Introduction to Air Pollution

CONTENT PAGE

CONTENT 1

INTRODUCTION OF AIR POLLUTION 2

DEFINATION OF AIR POLLUTION 3

CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION 4

TYPE OF AIR POLLUTION 5 - 7

WAYS TO SOLVE AIR POLLUTION 8

PICTURES, GRAPHS AND CHARTS OF AIR POLLUTION 9 - 11

CASE STUDY CONCLUSION AND WAYS TO CONTROL 12

CASE STUDY ON MALAYSIA AIR POLLUTION 13 – 14

AIR POLLUTION CONCLUSION 15

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AIR POLLUTION

INTRODUCTION TO AIR POLLUTION

Air is the ocean we breathe. Air supplies us with oxygen which is essential for our bodies

to live. Air is 99.9% nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor and inert gases. Human activities can release

substances into the air, some of which can cause problems for humans, plants, and animals.

We need air to breathe because every living organism needs clean air in order to survive.

In our daily life we need 30lb of air, 15lb of water and 1.5lb of food. Human being can live about

5 weeks without foods, 5 days without water and 5 minutes without air.

Air is the atmosphere or mixture of gases surrounding the earth to a height of about 300

feet, which all people and land animals breathe. It is colorless and tasteless and is made up of

about 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and most of the remainder is small quantities of other gases

such as carbon dioxide, ozone, hydrogen, helium and other gases that do not burn up.

There is also water content in the air which varies up to 4%, especially in the tropics.

There may also be some sulfur compounds present due to industrial pollution. Oxygen is a

colorless, tasteless, gaseous element which forms 1/5 of the earth's atmosphere. Most oxygen is

made up of two atoms which form one molecule.

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DEFINATION OF AIR POLLUTION

Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that

cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the natural

environment or built environment, into the atmosphere.air contaminants  including smoke,  soot, 

dust,  dust, ashes, debris, solid particle of any kind, including dust, gases, vapors, mist, odor,

and radioactive materials emitted from the combustion of fuel and materials like or the usage of

the products as a source of heat or electricity from the synthesis, resolution or any other

material recovery and that may be prescribed by the minister as the materials can affect the

health or life environment.

PARTICULATE MATTER

Particulate matter is a particle-particle that exist in the atmosphere whether solid or

liquids. The main particle for this particulate matter is aerosol which is a small tiny liquid

or a 100 micro meter solid.

DUST

Dust is solid particles. Its expand using gravity.

FLYING ASH

This type of smooth solid particle is produced by combustion process for example coal

fire from electric power station.

FUMES

Fumes are the solid particles that formed when water vapor condenses.fumes can be

frozen and sometimes linked.

FLUID PARTICLES

Fluid particles can also be called fog or mist.

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CAUSES AIR POLLUTION

i. Automobile Exhaust

Contains hydrocarbons, particulates, carbon dioxide and oxides of nitrogen and sulfur that contribute to air pollution.

ii. Draily Activities

Our daily activities also can cause air pollution for example we use our car to work, school and travels everyday and the gases from the car can cause air pollution.

iii. Open burning

Open burning one of five causes of air pollution. Mankind do open burning when they burn all the rubbish without choosing which one is suitable for burning.

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TYPES OF AIR POLLUTION

1. Carbon monoxide ( CO)

2. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

3. Particulate Matter

4. Lead (Pb)

5. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

6. Ozone

7. Other toxic waste

CARBON MONOXIDE

Is a colorless, odorless, non-irritating but very poisonous gas. It is a product

by incomplete combustion of fuel such as natural gas, coal or wood. Vehicular exhaust is a major

source of carbon monoxide.

SULFUR DIOXIDE (SO2)

Sulfur dioxide (also sulphur dioxide) is the chemical compound with the formula S O 2. It

is produced by volcanoes and in various industrial processes. Since coal and petroleum often

contain sulfur compounds, their combustion generates sulfur dioxide unless the sulfur

compounds are removed before burning the fuel. Further oxidation of SO2, usually in the

presence of a catalyst such as NO2, forms H2SO4, and thus acid rain. Sulfur dioxide emissions are

also a precursor to particulates in the atmosphere. Both of these impacts are cause for concern

over the environmental impact of these fuels.

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PARTICULATE MATTER

Particulates, alternatively known to as particulate matter (PM) or fine particles and also

called soot, are tiny subdivisions of solid matter suspended in a gas or liquid. In

contrast, aerosol refers to particles and/or liquid droplets and the gas together. Sources of

particulate matter can be man made or natural. Air pollution and water pollution can take the

form of solid particulate matter, or be dissolved. Salt is an example of a dissolved contaminant in

water, while sand is generally a solid particulate.

LEAD (Pb)

Lead is a main-group element with symbol Pb (from Latin: plumbum) and atomic

number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals.

Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull

grayish color when exposed to air. Lead has a shiny chrome-silver luster when it is melted into a

liquid.

Lead is a poisonous substance to animals. It damages the nervous system and

causes brain disorders. Excessive lead also causes blood disorders in mammals. Like the

element mercury, another heavy metal, lead is a potent neurotoxin that accumulates both in soft

tissues and the bones.

NITROGEN DIOXIDES (NO2)

Nitrogen dioxide is the chemical compound with the formula NO2. One of

several nitrogen oxides, NO2 is an intermediate in the industrial synthesis of nitric acid, millions

of tons of which are produced each year.

This reddish-brown toxic gas has a characteristic sharp, biting odor and is a prominent air

pollutant. Nitrogen dioxide is a paramagnetic bent molecule with C2v point group symmetry.

OZONE(O3)

Formed in the atmosphere by reaction of nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and sunlight.

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TYPES OF AIR POLLUTION

There are many types of air pollution that can be a health threat inside the home just as

it is a threat outside the home. Each varying type of air pollution is generally linked to a specific

cause.Most of us have been educated at one point in our life about outdoor air pollution. Acid

rain and smog are well known terms, especially on the west coast of the United States.

Smog is the result of emissions that is trapped in rain and fog, causing a serious health threat to

those under the smog.

One day of heavy smog can be about the same as sitting in a room with 12 chain

smokers for one year.The greenhouse effect, which we all associate with the phenomenon of

global warming, is generally caused by the release of gases.

Methane gas is one of the main causes of the greenhouse effect. Methane, which is often

associated with fecal waste, is actually a threat to the health of the ozone layer as well.

Most destructive methane gas comes from the methods used to extract natural gas from the earth

to use in the heating of homes and businesses. The methane gas that is released under these

circumstances is quite potent and has the potential to deplete the ozone to a significant degree.

The combustion of waste products is another main offender when it comes to the release of

methane gas.

These two contributors to the release of dangerous levels of methane are facing strict

governmental regulation to help keep the ozone layer intact.

The burning of fossil fuels is a large factor in creating other types of air pollution. We burn fossil

fuels for heat, energy, and occasionally as an alternative power source.

When we burn fossil fuels we release a toxin known as sulphur dioxide. Crude oil and coal are

the two main fossil fuels that contain sulphur dioxide that is released into the atmosphere when

burned.

Unfortunately, this toxin is dangerous to humans and can be released during the

cultivation of coal, which is one of the causes of lung problems among coal workers. This gas

sticks to air molecules and can be a significant cause of smog.

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WAYS TO SOLVE AIR POLLUTION

1. Avoid Second-Hand Smoke –

Passive smoke is produced by smokers but can harm non-smokers as well.  Try to avoid

areas that are filled with smoke and ask smokers to smoke outdoors.

2. Check For Radon –

Radon arises naturally from the ground and could cause fatal lung cancer.  Purchase a

testing kit to find out if the radon level in your home is dangerously high.

3. Don't Smoke 

When you smoke, you not only harm yourself but also create problems for other people's

health.

4. Don't Use Wood Stoves 

Wood stoves emit large amounts of CO indoors.  This can build up in your home and

create a dangerous health risk.

5. Drive Less 

Cars are one of the largest sources of air pollution.  You should carpool or take public

transportation whenever possible.

6. Have Plants 

Plants can absorb some dangerous chemicals that are polluting your air.  In doing so,

they reduce your risk of getting sick.

7. Look For Asbestos –

Many old homes still contain asbestos from when they were built.  Asbestos can get into

your lungs, stomach, and chest, causing problems that can prove fatal.  As a result, you

should look around your home for asbestos that is crumbling or loose and remove it.

8. Minimize Air Conditioning –

If you can avoid air-conditioning, do so.  By keeping windows and shades shut, you may

be able to avoid needing air conditioning, which will mean using less energy.

9. Use Efficient Appliances –

To cut down on energy usage, buy energy-efficient home appliances.  Less energy usage

will not only decrease pollution, it will decrease your energy bill too.

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PICTURES, GRAPHS AND CHARTS OF AIR POLLUTION

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CASE STUDY CONCLUSION AND WAYS TO CONTROL

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Air pollution is mostly contributed by the human activities. There are many causes of air

pollution ,and major air pollutants are sulphur dioxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide,

nitrogen oxides emitted by many vehicles and factories., burning of fossil fuels, such as coal,

petroleum ,and gasoline.

These all fossil fuels are used  in all major industries, including the automobiles ,jet planes,

manufacturing industries, power plants.Considering the harmful effect of air pollution on

atmosphere we must all put in efforts to control it.Following are some tips for controlling air

pollution.:-

     Vehicle Care 

   To keep car in a good condition we can timely do servicing of the car and also minimize fuel

exhaust. The fuel can be saved by driving the car at an average speed and turning off in traffic

light.

    Public Transport to be used to prevent air pollution 

   On every occasion possible, we must try to take a public transports. This will helps in two

ways; one it will  prevent  air pollution and other is it will  increase income of public which can

be used for some other purpose or development.

AIR POLLUTION PREVENTION

Technical emission control measures constitute an emission control strategy. Such

measures can reduce pollutant emissions per vehicle kilometer traveled more than in-use

uncontrolled vehicles. Even though technical measures alone are insufficient to make sure the

desired reduction of urban air pollution. In addition to this, we can make  use of alternative fuels

and efficient public transport can  also ensure a major improvement in environmental conditions.

CASE STUDY ON MALAYSIA AIR POLLUTION

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KUALA LUMPUR: The air quality in Malaysia largely deteriorated over the course of Saturday.

As of 5pm, only 19 locations in the country registered good air quality while 30 registered

moderate air quality, according to the Department of Environment's website

The air quality in Tanjung Malim was found to be unhealthy, recording an Air Pollution

Index (API) reading of 113.

52 hotspots were detected in Sumatra while Borneo and peninsula Malaysia recorded 91

and 2 hotspots respectively.

Among the locations which registered moderate air quality are Batu Muda (75), Cheras

(70), Putrjaya (67), Kuala Selangor (78), Port Klang (73), Kemaman (70), Jalan Tasek, Ipoh

(78), Balok Baru, Kuantan (71) and Pasir Gudang (72).

Air quality is considered good if the API reading is between 0 and 50. Moderate air

quality has an API that ranges between 51 and 100 while an API between 101 and 200 indicates

unhealthy air quality.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported from Jambi that the Minister of Environment Rachmat

Witoelar said the authorities would not hesitate to arrest the perpetrators of forest and land fires,

and sent them to prison following the issuance of a new environment law next September.

Quoting Antara news agency Witoelar reportedly said that the new law, effective from

September 8, would give the authority to coordinate with other relevant authorities to arrest those

who burn forests and land bushes.

He said his office would directly fix police lines at the areas affected by fires and

handcuff the perpetrators, before imposing jail sentences upon them. In the meantime, haze has

begun this week to blanket a number of areas in Sumatra and Kalimantan, Antara said.

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Haze and fog blanketed Pekanbaru city after the air over the Riau provincial capital was

clear of haze due to heavy rainfall in the small hours of Saturday.

The dense haze and fog had prompted the attention of activists of the Tsu Chi Foundation in

Pekanbaru.

They went down into the streets distributing masks to passing motorists. They also

distributed the masks in residential complexes like Kuantan Jaya, in Pekanbaru city.

However, the heavy downpour early Saturday could not put out the flames raging in the peat

land in Pekanbaru.

Smoke was still seen billowing into the sky of Panam, Rumbai and Kulim. Data of the

Meteorology, Geophysics and Climatology Office (BMKG) of Pekanbaru, obtained from the

monitoring by the NOAA 18 satellite, show that the forest and land fires were still raging in a

number of areas in Riau province. In Kalimantan, Indonesia is cooperating with Malaysia and

Brunei Darussalam to protect Kalimantan (Borneo) through their 'Heart of Borneo (HOB)'

program.

The 'Heart of Borneo' program is a natural resource conservation and sustainable

utilization program, Hendrik Segah, HOB Coordinator of Central Kalimantan, said here on

Friday.The HOB program is aimed at protecting the sustainable utilization of one of the world's

remaining best forests in Kalimantan for the welfare of the current and future generations.

AIR POLLUTION CONCLUSION

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Air pollution occurs when the air contains gases, dust, fumes or odour in harmful

amounts. That is, amounts which could be harmful to the health or comfort of humans and

animals or which could cause damage to plants and materials.

The substances that cause air pollution are called pollutants. Pollutants that are pumped

into our atmosphere and directly pollute the air are called primary pollutants. Primary pollutant

examples include carbon monoxide from car exhausts and sulfur dioxide from the combustion of

coal.

Further pollution can arise if primary pollutants in the atmosphere undergo chemical

reactions. The resulting compounds are called secondary pollutants. Photochemical smog is an

example of this.With increasing urbanisation and industrialisation, humans started to release

more wastes into the atmosphere than nature could cope with.

Since then, more pollution has been added to the air by industrial, commercial and

domestic sources. As these sources are usually found in major cities, the gases that are produced

are usually concentrated in the air around them. The adverse effects of air pollution were

graphically illustrated in London in 1952 when, in just a few days, an estimated 4000 people died

from effects of fine particle pollution.

It is when these concentrated gases exceed safe limits that we have a pollution problem.

Nature can no longer manage air pollution without our help.Air pollutants mainly occur as a

result of gaseous discharges from industry and motor vehicles. There are also natural sources

such as wind-blown dust and smoke from fires.

Some forms of air pollution create global problems, such as upper atmosphere ozone

depletion and global warming. These problems are very complex, and require international

cooperative efforts to find solutions.

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