AIR POLLUTION :

Sources, Impact, and Reduction

Mohamad Yani
Lab. Environmental Technology and Management,
Bogor Agriculture University
2011
 AIR POLLUTION :
Sources, Impact, and Reduction

Overview
• Air Pollution Basics
• Major Sources and Health Effects
• Ways to Reduce Air Pollution
 AIR POLLUTION

Gross effect of the contribution of pollutants emitted

by all sources in a given area (Anonymous, 1980)

The presence in the atmosphere of one or more air

contaminants in quantities and/or characteristics for a
duration that will be injurious to public health and
welfare or other natural environment processes
(Corbitt, 1990).
Composition of “Air”
 Air Pollution Not New
• Natural Sources
– Volcanoes, lightening fires, dust storms
– Emissions from vegetation and animals

• Human Sources
– Cooking, heating, and agricultural fires
– Fuel switch to coal (19th century)
– Industrial emissions
– Motor vehicles
 Air Pollutants are…

• Solid or gas particles that are not part of

composition of “air”
• Primary Air Pollutants – directly emitted from
the source
• Secondary Air Pollutants – formed from
reactions between existing air pollutants
under certain conditions
Air Pollutants of Concern
 How is
Air Pollution Formed?

Major Pathway #1
• Combustion (or burning) of fuel
• Depending on fuel, combustion can
produce NOx, SOx, CO, PM2.5 and
PM10, VOCs, and hundreds more
Factories and fireplaces Gas and Diesel Engines
Agricultural Burning

Construction Equipment
 Major Pathway #2

• Air pollution is formed from reactions of

Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs
• VOCs commonly used as solvents
• VOCs released into atmosphere during
use
 What are Volatile Organic
Compounds (VOCs)?

• Hydrocarbon (HC) compounds that change

from liquid to gas phase (evaporate)
• Slow to high evaporation rate
• Low to high reactivity rate (not directly
correlated to evaporation rate)
• React with NOx to form ozone (O3), a main
component of smog
Stationary Sources that Store and use VOCs
Consumer Products that contain VOCs
 How is Ozone (O3) Formed?

• Secondary air pollutant

• Main component of photochemical smog
• Formed from ozone precursors (NOx and
VOCs) in presence of sunlight
Basic Formation of Photochemical Smog Formation
of Photochemical Smog
Concentration of pollutants :
Topography
Weather conditions
Meteorology conditions

Atmospheric motion
wind direction
wind speed
variability of the wind
mechanical turbulence
thermal turbulence
effect of surface roughness

Air pollution area

1. Local (industries, city, urban)
2. Regional (countries)
3. Global (climate change : elnino, elnina)
 Air Pollution Effects
• Humans
• Animal life
• Vegetation
• Materials

Humans
acute : high conc. - short periods
respiratory, cardiac, death
chronic : low conc. - long periods
cancer of respiratory systems,
cardiac, heart disease
Impacts of Air Pollution
Some PM Health Effects
• Aggravated asthma
• Increase respiratory symptoms
• Chronic bronchitis
• Increased respiratory and cardiovascular
hospitalizations
• Decreased lung function in children
• Lung cancer
• Premature deaths
Some Ground-Level O3 Health Effects

• Aggravated asthma and possibly new cases of asthma

• Reduced lung capacity
• Increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses
• Increased respiratory and cardiovascular hospitalizations
Stunted or Damaged Vegetation
Air Pollution is an Eyesore!
Three Major Source Types
of Air Pollution
Mobile Sources
 Ways to Reduce Mobile
Source Air Pollution
• Walk, bike, scooter, skate, skateboard
• Carpool, vanpool, school bus, public transit
• Tune-ups, oil changes, and tire pressure checks
• Combine trips
• Use electric, fuel cell, alternative fuel, hybrid,
or fuel-efficient vehicles
Motor Vehicle Choices

• Gas Powered Clean Cars (PZEV)

• Hybrids (battery + gas)
• Alternative Fueled Cars (biodiesel,
natural gas, propane, ethanol, etc.)
• Electric Cars (NEVs – Neighborhood
Electric Vehicles)
• Fuel Cell Vehicles (hydrogen fuel)
Stationary Source

Stationary Sources of Air Pollution

• Various industries and businesses
• Fuel storage tanks and gas terminals
• Water heaters, stoves, and boilers in homes,
apartments, etc.
Ways to Reduce Stationary
Source Air Pollution

• Reduce hot water to low priority areas

• Microwave when practical
• Vapor recovery nozzles at gas terminals
• Insulate AC/heating ducts and hot water pipes
• Check for defective equipment and insulation
Area Sources of Air Pollution

• Gas or diesel equipment

• Construction, agricultural, maintenance activities
• Paints
• Solvents
• Consumer products
Ways to Reduce Area Source Air Pollution
• Electrical equipment when practical
• Non- to low-VOC (be aware of toxic substitutes)
– Paints
– Solvents
– Consumer products
• Wet-downs to reduce dust and sand disturbances

Who’s Responsible for Reducing Air Pollution?

Local Air Districts
Public (Community, Industry, Academia)
Government (Men LH)
How do We Reduce Air Pollution?

• Control Combustion and Evaporation

Sources (Two major pathways) through:

– Technology
– Regulation
– Education
– Outreach
 What Air Pollutants Do
Diesel Engines Produce?