2. Common Pollutants of Air and their solution.
Syeda Sajjab Fatima. (BSCHEM02203012)
Taimoor Hassan Khan.(BSCHEM02203042)
Noor-ul-Ain. (BSCHEM02203002)
Ahsan Akbar. (BSCHEM02203008)
Representors:
3. There are six major air pollutants.
Particulate matter. Ozone (O3).
Nitrogen Dioxide (N02). Carbon Monoxide (CO).
Sulfur Dioxide (S02). Lead.
4. Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5)
Particulate matter, also known as particle
contamination or PM, is a term used to
describe very small solid particles and liquid
droplets suspended in air. particles can be
composed of various components including
nitrates, sulfates, natural chemicals, metals,
soil or dust particles, and solvents (such as
pollen grains or grain molds). Particle pollution
mainly comes from automobiles, wood-burning
heaters and factories. During forest fires or dust-
-storms, particle contamination can reach very
high concentrations.
5. PM10 (particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less):
These particles are small enough to pass through the throat and nose and
enter the lungs. When inhaled, these particles can affect the heart and lungs
and cause serious health problems.
PM2.5 (particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less):
These particles are so small that they can penetrate deep into the
lungs and blood. There is ample evidence that exposure to PM2.5
in the long term (years) can lead to adverse health effects.
Note that PM10 comprises PM2.5.
6. COMMON SOURCES:
Particulate matter (PM) is made up of solid particle
and fluids in the air small enough to be inhaled. PM's
natural resources include sea salt, dust (such as airborne
sand), and pollen, but also include volcanic eruptions and
particles formed by natural gas precursors (e.g. sulphates).
Short-term exposure (hours to days) can lead to:
• Irritation of the eyes, nose and throat.
• Asthma and lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis.
• Heart attack and arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeat).
• premature death from respiratory and
cardiovascular diseases.
• Prolonged exposure (for many years) can lead to.
• Reducing lung function.
• Development of cardiovascular disease.
• An increase in the progression of the disease.
• Shortening of life expectancy
7. Ozone (O3)
Ozone is found in two parts of the earth's atmosphere:
the upper atmosphere and the lower atmosphere.
Ozone in the atmosphere protects us by filtering
harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. Ozone, on
the other hand, is detrimental to our health. Ozone
is a major source of smoke and is the product of the
interaction between sunlight and greenhouse gases
from sources such as automobiles and industry.
Ozone depletion occurs easily during the summer
months and reaches extremely high levels in the
afternoon or early evening. Ozone can travel long
distances and accumulate to a high concentration
away from the original sources of pollution. Ozone
depletion can be detrimental to our health, even at
low levels. This includes ozone produced by ozone
generators.
Ozone in
Troposphere
Ozone in
Stratosphere.
8. ACCEPTABLE CONCENTRATION IN THE ATMOSPHERE:
0.075 ppm (8 hours duration)
COMMON SOURCES:
The main sources are fuel burns and
vapors associated with cars, trucks,
buses and equipment; Fuel burning
and evaporation associated with large
standing sources such as power plants,
oil refineries, and industries.
Potential health effects of ozone exposure:
Irritation and swelling of the eyes, nose, throat and lower airways.
Decreased lung function.
Increased asthma and chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis.
Increased respiratory infections.
It can continue to damage the lungs once the symptoms have disappeared.
9. Nitrogen Dioxide (N02)
Acceptable concentration of nitrogen dioxide
In atmosphere is 35 ppm (1 hour long); 9 ppm
(8 hours). Nitrogen dioxide is the most efficient
gas produced by automotive, industrial, non-
-renewable gas heaters and gas stove tops. High
concentrations can be found mainly near busy
streets and indoors where unchanged gas heaters
are used.
Other household sources
may include cigarette smoke or gas cooking.
Besides, nitrogen dioxide contributes to the
formation of low-level ozone (O3) and particle
pollution. Nitrogen dioxide is an irritating respirator
and has various adverse health effects on the
respiratory system.
10. Potential health effects due to exposure to nitrogen dioxide:
• Severe symptoms of asthma - a common asthma attack.
• Increased incidence of lung disease in people with asthma.
• Severe symptoms of asthma - a common asthma attack.
• Airway inflammation in healthy people.
• Cause pulmonary disease.
Increased incidence of lung
disease in people with
asthma.
Severe symptoms of asthma
attack.
11. Carbon monoxide (CO):
Acceptable Concentration in atmosphere:
35 ppm (1 hour duration); 9 ppm (8 hours)
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless
gas that builds up when carbon dioxide
is not completely burned. It is usually
produced by automobile and industrial
but can also be built during forest fires.
Inside the house, carbon monoxide is
composed of unheated gas burners, wood-
-burning heaters, and cigarette smoke.
Reaction:
C + 1/2O CO
12. Potential health effects due to exposure to carbon monoxide:
Main Effect of CO is it binds to hemoglobin
to form carboxyhemoglobin (Hb-CO)
Headache.
Dizziness.
Confusion.
Weakness.
Weak eyesight.
Cardio-vascular disorder
Nausea and fatigue.
Chest pain in people with heart disease.
Blurred vision and interaction.
Dizziness and confusion.
May cause Death.
13. Sulfur Dioxide (S02)
Sulfur dioxide is a highly efficient gas
with a pungent odor. It is generated by
the burning of fossil fuel in power plants
and other industrial areas. Natural processes
that emit sulfur gases include decomposition
and burning of organisms, explosions in the
oceans, and volcanic eruptions. It contributes
to the formation of particle contamination. Sulfur
dioxide irritates the nasal passages, throat and
lungs and may worsen respiratory infections,
especially asthma. It has also been found to
increase the risk of heart disease.
14. Common sources:
Most of the sulfur dioxide emitted
From the environment comes from
electrical appliances, especially
those that burn coal. Other sources
of sulfur dioxide include petroleum
refineries, cement production, paper-
-pulp production, and smelting and
processing facilities.
Potential health effects from exposure to sulfur dioxide:
Shortness of breath leading to
Shortness of breath.
Chest tightness.
Shortness of breath.
Asthma attacks are common in people with asthma.
Increase in heart disease.
15. LEAD:
Acceptable Concentration in Atmosphere:
0.15 μg / m3 (rolling rate for three months)
1.5 μg / m3 (quarterly)
Common Sources:
The main sources of lead in the air
are the processing of iron and steel
and the piston engine jet operated
on lead jet fuel. Other sources are
litter burners, utensils, and manuf-
-acturers of lead-acid batteries. High
levels of lead air are usually found
near lead solvents.
16. Exposure of Lead and its effects:
Lead exposure occurs when lead dust
or fumes are inhaled, or when lead is
ingested via contaminated hands, food,
water, cigarettes or clothing. Lead
entering the respiratory and Digestive
systems is released to the blood and
distributed throughout the body and
can cause:
• Damage to the brain and nervous system.
• Slowed growth and development.
• Learning and behavior problems.
• Hearing and speech problems.
• Fertility Problem.
• Aggression and irritability.