POLLUTANTS POLLUTANTS IN AIR

A Pollutant is a substance or energy introduced into the environment

that has undesired effects, or adversely effects the usefulness of a
resource. A Pollutant may cause long term or short term damage to
living amenities, comfort, health, or property values.
Some pollutants are biodegradable and therefore will not persist in
the environment in the long term. INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS OUTDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS
Ÿ SECOND HAND SMOKE Ÿ CARBON MONOXIDE(CO)
Tobacco smoke which affects other A colourless, odourless gas that
people, other than active somkers. is a byproduct of incomplete
combustion of fossil fuels.
Ÿ RADON
An invisible, radioactive decay of Ÿ GROUND-LEVEL
radium, which may be found in OZONE(O3)
rock formations beneath buildings Secondary pollutant formed by
or in certain building materials chemical reactions of volatile
themselves organic compounds.
Ÿ MOLDS AND ALLERGENS Ÿ LEAD(Pb)
FIG. 1.4.4 SOURCES OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS[4]
Biological chemicals that arise from Smelters and other metal
a host of means industries, combustion od
FIG. 1.4.1 SORCES OF POLLUTANTS[1] leaded gasoline in piston engine
Ÿ CARBON MONOXIDE(CO) aircraft, waste incinerators. EFFECTS OF POLLUTION
A colourless, odourless gas that is a
TYPES OF POLLUTANTS byproduct of incomplete
Ÿ NITROGEN DIOXIDE(NO2) LONG TERM EFFECTS
1. STOCK POLLUTANTS combustion of fossil fuels. Formed through chemical Ÿ ACIDIFICATION: Chemical reactions involving air pollutants can
Pollutants that the environment has little or no absorptive capacity are reactions, fuel combustion, create acidic compounds which can cause harm to vegetation and
Ÿ VOLATILE ORGANIC industrial processes, farming.
called as stock pollutants. Stock pollutants accumulate in the COMPOUNDS(VOCs) buildings.
environment over time. Ÿ SULPHUR DIOXIDE(SO2) Ÿ EUTROPHICATION: Rain can carry and deposit the Nitrogen in some
Both human-made and naturally
2. FUND POLLUTANTS occurring chemical compounds are From fuel combustion, pollutantson rivers and soils that adversely affects the nutrients in
Fund pollutants are those for which the environment has some dangerous to human health or electric utilities and industrial soil and water bodies.
absorptive capacity. Fund pollutants do not cause damage to the cause harm to the environment. processes. Ÿ CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASES
environment unless the emission rate exceeds the receiving Ÿ LUNG CANCER
environment’s absorptive cpaacity
Ÿ HEART DISEASES
SHORT TERM EFFECTS
Ÿ Irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.
Ÿ Upper respiratory infections.
Ÿ Headache, nausea and allergic reactions
Ÿ Asthama and emphysema

1.4 Pollutants In Air

FIG. 1.4.3 SORCES OF POLLUTANTS[3]

SOURCES OF POLLUTION
NATURAL SOURCES
Ÿ Dust from natural sources
Ÿ Methane emitted from decomposition of animals and cattle
Ÿ Smoke and carbon
Ÿ Volcanic activity
MAN MADE SOURCES
Ÿ STATIONARY, which can be subdivided into area sources such as
agricultural production, mining, industrial.
FIG. 1.4.2 TEMPERATURE INVERSION DUE TO AIR POLLUTION[2] Ÿ MOBILE, comprising any form of combustion engine vehicles (eg.
FIG. 1.4.5 EFFECTS OF POLLUTION[5]
light duty gasoline powered cars, light and heavy duty diesel
powered vehicles)
References: [1],[2]- www.bio.utexas.edu ; [3]- www.newsbatch.com/env-airsource.gif ; [4],[5] - www.portland.va.gov ; An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality, US EPA website
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compiled by - AGRAWAL ABHISHEK
 PREVENTION OF AIR POLLUTION
Air pollution is a phenomenon wherein the release of harmful
chemicals in the atmosphere results in contamination of air, thus
making it unsuitable for various lifeforms. It is considered one of the
most serious environmental issues in the world, which is not
surprising, as it doesn't just lead to various health disorders in
humans, but also destroys the ozone layer, which, in turn, has its
own share of harmful effects. Taking that into account, it is more
than obvious that prevention of air pollution should be our priority,
and it should begin at the grass root leveL.
FIG. 1.4.7 THE TAJ MAHAL GETS THE MUD PACK TREATMENT EVERY FEW YEARS[2]
POLLUTION MANAGEMENT: TAJ MAHAL
Ÿ Due to increasing pollution in the city, the white marble of Taj
Mahal is yellowing and is losing its sheen.
Ÿ To control this deterioration, various steps have been taken to
manage the pollution level in the vicinity of the monument.
Ÿ Only electric vehicles are allowed for a radius of 1 km around the
Taj Mahal.
Ÿ The pollution from Yamuna River is also taken care off.
Ÿ Taj Mahal is given a mud-pack to remove yellow pollution stains
regularly.
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENTS
Ÿ Wet Scrubbers: These include a number of devices that
remove pollutants from furnace flue gas, as well as other gas
streams. Wet scrubbers are used in a number of industries
like large power plants, asphalt plants, steel plants, fertilizer
plants, and acid plants.
Ÿ Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP): Also known as Electrostatic
Air Cleaners, this control system is a particulate collecting
device, which uses the force created by an induced
electrostatic charge to remove particulate matter from any
flowing gas.
Ÿ Dust Cyclones: These are used to remove particulate matter
from a gas or air stream without using filters, and instead
using vortex separation.
Ÿ Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR): This is a technique used for
reducing Nox, which is utilized in most diesel and gasoline
engines. A part of the exhaust of an engine is recirculated
back into its cylinders.
Ÿ Catalytic Converter: This device is used to diminish the
toxicity of emissions, which are produced by internal
combustion engines.
Ÿ Gas Flare: Also called a flare stack, this is a chimney that is
erected on oil rigs or oil wells, as well as on landfills,
chemical plants, and refineries.
Ÿ Biofilters: This is a technique for pollution control, which
uses living matter to trap and biologically degrade pollutants.
The air pollutants are subjected to micro biotic oxidation.

FIG.1.4.6 POLLUTION PREVENTION[1]

POLLUTION MANAGEMENT
GOVERNMENT OR COMMUNITY LEVEL PREVENTION
Ÿ Governments throughout the world have already taken action
against air pollution by introducing green energy. Some
governments are investing in wind energy and solar energy, as
1.4 Pollutants In Air

well as other renewable energy, to minimize burning of fossil

fuels, which cause heavy air pollution.
Ÿ Governments are also forcing companies to be more responsible
with their manufacturing activities, so that even though they still
cause pollution, they are a lot controlled.
Ÿ Car manufacturing companies are also building more energy
efficient cars, which pollute less than before.
INDIVIDUAL LEVEL PREVENTION
Ÿ Encourage your family to use the bus, train or bike when
commuting. If we all do this, there will be less cars on road and
less fumes.
Ÿ Use energy (light, water, boiler, kettle and fire woods) wisely. This
is because lots of fossil fuels are burned to generate electricity,
and so if we can cut down the use, we will also cut down the
amount of pollution we create. DUST CYCLONE WET SCRUBBER BIOFILTER

Ÿ Recycle and re-use things. This will minimize the dependence of FIG. 1.4.8 AIR POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENTS[3]
producing new things. Remember manufacturing industries
create a lot of pollution, so if we can re-use things like shopping
plastic bags, clothing, paper and bottles, it can help.
References: [1] - www.maine.gov ; [2] - http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-27753788, [3] - en.getec21.com
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compiled by - AGRAWAL ABHISHEK