Sant Gajanan Maharaj Rural Hospital and Research Centre’s

SANT GAJANAN MAHARAJ COLLEGE OF

ENGINEERING,
MAHAGAON

A Project Report On

“AIR POLLUTION”
Submitted to the

SHIVAJI UNIVERSITY, KOLHAPUR

For the degree of

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING
IN

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

By
ROLL NO NAME OF STUDENT PRN NO
21 Mr Ruturaj Dhatunde 2018083301
28 Mr Sanket Ubhare 2018083312
26 Mr Sushant Patil 2018090166
27 Mr Sushant Rokade. 2018083297
24 Mr GuruPrasad Patil . 2018086683

Under the Guidance Of

Prof. K.S.Kalage
Asstt. Professor

Department of MechanicalEngineering
 INDEX

Sr. No Content Page No

1. Introduction 4-6
2. Objective 7
3. Hypothesis 8
4. Methodology 9-11
5. Report Writing 12-27
6. Observations 28
7. Summary 29
8. Conclusion 29
9. Bibliography 30

2
 Acknowledgement

We wish to express our deep sincere gratitude to our guide prof.

Kalyani.S.Kalage for her excellent guidance encouragement , support an insightful
comments throughout the period of my bachelor, s degree. Whatever knowledge and
experience we have gained during our study here . We owe it to her.

We would like to thank for principle Dr. S.H.Sawant principle of

SGMCOE . For providing all necessary facilities to complete our project work. Our
work could not have been completed without the support of our college.

1Ruturaj Dhatund
2. Sanket Ubare
3.Sushant patil
4.Sushant Rokade
5.Guruprasad Patil

Declaration

We hereby declare that the work reported in dissertation entitled

" Air pollution " is completed written by us and has previously
not formed the basis for the award of any degree or their similar
title of this or any other University or Examination body

Date

Place: Mahagaon

3
 1] Ruturaj Dhatunde

2] Sanket ubare

3] Sushant Patil

4Sushant Rokade

Introduction
"Air pollution refers to the condition in which the existence of toxic
substances in the atmosphere, generated by various human activities and natural
phenomena such as volcanic eruptions, results in damaging effects on the welfare of
human beings and the living environment" (Omasa 2002). As stated here, this is a very
serious problem which is difficult to treat due to the nature of airborne particles.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), outdoor air pollution is

classified into four main categories: particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and
sulfur dioxide. Additionally, air pollution is further divided into primary and secondary
pollutants. Primary pollutants are released directly into the atmosphere from a source,
where secondary pollutants occur as a result of complex chemical reactions taking place
from two pollutants reacting with each other (Kibble and Harrison 2005).

4
 In the 1970's, the United States government formed the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) due to growing concern of our impact on the environment

Ever since then, an entire industry has opened, focusing to remediate what was
done before as well as maintain a sense of responsibility for what we do to the
environment now. Unfortunately, since this is a relatively new concern, there is very
little history of how air pollution has been dealt with in the past. Through current
research, we are now making history.

Man-made sources -mostly related to burning different kinds of fuel.

• "Stationary Sources” include smoke stacks of power plants, manufacturing

facilities (factories) and waste incinerators, as well as furnaces 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 Sources" include motor vehicles, marine vessels, aircraft and the effect
of sound etc.
• Chemicals, dust and controlled burn practices in agriculture and forestry
management. Controlled or prescribed burning is a technique sometimes used
in forest management, farming, prairie restoration or greenhouse gas
abatement. Fire is a natural part of both forest and grassland ecology and
controlled fire can be a tool for foresters. Controlled burning stimulates the
germination of some desirable forest trees, thus renewing the forest.
• Fumes from paint, hair spray, varnish, aerosol sprays and other solvents.
• Waste deposition in landfills, which generate methane. Methane is highly
flammable and may form explosive mixtures with air.
• Military, such as nuclear weapons, toxic gases, germ warfare and rocketry.

Natural sources-
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 • Dust from natural sources, usually large areas of land with few or no
vegetation.
• Methane, emitted by the digestion of food by animals, for example cattle.
• Radon gas from radioactive decay within the Earth's crust. Radon is a
colourless, odourless, naturally occurring, radioactive noble gas that is formed
from the decay of radium. It is considered to be a health hazard. Radon gas
from natural sources can accumulate in buildings, especially in confined areas
such as the basement and it is the second most frequent cause of lung cancer,
after cigarette smoking.
• Smoke and carbon monoxide from wildfires.
• Vegetation, in some regions, emits environmentally significant amounts of
VOCs on warmer days. These VOCs react with primary anthropogenic
pollutants – specifically, NOx, SO2, and anthropogenic organic carbon
compounds – to produce a seasonal haze of secondary pollutants.
• Volcanic activity, which produce sulphur, chlorine, and ash particulates.
A lack of ventilation indoors concentrates air pollution where people often spend the
majority of their time. Radon (Rn) gas, a carcinogen, is exuded from the Earth in certain
locations and trapped inside houses. Building materials including carpeting and plywood emit
formaldehyde (H2CO) gas. Paint and solvents give off volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
as they dry. Lead paint can degenerate into dust and be inhaled. Intentional air pollution is
introduced with the use of air fresheners, incense, and other scented items. Controlled wood
fires in stoves and fireplaces can add significant amounts of smoke particulates into the air,
inside and out. Indoor pollution fatalities may be caused by using pesticides and other
chemical sprays indoors without proper ventilation.

6
7
 Objectives

1.To study what is air pollution

2.To identify effects of air pollution

3.To observe causes of air pollution

4.To study how to prevent air pollution

5.To identify methods for controlling air pollution

8
 Hypothesis

1. Air pollution is a mixture of solid particles and gases in the air. Car emissions,
chemicals from factories, dust, pollen and mold spores may be suspended as
particles. Ozone, a gas, is a major part of air pollution in cities. When ozone
forms air pollution, it's also called smog.

2. Long-term health effects from air pollution include heart disease, lung cancer,
and respiratory diseases such as emphysema. Air pollution can also cause long-
term damage to people's nerves, brain, kidneys, liver, and other organs. Some
scientists suspect air pollutants cause birth defect

3. Air pollution is caused by solid and liquid particles and certain gases that are
suspended in the air. These particles and gases can come from car and truck
exhaust, factories, dust, pollen, mold spores, volcanoes and wildfires. The solid
and liquid particles suspended in our air are called aerosols.

4. Reduce the number of trips you take in your car. Reduce or eliminate fireplace
and wood stove use. Avoid burning leaves, trash, and other materials. Avoid
using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment

5. Reduce the number of trips you take in your car.

Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.

Avoid burning leaves, trash, and other materials.

Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.

9
 Methodology

The data are readily available from sub source such as media and news reports. Data are
usually available from many other sources and method of collection can be classified
into primary data and secondary data.

Primary Data:

Primary data are originally data gathered species for current investigation. They are
original collection and results were noted. Primary data uses 3 techniques they are:

1. Analysis at bit various observation.

2. Getting result by calculation.

> Secondary Data:

The secondary data are based on secondary and information. This data are collected
from past records of organization.

The secondary data is consists of information from fertilizer companies and other
various source in which the data is already present.

1.Office Document

2. Books Magazine

3. News Papers

4. Google search

Survey method:

Survey methods is "the study of survey methods "as a field of applied statistics
concentrating on humans research surveys. Survey methodology studies the sampling of
individual units from a population.

A survey is research method used for collecting data from a predefined group of to gain
information and insights into various topics of interest. The process asking people for
information through a question.

Types of survey methods:

10
Different types of survey methods help provide information or certain information in
the form of meaningful data, which is further used by business or organization to make
informed and ground decisions. The collected data offers good insights only when the
administrate questionaries Is

designed to promote response which include both opened questions and

closed ended questions and answer options.

■ These types can be classified in different ways as mentioned depending upon the
frequency it administration or the way of deployment. There are other types of surveys
like complete survey to understand public opinions,self selected type of studies.

The overall aim of the proposed research is to further understand the link between air
pollution levels and chemical composition and to investigate and assess the effects of
air pollution on the distribution of related health impacts, socio-economics and welfare
in the Nordic countries. In pursuing this aim, the following objectives will be
investigated:

1. High spatial resolution emissions:

Performing a detailed common Nordic emission inventory Down to 1 km x 1 km

resolution, based on emission databases in the individual Nordic countries. Official data
available will be used as well as preparation and incorporation of additional spatial
disaggregation proxies in order to achieve the high spatial resolution emission inventory
needed for the air quality modelling. Different methodologies and proxies used in
different countries will be analysed and preferable methodologies recommended.
Special attention will be given to sources with large contribution to the total emissions
in the Nordic countries, specifically residential wood combustion. The emission
inventory will be conducted in WP1 and will be input to WP2.

2. Integrated modelling:

Setting up of a state-of-the-art advanced and integrated air pollution model system from
hemispheric scale, European scale, and national scale, for calculation and assessment of
high resolution (down to 1 km x 1 km resolution) air pollution levels and human
exposure, including assessing the contribution related to different emission
sectors and regions. This work is carried out in WP2. The results will be hourly values
of air pollutants, on a 1 km x 1 km resolution covering the Nordic countries over
several decades (input to WP3).

3. Health effects of air pollution:

Investigate the potential causal impact of individual chemical air pollutants as well as
mixtures of air pollutants on health outcomes. In pursuing this aim, we utilize the

11
unique Nordic population-based registers allowing linkage between historical
residential address, air pollutants over decades and later health outcomes. By linking the
exposure to health outcomes, new exposure-response relationships are determined of
health effects for different popultion Groups (e.g. age, education, ethnicity, gender,
lifestyle, and working life vs. retirement conditions) related to air pollution for the
individual chemical air pollutants. The objective will be conducted in WP3.

4. Assessment and quantification of health impacts:

An assessment and quantification of overall negative health outcomes of air pollution in

terms of premature deaths, hospital admissions, days of reduced activity, respiratory
diseases, mental disorders, etc. on high resolution down to 1 km x 1 km in the Nordic
countries for the different popultion groups, using the integrated model system EVA,
based on the impact pathway chain. The EVA system will be further developed utilizing
the new exposure-response relationships found in WP3 and will be carried out in WP4.

5. Distribution of welfare and challenges for the Nordic welfare systems:

Assessment and quantification of socio-economic impacts from air pollution and effects
on distribution of welfare in the Nordic countries. This will be related to explaining and
reducing inequalities in the distribution of health depending on population group and
the challenges these thus imply for the Nordic welfare systems. The objective is to
increase insight into the effect of demographic, social, and environmental factors on the
distribution of health and well-being. This work will be conducted in WP5.

12
 Report Writing

The main components of the atmosphere are — oxygen (O2) to breath, carbon dioxide
(CO2) for photosynthesis, nitrogen (N2) for forming products as ferti-lizers for plants
and making the air inert and ozone (O3)-layer against sun rays. Any imbalance in
quality of air so as to cause adverse effects on the living organisms is called air
pollution.

Air pollution may also be defined as the presence of contaminants which are
injurious to human beings, plants and animals (aquatic or terrestrial).

The natural air contains trace amounts (about 1 ppm) of gases like methane (CH4),
ammonia (NH3), sulphur dioxide (SO2), hydrogen sulphide (H2S), carbon mono-oxide
(CO), hydrogen (H2), argon (< 1 ppm) and variable amounts of dust particles.

Air pollution is a release into the atmosphere of any substances, e.g., chemicals or
airborne particles, which are harmful both to the human and animal health as well as the
health of the wider environment.

Atmospheric pollution occurs because the release of air pollutants takes place at a rate
much faster than they can be accommodated by the environment or removed from the
atmosphere without causing serious harm.

Every day, the average person inhales about 20,000 liters of air. Every time we breath
in, we risk inhaling dangerous chemicals that have found their way into the air.

Air pollution includes all contaminants found in the atmosphere. These dangerous
substances can be either in the form of gases or particles.

Air pollution can be found both outdoors and indoors. Pollutants can be trapped inside
buildings, causing indoor pollution that lasts long.

2. Sources of Air Pollution:

The sources of air pollution are both natural and human based. As one might expect,
human beings have been producing increasing amounts of pollutants as time has
progressed, and they now account for the majority of pollutants released into the air.
13
Pollution had been known to exist centuries beach, but it became an issue of serious
concern only in the last 200 years mostly due to the industrial revolution.

Atmospheric pollution originates from all the parts of the world and travels all around.
It knows no borders. The effects of air pollution are diverse and numerous. Air
pollution can have serious consequences for the health of human beings, and also
severely affects natural ecosystems. This trans-boundary nature of air pollution makes it
even more dangerous and difficult to control.

Some areas now suffer more than others from air pollution. Cities with large number of
automobiles or those that use great quantities of coal often suffer more severely from
problems of air pollution.

The Arctic Haze is perhaps one of the best examples of that. It is a visible reddish
brown haze, which appears above the Arctic during winter months. The Arctic Haze is
caused by air pollution from coal-burning which arrives mainly from Asia.

3. Causes of Air Pollution:

Natural Causes of Air Pollution:

Natural causes of pollution may include forest fires and volcanic eruptions as well as
vegetation, oceans and decay processes in soil.

Fossil fuels (oil, gas & coal) are the largest anthropogenic sources of air pollution-they
are widely used in industry and everyday life. But they are not the only ones.
14
The biggest source of using fossil fuels is running of power plants and automobiles that
combust fuel. These two sources are responsible for about 90% of all air pollution.

Some cities suffer severally because of heavy industrial use of chemicals that cause air
pollution. Places like Mexico City and Sao Paulo have some of the most deadly
pollution levels in the world.

(i) Forest Fires:

A fire that occurs in a highly infested area through natural causes is known as a bush
fire, and this is a very potent natural source of air pollution. There are several different
causes that lead to forest fires, and the fact is that they are caused naturally without any
human intervention.

These fires spread very rapidly, and release pollutants like smoke and carbon monoxide
into the atmosphere. Though carbon monoxide is present in living bodies in small
amounts, it can be toxic in nature when sniffed in larger amounts. Forest fires also lead
to unpredictable weather changes and cyclones, and all this leads to a severe loss of life
in the long run.

(ii) Volcanic Eruptions:

A volcano is an open fissure on the surface of the earth through which lava and volcanic
ash escapes on a regular basis. There are several active volcanoes that are found around
the planet today, and along with the air pollution that they cause, they also lead to a
serious danger to life forms.

Carbon dioxide and sulpur dioxide are the primary gases that are released during
volcanic eruptions, and these lead to dire consequences to the earth’s atmosphere and to
all the life forms that reside there. Other gases like hydrogen sulphide, hydrogen
chloride, hydrogen fluoride, carbon monoxide, halocarbons and some metal chlorides
are also released into the atmosphere in smaller traces.

The materials released also lead to acid rain in many parts, and the volcanic ash that
follows disrupts air travel and many other activities. The recent eruptions of
Eyjafjallajokull over Iceland in 2010 also led to several restrictions in air travel over
Europe.

15
(iii) Wind Erosion:

Though dust particles and dirt do not cause toxic effects on the human body, they are
capable of inducing many respiratory diseases in human beings. These dust particles
move around in the atmosphere due to strong winds, especially in geographical areas
where wind erosion is a common occurrence.

This factor is not a very major contributor towards air pollution, but it does play a small
role and is one of the most underestimated types of air pollution.

(iv) Methane Expulsion:

Farm animals like cattle release methane into the atmosphere during the end stages of
their digestive cycles. Methane gas affects the ozone layer in the atmosphere since it is
a very potent greenhouse gas, and it is also highly inflammable when it combines with
other elements in the air.

Moreover, it can lead to severe asphyxiation if someone is trapped in a closed room

with the presence of methane gas in the air. This is a factor that building construction
sites also take into account, since the presence of methane in the airways of the
buildings can lead to dire consequence.

(v) Radon Expulsion:

Nuclear elements like uranium are found inside the earth surface, and when these
elements decompose they release a noble gas known as Radon into the atmosphere.
This gas is highly radioactive in nature, and it can cause some serious health damage to
people who breathe the air that contain it.

Interestingly, after smoking, Radon intake is the second largest contributing factor to
lung cancer in human beings, so all possible measures to prevent the spread of Radon
must be taken.

Other factors like the dispersal of large amount of pollen from flowers and the emission
of VOCs (Voltage Organic Compounds) which get oxidized and transformed into
aerosols from plants and trees also lead to air pollution which is not caused by man-
made sources. There are plenty of natural causes of air pollution that are out of our
control as well.
16
Anthropogenic Sources of Air Pollution:

During the last couple of centuries we have witnessed an emergence of several

fundamental trends that became the major forces behind the dramatic levels of air
pollution worldwide.

Industries are the main cause of anthropogenic air pollution.

The global industrial development gave rise to a large number of economic sectors,
each generating air pollution to some degree.

So these economic sectors act as pollution causes in their own way.

Some major sources and types of major air pollutants produced by each of them .

Major anthropogenic sources of air pollution

Air pollutants are basically the waste products generated by the above mentioned
economic sectors.

17
They come in the form of gases and finely divided solid and liquid particles suspended
in the air (aerosols).

Air pollutants can also be of primary or secondary nature. Primary pollutants are the
ones that are emitted directly into the atmosphere by the sources (e.g., power plants).
Secondary pollutants are the ones that are formed as a result of reactions between
primary pollutants and other elements in the atmosphere.

Air pollutants are direct pollution cause, in other words they are the actual polluting
agents, which directly affect the health of living beings as well as the wider
environment.

4. Major Air Pollutants that Affects Environment:

Some of the major air pollutants that pollutes the environment are:

i. Sulphur Dioxide (SO2):

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is a colourless gas with a pungent, suffocating odour. SO2 is
corrosive to organic materials and it irritates the eyes, nose and lungs; therefore it is
quite dangerous air pollutants.

Sulphur is contained within all fossil fuels, and is released in the form of sulphur
dioxide during fossil fuel combustion. Fossil fuel combustion accounts for almost all
anthropogenic sulphur emissions.

Top five sources for SO2 emissions

Effects of Sulphur Dioxide Emission:

Sulfur dioxide found in the air produces following effects:

I. Irritates eyes, nose, throat

II. Damages lungs when inhaled

III. As part of acid rain:

i. Acidifies lakes and streams

ii. Destroys plant and fish life in lakes and streams

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iii. May deplete mineral nutrients in the soil

v. May cause reduction of forests and agricultural yields

vi. Damages surfaces of buildings.

ii. Oxides of Nitrogen, NOi:

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are produced by combustion of all fossil fuels including coal-
and gas-fired power stations and motor vehicles.

There are two main nitrogen oxides nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

NO is a colorless gas while NO2 is a reddish-brown colour gas with a distinct sharp,
biting odour.

Fossil fuel combustion produces both NO2 and NO.

But almost 90% of the total NOx combustion products are released in the form of NO,
which is then converted to NO2 in the air.

Top five sectors for global NOx emissions

Effects of Nitrogen Dioxide:

Depending on its different concentrations in the air, effects of nitrogen dioxide on

human health include:

i. Increased incidence of respiratory illness

ii. Increased airway resistance (due to inflammation)

iii. Damage of lung tissues

iv. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD (narrowing of the airways)

v. Emphysema (as part of COPD)

vi. Pulmonary edema (accumulation of excessive fluid in the lungs) and

vii. Infant and cardiovascular death.

19
Exposure to high concentration of nitrogen dioxide can make living organisms more
susceptible to bacterial infections and lung cancer.

Nitrogen dioxide affects people with existing medical conditions more severally than
healthy people. Children are affected more easily than adults.

It is also a major component of the photochemical smog, which brings its own negative
effects.

iii. Carbon Monoxide (CO):

Fossil fuel combustion normally produces carbon dioxide (CO2) but sometimes, when
such combustion is incomplete it also becomes a source of carbon monoxide.

Top five sectors for global CO emissions

Effects of Carbon Monoxide:

i. Toxicity of the central nervous system and heart

ii. Headache, dizziness, nausea and unconsciousness

iii. Loss of vision

iv. Decreased muscular coordination

v. Abdominal pain

vi. Severe effects on the baby of a pregnant woman

vii. Impaired performance on simple psychological tests and arithmetical loss of

judgment of time .

viii. In cases of prolonged exposure to high CO concentration, unconsciousness,

convulsions and death may occur.

Carbon monoxide is the most common type of fatal poisoning in many countries around
the world.

iv. Ammonia (NH3):

Ammonia is a hazardous gas with pungent odour.

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Agriculture, specifically livestock farming & animal waste, is the main source of
ammonia emissions.

Effect of Ammonia:

i. Nose and throat irritation and burns (their severity increasing with the increased
ammonia concentration)

ii. Swelling of the throat and airways; airways destruction

iii. Pulmonary edema

iv. Chronic lung disease

v. Cough

vi. Asthma

vii. Lung fibrosis

viii. Inhaling large amounts of ammonia may be fatal

ix. Skin burns

x. Skin conditions, ex. Dermatitis

xi. Burning sensation in the eyes

xii. Ulceration & perforation of the cornea (can occur months after exposure); blindness
and

xiii Cataracts & glaucoma

v. Ozone (O3):

Ozone (O3) is a colourless, poisonous gas with a sharp, cold, irritating odour.

It can be found in:

i. The stratosphere (lowest layer of the atmosphere) where it occurs naturally and

ii. The troposphere (lowest of the atmosphere) where it occurs both naturally and as a
product of anthropogenic emissions.

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Effects of Ozone:

Ozone in the troposphere can have the following negative effects on animals (including
human) and the natural environment:

i. Irritation of the respiratory system causing coughing, throat irritation and an

uncomfortable sensation in the chest.

ii. Susceptibility of respiratory infections

iii. Compromised lung function harming the breathing process which may become more
rapid and more shallow than normal

iv. Inflammation and damage to the lining of the lungs

v. Aggravation of asthma

vi. Reduction in agricultural yield

vii. Interference with photosynthesis and suppression of growth of some plant species.

viii. Burning nose and watering eyes

ix. Tightening of the chest

x. Coughing, wheezing and throat irritation and

xi. Rapid, shallow, painful breathing.

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vi. Other Air Pollutants:

Other air pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCS), persistent organic
pollutants (POPs) and air-bone particles.

VOCs are organic compound which easily evaporate and enter the atmosphere. They
may affect human and animal health directly, or indirectly as contributors to the
formation of tropospheric ozone.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are defined as organic compounds, which easily
evaporate and enter the atmosphere.

VOCs may include a wide range of organic air pollutants from pure hydrocarbons to
partially oxidized hydrocarbons to orangic compound containing chlorine, sulphur, or
nitrogen.

Historically, the definition of VOCs did not include methane compounds (non –
methane VOCs:NMVOCs) since the atmospheric concentration of methane was
considered to be a stable natural background. But it was ultimately recognized that
methane is also an anthropogenic air pollutant that comes from intensive animal and
rice production.

Though some of these compounds can have direct toxic effects, they have been grouped
together because of their role in Ozone formation.

Air Pollutants: Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs):

Persistent organic pollutants are compounds which are resistant to degradation and are
persistent in the environment, with half-life of years in the soil or sediment and days in
the atmosphere.

Such compounds may include diexins, furans, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and
organ chlorine pesticides such as DDT.

23
They enter the food chain via the process of bio-magnification, get accumulated in
human and animal tissues, and are capable of long-range transport being attached to
airborne particles.

Sources of Persistent Organic Pollutants:

Some POPs are used as pesticides.

Others are used in industrial processes as well as in the production of goods such as
solvents, polyvinyl chloride and medicines.

Effects Persistent organic pollutants takes place through diet (specifically, consumption
of animal fat) environmental exposure or accidents.

POPs may lead to:

i. Death and illness including disruption of endocrine, reproductive and immune

systems

ii. Neurobehavioral disorder and

iii. Cancers

Please note that when POPs are present in the atmosphere in the form of aerosols, they
may be classified as airborne particle (see below) rather than gaseous pollutants.

Airborne Particles as Air Pollutants:

Airborne particles are very small fragments of solid or liquid nature suspended in the
air. Human and animal health may be affected by particles through inhalation. Airborne
particles present one more type of air pollutants.

They are tiny fragments of solid or liquid nature suspended in the air (aerosols).

24
Particles may be primary-when emitted directly into the atmosphere by sources, or
secondary-when particles and

Solid particles between 1 and 100 pm (micrometer) in diameter are called dust particles,
while solid particles less than 1 pm in diameter are called fumes, or smoke.

Anthropogenic Sources of Airborne Particles:

Anthropogenic particles account for around 10% of the total amount of particles in the
atmosphere.

Fossil fuel combustion is one of the main processes which cause vast amounts of
particles to be emitted into the atmosphere.

The major anthropogenic sources of airborne particles are:

i. Road transport.

ii. Power generating plants.

Natural Sources of Airborne Particles:

i. Erosion of soil by wind which generates dust particles that travel around the globe

ii. Evaporation of droplets of sea water resulting in sea salt crystals being suspended in
the air

iii. Volcanoes

iv. Forest fires

v. Living vegetation

vi. Stuffy noses, sinusitis

25
vii. Sore throats

viii. Wet cough, dry cough, phlegm

ix. Head colds

x. Burning eyes

xi. Wheezing; shortness of breath and

xii. Chest discomfort or pain

5. Prevention of Air Pollution:

Air pollution is a phenomenon wherein the release of harmful chemicals in the

atmosphere results in contamination of air, and makes it unsuitable for various life
forms on the planet. It is considered to be one of the most serious environmental issues
in the world.

If air pollution statistics compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO) are to be
believed, more than 3 million people in the world die due to health problems related to
environmental air pollution every year. That’s not at all surprising, considering that the
harmful effects of air pollution range from various health disorders in human beings to
the destruction of the ozone layer of the atmosphere.

Air pollution is caused when various chemical substances are released into the Earth’s
atmosphere, as a result of some natural occurrences or some human activities. Natural
causes of air pollution include volcanic eruptions, release of methane gas, wildfires etc.;
while the anthropogenic causes of the same include use of automobiles, power plants,
use of solvents, waste deposits, use of nuclear weapons and a lot more.

The list of chemical substances which have the tendency to contaminate the air include
carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur oxide, chlorofluorocarbons,
ammonia, etc.

The high concentration of these substances in the atmosphere makes human and animal
life more vulnerable to their hazardous effects. In fact, the effects of air pollution are
much more intense than we can possibly imagine.

26
For instance, studies reveal that as many as 500,000 people die from cardiopulmonary
disease, which is caused as a result of inhaling fine particles in the atmosphere, in the
United States alone every year. Natural hazards such as global warming and acid rain
are also associated with air pollution to a significant extent.

Due to these disastrous effects it becomes necessary to control air pollution. To

accomplish this, governments, scientists and environmentalists are using or testing a
variety of methods aimed at reducing pollution.

There are two main types of pollution control:

Air pollution is caused by gases and particles, both liquid and solid, which contaminate
the environment. Scientists link this kind of contamination of the air to adverse health
effects such as respiratory diseases and even cancer.

Some of the other harmful effects of air pollution are: damage to heritage buildings and
artifacts, for example, due to air pollution in the city of Athens there is evidence of
corrosion on the marble statues of the Parthenon; damage to agricultural products
causing reduction in the growth of trees and crop yield; reduction in visibility in the
atmosphere; and change in the climate, since particulate pollutants are absorbed by the
gases in the atmosphere, resulting in global warming.

The anthropogenic causes of air pollution are more as compared to natural causes and it
becomes necessary to control these sources.

Some efforts to control air pollution are discussed below:

Five major input control methods may be adopted. People may try to restrict population
growth, use less energy, improve energy efficiency, reduce waste, and move to non-
polluting renewable forms of energy production. Also, automobile-produced pollution
can be decreased with highly beneficial results.

Output control, the opposite method, seeks to fix the problems caused by air pollution.
This usually means cleaning up an area that has been damaged by pollution. Input
controls are usually more effective than output controls. Output controls are also more
expensive, making them less desirable to tax payers and polluting industries.
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It is essential to know the cause of air pollution in order to look for methods to prevent
them.

As doing so will help reduce the air pollution caused for its generation. Insulation of
house with energy efficient equipment’s would save a lot of electricity consumption.
Use Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) to save electricity. Switch off the lights when
not in use.

Use manual garden equipment’s rather than using an electric or gas-powered one. Use
of fans or open windows for cool air as they are more beneficial than air conditioners.
One of the air pollution facts is that air conditioners release harmful gas known as
chlorofluorocarbons which leads to air pollution.

Using solar equipment’s is considered as the best of all alternatives for conserving
electricity. When possible, walk or bike, or use roller blade or skateboards to close by
work locations. Use of carpool or mass transit is also one of the most efficient ways to
prevent air pollution.

Use other communication methods as well, instead of travelling all the way and losing
out on fuel. Tailpipe emissions from vehicles are one of the most common and major
reasons of air pollution. Service your vehicles on time and at regular intervals and
always insist on cleaning air filters.

Switch off your vehicles in case you halt at a place for more than 30 sec, especially at
railroad crossings, traffic signals, etc. One of the other ways to stop air pollution is to
check the air conditioners used in vehicles at regular times of interval in order to
prevent leakage of CFC (chloro carbon fluoro).

Fires emit harmful gases in the form of smoke. This smoke pollutes the environment
and may sometimes be very harmful to the lungs when inhaled. Hence, prevention of
smoke and any kind of fire is very essential. That also includes the use of fireplace in
homes.

Buy and use only products or goods that are marked recyclable, as they can be reused
and help in reducing pollution. Can sprays should be avoided for any purpose, as they
contain Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a poisonous gas. Packing of goods consumes a
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huge amount of electricity, and when burnt produces carbon dioxide as well as carbon
monoxide further leading to be a greenhouse gas.

Plant trees to reduce the effects of air pollution. That will also help to maintain a
cooling effect in surroundings. You should use organic products while gardening and
avoid raising dust while gardening or digging. Input control involves preventing a
problem before it occurs, or at least limiting the effects the process will produce.

A few other ways to stop air pollution include using water based paints or paints
categorized as zero-VOC for painting. While purchasing appliances like refrigerators,
television, etc. buy low energy consuming ones. Instead of using a heater, dry your
clothes on a clothesline in the backyard. Using brooms or rakes instead of blowers to
clean yard will raise less amount of dust in the area

Observations
1. Air pollution in India is a serious health issue. Out of 30 most polluted cities in the
the world in, 21 were in India in 2019.

2. As per a study based on 2016 data, at least 140 million people in India breath air that
is 10 times or more over the safe limit.

3. The 51% of pollution is caused by the industrial pollution, 27% by vehicles, 17% by
crop burning and 5% by fireworks.

4. Air pollution contributes to the premature deaths of 2 million indians every year.

5. Emissions come from vehicles and industry, whereas in rural areas, much of the
pollution stems from biomass burning for cooking and keeping warm.

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 Summary

From smog hanging over cities to smoke inside the home, air
pollution poses a major threat to health and climate. The combined effects of ambient
(outdoor) and household air pollution cause about 7 million premature deaths every
year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. More than
80% of people living in urban areas that monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality
levels that exceed the WHO guideline level of 10µg/m3, with low- and middle-income
countries suffering from the highest exposures.

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 Conclusion
• Air pollution can be prevented only if individuals and businesses stop using
toxic substances that cause air pollution in the first place.

• This would require the cessation of all fossil fuel-burning processes, from industrial
manufacturing to home use of air conditioners.

• This is an unlikely scenario at this time.

• However, we have to make rules which set stringent regulations on industrial and
power supply manufacturing and handling.

• The regulations are to be designed to further reduce harmful emissions into the
Earth's atmosphere.

Bibliography
Books References:

1 . Air Pollution

M N Rao & H V N Rao, Tata McGraw-Hill, 2007

2. Causes, Consequences and Control of Air Pollution,

Dr. Mahendra Pratap Choudhary, on 03 July 2015.

3.Air Pollution Control

Swamy Rk and Swamy Sr · 2019

4. Air Pollution and Control Analysis

J.R. Mudakavi · 2010

Links:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollution
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2. http://eschooltoday.com/pollution/air-pollution
3. http://www.who.int/topics/air_pollution
4. http://www.nrdc.org/air/

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