Sources & effects

Air Pollution

Definition – Air pollution

Air pollution may be defined as the presence

one or more contaminants or combinations

thereof in air in such quantities and of such

durations as may be or tend to be injurious to

human, animal or plant life, or property, or

which unreasonably interferes with the

comfortable enjoyment of life or property or

conduct of business.

Air pollutant It is a substance or effect dwelling temporarily or

permanently in the air , which adversely alters the environment by interfering with the health, the comfort, or the food chain, or by interfering with the property values of people.

A pollutant can be solid (large or sub-molecular), liquid or gas .

Air pollutant classification

• Gases -compounds of Sulphur, nitrogen, carbon, oxygen etc.

• Natural contaminants-

• Pollen particles, bacteria's

• Aerosols-

• Dust, smoke, mist, fumes, fogs

Sources of Air pollution

Air Pollution may originate from a natural or

anthropogenic source or from both sources.

E.g. of natural source – an erupting volcano,

accidental fire etc.

Man made sources

Man made sources

Stationary sources

Point sources

Industry, Power plants

Fuel combustio

n

Area sources

Incineration, residential, industrial estates

Rail yard, ports,

Mobile sources

Line sources

Highways, railroads

Percentage of Manmade

Pollution

Source CO (%) SO₂ (%) HC(%) NO – Nox

(%)

TRANSPORTATIO

N

92 4 65 42

INDUSTRIES 4 32 26 21

POWER PLANTS - 48 - 32

SPACE HEATING 3 12 3 5

COMBUSTION 1 4 6 0

Industrial Sources

Liquid soap factory

Sulphuric Acid factory

Plastic industry

Acid manufacturing units

Phosphate fertilized industry

Inorganic chemical plants

Metal industry

Aluminum plants

Effects of air pollution

Air pollutant affecting plants are – sulphur

oxide, Fluoride component, Ozone, Chlorine,

Ammonia, herbicides, smog etc.

Forms of damage to the leaves –

1. Necrosis

2. Chlorosis

3. Abscission

4. Epinasty

Dosage of air pollutant on Plants

Pollutant Dose Effect

1. Sulphur oxide Mild Interveinal chloriotic

bleaching of leaves

Sulphur oxide Severe Necrosis in interveinal areas

.

2. Ozone Mild Flakes on upper surfaces,

premature aging and

suppressed growth.

Ozone Severe Collapse of leaf, necrosis,

bleaching

3. Fluorides Cumulative

effect

Necrosis at leaf tip.

4. Nitrogen oxide Mild Suppressed growth , leaf

bleaching

5. Ethylene Mild Epinasty, Leaf abscission

6. PAN Mild Bronzing of upper leaf

Economic losses -methods

Building Materials- corroded and

disfigured by air pollutant by number of

way.

Abrasion

Chemical reaction

Adsorption

Corrosion

Deposition and removal

Effects on materials

Material effects Pollutant for exposure

Metals Loss of luster SO₂ , NO - NOx

Paints Discoloration SO₂ ,H₂S, SPM

Leather Bad gloss with no shine SO₂, CO₂

Paper Increase brittleness SO₂, CO₂, H₂S

Textile Decreases durability SO₂, CO₂

Dyes Bleaching action NO₂, CL₂,H₂S

Rubber Cracks, fatigue O₃, CO₂, CO

Effects on Human bodyMajor Air Pollutant Effect

CO ( carbon Mono-oxide) Interferes the bloods ability to carry oxygen

(by combining with hemoglobin) to heart,

brain, tissues

Fatal for heart patient and new born babies

High dose – leads to Coma

Mild dose – headache & tiredness

O₃ (Ozone) Reacts with lung tissues, cause harmful

changes in breathing passage, decreases

lung working ability and cause cough & chest

pain.

Cause eye & throat irritation

SO₂ ( Sulfur Di Oxide) It constricts air passage, creates asthma and

breathing problem in children.

SPM ( Suspended

particulate Matter)

Smaller particles are inhaled and settled in

lungs leading to breathing problem and lung

cancer

Continued…….

Major Air Pollutant Effect

Pb ( Lead) Damage blood, brain , nerves, kidney,

reproductive organs, and immunity system

No₂, NO ( oxides of

Nitrogen)

Respiratory Pathogens increase,

Eye, throat, lung irritation

PAN (Peroxy acetyl Nitrate) Eye irritation, burning, sneezing, cough and

cold.

Health Effects of Nitrogen

Oxides Short-term exposure at concentrations greater

than 3 parts per million (ppm) can measurably decrease lung function.

Concentrations less than 3 ppm can irritate lungs.

Concentrations as low as 0.1 ppm cause lung irritation and measurable decreases in lung function in asthmatics.

Long-term lower level exposures can destroy lung tissue, leading to emphysema.

Children may also be especially sensitive to the effects of nitrogen oxides

Sulfur Dioxide Ninety-five percent of pollution related sulfur

oxide emissions are in the form of sulfur dioxide

(SO2), a heavy, colorless gas with an odor like a

struck match.

Sulfur dioxide not only has a bad odor, it can

irritate the respiratory system.

Exposure to high concentrations for short periods

of time can constrict the bronchi and increase

mucous flow, making breathing difficult.

Children, the elderly, those with chronic lung

disease, and asthmatics are especially

susceptible to these effects.