Air pollution is defined as the presence of harmful substances like gases, particles, or biological molecules in the atmosphere that negatively affect human health. There are two main types of air pollutants: chemical pollutants which include gases, particulate matter, and metals, and biological pollutants such as pathogens. Major sources of air pollution include industries, automobiles, and domestic activities like burning fuels. Air pollution causes both immediate and long term health effects in humans like respiratory illnesses and cancer. It also harms plants, soils, buildings and contributes to issues like global warming. Prevention and control of air pollution involves engineering controls at pollution sources, legislative standards and limits, and general public measures.

1. AIR POLLUTION
By,
Ms.Stephy Thomas
Ast.Professor
Community Health Nursing Dept.
Padmashree Institute of Nursing, Bangalore.

3. Definition
Presence of substances like gases,
dust particles, fumes (or smoke) or
odor in the atmosphere in amounts
that interfere with human health,
safety or comfort or injuries to
vegetation and animals.

4. Air Pollutants
•A substance in the air that can cause
harm to humans and the environment is
known as an air pollutant.
•Pollutants can be in the form of solid
particles, liquid droplets, or gases. In
addition, they may be natural or man-
made.

5. Air pollutants are categorized in 2,
1.Chemical pollutants:
a)Gases: sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide,
hydrocarbons, nitrogenoxide..
b)Particulate matter: dust, smoke, aerosols,
grit, sand, etc..
c)Metal: lead, mercury, copper, zinc, etc..
2. Biological pollutants:
Pathogenic microbes(tubercle bacilli), spores,
pollen grains, etc..

6. Types of air pollution
1.Indoor air pollution:
Combustion of coal/ fire wood- smoke, co2, so2,
co3
Burning of candles- carbonic acid
Respiration- co2
Solvents & aerosol sprays- organic vapours
Uv light sources- ozone
Tobacco
Burning of waste
Use of gas heaters & gas cookers- nitrogen
dioxide
Furnishings
TV, computers, Cell phones- electro magnetic
rays

7. 2. Outdoor air
pollution:
Combustion of coke, bio-
mass fuel
Decaying of animal wastes
& vegetable matter
Automobile fumes, dusts,
refuse from street & road
Industrial pollutants like
smoke, tar, hydrocarbons
Overcrowded houses in
slums
Occupation – mining, cotton
factory, asbestoses etc..

8. Sources of air pollution
Industries
Automobiles
Domestic sources:
combustion of fuel,
wood, kerosene oil
Chemical fertilizers
Miscellaneous :
burning of refuse,
forest fires,
deforestation,
pesticide spraying,
etc..

9. Effects of air pollution
1. EFFECTS ON HUMAN
HEALTH
a. Immediate effects:
Continuous coughing
for no apparent reason
Cold & cough
resulting in acute
bronchitis
Irritation of the mucus
lining of the nose,
throat and allergic
rhinitis

10. b. Delayed effects:
Chronic bronchitis
Tuberculosis
Asthma
Emphysema
Lung cancer
Respiratory allergies
Impaired neuro-
psychologic development
in children
LBW, abortions, fetal
anomaly during pregnancy

11. 2. Effects on soil
& plants
Reduces the
fertility of the soil
Affects the
chlorophyll of the
plants and leads
to immature leaf
fall

12. 3. Effects on monuments & building
Black soot released from Mathura oil is causing
blackening of TAJ MAHAL & other buildings

13. 4. socio-economic effects
smoke+ fog= smog(so2, co3, n2) in
atmosphere causes reduced visibility causes
accidents & disturbances in road traffic.
Affects the general vitality and reduces
capacity to work and effects economic
development.

14. 5. Other effects of air pollution
a. Smog: mixture of pollution and water vapours,
usually occurs in extreme cold weather. Cause
accidents, suffocation, poisoning.
b. Global warming: accumulation of gases like co2,
methane, chlorofluorocarbons & ozone in
troposphere. It affects the ecosystem, by trapping
excessive heat increases the atmosphere
temperature.

16. Prevention and control of air pollution
Its done by 3
measures:
1. Engineering
measures
2. Legislative
measures
3. General
measures

17. 1. Engineering measures:
a. Containment: prevention of escape of toxic substances into
surrounding air. It can be achieved by,
Enclosure at the source of production
Ventilation
Use of arresters for removal of pollutants
Wet method to control production of dust.

18. b. Replacement : replacing the more hazardous process with
new which is not.
Ex. Use of electricity in place of fire wood
c. Dilution : establishing green-belts around industrial area
and residential area to dilute co2 & co by o2 by plants

19. 2. Legislative measures:
“The air (prevention and control ) pollution act in 1981”.
Saying, not allowing air pollutants to exceed the
permissible limits. CPCB has the authority to inspect the air
sample of the industries & take legal action.
Height of the chimney
Creation of smokeless zones
Research and education to reduce the nuisance of air
pollution
“Environment act 1986” for monitoring the air.

20. 3. General measures
Dilution of polluted air with clean air
Vegetation
Proper maintenance of vehicles and using lead free petrol
Traffic control measures to prevent traffic congestion.
Health education about hazards of air pollution & measures
to control.