Air and noise

Pollution
Syllabus
Definition
Air pollution is the presence of solids, liquids, or
gases in the outdoor air in amounts that are injurious
or detrimental to humans, animal, plants, or property
or that unreasonably interfere with the comfortable
enjoyment of life and property.

Air pollution inside dwellings or places of assembly is

discussed under Indoor Air Quality
The
composition of
clean air
 “Criteria” Pollutants

Total suspended Sulfur dioxide (SO2) Nitrogen oxides (NO Carbon monoxide Ozone (O3) Lead (Pb)
particulate matter and NO2) (CO)
(TSP)- PM10 , PM2.5
The effects of air pollution are influenced by

Typography, sunlight,
Type and quantity of pollutants
Wind speed and direction. precipitation, vertical change in
and their possible interactions.
air temperature,

susceptibility of the individual

Height at which pollutant is and materials to specific
Photochemical reactions,
released, and contaminants—singularly and
in combination.
Effects of • Air pollution is not a new or recent
phenomenon.

Air • It has been recognized as a source of

pollution discomfort for centuries as smoke, dust,
and obnoxious odors.

• The solution of any air pollution problem

must avoid transferring the pollutant
removed to another medium, without
adequate treatment.
Health Humans are dependent on air.

Effects We breathe about 35 lb of air per day as compared with the

consumption of 3 to 5 lb of water and 1 lb (dry) of food.

Pollution in the air may place an undue burden on the respiratory

system.

contribute to increased morbidity and mortality, especially among

susceptible individuals in the general population.

Particulates greater than 3 m in diameter are likely to collect in the lung

lobar bronchi; smaller particulates (less than 3 m) end up in the alveoli,
the thoracic or lower regions of the respiratory tract, where more harm
can be done.
Major Air pollution
episodes
Air pollution episodes

The weather conditions were typically fog, temperature inversion, and

nondispersing wind.

Pollutants were well in excess of levels in the ambient air.

Economic Effects
• Pollutants in the air cause damage to property, equipment,
and facilities, in addition to increased medical costs, lost
wages, and crop damage.
• Sulfur and formaldehyde pollution attack copper roofs and
zinc coatings
• steel corrodes two to four times faster in urban and
industrial areas due to moisture, chloride, sulfate, and
ammonium pollution.
• particulates in polluted air cause erosion, accelerate
corrosion, and soil clothes, buildings, cars, and other
property, making more frequent cleaning and use of indoor
air-filtering equipment necessary.
• Ozone reduces the useful life of rubber and other
elastomers, attacks some paints, discolors dyes, and
damages textiles.
Effects on Plants

• plants are used as indicators of harmful

contaminants because of their greater
sensitivity to certain specific contaminants.

• Hydrogen fluoride, sulfur dioxide, smog,

ozone, and ethylene are among the
compounds that can harm plants.

• Ozone has been indicated in forest decline

and in damage to a variety of other
agriculture products.
•Injury to plants due to ozone shows up as flecks, stipple and
bleaching, tip burns on conifers, and growth suppression.
 • Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) injury is apparent by glazing,
Effects on Plants silvering, or bronzing on the underside of the leaf.
Effects on Plants

• Sulfur dioxide injury shows up as bleached and necrotic areas

between the veins, growth suppression, and reduction in yield.

Acute sulfur dioxide injury to raspberry. Note that the

injury occurs between the veins and that the tissue
nearest the vein remains healthy.
Effects on Plants
Hydrogen fluoride injury is
evidenced by plant leaf tip and
margin burn, chlorosis, dwarfing,
abrupt growth cessation, and
lowered yield
Effects on Animals
• Fluorides have caused crippling skeletal damage to cattle in areas
where fluorides absorbed by the vegetation are ingested.
• Animal laboratory studies show deleterious effects from exposure
to low levels of ozone, photochemical oxidants, and PAN.
• Lead and arsenic have also been implicated in the poisoning of
sheep, horses, and cattle.
• All of the canaries and about 50 percent of the animals exposed
to hydrogen sulfide in the Poza Rica, Mexico, incident were
reported to have died.
• Morbidity and mortality studies are ongoing to determine actual
impacts of air pollutants on animals.