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AIR POLLUTION
A chemical, particulate matter, or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere.
World-wide air pollution is responsible for large numbers of deaths and cases of respiratory diseases.
A complex, dynamic natural gaseous system that is essential to support life on planet Earth. While major stationary sources are often identified with air pollution, the greatest source of emissions is actually mobile sources, mainly automobiles.
There are many substances in the air which may impair the health of plants and animals (including humans), or reduce visibility. Substances not naturally found in the air or at greater concentrations or in different locations from usual are referred to as POLLUTANTS.
SOURCE OF POLLUTANTS
Arise both from natural processes and human activity. Pollutants can be classified as either PRIMARY or SECONDARY. Gases such as carbon dioxide, which contribute to global warming, have recently gained recognition as pollutants by some scientists.
Primary pollutants are substances directly emitted from a process, such as ash from a volcanic eruption or the carbon monoxide gas from a motor vehicle exhaust.
Secondary pollutants are not emitted directly. Rather, they form in the air when primary pollutants react or interact. An important example of a secondary pollutant is ground level ozone - one of the many secondary pollutants that make up photochemical smog.
Sulfur oxides (SOx) especially sulfur dioxide are emitted from burning of coal and oil.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) especially nitrogen dioxide are emitted from high temperature combustion. Can be seen as the brown haze dome above or plume downwind of cities.
CO is colourless, odourless, 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. Carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas emitted from combustion and respiration.
Volatile organic compounds (VOC), such as hydrocarbon fuel vapors and solvents. Particulate matter (PM), measured as smoke and dust. PM10 is the fraction of suspended particles 10 micrometers in diameter and smaller that will enter the nasal cavity. PM2.5 has a maximum particle size of 2.5 m and will enter the bronchies and lungs.
Toxic metals, such as Lead, Cadmium and Copper. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), harmful to the ozone layer emitted from products currently banned from use.
Ammonia processes.
emitted
from
agricultural
RADIOACTIVE POLLUTANTS produced by nuclear explosions and war explosives, and natural processes such as radon.
SECONDARY POLLUTANTS
Particulate matter formed from gaseous primary pollutants and compounds in photochemical smog, such as nitrogen dioxide. Ground level ozone formed from NOx and VOCs. Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) similarly formed from NOx and VOCs.
Stationary Sources as smoke stacks of power plants, manufacturing facilities, municipal waste incinerators.
Mobile Sources as motor vehicles, aircraft etc.
NATURAL SOURCES
Dust from natural sources, usually large areas of land with little or no vegetation. METHANE, emitted by the digestion of food by animals, for example cattle.
Lack of ventilation indoors concentrates air pollution where people often spend the majority of their time. Radon (Rn) gas, a carcinogen, is exuded from the Earth in certain locations and trapped inside houses.
Radon gas is responsible for over 1,800 deaths annually in the United Kingdom
Building materials including carpeting and plywood emit Formaldehyde gas. Paint and solvents give off volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as they dry. Lead paint can degenerate into dust and be inhaled. Intentional air pollution is introduced with the use of air fresheners, incense, and other scented items.
Controlled wood fires in stoves and fireplaces can add significant amounts of smoke particulates into the air, inside and out. Indoor pollution fatalities may be caused by using pesticides and other chemical sprays indoors without proper ventilation.
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and fatalities are often caused by faulty vents and chimneys, or by the burning of charcoal indoors. Many Indian pilgrims who travel to the Himalayan holy shrines have died grizzly deaths due to usage of SIGRIS.
Extensive use of ASBESTOS in industrial and domestic environments in the past has left a potentially very dangerous material in many localities.
ASBESTOSIS is a chronic inflammatory medical condition affecting the tissue of the lungs. It occurs after long-term, heavy exposure to asbestos from asbestos-containing materials in structures. Sufferers have severe dyspnea (shortness of breath) and are at an increased risk regarding several different types of lung cancer.
BIOLOGICAL SOURCES OF IP
Also found indoors, as gases and airborne particulates. Pets produce DANDER.
People produce dust from minute skin flakes and decomposed hair. Dust mites in bedding, carpeting and furniture produce enzymes and micron-sized fecal droppings.
HEALTH EFFECTS
The (WHO) states that 4.6 million people die each year from causes directly attributable to air pollution. Many of these mortalities are attributable to indoor air pollution. Worldwide more deaths per year are linked to air pollution than to automobile accidents. Around 310,000 Europeans die from air pollution annually.
DIRECT EFFECTS
Aggravated asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, lung and heart diseases, and respiratory allergies.
Leaked industrial vapors from the Union Carbide factory, belonging to Union Carbide, Inc., U.S.A., killed more than 2,000 people outright and injured anywhere from 150,000 to 600,000 others, some 6,000 of whom would later die from their injuries.
CASE HISTORIES
The United Kingdom suffered its worst air pollution event when the December 4th Great Smog of 1952 formed over London. In six days more than 4,000 died, and 8,000 more died within the following months. An accidental leak of anthrax spores from a biological warfare laboratory in the former USSR in 1979 near Sverdlovsk is believed to have been the cause of hundreds of civilian deaths. The worst single incident of air pollution to occur in the United States of America occurred in Donora, Pennsylvania in late October, 1948, when 20 people died and over 7,000 were injured.
First class of standards (such as the U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards) set maximum atmospheric concentrations for specific pollutants.
Second class (such as the North American Air Quality Index) take the form of a scale with various thresholds, which is used to communicate to the public the relative risk of outdoor activity. The scale may or may not distinguish between different pollutants.
OIL REFINERIES
Industries
Monitoring
Terra sees CO in the atmosphere from 2-3 miles above the surface
Case History CHINA Coke Plant Campaign leader Liu Hongkui, 77, says many people blame local cancer deaths
Chinas Woes
In 1986 the government ordered that coke plants must be at least 1,000 m from residential areas. But some plants are just 20 m from homes. "Our former premier Li Peng once said that we would never have to sacrifice our lives for our countrys rise to prosperity. "But our pollution problems here have never been solved."
A reluctant govt, no infrastructure, excuses from all sides. Delhis air quality turnaround has vital lessons for Mumbai city planners. Like a deadly shroud, a black haze covered Indias capital. Children were being born asthmatic, respiratory illnesses spread like wildfire, and cancers menaced the city; Year 1997.
NEW DELHI
One of the worlds 10 most polluted cities, with vehicles accounting for 70 % of polluting emissions.
Pollution levels exceeded World Health Organisation standards by nearly five times. A turnaround seemed impossible. Then, the Supreme Court stepped in.
Won the US Department of Energys first Clean Cities International Partner of the Year award for bold efforts to curb air pollution and support alternative fuel initiatives. Compared to 1997, CO levels are down 32 %, sulfur dioxide levels, 39 %.
How?????
Delhi is a showpiece example of making air quality safe with its entire public transport fleet converted to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) on a scale unparalleled anywhere else 80,000 CNG vehicles including 9,000 buses.
Delhi has banned taxis, buses and auto rickshaws older than 15 years
Public interest litigation by the Centre of Science and Environment in 1996. Resulted in a series of Supreme Court orders, the major step being introduction of CNG for public transport in 1998. Environment Protection Control Authority (EPCA) set up by Supreme Court instrumental in exposing govt. lies.
Landmark dates
April 1995: Mandatory fitting of catalytic convertors. April 1996: Low sulfur diesel introduced. April 1998: Introduction of CNG buses in Delhi. Sept 1998: Complete removal of lead in petrol. Dec 1998: Restriction of plying of goods vehicles during the day. Sept 1999: Amendment of Motor Vehicles Act to include CNG. April 2000: Private vehicles to be registered only if they conform to Euro II standards. April 2000: Eight-year-old commercial vehicles phased out. Nov 2002: Conversion of all public transport buses to CNG.