2. Air pollution occurs when gases, dust
particles, fumes (or smoke) or odour
are introduced into the atmosphere in a
way that makes it harmful to humans,
animals and plant. This is because the
air becomes dirty .
3. Examples of air pollutants
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Fuel combustion from vehicles and engines.
Ground-level Ozone (O3)
Secondary pollutant formed by chemical reaction
of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and NOx in
the presence of sunlight.
Lead (Pb)
Smelters (metal refineries) and
other metal industries;
combustion of leaded
gasoline in piston engine aircraft; waste
incinerators (waste burners), and battery
manufacturing.
4. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
Fuel combustion (electric utilities, big industrial boilers, vehicles) and wood
burning.
Particulate Matter (PM)
This is formed through chemical reactions,
fuel combustion (e.g., burning coal, wood,
diesel), industrial processes, farming (plowing,
field burning), and unpaved roads or during
road constructions.
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
SO2 come from fuel combustion(especially
high-sulfur coal); electric utilities and
industrial processes as well as and natural
occurances like volcanoes.
5. Sources of air pollutants
• Emissions from industries and manufacturing
activities
There are chimneys erected high into the air, with lots of smoke and fumes coming
out of it.
• 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.
6. •Burning Fossil Fuels
Cars and heavy duty trucks, trains, shipping vessels and airplanes all burn
lots of fossil fuels to work. Emissions from automobile engines contain both
primary and secondary pollutants. This is a major cause of pollution, and
one that is very difficult to manage. This is because humans rely heavily on
vehicles and engines for transporting people, good and services.
7. Effects of Air Pollution
Effects of air pollution can
be on human body ,
environment and living
things .
•Acidification: when an air pollutant, such as sulfuric acid
combines with the water droplets that make up clouds, the
water droplets become acidic, forming acid rain. Acid rain
also changes the chemistry of the lakes and streams that
the rainwater flows into, harming fish and other aquatic
life.
•Ground-level ozone:
Gas Ozone can affect people’s health and can damage
vegetation types and some animal life too.
8. •Particulate matter:
Short-term effects
include irritation to the eyes, nose and throat,
and upper respiratory infections such as
bronchitis and pneumonia. Others include
headaches, nausea, and allergic reactions.
Long-term health effects
can include chronic respiratory disease, lung
cancer, heart disease, and even damage to the
brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys.
9. Steps to prevent air pollution
• Prevention methods can either come from
government (laws)or by individual actions.
•Government (or community) level prevention
Governments 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 .
Use energy (light, water, boiler, kettle and fire woods) wisely.
things. This will minimize the dependence of producing new things.
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.
10. Steps to control air pollution
Vehicles can’t be stopped plying on the roads just for
the sake of controlling the air pollution. Some of the main
environment steps are :
• Maintain air pressure in tubes properly
• Avoid using adulterated fuel
• Never use or apply pressure horn
• Use vehicle when very necessary
• If convenient rely mostly on public transport
Every Industry usually has a health and environment manager to develop
environmental management plan. Steps given below to keep its
emissions and effluents up to the prescribed limits:
• Must follow a well designed environment management plan
• For all development activities must conduct environmental impact
assessment
• Keep machinery and tools in good working condition
• If available apply tools of self monitoring and reporting to check pollution
• Remain in touch with the concerned environmental regulator to get
familiar with laws and regulations
• Avoid following short-cuts to minimize pollution for the time being.
11. Simple actions you can take to reduce air pollution and to
keep the air cleaner and healthier for everyone to breathe:
• Walk, bike, carpool, or take public transit.
• Reduce your heating needs by making your house more energy
efficient .
• Don't burn wood or trash. Instead of burning debris, start a compost pile in
your backyard for organic materials.
• Use hand-powered garden tools. Avoid using gasoline or diesel-powered
equipment such as lawnmowers and leaf-blowers.
• Reduce, reuse and recycle.
• Avoid idling. Turn off your car’s engine while waiting for someone and try
to avoid drive-through lines.
• Garden without pesticides. There are many healthy and safe alternatives to
harmful cosmetic pesticides.
• Get involved. Support national and local efforts to clean up the air.
Ways to maintain clean air
12. Practice to maintain clean air
1. Use Your Appliances Less Often
2. Use Your Car Less Often
3. We can grow more trees.
4. Higher chimneys helps the emission to be released
higher up in the atmosphere.
5. Mining places should have more trees grown .
6. Industries should be away from residential areas.
7. Railway tracks must be electrified.
8. Recycling paper, plastic, glass bottles, and aluminum
cans.
