AIR POLLUTION

Introduction
Air pollution is the state of
environment in
which the outer atmosphere gets contaminated
with gases and other materials in concentration
which are harmful to man and environment.
The contamination of air occurs because the
contaminants cannot be absorbed by natural
environment cycles.
Air Pollution
Reduction in oxygen
Toxins in air
Fog
Emission of GHG
Use of pesticides spray
Increase in automobile usage
Acid rain
Types
Air Pollutants can be:
◦ Primary
◦ Secondary
 Types
Primary pollutants are:

◦ Carbon dioxide
◦ Nitrogen oxide
◦ Sulfur dioxide
◦ Carbon monoxide
◦ CFC and particulate matter.

Secondary pollutants are:

◦ Acid Rain
◦ Ozone
 Health Effects of Nitrogen Oxides
 Short-term exposure at concentrations greater than 3 parts

per million (ppm) can measurably decrease lung function.

 Concentrations less than 3 ppm can irritate lungs.

 Concentrations as low as 0.1 ppm cause lung irritation and

measurable decreases in lung function in asthmatics.
 Long-term lower level exposures can destroy lung tissue,
leading to emphysema.
 Children may also be especially sensitive to the effects of

nitrogen oxides.
 Other Effects
Seriously injure vegetation at certain concentrations.

Effects include:
◦ Bleaching or killing plant tissue.
◦ Causing leaves to fall.
◦ Reducing growth rate.

Deteriorate fabrics and fade dyes.

Corrode metals (due to nitrate salts formed from
nitrogen oxides).
Reduce visibility.
 Other Effects (Continued)
Oxides of nitrogen, in the presence of sunlight,
can also react with hydrocarbons, forming
photochemical oxidants or smog.
Also, NOx is a precursor to acidic precipitation,
which may affect both terrestrial and aquatic
ecosystems.
 Sulfur Dioxide
95% of pollution related sulfur oxide emissions are in
the form of sulfur dioxide (SO2), a heavy, colorless gas
with an odor like a struck match.
This gas combines easily with water vapor, forming
aerosols of sulfurous acid (H2SO3), a colorless, mildly
corrosive liquid.
This liquid may then combine with oxygen in the air,
forming the even more irritating and corrosive sulfuric
acid (H2SO4).
 Other sulfur-containing compounds
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas - rotten eggs.

Mercaptans - skunk spray or decayed garbage. (Added in

trace amounts to natural gas, providing a leak-detecting
warning odor.)

Note: The amount of SO2 released from coal fired power

plants depends on the sulfur content of coal, normally 0.7%
to 2% by weight. High sulfur coal sometimes contains as
much as 6% sulfur by weight. In India, sulfur content is
quite low.
Health Effects of Sulfur Oxides
Sulfur dioxide not only has a bad odor, it can
irritate the respiratory system.
Exposure to high concentrations for short periods

of time can constrict the bronchi and increase

mucous flow, making breathing difficult.
Children, the elderly, those with chronic lung
disease, and asthmatics are especially susceptible
to these effects.
 Sulfur dioxide can also:
Immediately irritate the lung and throat at
concentrations greater than 6 parts per million (ppm) in
many people.
Impair the respiratory system's defenses against foreign

particles and bacteria, when exposed to concentrations

less than 6 ppm for longer time periods.
Apparently enhance the harmful effects of ozone.
(Combinations of the two gases at concentrations
occasionally found in the ambient air appear to increase
airway resistance to breathing.)
 Sulfur oxides Effects on Plants
Sulfur dioxide easily injures many plant species

and varieties, both native and cultivated.

The effects include:

◦ Visible injury to the most sensitive plants at exposures as

low as 0.12 ppm for 8 hours.

◦ Visible injury to many other plant types of intermediate

sensitivity at exposures of 0.30 ppm for 8 hours.

◦ Positive benefits from low levels, in a very few species

growing on sulfur deficient soils.
 Other Effects
Increases in sulfur dioxide concentrations

accelerate the corrosion of metals, probably

through the formation of acids.
Sulfur oxides may also damage stone and masonry,
paint, various fibers, paper, leather, and electrical
components.
Increased SO2 also contributes to impaired
visibility.
 Spraying pesticides
One of the more common forms of pesticide
application, especially in conventional agriculture.
Over 98% of sprayed insecticides and 95% of
herbicides reach a destination other than their target
species, including non-target species, air, water and
soil
 Pesticide Spray Drift
 When pesticide solutions are sprayed by ground spray equipment
or aircraft, droplets are produced by the nozzles of the
equipment.
 Many of these droplets can be so small that they stay suspended
in air and are carried by air currents until they contact a surface or
drop to the ground.
A number of factors influence drift including weather conditions,
topography, the crop or area being sprayed, application
equipment and methods, and decisions by the applicator.
 Impacts of Spray Drift
Off-target spray can affect human health and the
environment.
For example, spray drift can result in pesticide

exposures to farm workers, children playing outside,

and wildlife and its habitat.
Drift can also contaminate a home garden or another

farmer's crops, causing illegal pesticide residues and/or

plant damage.
Cont…
The proximity of individuals and sensitive sites to
the pesticide application, the amounts of pesticide
drift, and toxicity of the pesticide are important
factors in determining the potential impacts from
drift.
International efforts in
controlling air pollution
Air pollution is a problem at local or national

level but sometime it may emanate in one

country and may engulf the neighboring
countries.
The earliest effort at air pollution control was

made the 1957-58 WHO conference known as “

Clean Air Conference”
 Meetings Held
1966 – symposium was held on Epidemiology
of air pollution at the regional office of WHO
for Europe.
1972 – Stockholm Conference was the first
major effort to discuss control of pollution
including air pollution.
 Principles
Major industrial counties convened a meeting

for the control of air pollution in 1974.

In this meeting two basic principles were
evolved:
1. Polluter must pay for pollution.
2. Transfronties air pollution be controlled.
 Cont...
The first principle laid down that the industry

where pollution originates must pay to its

control.
The second concept says that the aim should

be the welfare and preservation of the health of

people throughout the world.
Indian Effort to Control the Air Pollution
 Cause: Air pollution has been caused by the developments
that typically occur as countries become industrialized
◦ Growing cities

◦ Increasing traffic

◦ Rapid economic development & industrialization

◦ Higher level of energy consumption

 In India between 1951 and 1991, the urban population has
tripled, from 62.4 million to 217.6 million and its
population has increased from 17.3% to 25.7%.
 Causes
1. Increase in number of vehicles
2. Increase in industrial activity
3. Increase in power generation
4. Domestic pollution
5. Other sources
6. Air pollutant emission load
7. Vehicular emissions
8. Ambient air quality
 Air Pollution Measures
In pursuant to the Stockholm conference, India
passed the Air Act 1981
Earlier also air pollution measures were enacted

through:
1. The factory act, 1948

2. The industries act, 1951

3. Mines and minerals act, 1957

 Other Measures
 Water & air pollution Board

 Air Prevention & control of pollution Act, 1981

 Regulation of Vehicular pollution
 Measurement of emission for vehicles and market
 Emission Norms – 2000 & 2005
 Quality of petrol – lead vs benzene
 State level Planning
 Industrial pollution

 Thermal Power plants

 An innovative management so as to tackle with individual
pollutant in a way that is practical & sustainable .