AIR POLLUTION Composition of Air Structure of Atmosphere National Ambient Air Quality Standards Classification of Air pollutants Sources of Air pollutants Major Air pollutants - Sources and Effects Effects of Air pollution Control of Air pollution Factors affecting Air pollution Air Pollution Episodes Multiple choice Questions Reveiw Questions tn “mtal Studies \ 2014 \ an ry"in atmosphere to 400 ppm now Ce ee See CO; is up from 280 ppm in ‘19th centu - about 43% increase, ~ NASA “Fa @ scanned with OKEN Scanner234 Environmental Stutig 8.1 AIR POLLUTION : (Jan, 204; Air’ pollution is defined as the presence of unwanted and undesirable foreign particles and gases (in sufficient quantity and duration) in the a which may have adverse effects on human beings, animals, plants, Vegetations and important structures. As per IS : 4167 (1966) air pollution is defined as under : “Air pollution is the presence in ambient atmosphere of substances, generally resulting from the activity of man, in sufficient concentration, present for a sufficient time and causes the harmful effects on humans, plants and animals.” Air pollution is of public health concern and can occur as : () Indoor air pollution - Micro scale (ii) Outdoor air pollution (ambient) - Meso scale (iii) Air pollution at global level - Macro scale Pollutant : Any substance present in the environment in harmful concentration which adversely alters the environment by damaging the growth-rate of a species and by interfering with the food chains, is toxic and affects the health, comfort and property etc. is considered as a pollutant. e.g. smoke (industries and automobiles), domestic sweage, cfpcarded items (sins, bottles etc.) e " 8.2 COMPOSITION OF AIR : Atmospheric air is a mixture of various gases, water, vapour and fine particulate matters. The major gases present in atmospheric air are nitroge" (78%), oxygen (21%), argon (0.9 - 1.0 %) and carbon dioxide. The importa minor gases are neon, helium, methane, hydrogen and ozone. Table 8.1 gives the composition of clean, dry, atmospheric air. | @ scanned with OKEN Scannerre 235 jon potato as ’ Table 8.1 Composition of clean, dry atmospheric air Concentration (% by volume) © ~ Constituent Major gases 1. Nitrogen (Nj) 78.08 2. Oxygen (02) | 20.95 3. Argon (Ar) 0.93 Minor gases 4. Water vapours 0.10 5. Carbon dioxide (CO) 0.032 6. Neon (Ne) * i 0.0018 7. Helium (He) 0.0005 8. Methane (CH) 0.0002 Trace gases 9. Krypton 0.0001 10. Nitrous oxide 0.000025. | 11. Hydrogen 0.000050 12. Ozone 0.000002 Most of the above values remain practically unchanged with resport to %. However, the concentration of CO, is increasing at the rate of 1.5 ppm * Year as a result of deforestation and increased air pollution from industries 4 automobiles, | The atmosphere extends for approximately 500 kms from Earth’s surface, ae less dense with increasing altitude. With increasing altitude the air hae Sets thinner but there is not a distinct altitude at which the atmosphere ‘nd outer space begins. \ ni than 99% of the mass of the atmosphere is found within approximately of the Earth’s surface. Such an altitude is extremely small compared to @ scanned with OKEN Scanneros” 236 Environmenta, Studi les earth's diameter. Hence, known as tissue thin protective layer, Although, the total mass of the global atmosphere js APPrOXimar, 5.14 x 10!5 tons, it is still only approximately one millionth of th el total mass. 8.3. STRUCTURE OF ATMOSPHERE : ly Earth’, (April 2010) The atmosphere can be sub-divided into five regions as given below . i. Troposphere ii, Stratosphere iii, Mesosphere iv, Thermosphere v. Exosphere (i) Troposphere : It is the lower most layer of atmosphere in which most living organisms exist. It extends up to 8 km at the poles and 16 km at equator. It contains 70% of the atmosphere’s mass. The density of the troposhere decreases with altitude. The air near the ground level is heated by the radiation from the earth, but the temperature decreases uniformly with altitude. This decreases of temperature with altitude is known as lapse rate. The cold layer (-56°C) at the top of the troposphere, which shows @ temperature inversion, that is, a negative to positive lapse rate, is known 4 tropopause. (ii) Stratosphere : it A stable layer of atmosphere above troposphere is called stratosphere. | extends about 50 - 55 km above the surface of the earth. . d Stratosphere is known for the presence of ozone which is found at a 20 km from ground. This layer of ozone is called ozonosphere and acts 3 ; : ss iving Protective layer against the harmful effects of ultra violet radiations on liv organisms. 1 jiolet The ozone molecule present in this layer, absorbs the sunn’s ullra¥ a @ scanned with OKEN Scannerjicpolution ration, to oxygen molecules and an ox at Ge ' it : ‘ygen atom. When ese particles. combine, energy is released as heat radiation which causes a psi lapse rate. UV radiation 220 - 330 nm 0; == 0,+0 237 and decomposes heat released The layer separting stratosphere from mesosphere is called stratopause. {ii) Mesosphere ‘ It exists over stratosphere and in this layer, temperature decreases with ititude (negative lapse rate) because of low levels of ozone that absorbs itraviolet radiation. The mesopause separates the mesosphere from the hermosphere. This layer is very special as all sound waves as well as short radio waves coming from earth are reflected from this layer. liv) Thermosphere : After mesosphere, thermosphere starts and extends up to 500 km above uarth’s surface. Temperature rises in this zone with altitude and this trend ‘ontinues further. 7 lonisation of elements like oxygen and nitric oxide take place in the upper Yost portion of layer. Therefore, the upper layer of thermosphere is also called ionosphere. ) Exosphere : The uppermost layer of the atmosphere is called exosphere. This extends to a height of about 1600 km and gives way to interplanetary space. In this lyer very high temperature (> 1200, °C) is found. @ scanned with OKEN Scanner238 Environmental Studies Table 8.2 Major spheres of Atmosphere is | ia ~~] Altitude — | Temperature Rema No. Range km, Range, °C a 1 |Troposphere o-l 20 to ~ 56° | Presence of Nitrogen, Oxygen Carbondioxide, Water vapour, existence of clouds 2 |Stratosphere | 11 - 50 = 56 to — 2° | Presence of Ozone, best site for Aeroplanes 3. |Mesosphere 50 - 85 — 2° to — 92° | Oxygen*, Nitric Oxide, Coldest region 4 [Ionosphere | 85 - 500 | - 92 to 1200° | Oxygen*,-Nitric Oxide 5 |Exosphere | 500 — Infinite | > 1200° Less Air and contains hydrogen in ionised state. Note : Oxygent — Oxygen atom with positive charge, Nitric Oxide+ = Nitric oxide molecule with positive charge. el @ scanned with OKEN Scannerwot Exosphere Ionosphere ‘Thermosphere 239 1400 | 500 . - Mesosphere Stratosphere Troposphere 50 Temperature (Deg.centigrade) Fig. 8.1 Temperature profil 1200 Stratopause 6 Attitude (Km) le of Atmosphere wl @ scanned with OKEN Scanner240 Environmental Studies 3.4 NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS : Table 8.3 National Ambient Air Quality Standards Central Pollution Control Board Notification, New Delhi, 18 November-2009 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (June 2010) Concentration.in Ambient Air Industrial | Ecologically Sr. ae Time Residential, | Sensitive Makes No, Weighted | —Rural and | Area (notified Average | Other Area | by Central Measuremett Government) @) @) (4) G) _ 6 1 | Sulphur Dioxide Annual* 50 20 = Improved West and Gaeke (S0,), ug/m 24 hours** 80 80 ~ Ultraviolet fluorescence 2. | Nitrogen Dioxide Annual* 40 30 ~ Modified Jacob & (NO), usin 24 hours** 80 80 Hochhieser (Na-Arsenite) ~ Chemiluminescence 3 | Particulate Matter | Annual* 60 60 ~ Gravimetric (size less than 24 hours** 100 100 - TOBM 10 jum) or — Beta attenuation |_| PM,, we/m? 4 | Particulate Matter | Annual* | 40 40 ~ Gravimetric (ize less than 24 hours** 60 60 ~ TOBM 2.5 um) or — Beta attenuation PM, . He/m? 5] Ozone (0,) 8 hours** 100 100 — UV photometric he/m? 1 hourt* 180 180 — Chemiluminescence — Chemical Method 6 | Lead (Pt) Annual 0.50 0.50 —AAS/ICP method j vohn! 24 hours** 10 10 after sampling on EPM 2000 or equivalent filter paper — ED-XRF using Teflon J er @ scanned with OKEN Scannersr pollution 241 ee FJ cabon 8 hours** 02 7 2 = Non Dispersive Infra Monoxide (CO) Red Red (NDIR) ela! 1 hour** 04 04 spectroscopy ir] ammonia (NH,) Annual* 100 100 ~ Chemiluminescence gin! 24 hours** 400 400 — Indephenol blue method f | Benzene Annual* 05 | 05 — Gas Chromatography (CH, nem based continuous| analyzer ~ Adsoption and Desorption followed by GC analysis 0} Benzo(a)Pyrene Annual* o1 o1 -Solvent — extraction y (BaP) particulate followed by HPLC/ phase only, mg/m? GC analysis Il] Arsenic (AS), Annual* 06 06 ~ AAS/ICP method igh? : after sampling on EPM 2000 or equivalent filter| paper 2) Nickel (Ni Annual* 20 20 -AAS/ICP method| gin? after sampling on EPM 2000 or equivalent filter| paper a | ' Annual arithematic mean of minimum 104 measurement in a year at a particular site taken twice a week 24 hourly at uniform intervals. 24 hourly or 08 hourly or 01 hourly monitored values, as applicable, shall be complied with 98% of the time in a year, 2% of the time, they may exceed the limits but not on two consecutive days of monitoring. 'S CLASSIFICATION OF AIR POLLUTANTS ;(l (Jan, 2010, Jan. 2013) Air pollutant may be defined as any substance (solid, liquid or gaseous) ‘sent in the atmosphere in such concentration as may be or tend to be Bitious to human beings or other living creatures or plants or property or Vitonment. The air pollutants ean be classified on the following basis : @ scanned with OKEN Scannerpe Entre sg Air pollutants rE Te aaa ar aa Based on Origin Based on states Based on presence of matter in_environment in_environment_ rn L 1 Primary Secondary Indoor outdoor air pollutants air pollutants air pollutants air pollutants Gaseous air Particulate Pollutants air pollutants (a) Classification based on origin of pollutants : According to the origin of pollutants, the air pollutants are classified as : 1. Primary air pollutants 2. Secondary air pollutants 1. Primary air pollutants : (June 2011) ; - . A | ce Primary air pollutants are those which are directly emitted from the sour into the atmosphere, and remains in the same form in the atmosphere. For example, * Sulphur oxides (SOx) Nitrogen oxides (NO,) Carbon monoxide * — Hydrocarbons * Radioactive materials ; : rc. * Particulate matter - ash, smoke, dust, fumes, mist; sprays» These air pollutants are emitted by man made sources like, a @ scanned with OKEN Scanneryr 5 243 ir pollution transportation industrial operations , solid waste disposals, etc. secondary air pollutants : (June 2011) fuel combustion secondary air pollutants are those which are formed by chemical reactions nong primary pollutants and atmospheric chemical species. | For example, + Sulphur trioxide + Petroxyacyl nitrate (PAN) * ketones * Photo-chemical smog, etc. )) Classification based on states of matter : According to the state in which air pollutants are found in atmosphere, wey are classified as : 1. Gaseous air pollutants 2. Particulate air pollutants + Gascous air pollutants : (May 2012) Gaseous air pollutants are those air pollutants which are found in the #Scous state at normal temperature and pressure in the atmosphere. The most common gaseous air pollutants are : * Carbon monoxide (CO) Carbon dioxide (CO) Nitrogen oxides (NO,) Sulphur Oxides (SO,) Hydrocarbons Photochemical oxidants, etc. 7 a. @ scanned with OKEN ScannerEnvironmental 244 Studi 2. Particulate air pollutants : (May 2012) Particulates are finely divided, air borne, solid and liquid particle (droplets), which remain for very long time in air, in suspension. Depending upon their size and mode of formation, particulate air pollutants are further classified as below : Aerosols : These are air borne suspensions of solid or liquid particles smaller than 1 mm size. e.g. dust, smoke, fume, mist, etc. are aerosols. Dust : It consists of small solid particles (size 1 to 200 um) and are generated by material crushing, grinding or blasting. They remain in suspension but finally settle under influence of gravity, Fumes : They are fine solid particles of size around 0.1 to 1 pm formed by the condensation of vapours of solid matter. They are odourless vapours which may or may not be visible. Smoke + They are also fine solid particles of size around 0.1 to 1 pm, formed by the incomplete combustion of organic matter like coal and wood. Depending upon the nature of the material burnt, smoke may have different odours. _ Mist : It consist of liquid droplets of size around 0.1 to 10 jm and formed by the condensation of vapours in the atmosphere. an (June 2010, Jan. 2013) p of water droplets at high concentration so as ' is called fog. If the mist is made uy obscure vision then mist i Flayash ; These are inorganic substances m coal or wood. These are fine Present in the gases, rt released after the burning of organic a ly divided non-combustible light paraticle froi @ scanned with OKEN Scanneroot : (June 2013) These are the carbon particles impregnated with tar, and released by the “ jacomplete combustion of carbonaceous materials. photochemical smog : Atmospheric pollution formed by chemical reactions among hydrocarbons, ozone and other pollutants in the presence of sunlight is referred as photochemical smog. () Classification based on presence in environment : According to the presence of pollutants in the environment, they are classified as : 1, Indoor air pollutants 2. Outdoor air pollutants 1, Indoor air pollutants : The air pollutants which are generated from households are called indoor air pollutants. eg. °* Cleaning agents * — mosquito repellents * Pesticides * Paints, glues, varnishes * Cigarette smoke * gases from stoves * Microbes like bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. 2. Outdoor air pollutants : The air pollutants which are generated outside the buildings are called Sutdoor air pollutants. : &g. © Automobile pollutants © Industrial pollutants * Mining pollutants @ scanned with OKEN Scanner246 Oe Environmentai'& * Natural emissions from decaying organic matter and animals etc. e Units of measurement of Air pollutants : The concentration of air pollutant in the air may be expressed in units of « 1, pg/m3 = micrograms per cubic meter 2. ppm = parts per million ci These two units are used to indicate the concentration of gaseous pollutant, However, the concentration of particulate matter is usually expressed only as pg/m3, The ppm unit, is a volume to volume ratio. Note that the usage of ppm here is different than that in water and waste water, which is mass to volume ratio, i.e. mg/L. 8.6 SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION : a (June 2009, April 2010, Jan. 2011) The sources of air pollution may be classified into two groups : 1. Natural sources 2. Man made sources 1. Natural sources : The following are the different forms of natural sources : (i) Atmospheric reactions : In the atmosphere, different types of chemical reactions are always going 5 i id In the lower atmosphere, the gases or vapours are converted in solids an¢ . liquids by condensation or oxidation,’ on. In the upper atmosphere, the photochemical reactions are going,on by the . . y yf absorption of ultra-violet solar radiation, It breaks the complex molecules © organic matters, m1 . in, The products of atmospheric reactions come down to earth by ‘i snowfall, etc. @ scanned with OKEN ScannerAir pollution 247 i) Gases and ash released from volcanic eruption (ii) Smoke and green house gases released by forest fires. () Harmful gases, particulates and chemicals from dust storms, electric storms etc. w) Marsh gases due to decay of vegetable matter in marshy places. (vi) Pollen. These may enter the atmosphere from the flowers of trees, grasses and weeds and may be transported from place to place by wind. (vii) Salt spray from oceans. (viii) Microorganisms : These are in the form of algae, fungi, bacteria, yeast, etc. These organisms can be transported by wind to far distances and can affect plants, animals and human beings. (ix) Radioactive substances = The radioactive substances like uranium, radium, thorium, etc. present in the earth crust are responsible for imparting the radioactivity of air. 1, Man-made sources : The following are the man made sources of air pollution : (i) Combustion of fuel : In domestic areas, the burning of coal, wood, oil, LPG. etc. forms harmful gases which pollute the air. (ii) Automobile exhaust : cars, two wheelers, autorickshows, etc. s dangerous to human health Automobiles like truck, buses, exhaust carbon monoxide (CO) which i (iii) Industries : The industries like iron and steel manufactu factories, petro-chemical plants, pulp and paper, ring oil refinery, chemical etc. cause serious ai air pollution. @ scanned with OKEN Scanner248 Envi mental Studies (iv) Thermal and Nuclear power plants : The thermal power plants contribute sulphur dioxide (SO,) ang nuclear power plants contribute radioactive fly ashes to the atmospheric air. (v) Agricultural activities : Use of pesticides for growing crops may cause air pollution. (vi) Construction materials : The manufacture of bircks, cement, stone chips, etc. pollute the atmosphere by discharging smoke, gases and dusts. (vii) System of sanitation : The unscientific disposal of garbage produces foul gases, bad odour and insanitary condition. In towns where the conservancy system is followed, the system of disposal of night soil produces foul gases and fly nuisance. (viii) Mining (ix) Nuclear explosions (x) Air crafts (xi) Waste water treatment plants The man-made sources of air pollution can be classified as : Man-made sources vO Point or stationary Line or Area Sources mobile sources soe Point or stationary sources : : i ’ These are the sources which add pollutants to air from one or M0! controllable points. €.g. Chimneys of different industries Pollutants from point sources affect only restricted areas. al @ scanned with OKEN ScannerAe pollution ine oF mobile sources : 249 The line or mobile sources of air pollution are the sources like automobiles, tains, ships aeroplanes, etc. which emit exhaust into air along a narrow belt qver long distance. Area sources ¢ Area sources are locations from which air pollutants are emitted from a well defined area. eg. release of air pollutants from industrial area of town or city which affects particular area. Table 8.4 Classification of Anthropogenic Air pollution sources ource type Category Important Sources _|._-Typical Pollutants Combustion | Stationary Power plants, SOx Industrial boilers NOx Diesel generators co Municipal or industrial Smoke Incineration Fly ash Reuse burning Trace metal oxides Mobile Motor vehicles CO, HC, NOx, SOx, Air craft Particulates Non ferrous metallurgical Ferrous metallurgical Roasting, smelting and refining operations Material handling, ore siutering and pelletizing, coke ovens, blast furnaces, steel furnaces Dust, smoke, metal fumes (Cu, Zn and Pb) oxides 0 sulphur ‘Smoke, fumes, CO, odours, H2S, organic vapour, fluorides Non-metallic minerals Rovira Crushed stone, cement, glass, refracteries, ceramic manufacture, coal cleaning. Mineral and organic particulates ' FA’ @ scanned with OKEN Scanner250 En ironmental: Studies Food and Food Drying, preserving, Vapour, odour, dust agriculture processing packaging Crop Pest and weed control Organic phosphates, spraying and chlorinated HC, organic, dusting lead. Field burning | Refuse burning Smoke, fly-ash and soot Chemicals, | Petroleum Boilers, process heaters, SOx, HC, NOx, petroleum, refining catalyst regenerators, particulate matter, CO, pulp and flares, storage tanks, aldehyde, ammonia, paper compressor engines. odours. Inorganic Sulphuric acid plants, fertili- | SOx, HF, H2S,NO,, NH chemical zer manufacturers, nitric particulate matter, acid and ammonia plants, H3POq, ete. phosphoric acid manufacture. Organic Plastics, paint and varnish Particulate matter, chemicals manufactures, synthetic odours, S09, CO, organic rubbers, rayon, insecti- intermediates, solvent cides, soap and detergent vapours manufacture, methanol, phenol, etc. Pulp and Digester blow system, pulp | Particulate matter, HS, paper (Kraft | washers, recovery furnace, methyl! mercaptans, process) evaporators, oxidation towers | dimethyl sulfide, SO2 8.7 MAJOR AIR POLLUTANTS - SOURCES AND EFFECTS : 2 (April 2010, June 2010, May 2012, Dec. 2013, June 2014) The major air pollutants are : Carbon monoxide (CO) Carbon dioxide (CO,) Oxides of Nitrogen (NO,) Hydrocarbons (HC) 2. 3 4. Oxides of Sulphur (SO,) 5 6, Photochemical Oxidants @ scanned with OKEN Scannervgpoltution 1 Particulate matter (PM) 251 3, Ground level ozone | Carbon monoxide (CO): (Jan. 2011, July 2011) Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, tasteless gas, chemically inert er normal conditions of temperature and pressure. It is not soluable in ater. At normal concentration (less than 0.1 Ppm) it is not harmful, but if its acentration exceed 0.1 ppm in atmosphere it seriously affect the human retabolism. ures : 1. Natural processes like volcanic eruptions, natural gas emissions, electric discharge during storms, seed germination, marsh gas production, etc. contribute a small amount of CO in the atmosphere. Transportation sources contribute about 65% of CO in air. Solid waste disposal. Forest fires Coal mines Industrial processes such as electric furnaces and blast furnaces in iron and steel industry, petroleum refining, paper industry, etc. Meets ; CO has strong affinity with haemoglobin and it combines with blood haemoglobin to form Carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) which reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of blood. It reduces vision, causes headache. It affects the nervous system and imparts laziness. It causes cardiovascular disorders. It may cause coma, respiratory failure and even death. Carbon dioxide (CO) + Carbon dioxide is ideally not considered as an air pollutant if its presence *S not exceed the concentration ideally present in atmosphere. . re @ scanned with OKEN Scanner220 Environmental Studie, The content of CO, in the air has increased by approximately 15% during the last century inspite of the fact that photosynthesis. process of green plants balance the CO, — Op ratio to a large extent. Sources : 1. Fossil fuel combusiton. 2. Jet planes use Oy and release CO, Respiration process Row Forest fires 5. Decay of organic matter, etc. Effects : 1. It is the main green house gas responsible for rise in average temperature of atmosphere. 2. COy is less dangerous than CO and causes nausea and headache. 3. It disturbs atmospheric stability and thus plays an important role in climate changes in atmosphere. 3. Oxides of Nitrogen (NO,) : (Dec. 2014) Among the six different oxides of nitrogen [NO,. NO, N20, N03, N20 N05] nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen oxide (NO ) are very important pollutants. NO is colourless, odourless gas but NO is reddish brown and have suffocating odour. NO and NO, are formed as under : N, + 0, 1210-1265. 2 NO Fuel combustion in automobiles and industries 2. Light thundering 3. Forest fires — @ scanned with OKEN Scannergraltation fo 4, Bacterial decomposition- of-organic matter 5. Natural ionizing radiations peels ¢ 1, Like CO, nitric oxide (NO) can also combine with haemoglobin and reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of blood. NO, is more toxic then NO and may affect lungs and cause bronchitis. NO, absorbs light and thus reduce the visibility. NO, reacts with atmospheric moisture to form nitric acid causes acid rain and affects vegetables and metals. | Oxides of sulphur (SO,) : (Dec. 2014) Sulphur oxides are called SOx. Among the six oxides of sulphur [SO, 10;, 805, S04, $203, $07] sulphur dioxide (SO) and sulphur trioxide (SO3) te very important pollutants. $0, is colourless, nonflammable and nonexplosive gas which may impart iffocation. SO and SO; form H,SO; (sulfurous acid) and HoSO, (Sulfuric ¥id) in the air. Sources: Natural processes like volcanic eruptions contribute to 67% of SOx pollution, fhereas 33% comes from anthropogenic sources as mentioned below : |. Burning of fossil fuels 2. Emissions from vehicles 3. Emissions from industries - thermal power plants, oil 4 - Solid waste disposal Uteet 1. It causes cardiac diseases, asthma, bronchitis, eye irritation, throat troubles, etc. ' 2 Long term exposures to high levels of SOz g8s causes respiratory illness and heart diseases. 3. Oxides of sulphur attacks building mater lime stone. €.g. Taj Mahal at Agra ials especially marbles and @ scanned with OKEN Scanneroo — 254 Environmental, Studies SO. react with moisture in atmosphere to form sulphuric acj causes acid rain and affects vegetables and metals. id which 5. Oxides of sulphur may affect clothes, leather, 5, Hydrocarbons (HC) : Paper and plants, The main hydrocarbons which may be gaseous and/or vol: are methane (CH,), ethane, acetylene and ethylene. Sources : tile air pollutants 1. Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. Emissions from vehicles. Refineries and industries ” Ben Forest fires, 5. Agricultural burning 6. Emissions from trees Effects : 1. Unburned hydrocarbons with oxides of nitrogen in the presence of sunlight form photochemical smog which can hav e adverse effects on humans and plants, 2. Ethylene may inhibit the growth of plants. 3. Some aromatic hydrocarbons may cause cancer. Photochemical oxidants : The major photochemical oxid Ozone is produced in the w concentrations of this gas diffuse air pollution, lant is ozone (03). ! hae al per atmosphere by solar radiation. a ; i downwards and become the major concer Formation ; : . ned {n the presence of sunlight, the oxides of nitrogen react with the unbu 4 ind hydrocarbons released by the exhausts of automobiles (fuel combustion) fa following a series of complex reactions produce secondary pollutants Peroxyacylnitrate (PAN), Ozone (O,), aldehydes and ketones ete. @ scanned with OKEN Scannerumnt Hydrocarbon + NO, \__Abundont Sunlight an Photochemical Smog gout? 0) Automobile exhausts yelth Effects = w Photochemical oxidants cause irritation of eye, nose, and throat, headache etc. in man. (2) Ozone damage chromozomes. (3) 0, and PAN cause damage to plants by interfering with plant cell metabolism especially in leafy vegetables. (4) Premature fall and Yellowing of leaves are due to this pollutant. (6) Photochemical oxidants also effect the materials like rubber plants, textile fibers etc. 1. Particulate matter (PM) : (Jan. 2011, May 2012) Particulate matter are finely divided air borne, solid and liquid particles (droplets) which remain for very long time in air, in suspension. The size of particulate ranges from 0.02 p to 500 p. The examples of particulate matter are dust, fume, smokes, fog, mist, etc. The more general classification of particulates is (i) TSPM - Total suspended particular matter (ii) RSPM - Respirable suspended particulate matter, popularly known as PM io. PMyg are particulates of equivalent spherical diameter of 10 um or less. My divectly affect health and not the whole range of sizes of particulates, Sources : 1. Volcanic eruptions 2. Dust storms 3. Spraying of salts by oceans. @ scanned with OKEN Scanner256 as 7. Effects i a Environmental Studies Fly ash from combustion of fossil fuels. Smoke from vehicles. Mining Agricultural burning. Fly ash and soot discharged by burning of coal causes respiratory diseases. Atmospheric dust causes allergic and respiratory diseases in man. If dust contains silica, it leads to silicosis. Metal dust containing heavy metals and cotton dust may also cause respiratory diseases. Air borne asbestos and toxic metals are carcinogenic. Vehicular particulates containing lead affects haemoglobin formation. Aerosols released from aeroplanes may affect ozone layer: Mist and fog reduce visibility. Flyash reduces pH balance and potability of water. Particulates cause damage to buildings, sculptures and plants. 8. Ground level Ozone : Ground level ozone is the ozone present in the earths lower atmosphere. It is produced by a complex chemical reaction when nitrogen oxides (NO,) Carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOC's) such as xylene, Teact in the presence of sunlight. These chemicals are produced from cats trucks, electric power plants, paint fumes and industrial process. Ground level ozone is the primary constituent of smog. Ground level ozone, though a Concentrated than ozone in the stratosphere, is more of a problem because Its health effects : The major health effects are — de Irritation of the respiratory system causing coughing, throat irritatio! and an uncomfortable sensation in the chest. : ad @ scanned with OKEN Scannertion sensitive to allergies, which in turn triggers asthma attacks. 3, Increases susceptibility to respiratory infections. 4, Inflammation and damage of the lining of lungs. ig EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION : 4) Effects of Air pollution on Human health : (Jan. 2010, April 2010, June 2013, June 2014) The general health effects of air pollution are : |. Carbon monoxide (CO) and nitric oxide (NO) combine with haemoglobin to form carboxy haemoglobin (COHb) which reduces oxygen carrying capacity of blood. Oxides of nitrogen (NO,) and oxides of sulphur (SO,) cause irritation to eye, throat and nose. They also cause diseases like asthama and bronchitis, etc. 3. Secondary pollutant (PAN) produced by hydrocarbons and NO,, results in the formation of photochemical smog, which causes irritation of eyes, nose, throat and respiratory diseases. 4. Some aromatic hydrocarbons may cause cancer. 5. Exposure to dust, smoke, smog and soot may induce several respiratory diseases like asthama, bronchitis and lung cancer. 6. Atmospheric dust containing slilica may cause silicosis. | 1. Alr borne asbestos and toxic’ metals are carcinogenic. 8. Heavy metals like lead may cause poisoning effects on nervous system, damage to kidney and vision problems. 9. Pollens initiate asthamatic attacks. : 10. Mercury from combustion of fossil fuels, plants result in nerve brain and kidney damage. 1, Nickel particulates in tobacoo smoke result in respiratory damage. isease: ect kidney, li 12, Radioactive substances cause lung diseases and affect kidney, liver, i s er. brain and sometimes may cause cane’ Ravin enmenta Stuaioe\ 2014 \ 33 xx. a - @ scanned with OKEN Scanner258 Dizziness Headache Sore throat Chest pain, increased cold allergies Eyo irritation Nasal irritation + Caughing and Shortness of breath Possible lung cancer and other lung diseases Aiveoli Consttiction Affected by pollution (A) Health hazards caused by air pollution (B) Effects of polluted air on bronchial tubes FIG. 8.2 LOWER RESPIRATORY SYSTEM OF HUMAN BEINGS (A AND B) AND CROSS SECTION OF BRONCHIAL LINING SHOWING CILIA AND GOBLET CELLS CELLS Table 8.5 Effect of Air pollutants on Human beings Sr.| Name of pollutant Effect on human being No. 1. | Carbon monoxide (CO) 2. | Carbon dioxide (CO,) 3. | Nitrogen Oxide (NO,) 4. Sulphur dioxide (SO) 5. | Hydrocarbons (HC) 6. | Photochemical oxidants Particulate matter (PM) Reduction in oxygen carrying capacity of blood, affects nervous system, imparts laziness, reduces vision, causes headache. Causes nausea and headache. Irritation to eye and nose, affect lungs and cause bronchitis. Irritation in eye and throat, respiratory discast’ heart diseases, Effects respiratory system, may cause cancer Asthama, bronchitis, effects on lungs. Respiratory diseases, silicosis @ scanned with OKEN Scanneryr cro 259 ‘ Heavy metals like lead ydrogen Muoride Hydrogn sulphide Aldehydes, Ketones, Ammonia Poisoning effects on nervous system, damage to’ kidney, vision problems. Bone diseases, mottling of teeth, respiratory! diseases. Irritation in eye and nose, nausea, bad smell. Irritation in respi.atory tract, long term exposure may cause lukemia. o Effects of Air pollution on plants and vegetations : . -Air pollutants affect plants by entering through stomata (leaf pores through which gases diffuse), destroy chlorophyll and affect photosynthesis. During the day time the stomata are wide open to facilitate photosynthesis. Air pollutants during day time affect plants by entering the leaf through these stomata more than night. + Pollutants also erode waxy coating of the leaves called cuticle. Cuticle prevents excessive water loss and damage from diseases, pests, drought and frost. Damage to leaf structure causes dropping of leaves. + Paticulates like dust, fog, soot deposit on plant leaves, block stomata and affect the rate of transpiration. Following are some of the effects of air pollutants on plants and vegetations. Table 8.6 Effects of Air pollutants on Plants and vegetations Name of pollutant Sulphur dioxide (SO) Nitrogen dioxide (NO) Ozone (03) Fluorides Ethylene PAN Effect on plants and vegetations Loss of chlorophyll, bleached spots on leaves, necrosis (Killing of tissues). growth, premature leaf fall reduction in productivity. Premature ageing, bleaching of leaves,| necrosis, destruction of vegetation. Suppressed (abscission), Necrosis at leaf tip Leaf fall, flower dropping damage to small plants Bronzing of leafs, PB @ scanned with OKEN Scanner260 (c) Effects of air pollu (@) Effects of air pollution on climate : Environmenta} Stutieg tion on Materials and Buildings ; Sulphur dioxide effects marble, limestone, roofing, paper, building textile and monuments. NO, fades away textile dyes like cotton, rayon ete. Higher level of NO: causes 10% loss of fibre strength in cotton and rayon, Leather also has afinity far SO, which affects its strength and Causes it to disintegrate. Low concentration of ozone induces chemical alteration in natural synthetic textiles, paper, rubber and polymers. Particulates accelerate corrosion of metals. Dust, soot, mist, aerosols bring about severe damage to soil, building, sulpture and monuments, H,S and organic sulphides react with lead paints to form lead sulphide thereby producing brown to black discoloration. Hydrocarbons (HC) pollutants damage long chains of carbon atoms loosing tensile strength of polymers. (Jan, 2013) Due to man made activities like industrialization, automobiles, deforestations etc., concentration of CO, and other green house gases in atmosphere will increase, About 50% of Green House Effect may be attributed to CO;, which resulted in the increase in temperature of carth. This increase in temperature caused the melting of ice caps and glaciers. Thus the increase in ambient air temperature will increase the mean sea level. (©) Effect of air pollution on Aesthetic beauty : (Jan, 2013) The most noticeable effect of air pollution on the properties of atmosphere is the reduction in visibility, which may lead to safe hazards. Visibility is reduced by absorption and scattering of light The aesthetic beauty of nature is not visible due to scattering of lish by air borne particles (0.1 to.1 mm size). Industrial and automobiles emissions, sewage and garbage emit foul odours causing loss of aestel” beauty, @ scanned with OKEN ScannerAe pollution . 261 fp Bffects of air pollution on Animals (Jan. 2009) Animals are indirectly affected by air pollution mainly by eating. contaminated vegetation. « Lead poisoning occurs in animals grazing near smelters and lead mines. It causes paralysis and difficulty in breathing. It also leads to loss of appetite and diarrhoea. ° Arsenic poisoning in animals causes severe salivation, thirst, vomiting irregular pulse and respiration, abnormal body temperature and death. Farm animals like cattle and sheep are quite susceptible to fluorine toxicity. It affects to lack of apetite, periodic diarrhoea, muscular, weakness loss of weight and death. 89 CONTROL OF AIR POLLUTION : (June 2013) The most effective means dealing with the problem of air pollution is to prevent the formation of the pollutants or minimise their emissions at the source itself, Following measures can be taken to control air pollution : 1, Dilution 2. Zoning 3. Control at source 4. By using controlling equipments 1. Dilution : The atmosphere, like natural stream, possesses self cleansing properties Which continuously clean and remove the pollutants from the atmosphere under Natural conditions, provided the pollutants are discharged in the atmosphere iNdiciously so that effective dispersion take place. If the pollutants are carried away to some distance or taken to high altitudes, they are reduced in concentration by diffusion and dilution, The Pollutants are taken to high altitudes. by means of tall stacks. he. high rise Chimneys, The height of the stack should be such that the maximum ground aa 50 pm) from gas streams. A gravitational settling chamber consists of a large circular/rectanguler expansion chamber in which dust is separated from the gas by reducing the velocity of the gas. Due to this the dust particles settle down under gravity, in the bottom of the chamber. Gravity settling chambers are set horizontally, often on the ground and can be constructed in brick or concrete. In order to reduce the size of the chamber, the gas velocity is kept between 0.5 m/s to 3 m/s. to prevent re-entrainment of settled particles. The simplest form of horizontal type settling chamber is shown in Fig. 83. Chamber Gas _ inlet \ Gas outet Dust hoppers Fig. 8.3 Horizontal flow settling chamber amin’ Mote elaborate settling chamber is the Howard type whose simplified diagram is shown in Fig. 8.4, By inserting several trays, the collection efficlen) of th ved since the gas flow velocity in the chamber remail the same and yet particle has a must shorter distance to fall before reacitS the bottom of the Passage between trays. @ device is impro: @ scanned with OKEN Scanneryeroution ; 566 Gas outlet O Gas inlet ‘Chamber width = w = L__,_J Fig. 8.4 Howard settling chamber The emitted smokes, when made to’ pass through a settling chamber, drop some of their larger sized particles in the chamber, under Stoke’s law. The lugest size particle (d) that be removed with 100 % efficiency in a chamber of length (L), height (H) is given by the equation : Vj, = horizontal velocity of gas (0.5 to 2.5 m/s) h = Viscosity of air, in kg/m.sec Py = density of particles removed C = correction factor for existing non-quiescent conditions in the gas flow, generally taken as 2. Advantages 8 , 1. Low initial cost Simple to design Low pressure drop Low maintenance cost Oe en i disposal of solid particulates ontinuous Dry and ¢ eae ot Be . 50 jum) can be separated out, (ii) Cyclone separators or centrifugal collectors : Cyclone separators utilise a centrifugal force generated by a spinning gas stream to separate the particulate matter from the carrier gas. The Centrifugal force on particles in a spinning gas stream is much greater than gravity therefore cyclones are much effective in removing much smaller particles (10 to 50 pm) than’ gravitational settling chambers. A simple reverse flow type cyclone is shown in Fig. 8.5. It consists of a vertically placed cylinder having an inverted cone attached at its bottom, and fitted with a tangential inlet located near the top. The outlet pipe for the purified gas is a central cylindrical pipe at the top, which is extended into the e 7 ar ouret Outer vertex Inner vortex Air intet Inner cylinder Outer vortex vorte Inner vortex Body ——o ‘Cone Dust outlet Fig. 8.5 Reverse flow cyclone separator asl @ scanned with OKEN Scannerje Pollution 267 inder of the cyclone ircuiti cylinder ©) y' to prevent shortcircuiting of the gas from inlet to the he cyclone has an outl i qutlet. TI outlet at its bottom of the i ii sated particles. cone for discharging the In operation, the particle - laden gas upon entering the cyclone cylind tangentially at its top receives a rotating motion. The outer vortex so form od develops a centrifugal force which acts to throw the particles radiall: ae the wall. The gas spirals downwards to the bottom of the cone. a at a tottom, the gas flow reverses to form an inner vortex which leaves through the outlet pipe situated at the top of the cyclone. Due to their inertia, the dust particles tend to concentrate on the surface of the cycle from where they are Ied to the receiver. : The centrifugal force generated can be expressed by, Fp = mxve where, F, = Centrifugal force m, = mass of the particles r = radius of cyclone V, = inlet gas velocity Cyclones are widely used in industries producing larger quantities of gas ntaining large sized particles like cement and fertilizer plants, petroleum Nineties, asphalt mixing plants, grain mills, cotton gins, etc. vantages : ! |. low initial cost 2. Simple to design and maintain 3. requires less floor area ous disposal of collected du: 5 to 20 cm) peratures up (0 9 i sts ensures dry continu 5. Low to medium pressure loss (2. ; ec. 6 Can handle large volumes of gases at tem| ~ a @ scanned with OKEN ScannerEnvironm 268 Atal Stes Disadvantages + 1, Requires much headroom 3, Collection efficiency is low for smaller particles 3. Quite sensitive to variable dust loadings and flow rates ii) Electrostatic Precipitators (ESP) : The electrostatic precipitator is one of the most widely used devices fa controlling particulate emissions at industrial installations ranging from ae plants, cement and paper mills to oil refineries. In most cases, the particula, | to be collected are byproducts of combustion. Electrostatic precipitation is a physical process by which particles suspended in a gas stream are charged electrically and under the influence of electica field, separated from the gas stream. For industrial applications, vertical plates exposed to horizontal gas flow are normally used. In this type of collector, the gas flows between two parallel plates between which are suspended a number of vertical wires held in place Power supply © (+) Gas exit “i Collecting electrode Gas inlet Discharge electrode Fig. 8.6 Parallel plate precipitator eS @ scanned with OKEN Scannera” pile javantages + 1 Particles as small as 0.1 um can be removed, High collection efficiency Power requirement is less Pressure drop is less (0.25 ~ 1.25 om of water) 2. 3 4, Large gas columns can be handled 5 6. Can remove tar and acid mists 7. ability to operate over a wide range of conditions, temperature up to 800°C and pressures of 50 atmosphere. 8. treatment time is negligible (0.1 to 10 seconds) Disadvantages : 1. High initial cost 2. Large space is required 3. high voltage equipment necessitates special safety precautions 4. There are possible explosion hazards during collection of combustible particulates or gases. 5. Collection efficiency raduces with time 6. Sensitive to variable dust loadings and flow rates () Fabric filters (Bag House) : a tubular bags or an envelop ° when dirty gas pass through it, de fabric surface of the bag. The a number of such : es, suspended or A fabric filter consists of "ounted with open cells in such a way that insi q + i © particulate ‘matter is arrested on the i ‘ f house consists ©! w by ole system generally known as @ bag as, 1 ends are attached to a s are closed upward moving gas hile lowe! The u bi i ipper ends of the bags i d. The °pper, where also, the inlet of the flue gas 1S locates ich settle down i “Ps out particulate matter in these bags, which s @ scanned with OKEN Scanner into the hopper andautomat ‘Shaker mechanism Filter bags Dusty gas in = Larger particle separation by centrifugal action Dust outlet Fig. 8.7 Typical bag house The normal velocities at which th to 1 m/min. The air to cloth rati design of fabric filters. In the lo 7 ~ 25 mm/sec, while in high r: © gas is passed through the bags is 0.4 io is one of thé important parameters in the Ww ratio bags, the air to cloth ratio is between ‘atio bag, this value may be 25 — 50 mmisec. Advantages : 1. High collection efficiency (about 99 %) 2. Collection and disposal of particles in dry form 3. Low pressure drop 4. Simple Construction and operation 5. Nominal power consumption Disadvantages 1, Large size of equipment maa ; 285 °C 2. Operational limitations for process temperatures. higher than 3. High construction cost 4. Operational limitations at high humidity ail @ scanned with OKEN Scanner,, pollution fi b 271 5, The fabric is liable to chemical attack ) Wet Serubbers : (") A scrubber is a device which utili ¥Ses a liquid to asi articulates from the carrier gas stream, They * jguid The object of the scrubber is to transfo in the gas to the scrubbing liquid which can aning device. are mixed phases of gas and T suspended particulate matter be readily removed by the gas dle , Commonly used types of scrubbers are : (a) Spray towers (b) Packed bed towers (c) Cyclone scrubber (@ Venturi scrubber (3) Spray towers : The simplest type of wet scrubber is a spray tower into which water is introduced by means of spray nozzles. The polluted gas flows upward and the Clean gas out <—Misst euminator Water in—> Slury out Fig. 8.8 Spray tower @ scanned with OKEN ScannerEnvironm 3 ental Studies particles collection results because of inertial impaction and Interception on the droplets. ‘these are used for removing coarse dusts (> 1 to 2) where high efficieney js not required. They are therefore used as primary cleaners in treating blas, farnace gas and for flyash and cinder removal. (b) Packed bed towers : Fig, 8.9 shows a packed bed tower. They are fibre glass (Fine glass) packing. The polluted gas stream moves upward and comes in contact with the scrubbing liquid stream which is moving downwards over the packing in a film. The particles are captured by inertial impaction while the gas stream takes a curved path through pore space of the packing. Clean gas 1 Demister Liquid —~ Sprays Spent liquor Fig. 8.9 Packed bed tower (©) Cyclone scrubbers : it is : id i iene Eee form of dry cyclone in which the scrubbing ia - eee a fe path by spraying through nozzles mounted on’ the ae ane ae eh vessel. The spinning motion is initiated by introducing 4 Y inward from the wall. The sprays assist in collection a @ scanned with OKEN Scannery pollution 273 si F jispersoid and tend to prevent re-entrainment. The scrubbing | with collected particles runs down the walls to the scrubLer bottom and out, he ee the cleaned gas leaves through the top. Wl Clean gas out Core buster disc Fig. 8.10 Cyclonic Scrubber (d) Venturi Scrubber : In this type of scrubber, dust laden gas is accelerated to a high velocity (60 t0 100 m/s) while passing through the converging section and approaching Clean gas out Dirty gas in ‘Scrubbing liquid Injection Slurry out Fig. 8.11 Venturi Scrubber followed by cyclone separator Pie ft x mental Studies \ 2014 \ 35 @ scanned with OKEN Scannervm 274 Environmenta} Studies the throat sect! Water sprays are introduced just ahead of the venty; The high velocity as impinges upon the liquid stream in the throat, there atomizing the liquid into large number of fine droplets. After the Pattctla have been trapped within the liquor droplets, the resulting agglomerates i readily removed from the gas stream in the separator. ne Such scrubbers are used in removing mists and dust from gases from Pulp and paper industries, steel industries, chemical industries, etc. Advantages of wet scrubbers : 1. Simultaneous removal of gases and particulates Effective performance over a wide loading range Hazards of explosive dust-air mixtures are reduced Hot gases can be cooled down when Corrosive gases can be recovered and neutralized 6. Equipment occupies only a moderate space Disadvantages of wet scrubbers : 1. A lot df waste water is produced which need disposal Corrosion problems Relatively high energy costs Poses freezing problems in cold countries weep Very small particles (sub micron sizes) may not be captured. 8.9.1 Control of Gaseous Pollutants : The important devices which can be used to control emission of gaseo™S pollutants in industries are : 1. Absorption units 2. Adsorption units 3. Combustion equipments 1, Absorption Units : A tants The absorption units work on the principle of transfer of the pollu = | @ scanned with OKEN Scanner; the gas Phase to the liquid phase. In other words, nm gas, get absorbed in the liguid, th, ia apsorption takes place by , the pollutants from the rough which the gas is made to pass, diffusion as well as dissolution. cf w ae absorption units include + Spray tower + Plate tower + Packed tower + Venturi scrubbers, etc, These have already been described in the previous article. . Adsorption Units : Adsorption units use adsorbents like activated carbon, molecular sieves, aivated alumina, silica gel, etc. In adsorption units, the dirty gases are made to pass through the beds of wh adsorbent materials, where in the pollutants are effectively caught and ‘moved. Activated carbon beds can very effectively catch hydrocarbons, H,S wd $0. as ' Combustion equipments : This is used when the pollutants in the gas streams are oxidisable to an ett gas. Pollutants like hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide (CO) can be easily “ML oxidised and removed in such equipments. Two types of combustion equipments used are : ") Direct flame incinerator ‘t) Catalytic incinerator i ombustibl, The direct £1 incineration is a control technique for o ible rect ame in ; f oxygen by i jshed in the presence o Nic air pollutants. This is accomplishes on temperature and then ny ising ve their igniti 7 "NE the temperature of the gases abo ‘dation'‘reacti ‘intay ns + oxidation’ reac! ‘sining this temperature until the organic gases and oxygen fh is high enough for the _e ions are coniplete. a mixture of dilute I 7 i a * the catalytic incineration, e whic § e emperaturt Posed to g catalytic surface at a temp @ scanned with OKEN ScannerEnvi 276 nvironmental Studies Refractory lined steel shell Burner ports: Gas bumer piping Refractory ring baffle =— Inlet for contaminated airstream Bumer block Fig.6.12 Direct flame Incineration Fig. 8.12 Direct flame incinerator Hot polluted Bumer gases Catalyst aac Clean Aire > [Pos —- Dirty a a Fan to mix gases to distribute them evenly Fig. 8.13 Catalytic incinerator oxidation to occur. Catalysts are usually solids that are neither reactants nor products of a reaction, yet alter the rate of chemical reactions. The effect of the catalyst is to reduce the temperature required to oxidize the orgamc compounds. 8.9.2 Controlling Air Pollutants from Automobiles :) Automobiles chiefly emit carbon monoxide (CO), hydro carbons CHO) ane nitrogen oxide (NO,). The contents of these pollutants in the smoke, emitte by the automobiles, may usually vary as : co 0.5 to 6.4 % HC = 300 to 1000 ppm NO,= 500 to 3000 ppm es @ scanned with OKEN Scannersir Pottution 277 The automobile exhaust can be controlled by : 1, Replacement of the internal combustion engine (I.C. engine) with other types of engines like steam, electric and gas turbine engines. 2. By using catalytic convertors, The catalytic convertors are usually made of noble metals like platinum, palladium etc. and help in oxidising CO and HC into their final end products of CO, and also reduce NO into nitrogen. A catalytic converter is generally placed inside the tail exhaust pipe of the automobile, so as to pass through it the ‘partially oxidised emissions’ before they are let out into the atmosphere. Using cleaner fuel like CNG, electric car, hybrid car. Using lead free petrol. By proper maintenace of the vehicles. away Developing good mass transportation facility. 810 FACTORS AFFECTING AIR POLLUTION : (Jan. 2011) The major factors affecting air pollution are : 1. Meteorological characteristics : * Wind direction * Wind speed * Atmospheric lapse rate * Relative humidity, etc. au Topographical features : * — Unevenness of land forms and barriers like mountains Valleys Characteristics of pollutants : Type and size of pollutants Interaction among pollutants aan @ scanned with OKEN Scanner278 4, ollutants Mode of release of Pp Intermittent, continuous, cyclic From single source or multiple source * From point source or areca source 8.11 AIR POLLUTION EPISODES : Air pollution episode means air Pollution disasters. The major air pollution disasters of the world are : 1. Bhopal (India) : * 3rd December, 1984 * Union Carbide Company, Bhopal. * 30 tonnes of deadly methyl isocynate (MIC) gas was leaked from storage tank. * More than 2500 people died and about 1 lakh people severely affected with coughing, conjuctivities, suffocation and cardiac failure. 2. Donora (USA) : * ° October 1948 Donora, Pennsylvania 45 km north of Pittsburgh anticyclone weather condition characterized by little or no air Movement occured over a period of 4 days. Temperature inversion and fog resulted in the death of 20 people and 6000 people become ill, London (England) ; * December 1952 Anticyclone Weather created over the london area, @ subsidence inversion and fog formed Due to low temperature inversion, dioxide, 4000 people died, and respiratory troubles, » Stagnant air, smoke''and sulphur Several thousands hospitalized fo" 4 @ scanned with OKEN Scanneryr ion ye 279 y MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS pamaging effect on Taj Mahal is due to (a) CO (b) SO. ‘ (c) CFCs (d) Hydrogen the atmosphere of big cities is polluted by (a) Household waste (b) Radioactive fallout (c) Automobile exhaust (d) Pesticides Air pollutant which reduces oxygen carrying capacity of haemoglobin is (a) Ammonia (b) Hydrogen sulphide (c) Carbon monoxide (d) Sulphur dioxide 1, Chemical reaction of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons in the presence of sunlight form (a) SOy (b) Benzene (e) CO (a) PAN 3. Coal is the main contributor of (a) CO, (b) CO (c) SO, (a) Np i, Bhopal gas tragedy was due to leakage of (a) methyl iso cynate (b) Carbon monoxide (©) Chlore benzane (d) None of these i. Asthama, bronchitis and silicosis disease are : (a) Water borne (b) air borne (c) both (a) and (b) (d) none of these 3. The main product of photochemical smog is (a) PAN (b) 05 (c) Hy8O4 (4) NHCl } The main important indoor air pollutant is (2) $0, (b) CO (c) NO2 (d) Radon gas "0. Which one is a primary, pollutant ? males pasos (b) CO2 uD y of the blood by - Which ai ‘reduces the oxygen carrying capacit a ae forming carboxyl hemoglobin ? (Dee. ne are (b) SO, (c) CO (d) N20 ‘ “In cyclone separators which force is utilized to separate eee Matter from the gas. trifugal force (2) Electrostatic force (0): Canteys drostatic force (©) Gravitational force (4) Hy @ scanned with OKEN Scanner. PAN is a . Automobile exhaust consists of .. Environmental Studies ondary pollutant that (une 2014) (a) Forms when hydrocarbon radical reacts with ‘nitrogen dioxide (b) Cause photochemical smog (c) May cause respiratory diseases in human (d) All of the above (June 2014) (a) Hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitric oxide (b) Lead vapour (c) Sulphur dioxide (d) Carbon dioxide ANSWERS) e@—+—___ io |20 13 © | + 1s @lo@lre@ 8. (a) | 9. (@) | 10. () 1. (@) | 12. (6) [13.@ fia @ w Define air pollution. Give the classification of air pollutants. (Jan. 2010, Jan. 2013) Explain the effects of air pollution on climate and aesthetic beauty. (Jan. 2013) heir sources. (May 2012) (June 2010, Jan. 2013) ermissible limits as per of high carbon monoxide (June 2010) ants and explain the Discuss various gaseous and Particulate air pollutants with t Define : (i) Fog (ii) Soot Enlist the common air pollutants stating their pi ambient air quality standards. Discuss the effect Presence in atmosphere upon human beings. Enumerate different primary and secondary air pollut effect of carbon monoxide on human beings. (June 2011) What are the effects of carbon monoxide and particulate matter in air om human health 2 (Jan. 2011) Describe structure of atmos; air pollutants in detail. Give classification of Pheric air. Give types and effects of common (April 2010) air pollutants based on source. (Jan, 2011) ~ Falist the important factors affecting air pollution and explain any on? (Jan. 2011) 4 @ scanned with OKEN Scannersir pollution 281 n effect of air pollu non human beings and animals. (Jan. 2009, June 2013) erent (Jan. 2009, Sept. 2009, June 2014) Give types and effects of common air pollutants in detail. (Dee. 2013) 4, Discuss the controlling measures of air pollution. (June 2013) 5. Discuss the air pollution caused by oxides of nitrogen and sulphur. cribe different air pollutants. De (Dec. 2014) GTU EXAM PAPER SOLUTION Dec. 2013 |. (a) 6. Which air pollutant reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood by combining with hemoglobin forming carboxy hemoglobin ? (a) CO (b) SO, (c) CO, (d) N,0 Ans. + (3) 2 (b) 2. In cyclone separators which force is utilized to separate the particulate matter from the gas ? (a) Electrostatic force (b) Centrifugal force (c) Gravitational force (d) Hydrostatic force Ans. : (b) 4. (a) Give types and effects of common air pollutants in detail. Ans, : Refer article 8.7 KNOW THE FACTS i " 1 cerebral dilator. At concentration between «yxide (CO>) is powerful Carbon Dioxide (CO> dizziness, headache, mental confusion, : ea, . Fi an cause nausea, A " 200 10% hoa . missure and respiracory rate. Above 10%, suffocation and increased bloo this inutes. , within mine af death can accnr NT aces 1/60 the emission of shipping by air and about 1/5 Shipping by sea P! ~ Daniel Goleman that of truckins- parrels of oil to build a car. A barrel of oil that sells for S 8. dt rakes 27 00 54 tract from the ground in Iraq. — Mathew David y $1 0 ex 100 costs iam af carbon monosidte (CO) is contributed into the atmosphere than 60 missions caused by the transportation services. 4. More by vehicular © @ scanned with OKEN Scanner