1. What is Air Pollution? Air pollution is the introduction of
chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause
harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or damages
the natural environment into the atmosphere. What is the
atmosphere? The atmosphere is a complex dynamic natural gaseous
system that is essential to support life on planet Earth.
Stratospheric ozone depletion due to air pollution has long been
recognized as a threat to human health as well as to the Earth's
ecosystems.
2. Air pollution is the introduction into the atmosphere of
chemicals, particulates, or biological material that cause
discomfort, disease, or death to humans, damage other living
organisms such as food crops, or damage the natural environment or
built environment. The atmosphere is a complex dynamic natural
gaseous system that is essential to support life on planet Earth.
Stratospheric ozone depletion due to air pollution has long been
recognized as a threat to human health as well as to the Earth's
ecosystem. What are air pollutants?
3. Air pollution is a significant risk factor for multiple
health conditions including respiratory infections, heart disease,
and lung cancer, according to the WHO. The health effects caused by
air pollution may include difficulty in breathing, wheezing,
coughing, asthma and aggravation of existing respiratory and
cardiac conditions. These effects can result in increased
medication use, increased doctor or emergency room visits, more
hospital admissions and premature death. The human health effects
of poor air quality are far reaching, but principally affect the
body's respiratory system and the cardiovascular system. Individual
reactions to air pollutants depend on the type of pollutant a
person is exposed to, the degree of exposure, the individual's
health status and genetics.[
4. SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION Anthropogenic sources (human
activity) mostly related to burning different kinds of fuel.
Stationary Sources Mobile Sources Chemicals Fumes Military
5. AQI: Air Quality Index Indicates whether pollutant levels in
air may cause health concerns. Ranges from 0 (least concern) to 500
(greatest concern)
6. INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION Cement Industry The small scale cement
plants re highly inefficient and do not have pollution control
systems. However, recently Bhutans largest cement industry (Penden
Cement Authority Ltd.) has modified its plant and installed
pollution control devices such as electrostatic precipitators.
7. INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION Chemical Industry The chemical industry
is a major source of air pollution. The main pollutants from the
chemical industries are CO2, SO2, NO2, CO and particulate matter.
Another problem with this industry is the lack of storage space for
raw materials like limestone, coal and charcoal. The height of
emission stacks is low , as a result of which emissions are not
properly dispersed causing air pollution in the surrounding
area.
8. Air Quality Air Quality Index Protect Your Health Good 0-50
No health impacts are expected when air quality is in this range.
Moderate 51-100 Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting
prolonged outdoor exertion. Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups 101-150
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease,
such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Unhealthy
151-200 Active children and adults, and people with respiratory
disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion,
everyone else, especially children should limit prolonged outdoor
excertion. Very Unhealthy (Alert) 201-300 Active children and
adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should
limit prolonged outdoor exertion everyone else, especially
children, should limit outdoor exertion.
9. Carbon Monoxide colorless, odorless produced when carbon
does not burn in fossil fuels present in car exhaust deprives body
of O2 causing headaches, fatigue, and impaired vision
10. Sulfur Dioxide produced when coal and fuel oil are burned
present in power plant exhaust narrows the airway, causing wheezing
and shortness of breath, especially in those with asthma
11. Ground Level Ozone at upper level, ozone shields Earth from
suns harmful UV rays at ground level, ozone is harmful pollutants
formed from car, power and chemical plant exhaust irritate
respiratory system and asthma; reduces lung function by inflaming
and damaging lining of lungs
12. Particulate Matter particles of different sizes and
structures that are released into the atmosphere present in many
sources including fossil fuels, dust, smoke, fog, etc. can build up
in respiratory system aggravates heart and lung disease; increases
risk of respiratory infection
13. Nitrogen Dioxide reddish, brown gas produced when nitric
oxide combines with oxygen in the atmosphere present in car exhaust
and power plants affects lungs and causes wheezing; increases
chance of respiratory infection
14. OZONE LAYER DEPLETION The ozone layer protects the Earth
from the UVB wavelengths (270315 nm) of ultraviolet light (UV
light) sent down by the sun. If the ozone layer is depleted by
human action, the effects on the planet could be catastrophic. Air
pollution due to CFCs is destroying the ozone layer depletion,
which could lead to damage, including increases in skin cancer.
Image of the largest Antarctic ozone hole ever recorded (September
2006).
15. GREEN HOUSE EFFECT The greenhouse effect is a process by
which radiative energy leaving a planetary surface is absorbed by
some atmospheric gases, called greenhouse gases. This transfers
energy to the surface and lower atmosphere, so the temperature
there is higher than normal.
16. ACID RAIN Acid rain is a rain has elevated levels of
hydrogen ions (low pH). It can have harmful effects on plants,
aquatic animals, and infrastructure through the process of wet
deposition. Acid rain is caused by emissions of compounds of
ammonium, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur which react with the water
molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids.
17. AIR POLLUTION IN INDIA Maharashtra and Gujarat, the
brightest jewels in Indias industrial crown, are easily, the two
most industrialized states of India. Drive down the Mumbai-Pune
highway and you will witness the horrible truth of
industrialization. Hundreds of industrial units dealing with
chemicals and fertilizers dump their sludge along the roadside.
Chimneys emit gases that make breathing difficult. Industrial units
never stop polluting, and people cannot stop working for them. So,
it is a treadmill that ends only with a painful death, says Rajesh
Panicker, an industrial worker of Panvel in Maharashtra.
18. AIR POLLUTION IN INDIA Bangalore holds the title of being
the asthma capital of the country. Studies estimate that 10 per
cent of Bangalores 60 lakh population and over 50 per cent of its
children below 18 years suffer from air pollution- related
ailments. Bhopal gas tragedy was the greatest industrial disaster
in the world that took place at a Union Carbide pesticide plant in
the Indian city of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. At midnight on 3
December 1984, the plant accidentally released methyl isocyanine
(MIC) gas, exposing more than 500,000 people to MIC and other
chemicals. The first official immediate death toll was 2,259. The
government of Madhya Pradesh has confirmed a total of 3,787 deaths
related to the gas release Others estimate 8,000-10,000 died within
72 hours and 25,000 have since died from gas-related diseases,
making it the deadliest man-made environmental disaster in
history.
19. WAYS TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION Drive-wise: Plan your trips.
Save gasoline and reduce air pollution. Keep tires properly
inflated and aligned. In the summertime, fill gas tank during
cooler evening hours to cut down on evaporation. Avoid spilling gas
and don't "top off" the tank. Replace gas tank cap tightly. Avoid
waiting in long drive-thru lines, for example, at fast-food
restaurants or banks. Park your car and go in. When possible, use
public transportation, walk, or ride a bike. Use a fuel efficient
car .Get regular engine tune ups and car maintenance checks
(especially for the spark plugs). Use an energy-conserving (EC)
grade motor oil. Join a carpool system. Use bicycles for short
distance journey instead of power-driven vehicles
20. WAYS TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION At Home: Conserve energy -
turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room. Recycle,
glass bottles, cardboard, and aluminum cans. (This conserves energy
and reduces production) Buy green electricity-produced by low-or
even zero- pollution facilities. Connect your outdoor lights to a
timer or use solar lighting. Wash clothes with warm or cold water
instead of hot. Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120F.
Reduce the use of air conditioners.