reactions that occur in the atmosphere create, modify, and destroy
chemical pollutants. While, in transport process, winds can carry pollutants far
from their sources, so that emissions in one region cause environmental impacts
far away. Long-range transport complicates efforts to control air pollution because
it can be hard to distinguish effects caused by local versus distant sources and to
determine who should bear the costs of reducing emissions. For deposition
process, Materials in the atmosphere return to Earth, either because they are
directly absorbed or taken up in a chemical reaction (such as photosynthesis) or
because they are scavenged from the atmosphere and carried to Earth by rain,
snow, or fog. Air pollution trends are strongly affected by atmospheric conditions
such as temperature, pressure, and humidity, and by global circulation patterns.

3.2.

Major types of pollutants

3.2.1. Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
Sulphur dioxide is a gas formed when sulphur is exposed to oxygen at
high temperatures during fossil fuel combustion, oil refining, or metal
smelting. SO2 is toxic at high concentrations, but its principal air
pollution effects are associated with the formation of acid rain and
aerosols. SO2 dissolves in cloud droplets and oxidizes to form
sulphuric acid (H2SO4), which can fall to Earth as acid rain or snow or
form sulphate aerosol particles in the atmosphere. Sulfur dioxide
mostly comes from the burning of coal or oil in power plants. It also
comes from factories that make chemicals, paper or fuel. Sulphur
dioxide is a colorless, pungent, irritating and water-soluble reactive
gas.
3.2.2. Carbon monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas and at high
concentration, a poisonous gas formed by incomplete combustion of
carbon in fuel. The main source is motor vehicle exhaust, along with
industrial processes and biomass burning. Carbon monoxide is released
when engines burn fossil fuels. Emissions are higher when engines are
not tuned properly, and when fuel is not completely burned. Cars emit
a lot of the carbon monoxide found outdoors. Furnaces and heaters in
the home can emit high concentrations of carbon monoxide too, if they
are not properly maintained.
3.2.3. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a reddish brown, highly reactive gas that is
formed in the ambient air through the oxidation of nitrogen monoxide.
Nitrogen oxides (NOX) is the term used to describe the sum of NO,
6

NO2 and other oxides of nitrogen. Nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2,
referred together as NOx) are highly reactive gases formed when
oxygen and nitrogen react at high temperatures during combustion or
lightning strikes. Nitrogen present in fuel can also be emitted as NOx
during combustion. In the atmosphere NOx reacts with volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) and carbon monoxide to produce ground-level
ozone through a complicated chain reaction mechanism. It is
eventually
oxidized to nitric acid (HNO3). Like sulphuric acid, nitric acid
contributes to acid deposition and to aerosol formation.
3.2.4. Particulate matter (PM10)
Particulate matter is the general term used to describe respirable
particles of less than 10 microns in size. Particulate matter is a solid or
liquid matter that is suspended in the air. To remain in the air, particles
usually must be less than 0.1 mm wide and can be as small as 0.00005
mm. Particulate matter can be divided into two types which are coarse
particles and fine particles. Coarse particles are formed from sources
like road dust, sea spray and construction. Fine particles are formed
when fuel is burned in automobiles and power plants. Particulate
matter will have formed in the atmosphere by the transformation of
precursor emissions such as SO2 and NOX to form Sulphur and
nitrates. In addition, significant amount of fine particulates can also
arise from uncontrolled biomass burning activities either within or
from outside the country.
3.2.5. Ozone
Ozone is a gas that can be found in two places. Near the ground which
is the troposphere, that is the major part of smog. The harmful ozone in
7

the lower atmosphere should not be confused with the protective layer
of ozone in the upper atmosphere that is stratosphere, which screens
out harmful ultraviolet rays. Ozone is not created directly, but is
formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react in
the presence of heat and sunlight. VOCs are emitted from various
sources, including motor vehicles, chemical plants, refineries,
factories, consumer and commercial products, and other industrial
sources. Nitrogen oxides are emitted from motor vehicles, power
plants, and sources of combustion. Ozone and the precursor pollutants
that form ozone can also be transported hundreds of kilometers away
depending on wind directions.

3.3.

Effect of air pollution to the human health and environment.

3.3.1. Effect of Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
Sulphur dioxide exposure can affect people who have asthma or
emphysema by making it more difficult for them to breathe. It can also
irritate peoples eyes, noses and throats. Other effects associated with
long-term exposure to high concentrations of SO2 coupled with high
levels of particulate matter include respiratory illnesses, alterations in
lung function and aggravation of existing cardiovascular diseases.
There are also effect of Sulphur dioxide on environment. Sulphur
dioxide along with NOX is a major precursor to acidic deposition,
which contributes to the acidification of soils, lakes and streams and
can cause adverse impact on the ecosystem. Sulphur dioxide can also
be harmful to plant life and accelerates the corrosion of buildings and
monuments.
3.3.2. Effect of carbon monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream through the lungs and
reduces oxygen delivery to organs and tissues. It will then make people
feel dizzy and tired and gives them headaches. In high concentrations it
is fatal. Elderly people with heart disease are hospitalized more often
when they are exposed to higher amounts of carbon monoxide.

3.3.3. Effect of nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

High levels of nitrogen dioxide exposure can give people coughs and
can make them feel short of breath. People who are exposed to
nitrogen dioxide for a long time have a higher chance of getting
respiratory infections and cause alteration in lung function. Nitrogen

oxides contribute to a wide range of environmental effects, including

the formation of acid rain and potential changes in the composition and
competition of some species of vegetation in wetland and terrestrial
systems, visibility impairment, acidification of freshwater bodies,
eutrophication of estuarine and coastal waters and increase in levels of
toxins harmful to aquatic life.
3.3.4. Effect of particulate matter (PM10)
Particulate matter that is small enough can enter the lungs and cause
health problems. Some of these problems include more frequent
asthma attacks, respiratory problems and premature death. Particulate
matter also causes undesirable impact on the environment. The
presence of high levels of PM10 in the atmosphere is a major cause of
reduced visibility, resulting in hazy conditions especially during the
dry season. Other environmental impacts can occur when particulate
matter is deposited onto soil, plants, water or other materials.
Depending on the chemical composition of these substances, when
particulate matter is deposited in sufficient quantities, it may change
the nutrient balance and acidity in soil, interfere with plant metabolism
and change the composition of the materials.
3.3.5. Effect of ozone (O3)
Ozone near the ground can cause a number of health problems. Ozone
can lead to more frequent asthma attacks in people who have asthma
and can cause sore throats, coughs, and breathing difficulty. It may
even lead to premature death. Ozone can also affect vegetation and
ecosystems, leading to reduction in agricultural and commercial forest
yields, reduced growth and survivability of tree seedlings, and
increased

plant

susceptibility

to

diseases,

pests,

and

other
10

environmental stresses. In long lived species, these effects may become

evident only after several years or even decades. Thus ozone has the
potential for long-term effect on forest ecosystems.

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4.0.

DISCUSSION
Air pollution occur because of some sources from the various locations, activities or
factors which are responsible for the releasing of pollutants in the atmosphere. These
sources can be classified into two major activities which are natural sources and
anthropogenic sources (human activity). Natural sources include atmospheric reactions,
dust and aerosol, microorganisms, pollen and radioactive substance. Anthropogenic
sources are such as industrial and development activities, motor vehicles, power
generation, everyday routine and open burning.
4.1.

Natural sources
4.1.1. Atmospheric reactions
Atmospheric reactions will cause it to breaks the complex molecules of
organic matters. The products of atmospheric reactions will then come
down to the earth by rain, snowfall etc.
4.1.2. Dust and aerosol
The dust and aerosol which are present in atmosphere comes from
natural sources, usually large areas of land with little or no vegetation,
from seawater, airborne particles, bacteria etc. and remain suspension
in air.

4.1.3. Microorganisms
These microorganisms are in the form of yeast, algae, fungi, bacteria
etc. These organisms can be transported by wind to far distances and
can affect plants, animals, and human beings.
4.1.4. Pollen
These pollen may enter from the flower of plants including the trees,
grasses and weeds and may be transported from place to place by
wind.

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4.1.5. Radioactive substances

The radioactivity of the atmosphere is caused by the radioactive
materials present at the crust of the earth and the action of cosmic rays.
The radioactive substances such as radium, uranium and thorium are
responsible for the imparting the radioactivity of air.
4.2.

Anthropogenic sources (human activity)

4.2.1. Industrial and development activities
Different industries emit different pollutants. The metal working
industry is partially responsible for the emissions of Sulphur dioxide
and large amounts of toxic dust. Human activities have resulted in
harmful substances and polluting emissions of Sulphur dioxide and
large amounts of toxic dust. They endanger our health and our natural
ecosystem, and lead to an additional greenhouse effect.
4.2.2. Motor vehicles
Movement of people and goods requires energy which relies mostly on
the burning of fossil fuels, thus causing emissions and noise with
adverse local effects. The air quality of the different transport modes
depends on the kind of energy, engine technology and the amount of
energy consumed.
4.2.3. Power generation
Most of the energy is produced in conventional power plants burning
fossil fuels like natural gas, oil or coal.
4.2.4. Everyday routines
Household contribute to air pollution mainly through the use of energy
that is required to run machines and electrical appliances such as
refrigerators. Refrigerators and air conditioners not only consume
energy but they pollute the environment when their coolant fluids
release chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) into the atmosphere.
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4.2.5. Open burning

Burning of older existing plantations for replanting creates large
amounts of soot particles. These soot particles can be blown over long
distances and are mainly responsible for the haze that often covers the
sky. These fires not only pollute the air but also destroy the rich habitat
of the flora and fauna.
5.0.

CONCLUSION
Today the world has become highly industrialized and modernized, which makes
human life much easier and more comfortable. In spite of the advantages, the
development of industry does have a lot of disadvantages, especially air pollution. All
over the world, air pollution is increasing at an alarming pace and at the same time, it has
a serious effect on the earth and human health, so more and more people are concerned
about it. As a result, measures are being taken to reduce this kind of pollution. The first
contribution to the atmospheric pollution is natural disaster, causing great damage to
human life, including as volcanic eruption and forest fire. In the second place, another
reason that effect the air is combustion engine exhaust. In fact, many means of
transportation such as cars, motorbikes are partly responsible for air pollution by emitting
great amount of fumes and gas. The more vehicles are in use, the more contaminated
the air becomes. Needless to say, air pollution takes many different forms and arises from
a variety of sources. As its damage to human is growing, everyone now need to make an
effort to reduce the pollution before it is too late.

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6.0.

RECOMMENDATION
Several ways can be recommended to reduce air pollution. There are few ideas that
you can take to help clean our air. Firstly, at home we can conserve energy by turn off
appliances and lights when you leave the room. You also can conserve energy and reduces
production emissions by recycle paper, plastic, glass bottles, cardboard and aluminum
cans. We can also use low-VOC or water based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers.
Test your home for radon, a dangerous radioactive gas that is odorless and tasteless. If the
test shows elevated levels of radon, the problem can be fixed cost effectively. Buy
ENERGY STAR products, including energy efficient lighting and appliances. They are
environmentally friendly products. Moreover, choose efficient, low-polluting models of
vehicles. Plan your trips to save gasoline and reduce air pollution. In the summertime, fill
gas tank during cooler evening hours to cut down on evaporation. Avoid spilling gas and
dont top-off the tank. Replace gas tank cap tightly. When possible, use public
transportation, walk or ride a bike. Lastly, join a carpool to get to work.

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