Air pollution
-occurs when harmful or excessive
quantities of substances including
gases, particles, and biological
molecules are introduced into Earth's
atmosphere. It may cause diseases, allergies
and even death to humans; it may also cause
harm to other living organisms such as
animals and food crops, and may damage
the natural or built environment. Both
human activity and natural can generate air
pollution.
Local - this concerns the quality of
ambient air within a radius of a few
kilometers
Regional - pollution like acid rain,
photochemical reactions and degradation
of water quality at distances of a few
kilometers to a thousand kilometers
Global - depletion of the ozone layer and
global warming caused by the emission
of greenhouse gases, mainly carbon
dioxide (CO2)
Air pollutants are gases and particles in the
atmosphere that harm organisms and affect
climate.
Point source pollution is when the air
pollutants come from a single source of
origin, such as smokestacks at a single
factory. Non-point source pollution is
when the air pollutants come from many
sources, such as all of the cars in the U.S.
mobile sources – such as cars, buses, planes,
trucks, and trains
stationary sources – such as power plants,
oil refineries, industrial facilities, and
factories
area sources – such as agricultural areas,
cities, and wood burning fireplaces
natural sources – such as wind-blown dust,
wildfires, and volcanoes
Types Of Air Pollution
PARTICULATE MATTER
What is it?
Particulate matter is a complex mixture of
solids and liquids, including carbon,
complex organic chemicals, sulphates,
nitrates, mineral dust, and water suspended
in the air.
It varies in size. Some particles, such as
dust, soot, dirt or smoke are large or dark
enough to be seen with the naked eye. But
the most damaging particles are the smaller
particles, known as PM10and PM2.5.
PM10refers to particles with a diameter that’s
smaller than 10 microns (10µm) – that’s 10
millionths of a metre. PM2.5 refers to
particles with a diameter smaller than 2.5
microns, and these are known as fine
particles. The smallest fine particles, less
than 0.1 micron in diameter, are called
ultrafine particles.Secondary sources "let off
gases that can form particles" and originate
from power plants and coal fires.
Where does it come from?
Man-made particulate matter mainly comes
from industrial processes, construction
work, emissions from diesel and petrol
engines, friction from brakes and tires, and
dust from road surfaces. Diesel engines tend
to produce much more than equivalent petrol
engines.
Natural sources of particulate matter include
volcanoes, sea spray, pollen and soil. It is
also formed in the atmosphere when gases
such as nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide
are changed in the air by chemical reactions.
How does it affect your lungs?
The size of particulate matter will determine
where it will end up once you breathe it in.
Larger particles may be trapped in your
nose, while PM10 can reach your airways.
Fine particles (PM2.5) may reach the
breathing sacs deep in your lungs, and
ultrafine particles may even cross into your
blood stream. These particles can carry toxic
chemicals which are linked to cancer.
Particulates can contribute to
asthma, heart disease, and some types of
cancers.
Particulate matter irritates your nose and
throat and may be associated with more
severe symptoms in people with asthma. It
results in more people with lung conditions
(COPD, asthma, bronchitis) and heart
conditions (heart attacks, strokes) being
admitted to hospital. It also causes early
deaths from lung and heart disease.
There’s also evidence that long-term
exposure to particulate matter can contribute
to the development of lung cancer and
possibly asthma.
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
What is it?
Nitrogen dioxide is a gas and is a major
component of urban air pollution episodes.
Where does it come from?
Man-made sources of nitrogen oxides,
including nitrogen dioxide, are vehicles,
power stations and heating. Diesel vehicles
are major contributors in urban areas.
Roadside levels are highest where traffic is
busiest.
How does it affect your lungs?
High levels of NO2 can irritate and inflame
the lining of your airways, causing a flare-up
of asthma or COPD and symptoms such as
coughing and difficulty breathing.
Children and older people are also more
affected and more likely to develop a
respiratory infection, or react to an allergen
(any substance that triggers an allergic
reaction, such as pollen).
OZONE
What is it?
Ozone is a gas composed of three atoms of
oxygen. In the upper level of the Earth’s
atmosphere, it absorbs harmful ultraviolet
radiation.
Where does it come from?
Near the ground, ozone is made by a
chemical reaction between the sun’s rays
and organic gases and oxides of nitrogen
emitted by cars, power plants, chemical
plants and other sources.
Levels of ozone tend to be highest in the
spring and summer and lowest in the winter.
Ozone reaches its peak concentration during
the afternoon. Levels are often higher in the
country than in towns. Ozone is a major
component of summer air pollution
episodes.
How does it affect your lungs?
Ozone can irritate the airways of healthy
people and people with lung conditions.
High levels can cause you discomfort when
you breathe, reduce your lung capacity (the
amount of air your lungs can hold) and
trigger asthma symptoms.
If you have a lung condition, high levels of
ozone can cause you to have difficulty
breathing, to wheeze and to cough. People
with asthma may need to use their reliever
inhaler more.
When there are high levels of ozone, more
people are admitted to hospital with asthma-
related health problems and COPD
symptoms, and there is a greater risk of
illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis.
SULFUR DIOXIDE
What is it?
Sulfur dioxide is a colorless gas, with a
pungent, suffocating smell.
Where does it come from?
It’s produced by burning sulfur-containing
fuels such as coal and oil. This includes,
vehicles, power generation and heating.
Most Sulfur dioxide comes from electric
industries that burn fossil fuels, and also
from petrol refineries and cement
manufacturing. It can be transported over
long distances and contributes to the
formation of ozone.
How does it affect your lungs?
Sulfur dioxide can irritate the lining of your
nose, throat and lungs. It can cause coughing
and tightness of your chest, as well as a
narrowing of your airway that will reduce
the flow of air to your lungs. It inflames the
airways, causing coughing and more mucus.
It makes conditions like asthma and COPD
worse. It makes people more prone to chest
infections.
People with asthma are much more sensitive
to sulfur dioxide than those who do not have
asthma. They may find breathing more
difficult and have flare-ups when
concentrations of sulfur dioxide are high.
Carbon monoxide is produced by the
incomplete burning of fossil fuels in
vehicles, home heating equipment, and
industrial plants, among many other sources,
and is a colorless and odorless gas,
poisonous to humans and animals when
inhaled, states CDC. It can cause poisoning,
whose symptoms "are headache, dizziness,
weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest
pain, and confusion", and lead to death when
inhaled by sleeping or drunk people
Lead is emitted into the air by vehicles and
industrial sites and by waste burning
facilities. Manufacture and recycling of
lead-acid batteries, processing of metals,
iron and steel, copper, glass, cement, and
industrial and institutional boilers are other
sources of lead. People can inhale lead
directly or be affected by it when it settles
on soil. It is a neurotoxin when present in
the body in high concentrations, and causes
immune issues, reproductive problems, brain
damage, kidney disease, and cardiovascular
problems.
Dioxin is present in plastics, and is released
during its manufacture and if plastic waste is
incinerated. It causes skin lesions, and
affects the liver as well as immune, nervous,
endocrine and reproductive systems.
Benzene pollution occurs during some
industrial processes and use of products
containing petroleum, like plastics. Tobacco
smoke exposure is another source. It can
cause cancer and anemia
Pollen from trees, weeds and grass can
cause allergies and hay fever, and is a health
problem even if it is not lethal. Pollen
pollution is expected to increase with global
warming as growing seasons lengthen,
Mold is a problem affecting indoor air
quality. Some molds produce toxins that
bring on allergies and asthma. Molds occur
in damp buildings or those with high
humidity.
Many More
PREVENTION
Scrubbers
Devices called wet scrubbers trap suspended
particles by direct contact with a spray of
water or other liquid. In effect, a scrubber
washes the particulates out of the dirty
airstream as they collide with and are
entrained by the countless tiny droplets in
the spray.
Electrostatic precipitators
Electrostatic precipitation is a commonly
used method for removing fine particulates
from airstreams. In an electrostatic
precipitator, particles suspended in the
airstream are given an electric charge as
they enter the unit and are then removed by
the influence of an electric field
 Conserve energy – remember to turn  Avoid burning leaves, trash, and
off lights, computers, and electric other materials
appliances when not in use - at
home, at work, everywhere.
 Use energy efficient light
bulbs and appliances
 Participate in your local utility’s
energy conservation programs
 Limit driving by carpooling, using
public transportation, biking and
walking
 Combine errands for fewer trips.
Walk to errands when possible.
 Keep your automobile well-tuned
and maintained. Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions on
routine maintenance, such as
changing the oil and filters, and
checking tire pressure and wheel
alignment.
 Avoid excessive idling of your
automobile
 Drive electric or plug-in hybrid
electric vehicles
 Use electric or hand-powered lawn
care equipment
 Be careful not to spill gasoline when
filling up your car or gasoline
powered lawn and garden equipment
 Run dishwashers and clothes
washers only when full
 Choose environmentally friendly
cleaners
 Enforce clean air act laws
 Sealcontainers of household
cleaners, workshop chemicals and
solvents, and garden chemicals to
prevent volatile organic compounds
from evaporating into the air
 Consider purchasing portable
gasoline containers labeled “spill-
proof,” where available.
 Use environmentally safe paints and
cleaning products whenever possible.