Subject: Environmental Studies

Department: BBA/B.Com (H)

Created By : Dr. Shiv Kumar

JIMS Engineering Management Technical Campus

Affiliated to GGSIPU, New Delhi Approved by AICTE, NCTE & BAR Council of India
48/4, Knowledge Park III, Greater Noida

Dr. Shiv Kumar

Subject: Environmental Studies
Topic: Air Pollution

Dr. Shiv Kumar

Air Pollution

Air Pollution
Air pollution is defined as the introduction of pollutants, organic
molecules, or other unsafe materials into Earth’s atmosphere.
This can be in the form of excessive gases like carbon dioxide and
other vapours that cannot be effectively removed through natural
cycles, such as the carbon cycle or the nitrogen cycle.
Types of Air Pollution
 Man-made (Artificial) sources
 Natural sources

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Air pollution has a very negative effect on humans and the
ecosystem. The constituents can be dense particles, fluid, or
gasses. A contaminant can be of natural or artificial.
Contaminants are categorized as primary or secondary.
 Primary contaminants are typically created by the emission of
carbon dioxide from vehicles and factories.
 Secondary pollutants are the contaminants which are not
emitted directly into the atmosphere. They are formed in the
atmosphere when prime pollutants react or intermingle.
Ground-level ozone is an important example of a secondary
pollutant. Some contaminants may be both primary and
secondary: they are both emitted directly and formed from
other primary pollutants. Dr. Shiv Kumar
Impact on Environment

Global warming: One more direct consequence is the speedy

changes that the world is observing due to Global warming. With
the increase in temperatures worldwide, an increase in sea levels
and melting of ice from cold areas and icebergs, displacement and
loss of habitat have already beckoned an imminent disaster if
actions for protection and regulation aren’t undertaken soon.

Dr. Shiv Kumar

Acid Rain: Dangerous gasses like NO2 and SO2 are released into the
atmosphere during the incineration of fuels. When it rains, the
droplets combine with these pollutants, become acidic and then fall
on the ground in the form of acid rain. Acid rain is a source of great
harm to human beings, wildlife and crops.
Diminution of Ozone layer: Ozone is present in the Earth’s
atmosphere (Stratosphere) and is responsible for shielding
humans from injurious ultraviolet (UV) rays. Earth’s ozone layer is
diminishing because of the presence of chlorofluorocarbons and
hydrochlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere.

Dr. Shiv Kumar

Greenhouse gases
Global warming is recognized by almost all atmospheric scientists as a
significant environmental problem caused by an increase in levels of
certain trace gases in the atmosphere since the beginning of
the Industrial Revolution in the mid-18th century. These gases,
collectively called greenhouse gases, include carbon dioxide, organic
chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), methane, nitrous
oxide, ozone, and many others. Carbon dioxide, although not the most
potent of the greenhouse gases, is the most important because of the
huge volumes emitted into the air by combustion of fossil fuels (e.g.,
gasoline, oil, coal).

Dr. Shiv Kumar

Green House Effect

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A global health hazard

Poor air quality kills people. Worldwide, bad outdoor air caused
an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths in 2016, about 90 percent of
them in low- and middle-income countries, according to the World
Health Organization. Indoor smoke is an ongoing health threat to the 3
billion people who cook and heat their homes by burning biomass,
kerosene, and coal. Air pollution has been linked to higher rates of
cancer, heart disease, stroke, and respiratory diseases such as asthma.
In the U.S. nearly 134 million people—over 40 percent of the population
—are at risk of disease and premature death because of air pollution,
according to American Lung Association estimates.
(Source: National Geographic)
Respirational and cardio complications: The adverse impacts of Air
pollution are distressing. They are the root of numerous respirational
and cardiac conditions accompanied by Cancer, midst other threats to
our body. More than a few million are known to have expired due to
direct or unforeseen effects of Air contamination. Kids in areas open to
air contaminants are said to suffer frequently from pneumonia and
asthma.
TOXIC POLLUTANTS
 Carcinogenic

Asbestos, PCE, TCE, vinyl chloride (VC), benzene, PAHs (such as

benzo[a]pyrene), ethylene dibromide (EDB), ethylene dichloride
(EDC), PCBc, As, Cd, Ni, Cr, some Hg compounds, arsenic oxide, some
nitrates, pesticides/insecticides/herbicides, radon;
 Non-Carcinogenic

Lead, carbon monoxide, ammonia, acetone

 NON-TOXIC POLLUTANTS
 These pollutants can still asphyxiate by oxygen depletion, therefore
they are still not safe in certain quantities and/or contexts.
 Non-explosives:
 carbon dioxide
 Explosives:
 methane
Topic for Next Lecture

Solid Waste Management

Dr. Shiv Kumar

Thank You !!

Dr. Shiv Kumar