UNIT-IV

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
CONTENTS
AIRPOLLUTION
TYPES OF POLLUTANT
MODELLING & CONTROL
NOISE POLLUTION
MEASUREMENT,NOISE LIMITS
TRAFFIC NOISE CONTROL
Definition
Air pollutionis the introduction
of harmful substances
includingparticulatesandbiologi
cal molecules intoEarth's
atmosphere

Particulates: those are

microscopic solid or liquid matter
suspended in the Earth's
atmosphere
It may cause diseases, allergies
or death in humans
it may also cause harm to other
living organisms such as animals
and food crops, and may damage
thenaturalorbuilt environment
Human activity and natural
processes can both generate air
pollution.
POLLUATANT
An air pollutant is a substance in
the air that can have adverse
effects on humans and the
ecosystem. The substance can be
solid particles, liquid droplets, or
gases.
Pollutants are classified as
primary or secondary. Primary
pollutants are usually produced
from a process, such as ash from
a volcanic eruption
Other examples includecarbon monoxide
gas from motor vehicle exhaust, or the
sulfur dioxidereleased from factories
Rather, they form in the air when primary
pollutants react or interact.
Ground level ozoneis a prominent
example of a secondary pollutant.
Some pollutants may be both primary
and secondary: they are both emitted
directly and formed from other primary
pollutants.
Carbon dioxide(CO2) - This is by
far the most emitted form of
human caused air pollution.
billions of metric tons of CO2are
emitted annually by burning
offossil fuels CO2increase in
earth's atmosphere has been
accelerating.
Sulfur oxide(SOx) - SO2is produced
by volcanoes and in various industrial
processes. Coal and petroleum often
contain sulfur compounds, and their
combustion generates sulfur dioxide.
Further oxidation of SO2, Forms
H2SO4, and thusacid rain
This is one of the causes for concern
over the environmental impact of the
use of these fuels as power sources.
Nitrogen oxides(NOx) - Nitrogen
oxides, particularlynitrogen
dioxide, are expelled from high
temperature combustion.
Carbon monoxide (CO) - CO is a
colorless, odorless, toxic yet non-
irritating gas. It is a product
ofincomplete combustion of fuel
such as natural gas, coal or wood.
Volatile organic compounds(VOC)
- VOCs are a well-known outdoor
air pollutant. They are
categorized as either methane
(CH4) or non-methane (NMVOCs)
Toxicmetals,such
asleadandmercury, especially
their compounds
Chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs) -
harmful to theozone layer; emitted
from products are currently banned
from use. These are gases which
are released from air conditioners,
refrigerators,, etc. On release into
the air, CFCs rise to
thestratosphere. Here they come
in contact with other gases and
damage theozone layer
Ammonia(NH3) - emitted from
agricultural processes. Ammonia
is a compound with the formula
NH3. It is normally encountered
as a gas with a characteristic
pungent odor. Ammonia, either
directly or indirectly, is also a
building block for the synthesis of
many pharmaceuticals.
Odours-- such as from garbage,
sewage, and industrial processes
Radioactive pollutants -
produced bynuclear explosions,
nuclear events, warexplosives
and natural processes such as
theradioactive decay ofradon.
SOURCES
These sources can be classified into two
major categories
Anthropogenic (man-made) sources:
Stationary sourcesinclude smoke
stacks ofpower plants and other types of
fuel-burning heating devices.
In developing and poor countries,
traditional biomass burning is the major
source of air pollutants
traditional biomass includes wood, crop
waste and dung.
Mobile sourcesincludemotor
vehicles, marine vessels, and
aircraft.
Military resources,such
asnuclear weapons ,toxic
gases,germ warfare androcketry
Natural sources:
Dust from natural sources,
usually large areas of land with
little or no vegetation
Methane emittedby
thedigestion of food byanimals,
for examplecattle.
smokeandcarbon
monoxidefromwildfires
Volcanic activity, which
producessulfur,chlorine, and ash
AIR QUALITY STANDARDS
National AmbientAir Quality
Standardsare
thestandardsfor ambientair
qualityset by the
CentralPollution Control Board
(CPCB) that is applicable
nationwide
The CPCB has been conferred this
power by theAir(Prevention and
Control ofPollution) Act, 1981.
STANDARDS
Methods to control
Use ESP, Mechanical dust
collectors, bag house FILTERS at
industries
Prefer public transport to reduce
less fuel consumption
Plantation of tress necessary
Make use of CNG automobiles.
NOISE POLLUTION
Noise pollutionornoise
disturbanceis the disturbing or
excessivenoisethat may harm
the activity or balance of human
or animal life.
The source of most outdoor noise
worldwide is mainly caused
bymachinesandtransportation
systems,motor vehicles,aircraft,
andtrains.
Poorurban planningmay give
rise to noise pollution, since side-
by-side industrial and residential
buildings can result in noise
pollution in the residential areas
Outdoor noise can be caused by
machines, construction activities,
and music performances,
especially in some workplaces.
effects
Noise can do Physiological and or /
Psychological damage if the volume is
high or if exposure is prolonged.
Hearing Loss: Loud noise damages
fine hair cell in the ear. The vibration of
these hair cells is responsible for
hearing of Sound by us, Since our body
cannot replace damaged hair cells.
Permanent Hearing loss is caused by
long term exposure to loud noise.
Physiological effects:
The Physiological effects like breathing
difficulty, rise in blood pressure,
migraine, headaches, constriction of
blood vessels and even heart attacks.
The working of humans will be affected
as they will lose their concentration
Nervous System:
It causes pain ringing in ears, feeling of
tiredness, thereby effecting functioning
of human system
Sleeplessness: It affects the
sleeping thereby inducing the
people to become restless and
loose concentration and presence
of mind during their activities.
Noise is not only a nuisance but a
serious environmental problem
and a health hazard. Like all
other pollution, noise pollution is
needed to be controlled. Noise
pollution can be effectively
controlled by taking following
measures.
Forpeople working in noisy
areas ear protection aids like ear
plugs, muffs, noise helmets, head
phones etc should be provided it
reduces occupational exposure.
Controlling at source
Zoning Increased distance between
source and receiver by zoning of noisy
industrial areas like bus stand and railway
stations away from silence zones near
residential areas, educational institutions
and hospitals. Sound Insulation A)
Sound insulations can be done by
constructing windows with more than one
panes of glass and filling the gap with
sound absorbing material. B) Acoustical
tiles, perforated plywood can be fixed on
wall, ceilings, floors to reduce noise.
Planting of Trees Planting of trees and
shrubs along roads, hospitals,
educational institutions help in noise
reduction to a considerable extent.
Legislative measures Strict legislative
measures need to be enforced to control
the nuisance of noise pollution some of
the measures are A) Minimum use of
loud speakers, near silence zones. B)
Banning Pressure horns in automobiles C)
Framing a separate noise pollution act.
NOISE LIMITS
The Central Pollution Control
Board constituted a Committee
on Noise Pollution Control.The
Committee recommended noise
srandards for automobiles,
domestic appliances and
construction equipments, which
were laternotified in
Environment(Protection)
Rules,1986 as given below:-