This document discusses some of the environmental risks of economic development, focusing on air pollution. It defines different types of pollution and how people can be exposed to pollutants. It then examines air pollution in more detail, identifying the most polluting industries and major air pollutants like ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, lead, toxic chemicals, and greenhouse gases. For each pollutant, it provides examples of sources and potential health and environmental impacts.

1. Environmental
Risks of
Economic
Development
By: Jershan A. Devadas

2. POLLUTION
• Contamination of the environment
• Air, water, soil, noise, visual and
others
• Major externality of industrial and
urban areas
Methods of exposure to pollution:
• Inhalation – breathing in chemical
vapours and dust
• Ingestion – drinking or eating the
chemical
• Absorption – absorbing the chemical
through the skin

4. AIR POLLUTION
• Contamination of the air
• In developing world, indoor air pollution is
more severe than outdoor air pollution.
• Spread well beyond the locality and region to
cross international borders
• Dry and wet deposition can be carried for
considerable distances.

5. Most Polluting Industries
Industrial Sector Examples
Fuel and power Power stations, oil refineries
Mineral industries Cement, glass, ceramics
Waste disposal Incineration, chemical recovery
Chemicals
Pesticides, pharmaceuticals, organic and
inorganic chemicals
Metal industries
Iron and steel, smelting, non-ferrous
metals
Others
Paper manufacture, timber preparation,
uranium processing

6. MAJOR AIR POLLUTANTS
• Ozone
• Carbon monoxide
• Nitrogen dioxide
• Particulate matter
• Sulfur dioxide
• Lead
• Toxic air pollutants
• Stratospheric ozone depleters
• Greenhouse gases

7. Major Air Pollutants
Ozone
• Formed when
nitrogen oxides and
volatile organic
compounds mix in
sunlight
• Frequent asthma
attacks, sore throats,
coughs, breathing
difficulty, damage
plants and crops
Carbon monoxide
• Engines burn fossil
fuels (incomplete
combustion) and not
properly maintaining
furnaces and heaters
• Makes it hard for body
parts to get oxygen,
feel dizzy and tired,
headaches

8. Major Air Pollutants
Nitrogen dioxide
• Power plants and
cars, nitrogen is burnt
or it reacts with
oxygen
• Coughs, short of
breath, respiratory
infections, forms acid
rain
Particulate matter
• Coarse – road dust,
sea spray, construction;
Fine – fuel burnt
• Asthma attacks,
respiratory problems,
premature death

9. Major Air Pollutants
Sulfur dioxide
• Burning coal or oil;
making chemicals,
paper or fuel; reacts in
atmosphere to form
acid rain and particles
• Affect people with
asthma and
emphysema; irritate
eyes, nose, throat;
harm trees and crops,
damage buildings;
reduce visibility
Lead
• Cars using unleaded
fuel; industries; old
lead pipes; lead paint
• Affect young children’s
brain development;
kidney problems;
increase chance of
heart attack and stroke

10. Major Air Pollutants
Toxic air pollutants
• Created in chemical
plants while burning
fossil fuels; found in
building materials or
in food and water
supplies
• Cause cancer; birth
defects; skin and eye
irritation; breathing
problems
Stratospheric ozone
depleters
• CFC’s used in ACs and
refrigerators; aerosol
cans, fire extinguishers
and solvents
• People exposed to more
UV rays, skin cancer,
eye problems, harm
plants and animals

11. Major Air Pollutants
Greenhouse gases
• CO2 from burning fossil fuels; methane while
processing fossil fuels; nitrous oxide from
industrial sources and decaying plants
• Changes in climate, extreme temperatures,
higher sea levels, changes in forest composition

12. EXTERNALITY GRADIENT AND FIELD