This document discusses air pollution and its effects. It begins with a disclaimer regarding copyrighted images and discusses the structure of the atmosphere including layers like the troposphere and stratosphere. It then covers topics like ambient air quality standards in India set by organizations like CPCB and MOEF. It classifies air pollutants based on origin and state of matter. Common air pollutants are discussed like particulate matter from sources like combustion, their properties and health effects. Gaseous pollutants like SO2, NOx, and CO are also described in terms of their sources and impacts on health, environment and structures. The effects of air pollution on human health include both acute and chronic respiratory and cardiovascular issues.

1. Air Pollution

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3. Contents
• What is air pollution?
• Composition of air
• Structure of atmosphere
• Ambient Air Quality Standards
• Classification of air pollutants
• Sources of common air pollutants like PM,
SO2, NO2,
• Natural & Anthropogenic Sources
• Effects of common air pollutants

4. Air Pollution
Definition: Air pollution can be defined as
• presence of unwanted substances in ambient
atmosphere,
• resulting from natural activity or activity of
man,
• in sufficient concentration,
• should remain present for sufficient time and
• can cause harmful effect on humans, plants and
animals.

5. • The human settlement needs natural resources,
physical elements as well as services to sustain.
•These components comprises of fresh clean air,
water , food, shelter and services include like
education, medical facilities.

6. Structure of
the
Atmosphere

7. Structure of the
Atmosphere
1) Troposphere:
 All kind of weather changes take place only in such layer and
hence it is the most important layer of the atmosphere.
 This layer is called ‘changing sphere’ or troposphere because
the air never remains static in this layer.
2) Stratosphere:
 It’s a second layer and extended up to 40 km.
 Temperature increase due to presence of ozone layer.
 This layer is considered ideal for flying of aircraft because air
blows horizontally.
 In this layer, weather related incidents do not take place in
this layer.

8. Structure of the
Atmosphere
3) Mesosphere:
 The temperature starts lowering with increasing altitude in this
layer and reaches up to 100 degree Celsius at the height of 80 km.
 From this layer falling stars can be seen.
4) Thermosphere:
 Thermosphere is the fourth layer and is located between 80 to 400
km.
 This layer consists of electrically charged particles called ions, and
because of this , this layer is called as the ionosphere.
5) Exosphere:
 It is the uppermost layer of the atmosphere.
 There is lack of gravitational force and hence the density of air is
very less in such layer.

9. AmbientAir
Quality
Standards
Indian Ambient Air Quality Standards
Under the authorities of the “Air Prevention and control of
Pollution Act” of 1981 India’s Central Pollution Control Boards
(CPCB) sets the national ambient air quality standards.
Following are the various regulatory bodies sets and rule out the
air quality standards.
1) CPCB – Central Pollution Control Board
2) MOEF – Ministry of Environmental and Forest
3) BIS – Bureau of Indian Standards.

10. NationalAmbientAir Quality Standards (NAAQS)

12. Classification of air pollutants
a) Based on origin of air pollutants:
Primary Pollutant
- chemical, that occurs in a harmful
concentration, added directly to the air by natural
events or human activities
eg. Sulphur oxides (burning of fossil fuels coal, oil and
diesel), nitrogen oxides ( Fuel is burned at high
temperature)

13. Classification of air pollutants
Secondary Pollutant
- harmful chemical formed in atmosphere
when a primary air pollutant reacts with the
normal air components or with other air
pollutants
eg. ozone, sulphur trioxide

14. Classification of air pollutants

15. b) Based on state of matter, air pollutants:
Gaseous pollutants:
Pollutants are gaseous in state at normal temperature and
pressure.
eg. Common gas pollutants like CO, CO2, NOX, SOX (Sulphur
dioxide)
Particulate air pollutants:
Suspended droplets, solid particles or their mixtures in the
atmosphere, commonly referred as particulates.
eg. Dust, smoke, aerosols.

16. c) On the basis of sources of air pollution
Natural:
 Volcanoes
 Forest fire
 Dust storms
 Bacteria and other microorganisms

17. Man made:
 Industrial unit
 Thermal power plants
 Automobile exhaust
 Fossil fuel burning
 Agricultural activities
 Mining
 Air crafts
 Nuclear explosion
 Domestic burning of woods

18. d) On the basis of location/nature of source
Point or Stationary sources - those that are
fixed in location.
e.g. smoke stacks, industries, power plant
14% air pollution is from power plants
generating electricity

19. Line or Mobile sources - those that move while
polluting,
e.g. trucks, cars, busses etc.
60% of air pollution is from motor vehicles.
Area sources: town or cities add smoke and
gases over wide areas called area sources of air
pollution.
e.g. – Industrial zone, residential area
.

20. Sources of common air pollutants
Particulate matter:
• Small, solid particles and liquid droplets present in
atmosphere.
• Size: 0.02µm to 500µm.
• Particulate pollutants categorized according to size,
source and physical state.

22. Particulate Matter
•Particles of different sizes and structures that
are released into the atmosphere
•Present in many sources including fossil fuels,
dust, smoke, fog, etc.
•Can build up in respiratory system
• Cause heart and lung disease; increases risk of
respiratory infection

23. Aerosol
Aerosol – a dispersion of solid and liquid
particles suspended in gas (air).
Aerosol particles larger than about 1
micrometer in size are produced by
windblown dust.
After formation, the aerosols are mixed and
transported by atmospheric motions.
Examples: dust, smoke, mist, fumes.

24. PARTICULATE
MATTER
These may be liquid or solid. The particulate matter are identified as
aggregates which are
larger than 0.002 µ but smaller than 500 µ
Dust (1 To 10,000 µ) : Small solid particles resulting from break up of
large masses through processes such as crushing, grinding or blasting.
Smoke ( 0.2 To 1 µ) Consist of finely divided solid particles
produced by incomplete combustion of organic particles such as coal,
wood, or tobacco.
Mist ( 0.1 To 10 µm) :- These are liquid particles formed by
condensation of vapor.
Fog (1 to 40 µ ):- High concentration of mist is called as fog. It is
dispersion of liquid particles in air.

25. Fumes ( 0.03 to 0.3 µ ):- Fine solid particles formed by the
condensation of vapors of solid material. The fumes are generally
emit from melting operations.
Ash ( 1 to 1000 µ ):- fine, noncombustible particles are known as
flyash.
Spray (10 to 1000 µ):- Liquid particles formed by automation.

26. Gas pollutants - SO2
• Properties
– SO2 is a colorless gas having pungent and
suffocating odour.
– Reacts with H2O and forms sulfurous acid (H2SO3),
which oxidizes to sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
– Chemical transformation of other pollutants
– Responsible for acid rain effect

27. Gas pollutants - SO2
• Sources
– 67% SOx pollution is due to volcanic activities.
– Remaining 33% SOx emission are due to:
– Biomass and fossil fuel combustion
– Industrial emissions( paper manufacturing plants,
sulfuric acid plants)

28. Gas pollutants - SO2
• Sources
– Transportation
– Open burning of refuse and municipal incinerator
• Controls
– Low-S fossil fuels (clean coal)
– Emission control devices

29. Gas pollutants - SO2
Effects:
• Irritation of mucous membranes of the respiratory
tract.
• High concentration may cause bronchitis.
• Marbles and statues are affected.
• Plants are sensitive to high concentration of SO2 ,
result in chlorosis, metabolic inhibition and even
death.

31. Gas pollutants -NOx
Properties:
₋ NO, NO2, N2O are primarily involved in air pollution
₋ NO is colorless, odourless gas
₋ NO2 is reddish brown gas and having suffocating
odour
₋ NO and NO2 are formed as:

32. Gas pollutants -NOx

33. Gas pollutants -NOx
• Sources
– Fuel combustion in automobiles and
industries
– Lightening
– Forest fire
– Bacterial decomposition of organic matters

34. Gas pollutants -NOx
• Effects :
– Deep lung irritant
– Nitric oxide can combine with hemoglobin
and reduce oxygen carrying capacity of
blood.
– NO is moderately toxic.
– NO2 is more toxic, it irritate alveoli of lungs
and high concentration may cause acute
bronchitis.

35. Gas pollutants -NOx
• Effects :

36. Department of Civil
Engineering
Unit no 2
Unit title - Air
Pollution
EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON
HUMAN HEALTH
• Human Health
– ACUTE: short duration exposure and/or
immediate effects
Examples: Irritation to eyes, nose and throat
upper respiratory infections(bronchitis,
Pneumonia), headaches, allergic reactions etc.

37. Department of Civil
Engineering
Unit no 2
Unit title - Air
Pollution
EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON
HUMAN HEALTH
Human Health
CHRONIC: long duration exposure and/or
long term effects
Examples:
lung cancer
heart disease
damage to brain, nerves, liver,
kidneys, etc.

38. EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON
HUMAN HEALTH
• Reduced lung functioning
• Irritation of eyes, nose, mouth and throat
• Asthma attacks
• Respiratory symptoms such as coughing and
wheezing

39. EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON
HUMAN HEALTH
• Increased respiratory disease such as bronchitis
• Reduced energy levels
• Headaches and dizziness
• Neuro -behavioural disorders
• Cardiovascular problems
• Cancer

40. Effects of CO:
Reacts with haemoglobin in blood
–Forms carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) rather than
oxyhemoglobin (HbO2)
–Prevents oxygen transfer

41. • Effect of O3:
• Cause: atmospheric photochemical reaction
• Acute Health effects
– Severe ear/nose/throat irritation
– Interferes with lung functions
• Coughing at 2 ppm

42. Effects of SO2:
Main Effects:
Acid Deposition
Corrosive
Damages lungs
Damages structures
Damages environment

43. Effects of NOx :
Prolonged exposure:
Pulmonary fibrosis, and higher LRI (lower respiratory
tract illness) in children
Toxic effects at 10-30 ppm
–Nose and eye irritation
–Lung tissue damage
Pulmonary edema (swelling)
Bronchitis

44. Effects of air pollution on plants
• Have an adverse effect on plants
• Cause a widespread damage to natural
vegetation and economic crops
• Many species are susceptible to damage even at
low concentrations
• Gaseous pollutants are actively metabolized by
some plants and these plants are employed as
indicators of air pollutants

45. Effects of air pollution on plants
Forms of damages to leaves:
Necrosis: killing or collapse of tissue
Chlorosis: loss or reduction of chlorophyll
resulting in fading of the leaf’s green color to
yellowish or pale green.
Abscission: dropping of leaves
Epinasty: downward curvature of leaf due to the
higher rate of growth on the upper surface

46. Effects of air pollution on plants
Acute injury: short-time to high concentration
occur under fumigation conditions. Effects are
noted within few hours to few days- make visible
markings on the leaves
Chronic injury: long-term to low concentrations

47. Effects of air pollution on material/property
Damage to property
Effects of dry deposition of sulfur dioxide, which
causes
the formation of gypsum. Gypsum traps particulate
matter to form heavy, black incrustation.

48. Effects of air pollution on material/property
Effects on Property
Many statues, monuments, made from limestone
(CaCO3), marble or metal.
Acid rain can dissolve rock or tarnish metal

49. Effects of air pollution on material/property
Smoke and aerosols adhere to stone, brick and
building surface to produce unsightly coatings.
SOx in presence of moisture react with limestone
and change the color. (Tajmahal)

50. Effects of air pollution on material/property
On paints:
Areas high pollution require frequent painting.
H2S cause darkening of surfaces covered with
paint containing white lead.
On textiles:
SO2 causes deterioration of natural and synthetic
textile fibers.
Fading of textile dyes by oxides of nitrogen,
ozone.

51. Effects of air pollution on climate/environment
When gas pollutants e.g. sulfur dioxide,
nitrogen dioxidedissolve in rain water,
various acids are formed
– CO2 + H2O  H2CO3 (carbonic acid)
– SO2 + H2O  H2SO4 (sulfuric acid)
– NO2 + H2O  HNO2 (nitrous acid)
+ HNO3
(nitric acid)

53. Global Warming
-warming of atmosphere due to increases in the
concentrations of one or more greenhouse gases
primarily as a result of human activities, mainly:
burning of fossil fuels
In recent decades certain greenhouse gases have
increased in concentration:
.

54. Global Warming
carbon dioxide
methane
nitrous oxide
CFCs
CO2 contributes to ~ 55% of global warming.

55. Melting of Glacier

56. Ozone Depletion
-The ozone layer is a layer of gaseous ozone
located in the stratosphere
-The stratosphere contains O3 “good ozone”
-The ozone layer prevents 99% of harmful
ultraviolet radiation from reaching Earth’s
surface
-It is being depleted by CFCs, halogens and other
chemicals

57. ThankYou.