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Clean air is a blessing of nature and a pre-requisite for the
survival of human life.
Every day, a person, on the average, inhales about 20,000 liters
of air. Every time we breathe, we risk inhaling dangerous chemicals
that have found their way into the air. Air pollution includes all
contaminants found in the atmosphere. These dangerous substances
can either be in the form of gases or particles.
Air pollution can be found both outdoors and indoors. Pollutants
can be trapped inside buildings, causing indoor pollution that
lasts for a long time.
Historical Background
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Cont... Historical BackgroundThe sources of air pollution are
both natural and man made. As one might expect, humans have been
producing increasing amounts of pollution as time has progressed,
and they now account for the majority of pollutants released into
the air.
Air pollution has been a problem throughout history. Even in
Ancient Rome people complained about smoke put into the atmosphere.
The effects of air pollution are diverse and numerous. Air
pollution can have serious consequences for the health of human
beings, and also severely affects natural ecosystems. Air pollution
is a global problem and has been the subject of global cooperation
and conflict. Some areas suffer more than others from air
pollution. Cities with large numbers of automobiles or those that
use great quantities of coal often suffer most severely from
problems of air pollution.
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Sources of Air Pollution In PakistanVehiclesBrick KilnsNatural
DustStone CrushersIndustryDomesticBurningBio-mass BurningGarbage
Burning
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Vehicular Pollution
Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Oxides, Smoke, Dust, Hydrocarbons,
etc. are the main components of vehicular emissions poured into the
urban air.
Fuel adulteration and use of ill-maintained vehicles enhance
emissions from motor vehicle exhaust. A large amount of suspended
dust is generated due to vehicles driving on unpaved road
shoulders, poorly maintained and overcrowded roads.
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million
19800.682 19851.288 19901.99019952.876 20003.997 20044.973 RISE
SINCE 1980 > 600 %
PRESENT ANNUAL AVERAGE GROWTH: 12% VEHICLE POPULATION IN
PAKISTAN
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PAKISTAN NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY STANDARDS FOR MOTOR
VEHICLE EXHAUST 1.Smoke40% during engine acceleration at a distance
of 6 meters or more.
2.Carbon Monoxide New Vehicle = 4.5%Used Vehicle = 6%(Under
idling conditions)
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Inefficient Burning of Fuel
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Biomass BurningUsing biomass as a fuel produces air pollution in
the form of carbon monoxide, NOx (nitrogen oxides), VOCs (volatile
organic compounds like benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene,
etc.), particulates, ground level ozone (bad ozone) and other
pollutants. Black carbon is a pollutant createdby incomplete
combustion of fossil fuels, bio-fuels, and biomass which is,
possibly the second largest contributor to global warming.
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Emissions From Brick Kilns
Brick kiln producing 800,000 bricks uses large amount of rubber
to start the fire and burns a total of eight tons fire wood, 200
tons of low quality coal.
The combustion of old rubber Tyres and used mobile oil in these
factories emits hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, Nitrogen Oxide and
sulphur dioxide.
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Natural Dust
Although human-made aerosols (aerosol is a substance enclosed
under pressure and released as a spray) sometimes are toxic,
natural aerosols and dust from other sources like deserts and
volcanoes are important contributors. Now, new research suggests
that natural aerosols have their downside too and the impact of
natural aerosols on oceans could influence predictions of future
climate change.
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Domestic ActivitiesDomestic burning of fuel i.e. wood, animal
dung especially in rural areas also contributes to air
pollution.
The burning of garbage, straw and other things for domestic use
produce air pollution which is often a cause for some health
problems.
Dust arising from small scale domestic activities also
contributes to overall air pollution in the urban areas. In city
centers numerous outside food stalls and restaurants also cause
local air pollution due to frying meat in oil and roasting on
charcoal fires.
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Massive Burning Of Solid Waste/Refuse
Approximately 40% of the generated wastes remain at collection
points, or in streets, where they emit a host of pollutants into
the air, making it unacceptable for breathing.
Also the roadside and on dump burning of the municipal solid
waste creates air pollution problems.
Burning of the waste generates harmful gases which on inhaling
can cause cancers.
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Industrial EmissionsIndustrial emissions from chimneys is also a
source of air pollution in Pakistan.
In KPK there are about 1500 industrial units which include 305
Chips and Stone Crushers and 450 Brick Kilns.
The industrial units in KPK are scattered over a vast stretch of
the province with greater concentration in and around the cities of
Peshawar, Haripur, Charsadda, Nowshera and Gadoon Amazai.
Emissions from most of the industries are unregulated and
uncontrolled except few industries which have installed treatment
facilities.
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Garbage Disposal
In most of the world, including Pakistan, the two ways of
dispensing with ordinary garbage are burn it or bury it. Neither
one is good for us or for the environment. Burning garbage releases
dangerous gases and dust (particulate matter) which contribute to
global warming and pollute lakes, forests, oceans and cities.
Burying garbage also causes both air and water pollution, and
simply transporting it to the sites consumes an increasing amount
of valuable fossil fuels, which produces more pollution.
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Effects of Air Pollution
Exposure to low levels of pollutants such as ground level ozone
(bad ozone), sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and particulates,
irritates eyes and causes inflammation of the respiratory
tract.
Evidence exists that many air pollutants also suppress the
immune system, increasing susceptibility to infection. Other health
problems that can result from long-term exposure to toxic
air-pollutants are cancer, asthma, respiratory infections, and
cardiovascular disease.
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Cont Effects of Air Pollution
Air pollution can also cause acidification of lakes and soils
and impacts on crop productivity, forest growth, and
biodiversity.
A recent research indicates that the ozone and sulphur dioxide
is reducing crop yields.
The potential for crop losses in Asia has been indicated by a
study in Pakistan where a 40 per cent reduction in rice yields was
linked to the presence of pollutants in the air.
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There are various air pollution control technologies and land
use planning strategies available to reduce air pollution. At its
most basic level land use planning is likely to involve zoning and
transport infrastructure planning. In most developed countries,
land use planning is an important part of social policy, ensuring
that land is used efficiently for the benefit of the wider economy
and population as well as to protect the environment.Efforts to
reduce pollution from automobile sources includes primary
regulation, increased fuel efficiency (such as through the use of
hybrid vehicles), conversion to cleaner fuels. (such as bioethanol,
biodiesel, or conversion to electric vehicle)
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Vehicle Emission Control
Evaporative emissions are the result of gasoline vapors escaping
from the vehicle's fuel system.
In a typical system, vapors from the fuel tank and carburetor
bowl vent (on carbureted vehicles).
Vehicle Emission Control
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AIR POLLUTION CONTROL Particulate control
Mechanical dust collectors
Electrostatic precipitators An electrostatic precipitator (ESP),
or electrostatic air cleaner is a particulate collection device
that removes particles from a flowing gas (such as air) using the
force of an induced electrostatic charge. Electrostatic
precipitators are highly efficient filtration devices that
minimally impede the flow of gases through the device, and can
easily remove fine particulate matter such as dust and smoke from
the air stream.
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POLLUTION CONTROL
Particulate scrubbers Wet scrubber is a form of pollution
control technology. The term describes a variety of devices that
use pollutants from a furnace flue gas or from other gas streams.
In a wet scrubber, the polluted gas stream is brought into contact
with the scrubbing liquid, by spraying it with the liquid, by
forcing it through a pool of liquid, or by some other contact
method, so as to remove the pollutants.
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AIR POLLUTION CONTROL NOx control Low NOx burners NOx scrubbers
Exhaust gas recirculation Catalytic converter for NOx VOC
abatementCatalytic converters VOCs FiltersAbsorption (scrubbing)
Vapor recovery systems
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AIR POLLUTION CONTROL Acid Gas/SO2 control Wet scrubbersDry
scrubbersFlue gas desulfurization
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Air Pollution Control Legislation in Pakistan
Pakistan Environmental Protection Ordinance, 1983
National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) of Pakistan
Pakistan Environment Protection Act, 1997
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Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency
Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency is an attached
department of the Ministry of Environment and is responsible to
implement the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997 in the
country. An Act to provide for the protection, conservation,
rehabilitation and improvement of environment, for the prevention
and control of pollution, and promotion of sustainable development.
Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency also provides all kind of
technical assistance to the Ministry of Environment for formulation
of environment policy and programs.
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EPA Green Certificate
Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) under an
industrial survey program component of Activity Based Capacity
Development Project has started to collect basic information
regarding environmental performance and compliance of all
industrial and commercial units to National Environmental Quality
Standard (NEQS). Industrial units which conform with the applicable
laws and rules are issued green certificates.
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Air Quality Index
The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality. It
indicates how clean or polluted air is, and what associated health
effects might be of a concern. EPA calculates the AQI for five
major air pollutants, ground-level ozone, particle pollution,
carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide, regulated by
the Clean Air Act. For each of these pollutants, EPA has
established national air quality standards to protect public
health. Ground-level ozone and airborne particles are the two
pollutants that pose the greatest threat to human health in
Pakistan.
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How Does the AQI Work?
Think of the AQI as a yardstick that runs from 0 to 500. The
higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and
the greater the health concern. For example, an AQI value of 50
represents good air quality with little potential to affect public
health, while an AQI value over 300 represents hazardous air
quality.
EPA has suggested a range of 0 to 50 as moderately good air
quality with little to none health concerns.
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EPA AND ITS PARTNERSEPA has other local and foreign partners
some of which are,
Cleaner Production Program (CPP) Environmental Protection
Department Punjab. National Energy Conservation Centre (ENERCON)
The World Conservation Union (IUCN-Pakistan) United Nations
Environment Program (UNEP) World Wide Fund for Nature
(WWF-Pakistan)