Topic: Gaseous Air Pollutant and Odour Generating Gases

Reporter: Ken Reynan J. Devibar

I. Gaseous Air Pollutants

Jeremy Collins, a renowned author, believed that are three main types of gaseous air
pollutants. These are Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Oxides of nitrogen (NOx = NO + NO2), and
Ozone (O3). Other important gaseous pollutants are ammonia, carbon dioxide, volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The primary source
of these gases is the combustion of fossil fuels in power plants, various industrial
processes, and motor vehicles and equipment.

Three Main Types of Gaseous Air Pollutants:

1. Sulphur Dioxide

Sulphur is contained within all fossil

fuels, and is released in the form of sulphur
dioxide (SO2) during fossil fuel combustion.
Fossil fuel combustion accounts for almost
all anthropogenic (human-caused) sulphur
emissions. Sulphur contents in fossil fuels
range between 0.1% and 4% in oil, oil by-
products and coal, and up to 40% in natural
gas. Currently, the most important sources of
sulphur dioxide emissions (as a result of
fossil fuel combustion) are electric power
generating plants.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is an air pollutant known primarily for its role in acid rain. SO2 is
emitted naturally from volcanoes. Once in the atmosphere, SO2 is converted to other
compounds such as sulfuric acid (H2SO4), the primary contributor to acid rain. SO2 also
reacts to form sulfate aerosols. Both SO2 gas and sulfate aerosols cause breathing problems,
particularly for people with existing respiratory illnesses such as asthma.

2. Nitrogen Oxides

The two main nitrogen oxides are nitric oxide (NO), or nitrogen monoxide, and nitrogen
dioxide (NO2) the sum of which is equal to NOx. Nitric oxide (NO) is a colorless gas.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a gas of reddish-brown color with a distinct sharp, biting odor.
Combustion of fuels always produces both NO2 and NO. But almost 90% of the NOX
combustion product is in the form of NO which is then oxidized to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in
the air. Road transport (motor vehicles) is by far the largest contributor of nitrogen emissions.
 NO and NO2 react with
sunlight and unburned gasoline
in a matter of hours to days to
produce ozone that is critical in
the development of
photochemical smog.
Atmospheric NOx also reacts to
produce nitric acid. While it is
stable in dry air, nitric acid is
very soluble and, along with
sulphuric acid, significantly
contributes to acid rain. Because
acid rain and smog involve the reactions of NOx, restrictions on their emissions are a
common approach to air quality management even though only NO2 is classed as a criteria
pollutant.

3. Ozone

Ozone can be found in the

stratosphere, one of the upper
layers of the atmosphere, where it
occurs naturally, and the
troposphere, the lowest layer of
the atmosphere, where it occurs
both naturally and as a result of
human-generated emissions.
Ozone which is formed in the
troposphere as a result of
anthropogenic emissions of
primary pollutants has negative
effects on humans and the natural environment. The tropospheric ozone is the main
component of the photochemical smog. A photochemical smog (of brown-yellow color) is a
product of the chemical reaction between sunlight, nitrogen oxides and VOCs, which results
in the formation of ozone and airborne particles.

Short-term exposure to ozone peaks can temporarily affect the lungs, the respiratory tract,
and the eyes. It can also increase the susceptibility to inhaled allergens. Long-term exposure
to relatively low concentrations of ozone can reduce lung function. Ground level ozone can
also have harmful effects on sensitive vegetation and ecosystems.

Other Gaseous Air Pollutants

1. Ammonia - The main local problem of ammonia released into air is the unpleasant
odour, which is detectable even at low concentrations. At particularly high
concentrations it can also harm vegetation. The harm caused by ammonia in water
 bodies is more serious, because it is very toxic to aquatic organisms. Agriculture is by
far the biggest source of ammonia emissions.
2. Carbon Dioxide - Carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, is the main pollutant that is
warming Earth. Motor vehicles and industry are among the largest anthropogenic
sources of carbon monoxide emissions.
3. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are
defined as organic compounds which easily evaporate and enter the atmosphere.
VOCs may include a wide range of organic air pollutants, from pure hydrocarbons to
partially oxidized hydrocarbons to organic compounds containing chlorine, sulfur, or
nitrogen. The major anthropogenic sources of VOCs include solvent use (including
paints, adhesives, aerosols, metal cleaning and printing), road transport (emissions
from fuel / petroleum use), production processes, and extraction and distribution of
fossil fuels.
4. Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) - Persistent organic pollutants are compounds
which are resistant to degradation and persistent in the environment, with half lives of
years in the soil or sediment and days in the atmosphere. Such compounds may
include dioxins, furans, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine
pesticides such as DDT.

II. Odour Generating Gases

Odour can be defined as the “perception of smell” or in scientific terms as “a

sensation resulting from the reception of stimulus by the olfactory sensory system”.
Whether pleasant or unpleasant, odours are induced by inhaling air-borne volatile organic
or inorganic substances.

The smell is one which causes discomfort and distress but odour is one which under
different conditions can be considered pleasing. Odorous gases emitted from a source are
carried & spread away by wind movement in atmosphere. In fact, the osmogenic
molecules (the smell) enter the nasal cavity through the nostrils and excite the
osmoceptors.

Common Odorous Gasses

1. Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S)

Hydrogen sulphide is well known because of its bad egg odour, which can be smelt
down to less than 0.1ppm. High concentrations (>60ppm) cannot be smelt due to
paralysis of the olfactory glands, and exposure can lead to instant paralysis. H2S is
slightly heavier than air, and thus fixed detectors are usually mounted 1 to 1.5 metres
from the ground, or near potential sources of leaks.

H2S is produced during the decay of organic materials, extracted with oil (when the
oil is said to be sour) and is often found underground during tunnelling and in sewers. It is
a constituent of biogas and found in large quantities in sewage treatment works, pumping
stations, press
houses, boiler
houses, and virtually
anywhere where
sewage is being
treated. It has some
industrial uses and is
produced as a by-
product in others
(e.g. fibre
manufacture).

Short-term symptoms and effects of H2S

2. Ammonia (NH3)

Ammonia has a very distinct, pungent odor, described as similar to sweat or cat urine.
Strong, briny cheeses like brie can also smell like ammonia. Cheeses even have small
amounts of ammonia in them, as a natural by-product of the cheese aging process.

About 80% of the ammonia produced in industry is used in agriculture as fertilizer.

Ammonia is also used as a refrigerant gas, to purify water supplies, and in the
manufacture of plastics, explosives, fabrics, pesticides, dyes and other chemicals. It is
found in many household and industrial-strength cleaning solutions. Cleaning solutions
for industrial use contain higher concentrations of ammonia and can quickly cause
irritation and burns.

Ammonia is corrosive. The severity of health effects depends on the route of

exposure, the dose and the duration of exposure. Exposure to high concentrations of
ammonia in air causes immediate burning of the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract
and can result in blindness, lung damage or death. Inhalation of lower concentrations can
cause coughing, and nose and throat irritation.
3. Methyl Mercaptan (CH3SH)

Methyl mercaptan, or methanethiol, is a colorless, flammable gas with a distinct odor

that smells like rotten eggs or cabbage. It is found in coal tar and petroleum distillates and
as an emission from paper and pulp mills. Methyl mercaptan occurs naturally in some
foods (e.g., onions, radishes, asparagus, some nuts and cheese).

Other uses for mercaptan in industry include jet fuel, pharmaceuticals, livestock feed
additives, chemical plants, the plastics industry and pesticides. It is a natural substance
found in the blood, brain, and other tissues of people and animals. It is released from
animal faeces. Mercaptan is less corrosive and less toxic than similar sulphur compounds
(H2S).

When inhaled, methyl mercaptan can cause symptoms including headaches, dizziness,
nausea, and eye irritation. At significant doses, methyl mercaptan inhalation can lead to
more serious health complications and can be fatal.

4. Sulphur Dioxide

Sulphur Dioxide is colourless and has a characteristic choking smell. It is formed

when burning sulphur, and materials containing sulphur such as oil and coal. It is highly
acidic, forming sulphuric acid when dissolved in water. Along with the oxides of
nitrogen, it is a cause of acid rain.

Sulphur dioxide is very toxic, it can cause death. It can also cause severe irritation of
the nose and throat. At high concentration, it can cause life-threatening accumulation of
fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema). Symptoms may include coughing, shortness of
breath, difficult breathing and tightness in the chest. A single exposure to a high
concentration can cause a long-lasting condition like asthma.
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