Air pollution and its preventive measures

II B.SC NURSING,COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING-I, UNIT II, DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH, AIR.

1. AIR POLLUTION By, Ms.Stephy Thomas Ast.Professor Community Health Nursing Dept. Padmashree Institute of Nursing, Bangalore.

2. Definition Presence of substances like gases, dust particles, fumes (or smoke) or odor in the atmosphere in amounts that interfere with human health, safety or comfort or injuries to vegetation and animals .

3. Air Pollutants A substance in the air that can cause harm to humans and the environment is known as an air pollutant. Pollutants can be in the form of solid particles, liquid droplets, or gases. In addition, they may be natural or man-made .

4. Air pollutants are categorized in 2, Chemical pollutants: Gases: sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogenoxide .. Particulate matter: dust, smoke, aerosols, grit, sand, etc.. Metal: lead, mercury, copper, zinc, etc.. 2. Biological pollutants: Pathogenic microbes(tubercle bacilli), spores, pollen grains, etc..

5. Types of air pollution Indoor air pollution: Combustion of coal/ fire wood- smoke, co2, so2, co3 Burning of candles- carbonic acid Respiration- co2 Solvents & aerosol sprays- organic vapours Uv light sources- ozone Tobacco Burning of waste Use of gas heaters & gas cookers- nitrogen dioxide Furnishings TV, computers, Cell phones- electro magnetic rays

6. 2. Outdoor air pollution: Combustion of coke, bio-mass fuel Decaying of animal wastes & vegetable matter Automobile fumes, dusts, refuse from street & road Industrial pollutants like smoke, tar, hydrocarbons Overcrowded houses in slums Occupation – mining, cotton factory, asbestoses etc..

7. Sources of air pollution Industries Automobiles Domestic sources: combustion of fuel, wood, kerosene oil Chemical fertilizers Miscellaneous : burning of refuse, forest fires, deforestation, pesticide spraying, etc..

8. Effects of air pollution EFFECTS ON HUMAN HEALTH Immediate effects: Continuous coughing for no apparent reason Cold & cough resulting in acute bronchitis Irritation of the mucus lining of the nose, throat and allergic rhinitis

9. b . Delayed effects: Chronic bronchitis Tuberculosis Asthma Emphysema Lung cancer Respiratory allergies Impaired neuro-psychologic development in children LBW, abortions, fetal anomaly during pregnancy

10. 2. Effects on soil & plants Reduces the fertility of the soil Affects the chlorophyll of the plants and leads to immature leaf fall

11. 3. Effects on monuments & building Black soot released from Mathura oil is causing blackening of TAJ MAHAL & other buildings

12. 4. socio-economic effects smoke+ fog= smog(so2, co3, n2) in atmosphere causes reduced visibility causes accidents & disturbances in road traffic. Affects the general vitality and reduces capacity to work and effects economic development.

13. 5. Other effects of air pollution Smog: mixture of pollution and water vapours , usually occurs in extreme cold weather. Cause accidents, suffocation, poisoning. b. Global warming: accumulation of gases like co2, methane, chlorofluorocarbons & ozone in troposphere. It affects the ecosystem, by trapping excessive heat increases the atmosphere temperature.

14. c. Acid rain: pollutants mixed with water vapours in environment and converts into acid. When it rains it contains sulphuric acid, carbonic acid, nitric acid. Causes effects on soil and water causing deforestation, desertification, soil erosion and destroys aqua life. d. Ozone layer: depletion of ozone

15. Prevention and control of air pollution Its done by 3 measures: Engineering measures Legislative measures General measures

16. 1. Engineering measures: Containment: prevention of escape of toxic substances into surrounding air. It can be achieved by, Enclosure at the source of production Ventilation Use of arresters for removal of pollutants Wet method to control production of dust.

17. b. Replacement : replacing the more hazardous process with new which is not. Ex. Use of electricity in place of fire wood c. Dilution : establishing green-belts around industrial area and residential area to dilute co2 & co by o2 by plants

18. 2. Legislative measures: “The air (prevention and control ) pollution act in 1981”. Saying, not allowing air pollutants to exceed the permissible limits. CPCB has the authority to inspect the air sample of the industries & take legal action. Height of the chimney Creation of smokeless zones Research and education to reduce the nuisance of air pollution “Environment act 1986” for monitoring the air.

19. 3. General measures Dilution of polluted air with clean air Vegetation Proper maintenance of vehicles and using lead free petrol Traffic control measures to prevent traffic congestion. Health education about hazards of air pollution & measures to control.