Air Pollution

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aggravated because of four developments:

Increasing traffic, growing cities, rapid Economic Development, and industrialization

contamination of air by the discharge of harmful substances

 

Major air pollutants and their sources

  1. Carbon monoxide (CO)
  • It is a colourless, odourless gas that is produced by the incomplete burning of carbon – based fuels including petrol, diesel, and wood.
  • It is also produced from the combustion of natural and synthetic products such as cigarettes.
  • It lowers the amount of Oxygen that enters our blood. It can slow our reflexes and make us confused and sleepy.
  1. Carbon dioxide (CO2)

principle greenhouse gas

  1. Chloroflorocarbons (CFC)
  • gases that are released mainly fromair-conditioning systems and refrigeration.
  • When released into the air, CFCs rise to the Stratosphere, where they come in contact with few other gases, which lead to a reduction of the ozone layer that protects the earth from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.

 

  1. Lead

present in petrol, diesel, lead batteries, paints, hair dye products, etc.

affects children in particular. cause nervous system damage and digestive problems and, in some cases, cause cancer.

 

  1. Ozone
  • occurs naturally in the upper layers of the Atmosphere.
  • at-the ground level, it is a pollutant with highly toxic effects.
  • Vehicles and industries are the major source of ground-level ozone emissions.
  • Ozone makes our eyes itch, burn, and water. It lowers our resistance to cold and pneumonia.

 

  1. Nitrogen oxide (Nox)
  • causes smog and Acid Rain. It is produced from burning fuels including petrol, diesel, and coal.
  • Nitrogen oxide can make children susceptible to respiratory diseases in winters.

 

  1. Suspended particulate matter (SPM)
  • consists of solids in the air in the form of smoke, dust, and vapour that can remain suspended for extended periods
  • The finer of these particles when breathed in can lodge in our lungs and cause lung damage and respiratory problems.

 

  1. Sulphur dioxide (S02)
  • a gas produced from burning coal, mainly in thermal power Plants.
  • Some industrial processes, such as production of paper and smelting of metals, produce sulphur dioxide.
  • a major contributor to smog and acid rain.
  • Sulphur dioxide can lead to lung diseases

 

  1. Smog
  • a combination of the words fog and smoke. Smog is a condition of fog that had soot or smoke in it.
  • interaction of sunlight with certain chemicals in the atmosphere.
  • primary components of photochemical smog is ozone.
  • Ozone is formed through a complex reaction involving hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and sunlight. It is formed when pollutants released from gasoline, diesel- powered vehicles and oil-based solvents react with heat and sunlight from biofuels, the four most serious pollutants are particulates, carbon monoxide, polycyclic organic matter, and formaldehyde

 

Pollutants

  1. i) Volatile organic compounds

The main indoor sources are perfumes, hair sprays, furniture polish, glues, air

fresheners, moth repellents, wood preservatives, and other products.

 

  1. ii) Biological pollutants

It includes pollen from plants, mite, and hair from pets, Fungi, parasites, and some bacteria.

iii) Formaldehyde

Mainly from carpets, particle boards, and insulation foam. It causes irritation to the eyes and nose and allergies.

  1. iv) Radon

It is a gas that is emitted naturally by the Soil. Due to modern houses having poor ventilation, it is confined inside the house and causes lung cancers.

 

Fly Ash

Ash is produced whenever combustion of solid material takes place.

Composition

  1. Aluminium silicate (in.large amounts)
  2. silicon dioxide (Si02) and
  3. Calcium oxide (Ca0).

Fly ash particles are oxide rich and consist of silica, alumina, oxides of iron, calcium, and magnesium and toxic heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cobalt, and coppers

 

Policy measures of MoEF:

  • The Ministry of Environment and Forests vide its notification in 2009, has made it mandatory to use Fly Ash based products in all construction projects, road embankment works and low lying land filling works within 100 kms radius of Thermal Power Station.
  • To use Fly Ash in mine filling activities within 50 kms radius of Thermal Power Stations.
  • Arresters: These are used to separate particulate matters from contaminated air.
  • Scrubbers: These are used to clean air for both dusts and gases by passing it through a dry or wet packing material.

Government Initiatives

(1) National Air Quality Monitoring Programme

In India, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has been executing a nationwide programme of ambient air quality monitoring known as National Air Quality Monitoring

Programme (NAMP).

The National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) is undertaken in India

(i) to determine status and trends of ambient air quality;

(ii) to ascertain the compliance of NAAQS;

(iii) to identify non-attainment cities;

(iv) to understand the natural process of cleaning in the atmosphere; and

(v) to undertake preventive and corrective measures.

Annual Average concentration of SOx levels are within the prescribed National Ambient

Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) were notified in the year 1982, duly revised in 1994 based on Health criteria and land uses .

The NAAQS have been revisited and revised in November 2009 for 12 pollutants, which include. sulphur dioxide (S02), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter having size less than 10 micron

(PM10),particulate matter having size less than 2.5micron (PM2.5), ozone, lead, carbon monoxide (CO), arsenic, nickel, benzene, ammonia, and. Benzopyrene.,

Air pollution is the contamination of the air by noxious gases, particulate matter, and other substances that are harmful to human health and the environment. Air pollution can cause a variety of health problems, including respiratory infections, heart disease, and cancer. It can also damage crops and Ecosystems.

There are many sources of air pollution, including cars, power plants, factories, and wildfires. Air pollution can be transported long distances by the wind, so even people who live far from pollution sources can be affected.

There are a number of things that can be done to reduce air pollution, including:

  • Reducing emissions from cars and other vehicles
  • Using cleaner energy sources, such as solar and wind power
  • Improving Energy Efficiency
  • Planting trees and other vegetation
  • Investing in air pollution control technologies

Air pollution is a serious problem that affects people all over the world. It is important to take steps to reduce air pollution and protect our health and environment.

Air quality index

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a measure of how polluted the air is. The AQI is based on the levels of five major air pollutants: ground-level ozone, particle pollution (also known as particulate matter), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.

The AQI is reported on a scale from 0 to 500. AQI values below 100 are considered good, values from 101 to 150 are considered moderate, values from 151 to 200 are considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, values from 201 to 300 are considered unhealthy, and values over 300 are considered hazardous.

Air pollution and health

Air pollution can cause a variety of health problems, including respiratory infections, heart disease, and cancer. It can also damage crops and ecosystems.

Air pollution can cause respiratory infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis. It can also worsen asthma and other chronic lung diseases. Air pollution can also cause heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

Air pollution can damage crops and ecosystems. It can reduce crop yields and make plants more susceptible to pests and diseases. Air pollution can also damage forests and other ecosystems.

Air pollution and Climate change

Air pollution is a major contributor to Climate Change. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to Global Warming. Air pollution also contributes to climate change by causing changes in the Earth’s atmosphere.

Air pollution can cause changes in the Earth’s atmosphere by increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. It can also cause changes in the Earth’s atmosphere by increasing the amount of particulate matter in the atmosphere. Particulate matter can block sunlight and reflect heat back into space.

Air pollution control

There are a number of things that can be done to control air pollution. These include:

  • Reducing emissions from cars and other vehicles
  • Using cleaner energy sources, such as solar and wind power
  • Improving energy efficiency
  • Planting trees and other vegetation
  • Investing in air pollution control technologies

Reducing emissions from cars and other vehicles can be done by using cleaner fuels, such as gasoline with a higher octane rating, and by using more fuel-efficient vehicles. Using cleaner energy sources, such as solar and wind power, can help to reduce air pollution by reducing the need for fossil fuels. Improving energy efficiency can help to reduce air pollution by reducing the amount of energy that is used. Planting trees and other vegetation can help to reduce air pollution by absorbing pollutants from the air. Investing in air pollution control technologies can help to reduce air pollution by removing pollutants from the air.

Air pollution legislation

There are a number of laws and regulations that are designed to control air pollution. These laws and regulations are designed to protect human health and the environment.

The Clean Air Act is the primary law in the United States that is designed to control air pollution. The Clean Air Act sets national air quality standards for six common air pollutants: ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead. The Clean Air Act also requires states to develop plans to meet the national air quality standards.

The Clean Air Act has been successful in reducing air pollution in the United States. Since the Clean Air Act was passed in 1970, air quality has improved significantly. The levels of six common air pollutants have declined by an average of 70%.

Air pollution monitoring

Air pollution is monitored by a Network of air quality monitors. These monitors measure the levels of air pollutants in the air. The data from these monitors is used to track air quality and to develop air quality forecasts.

Air quality monitors are located in urban areas, near major sources of air pollution, and in areas that are sensitive to air pollution, such as near hospitals and schools.

What is climate change?

Climate change is the long-term shifts in temperature and typical weather patterns in a place. Climate change could refer to a particular location or the planet as a whole. Climate change may cause weather patterns to be less predictable. A region might experience lower or higher than average temperatures. Climate change may cause more frequent and severe weather events, such as storms, floods and droughts.

What are the Causes of Climate Change?

The main cause of climate change is the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, causing it to warm. Greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere from a number of sources, including burning fossil fuels, deforestation and agriculture.

What are the effects of climate change?

Climate change is already having a number of effects on the planet, including rising sea levels, more extreme weather events, changes in agricultural yields and loss of Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity. These effects are expected to become more severe in the future.

What can be done to address climate change?

There are a number of things that can be done to address climate change, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in RENEWABLE ENERGY and adapting to the effects of climate change.

What is renewable energy?

Renewable energy is energy that comes from natural sources or processes that are constantly replenished. Examples of renewable energy include Solar Energy, Wind Energy, hydropower and Geothermal Energy.

What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy?

Renewable energy is energy that comes from natural sources or processes that are constantly replenished. Non-renewable energy is energy that comes from sources that are finite and cannot be replaced, such as fossil fuels.

What are the benefits of renewable energy?

There are a number of benefits to using renewable energy, including:

  • Renewable energy is a clean Source Of Energy that does not produce greenhouse gases.
  • Renewable energy is a sustainable source of energy that can be used to meet the world’s growing energy needs.
  • Renewable energy can help to create jobs and boost the economy.
  • Renewable energy can help to reduce our reliance on imported oil.

What are the challenges of renewable energy?

There are a number of challenges to using renewable energy, including:

  • The cost of renewable energy is often higher than the cost of non-renewable energy.
  • Renewable energy sources are often intermittent, meaning that they do not produce energy all the time.
  • Renewable energy sources can have a negative impact on the environment.

What is the future of renewable energy?

The future of renewable energy is bright. The cost of renewable energy is coming down, and the technology is improving. Renewable energy is becoming more and more competitive with non-renewable energy. As the world’s Population grows and energy demand increases, renewable energy will play an increasingly important role in meeting our energy needs.

  1. What is the main cause of air pollution?
    (A) Cars
    (B) Factories
    (C) Trees
    (D) Volcanoes-2/”>Volcanoes

  2. What are the effects of air pollution?
    (A) Respiratory problems
    (B) Heart disease
    (C) Cancer
    (D) All of the above

  3. What can you do to reduce air pollution?
    (A) Drive less
    (B) Recycle
    (C) Use public transportation
    (D) All of the above

  4. What is the Clean Air Act?
    (A) A law that regulates air pollution in the United States
    (B) A law that regulates Water Pollution in the United States
    (C) A law that regulates land pollution in the United States
    (D) A law that regulates all types of pollution in the United States

  5. What is the Kyoto Protocol?
    (A) An international treaty that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
    (B) An international treaty that aims to reduce air pollution
    (C) An international treaty that aims to reduce water pollution
    (D) An international treaty that aims to reduce land pollution

  6. What is the Paris Agreement?
    (A) An international treaty that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
    (B) An international treaty that aims to reduce air pollution
    (C) An international treaty that aims to reduce water pollution
    (D) An international treaty that aims to reduce land pollution

  7. What is the ozone layer?
    (A) A layer of gas in the atmosphere that protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation
    (B) A layer of gas in the atmosphere that traps heat, causing global warming
    (C) A layer of gas in the atmosphere that contains oxygen
    (D) A layer of gas in the atmosphere that contains nitrogen

  8. What is acid rain?
    (A) Rain that is polluted with acids from factories and cars
    (B) Rain that is polluted with chemicals from farms
    (C) Rain that is polluted with salt from the ocean
    (D) Rain that is polluted with dust from the Sahara Desert

  9. What is smog?
    (A) A mixture of smoke and fog
    (B) A mixture of dust and fog
    (C) A mixture of salt and fog
    (D) A mixture of water and fog

  10. What is particulate matter?
    (A) Tiny particles of pollution that can be breathed in
    (B) Large particles of pollution that can be seen
    (C) Liquid particles of pollution that can be seen
    (D) Gaseous particles of pollution that can be seen

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