Various steps to prevent and
control air pollution need to be
taken in order to reduce its
harmful effects. The steps include:
A) Law enforcement
-Introduce environment quality act
and laws in Malaysia.
-Impose fines on individuals who
practise open burning, smoke in
restricted areas, and those who do
not abide by the rules of vehicle
emission standards.
-Prohibit construction of factories
in residential areas.
B) Education
-Educate the public on the
practices to reduce air pollution
especially in schools.
- Participate in local utility energy
conservation programs such as
‘Love our environment’ and ‘No
smoking’ campaigns.
-Limit driving by carpooling using
public transportation, biking, and
walking which can help in
conservation of energy.
-Adopt the 3Rs of solid waste
management; Reduce, reuse, and
recycle.
C) Science and technology
- Use unleaded petrol and
low-sulphur petrol.
-Use hybrid vehicles.
-Install electrostatic filters in
factory smokestacks and build
to at least 30 metres tall.
-Install catalytic converters in
all motor vehicles.
-Use biological methods to AIR POLLUTION
control pests
In this topic, we will learn about:
i)Definition of air pollution
ii)Definition of air pollutants, examples,
and sources of air pollutants
iii)Causes and effects of air pollution
iv)Ways to prevent and control air
Prepared by: pollution
Dayanitha a/p A
Supavamaniyam
1 Pasteur

Definition of air pollution:
Air pollution is indicated by the presence of
pollutants in the atmosphere. Air pollutants are
any chemical substances, particles, or
microorganisms in the air.
Air pollution occurs when the atmosphere
contains an increased level of pollutants such as
gases, smoke, smog, and dust. These substances
are very harmful to human beings, animals, and
plants.
Source: Source:
Combustion of fossil Industrial emissions
fuels in vehicles
C) Plants and animals
Causes and effects of air pollution:
A) Human health
-When acid rain flows into the water systems
,it turns water acidic which is not suitable for
This causes the greenhouse effects and global
warming.
-Smoke and soot irritate the lungs and cause breathing
aquatic plants and animals. -Global warming, the rise in Earth’s temperature
difficulties. -Acid rain causes soil to be acidic and
may results in the climate change. Certain
-Nitrogen dioxide affects the respiratory system and causes infertile. places may experience droughts.
itchiness and redness in the eyes. -Smoke and haze decrease the penetration -The increase of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in
-Carbon dioxide reduces the amount of oxygen carried by of sunlight to the surface of the Earth and the atmosphere causes depletion of ozone
the blood and causes headaches and brain damages. this, in turn, reduces the rate of
layer. This allows more harmful ultraviolet (UV)
-Radioactive substances are cardiogenic. photosynthesis by green plants.
rays to reach the Earth surface.
B)Buildings and infrastructures D) Climate
-Dust makes buildings dirty -Smoke and dust from factories, vehicles and
-Sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen of nitrogen dissolve open burning cause haze.
in rain water to form water to form acid rain. Acid rain -The increase of greenhouse gases such as
corrodes concrete and limestone structures, and accelerates carbon dioxide trapped in the atmosphere
the rusting process. prevents heat from escaping from space.
Source: Source: Source: Sources: Source:
Open burning, Agricultural activities Aerosol sprays, refrigerators, and air Nuclear power plants Construction sites,
cigarettes and forest conditioners asbestos factories and
fires limestone quarries

     

Air pollutants: Air pollutants: Air pollutants: Air pollutants:

-Smoke, dust and -Smoke and soot -smoke and soot -pesticides
soot -oxides of nitrogen -dust -chemical fertilisers
- Carbon monoxide -sulphur dioxide -carbon dioxide
-Sulphur dioxide -carbon dioxide Air pollutants: Air pollutants: Air pollutants:
-Hydrocarbon -carbon monoxide -chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) -radioactive substances -dust particles
-Lead
-Plumbum