Environmental Science

Environmental Pollution
Unfavorable alterations in our surroundings are sources of environmental pollution.

Air Pollution

The contamination of air with dust, smoke, smog, harmful gases and other harmful substances
which lead adverse effects on life and quality of life is called air pollution.

Air Pollutant: agents which cause air pollution are called air pollutants. Air pollutants affect the
living things and disturbs the ecosystem. There are two types of air pollutants:

i. Primary pollutants:
The waste products of the industries and the exhaust of automobiles which are directly
added to the environment are called primary pollutants e.g. SO2, SO3, NO2, NO, CO, HC
(methane), PM, NH3, CFC, VOC, Radioactive substances etc.
ii. Secondary pollutants:
The primary pollutants undergo many reactions in the atmosphere and produce new
pollutants called secondary pollutants e.g. H2SO4, HNO3, H2CO3, HF, Ozone,
Peroxybenzol, PAN, Aldehyde, Ketone etc.
Air Quality Index (AQI)

An Air Quality Index (AQI) is a number used by government agencies to measure the air
pollution levels and communicate it to the population. Air pollution in Lahore, Pakistan is on the
rise once again. Lahore declared world’s most polluted city after Delhi in 2022. Since last two
years 2021 & 2022, Lahore topped the list of Air Quality in the world with hazardous AQI (Air
Quality Index) levels going as high as approximately 397.

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 Environmental Science

Emission Sources of Air Pollution

• 52% industry
• 27% Transportation
• 8% commercial & consumer products
• 10% agriculture
• 1% residential heating
• 2% others
Air Pollution Control Equipment

Control devices for particulate contaminants Control devices for gaseous contaminants

i. Gravitational settling i. Wet Absorption Method

ii. Cyclonic separators ii. Dry Absorption Method
iii. Fabric filters iii. Chemical treatment
iv. Electrostatic precipitators (Reduction or conversion)
v. Scrubbers (wet collectors) iv. Green Chemistry

Air pollutants, their sources and health effects

AIR POLLUTANTS SOURCES HEALTH EFFECTS

Oxides of Nitrogen Bacterial action  Acid rain

(NOx) (especially NO)
Power plants  Lungs irritation
Oil refineries
Fossil Fuel burning
 Respiratory infections and asthma
From industries
Automobiles
(Internal combustion of  Cardiovascular disease
engine)
 Pulmonary edema (too much fluid in lungs)

Oxides of Sulphur Volcanic eruption (67%)  Pungent odour, very irritant and
(SO2 or SO3 called Coal burning suffocating
as Sox) Combustion of fossil  Irritation to eyes, nose & throat
fuels

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 Environmental Science

Oxidation of sulphur  Respiratory problems (Asthma)

Petroleum industries  Heart diseases
 Brain, liver damage
 Acid rain
Carbon monoxide Volcanic eruption  Highly poisonous and causes suffocation
Oxidation of methane because of blockage of haemoglobin for
Fuel burning (75% CO) oxygen.
Combustion of fossil
 High concentration cause Oxygen
fuels
From industries starvation (Anoxia) with symptoms of
headache, fatigue (temporary loss of
strength and energy), nausea, chest pain
and unconsciousness.
 Eventually death if exposure is for longer
time.
Volatile organic Automobiles VOC are carcinogens
compound Industrial Processes Eyes, skin irritation
(Benzene, Toluene, Headache, nausea
(VOC) ethylene glycol, xylene, Damage to liver, kidney, CNS etc
chloroform etc)
Combustion of fossil
fuels

Peroxyacetyl nitrate Plastic burning Eyes, skin irritation

(PAN) & Industrial processes Headache, nausea
Tropospheric Ozone Lungs inflammation
Asthma
Heavy metals Batteries Skin & lungs cancer
(Pb, Cr, Hg etc) Paints Gastrointestinal and kidney dysfunction
Vehicular emission Birth defects
(TEL)
Radon gas Radioactive decay of Damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer
uranium produce
Rn 222 & radiogenic noble gases
Rn-222 (thoron) (Rn & thoron)
Particulate matter Sea salt, dust, Pollen PM10 effect eye, nose, throat
Microscopic Aerosol PM5 throat infection
suspended particles Burning of form lands PM2.5 lungs damage such as
(solids or liquid Natural gaseous Asbestosis: white lung disease
droplets) in the air. precursors Silicosis: Black lung disease
Size measured in um
Dioxins By products of industrial Cause cancer
practices. Reproductive and developmental problems
Chlorinated
Incineration processes Damage to the immune system
dibenzo-p-dioxins

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 Environmental Science

(CDDs) Forest fires Interfere with hormones.

Volcanoes
Polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs)

OZONE DEPLETION

Decrease in the thickness of ozone layer in stratosphere due to chlorofluoro carbons (CFCs) and
other refrigerating agents is called ozone depletion.

Ozone (O3) is a pale blue gas and is an allotrope of oxygen present in both troposphere and
stratosphere. The ozone layer in the troposphere is pollutant because it causes irritation of the
eyes but the ozone layer in the stratosphere is not pollutant because it protects us from the U.V.
rays (especially UV-B & UV-C radiation having wavelength 285-315nm) of the sun and acts as
umbrella of earth. Ozone layer is located approximately 20 to 30 km above earth.

Ozone hole: The thickness of the ozone layer generally varies with seasons and other
geographical factors. However, average ozone layer thickness in stratosphere is 300 DU or 3mm
(1 Dobson’s Unit=0.01mm) above a height of 20 to 30 km from earth. The region in ozonosphere
where the concentration of ozone is less than 220 DU is called ozone hole. Ozone depletion is
mainly observed in every year during Sep – Nov. In the scientific journal Nature on May 16,
1985, three scientists from the British Antarctic Survey announce their detection of abnormally
low levels of ozone over the South Pole. In Antarctic region, significant ozone depletion rate is
due to formation of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs).

Sources of Ozone depleting substances (ODSs)

 Referigerating agents
 Aerosol spray
 Foam making
 Organic synthesis
 Fire extinguishers

Name of Ozone depleting substances (ODSs)

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 Environmental Science

 Oxides of Nitrogen
 Chlofluorocarbons (CFCs)
 Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
 Halons
 Nuclear tests
 Methyl Chloride
 Carbon tetrachloride
 Carbon tetrafluoride

Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx)

Nitrogen oxdies especially nitric oxide (NO) break the ozone molecule in the atmosphere by
following reaction:
NO + O3 NO2 + O2
NO2 + O NO + O2

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) & Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) & Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are generally a mixture of
chemicals that are generally contain different substances, including fluorine, carbon, chlorine,
and hydrogen.
Freon is a generic descriptor for a number of halocarbon products such as
dichlorodifluoromethane-CF2Cl2 (designated "Freon-12", "R-12", or "CFC-12"),
Chlorodifluoromethane (R-22 or HCFC-22), Trichlorofluoromethane- CFCl3 "Freon-11". Freons
are significant refrigerant and aerosol spray propellants.
The reactions are as,

CFCl3 + UV light → °CFCl2 + °Cl

CF2Cl2 + UV light → °CF 2 Cl + °Cl
°Cl + O3 → °ClO + O2
°ClO + °O → °Cl + O2

One chlorine free radical can destroy up to 100,000 ozone molecules.

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 Environmental Science

They are commonly used as a refrigerant, as propellants in aerosol sprays and in firefighting
agents.
Effects of Ozone depletion
 Skin Cancer: (Melanoma & Non-melanoma)
 Sunburn
 Immunity system suppression
 Eye cataract
 Decrease in agriculture production
 Decrease in forest productivity
 Infertility of soil
 Global warming
 Acidic deposition
 Photochemical smog
 Degradation of outdoor paints & plastics
 Genetic mutation
 Disturbance of ecosystem
 Global warming

In 1987, countries around the world came together to sign the Montreal Protocol and entered
into force on 1st January 1989, which formalized the mission to protect and repair the ozone layer
by rapidly reducing the volume of ozone depleting gases being released into the atmosphere. It's
the only UN treaty that has been ratified by all 198 UN member states.

Dr. Waheed Mushtaq

 Environmental Science

Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP)

Ozone depleting potential is a measure of how much damage a chemical can cause to the
ozone layer compared with a similar mass of trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11). CFC-11, with an
ozone depleting potential of 1.0, is used as the base figure for measuring ozone depleting
potential.
Chlorodifluoromethane (R-22), for example, has an ODP of 0.05. CFC 11, or R-11 has
the maximum potential amongst chlorocarbons because of the presence of three chlorine atoms
in the molecule.

SMOG
The combination of the smoke and fog is called smog.
Smog is a visible type of intense air pollution. It is a threat to human health and quality of
environment. Smog is formed by mixing air with pollutants and exhaust gases resulting from
human activities. It may contain:
 NOx (Oxides of Nitrogen)
 SOx (Oxides of Sulphur)
 Ozone (O3)

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 Environmental Science

 PAN (Peroxyacetylnitrate (CH3C(O)OONO2): A unique property of PAN is that it

is very stable at cold temperatures and easily decomposes to release NOx at warm
temperatures.)
 Soot particles (carbon black)
 Hydrocarbons
 Suspended particles
 Particulate matter

TYPES OF SOMG

I. Reducing smog II. Oxidizing smog

I. Reducing smog
Composition: It contains high contents of SO2 and carbon soot particles
Sources: Burning of coal
Properties:
 Blackish grey in colour
 Also called Industrial Smog (as it is dominant in industrial sector)
 Also called London Smog (as first time observed in London due to industrial
revolution in 19th century)
 Reducing Smog (as Sulphur-dioxide (SO2) is a very good reducing agent as it can
easily gain electrons to oxidize itself and attain the oxidation state of +6 by
converting into SO3)
 Winter Smog
 Sulfurous Smog
 Classical smog

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 Environmental Science

II. Oxidizing Smog:

Composition: It contains NOx, PAN, O3, Hydrocarbons and VOC
Sources: Excessive vehicular emission
Properties:
 Yellow Brownish in colour (due to NO2)
 Also called Photochemical Smog (as it is produced due to photochemical
reactions). It is most common type of smog.
 Los Angeles Smog (as first time observed in Los Angeles due to urbanization in
19th century)
 Also called Urban Smog (as dominant in urban smog)
 Also called Oxidizing Smog (As it consists of higher concentration of the
oxidants like O3 and NO2)
 Summer Smog

Conditions for formation:

i. There must be sufficient NO, hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds.
ii. Sunlight to speed up some reactions.
iii. The motion of air molecules should be small so that reactions are not disturbed.
iv. Humidity
v. Moderate temperature
Reactions involved in Smog formation

i. NO + VOC NO2

ii. NO2 + UV-light NO + °O

iii. O2 + °O O3
iv. NO2 + VOC PAN + Hydrocarbon etc.

NO + VOC + O2 + UV-light O3 + PAN + other oxidants

Harmful effects of smog

1. Coughing and wheezing

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 Environmental Science

2. Birth defects
3. Burning sensation in eyes and throat
4. Risk of serious heart diseases
5. Risk of serious lung disease.
6. Dangerous for people suffering from asthma.
7. Smog can also kill plants.
8. PAN is eye irritant and also toxic for plants.
9. Premature death due to respiratory failure
10. Increase risk of Rickets (softening of bones in children)
11. Visibility level decrease
12. Road accidents

How to Control Smog

1. Using renewable sources of energy

2. Reducing the number of vehicles, and prefer to use public transport
3. Use of biodegrade able items that can be recycled
4. Use Smog towers, this has been used successfully in China.

Volcanic smog (known as vog) is a mixture of atmospheric gases, volcanic gases,

and suspended liquid and solid particles.

Acid rain:
A rain having a pH less than 5 and near to 4 is called an acid rain. Acid rain is a mixture
of sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3).
Common rain have pH approximately 5.6 to 6.0 and is slightly acidic due to presence of
carbonic acid (H2CO3).

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 Environmental Science

Artificial Rain: Dry ice or solid carbon dioxide is used to create artificial rains. Artificial
rain is produced by spraying clouds with substances such as silver iodide (costly) or
cheaper ones such as solid carbon dioxide (dry ice).

Production:
It is formed due to the formation of acids sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3)
in the atmosphere.
2NO2 (g) + H2O (aq) → HNO3 (aq) + HNO2 (aq)
SO2 (g) + H2O (aq) + ½ O2 (g) → H2SO4 (aq)

Acidic deposition
Acid deposition, commonly known as acid rain, occurs when emissions from the
combustion of fossil fuels and other industrial processes undergo complex chemical
reactions in the atmosphere and fall to the earth as:
Wet deposition: Wet deposition is when the chemicals mix with rain, snow, cloud, fog
and descend to the ground.
Dry deposition: Dry deposition is when the chemicals become dry such as dry particles,
gas and descend to the ground. It can stick to buildings and cars.

Dr. Waheed Mushtaq

 Environmental Science

Sources of Acid Rain

Anthropogenic sources:
 Industrial emission (Textile, oil refineries)
 Vehicular emission
 Thermal power plants (burning of coal)
 Burning of agriculture & domestic waste
Industrial sources:
 Volcanic eruptions
 Bacterial decomposition (Decomposition of dead plants & animals by bacteria)

Effects:
i. Acidification of soil which causes leaching of metals like Al, Hg, Pb and Ca into
the water bodies.
ii. Infertility of soil cause poor crop yield.
iii. Health hazards for the fish (Al clogging in fish gills)

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 Environmental Science

iv. Health hazards for the fish eating birds

v. Health hazards for the fish eating human beings
vi. Biodiversity loss
vii. Deforestation
viii. Disturb aquatic ecosystem
ix. Damage terrestrial ecosystem
x. Acidification of soil leaches the nutrients and affects the growth of the plants
xi. It cause Marble Cancer (gradual deterioration of a monument's marble caused by
acid rain.). Such as White marble of Taj Mahal become yellowish due to near
located oil refineries. Other affected monuments are Colosseum of Rome, and the
Leaning Tower of Pisa.
CaCO3 + H2SO4 CaSO4 + H2CO3
xii. It increases process of corrosion of metals such as sculptural materials. The
statue of Liberty is made up of copper which reacts with acid rain and changes
its colour from red-brown to green.
xiii. Acidification of rocks cause their chemical weathering
xiv. It may enhance of iron rusting (Fe2O3. xH2O)

Dr. Waheed Mushtaq