Sources of air pollution

Sources of Air Pollution

1. Sources of Air Pollution Lecture II 28-01-2021 Dr. Misbah Sultan

2. Air pollution , “presence of substances in the atmosphere that are harmful to the health of humans and other living beings, or cause damage to the climate or to materials” “release of various  gases , finely divided solids, or finely dispersed liquid  aerosols   into the atmosphere at rates that exceed the natural capacity of the  environment  to dissipate and dilute or absorb them. These substances may reach concentrations in the air that cause undesirable health, economic, or  aesthetic  effects” Air pollution is not same anywhere

3. There are complex links between air pollutant emissions and air quality . These include emission heights, chemical transformations, reactions to sunlight, additional natural and hemispheric contributions and the impact of weather and topography. Significant cuts in emissions are essential for improving air quality.

4. Pollution On The Move Air Pollution is often created in one place and transported. Sometimes chemical reactions in the atmosphere change pollutants before they are deposited. e .g. POPs in Antarctica

5. Types of Pollutants Primary Pollutants - passed from the source directly into the environment  - categorized into particulates, aerosols, reduced, and oxidized  - less toxic  - do not show synergism Secondary Pollutants  - made from reactions between primary pollutants and environmental constituents  - usually oxidizing  - more toxic  - show synergism

6. Types of Sources There are four main types of air pollution sources: mobile sources  – such as cars, buses, planes, trucks, and trains stationary sources  – such as power plants, oil refineries, industrial facilities, and factories area sources  – such as agricultural areas, cities, and wood burning fireplaces natural sources  – such as wind-blown dust, wildfires, and volcanoes

7. Criteria pollutants Clean , dry air consists primarily of nitrogen and oxygen—78 percent and 21 percent respectively, by volume. The remaining 1 percent is a mixture of other gases, mostly argon (0.9 percent), along with trace (very small) amounts of carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen, helium, and more. Water vapor is also a normal, though quite variable, component of the atmosphere, normally ranging from 0.01 to 4 percent by volume. There are six major air pollutants that have been designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as  “ criteria” pollutants—criteria meaning that the concentrations of these pollutants in the atmosphere are useful as indicators of overall air quality.

8. pollutant common sources maximum acceptable concentration in the atmosphere environmental risks human health risks Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency carbon monoxide (CO) automobile emissions, fires, industrial processes 35 ppm (1-hour period); 9 ppm (8-hour period) contributes to smog formation exacerbates symptoms of heart disease, such as chest pain; may cause vision problems and reduce physical and mental capabilities in healthy people Criteria pollutants

9. pollutant common sources maximum acceptable concentration in the atmosphere environmental risks human health risks Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency nitrogen oxides ( NOx) automobile emissions, electricity generation, industrial processes 0.053 ppm (1-year period) damage to foliage; contributes to smog formation inflammation and irritation of breathing passages Criteria pollutants

10. Criteria pollutants pollutant common sources maximum acceptable concentration in the atmosphere environmental risks human health risks Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) electricity generation, fossil-fuel combustion, industrial processes, automobile emissions 0.03 ppm (1-year period); 0.14 ppm (24-hour period) major cause of haze; contributes to acid rain formation, which subsequently damages foliage, buildings, and monuments; reacts to form particulate matter breathing difficulties, particularly for people with asthma and heart disease

11. Criteria pollutants pollutant common sources maximum acceptable concentration in the atmosphere environmental risks human health risks Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ozone (O 3 ) nitrogen oxides (NO x ) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from industrial and automobile emissions, gasoline vapours , chemical solvents, and electrical utilities 0.075 ppm (8-hour period) interferes with the ability of certain plants to respire, leading to increased susceptibility to other environmental stressors (e.g., disease, harsh weather) reduced lung function; irritation and inflammation of breathing passages

12. Criteria pollutants pollutant common sources maximum acceptable concentration in the atmosphere environmental risks human health risks Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency particulate matter sources of primary particles include fires, smokestacks, construction sites, and unpaved roads; sources of secondary particles include reactions between gaseous chemicals emitted by power plants and automobiles 150 μg/m 3  (24-hour period for particles <10 μm); 35 μg/m 3  (24-hour period for particles <2.5 μm) contributes to formation of haze as well as acid rain, which changes the pH balance of waterways and damages foliage, buildings, and monuments irritation of breathing passages, aggravation of asthma, irregular heartbeat

13. Criteria pollutants pollutant common sources maximum acceptable concentration in the atmosphere environmental risks human health risks Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lead ( Pb ) metal processing, waste incineration, fossil-fuel combustion 0.15 μg /m 3  (rolling three-month average); 1.5 μg /m 3  (quarterly average) loss of biodiversity, decreased reproduction, neurological problems in vertebrates adverse effects upon multiple bodily systems; may contribute to learning disabilities when young children are exposed; cardiovascular effects in adults

14. Hundreds of specific substances are considered hazardous when present in trace amounts in the air. These pollutants are called air toxics . Many of them cause genetic mutations or cancer; some cause other types of health problems, such as adverse effects on brain tissue or fetal development. Although the total emissions and the number of sources of air toxics are small compared with those for criteria pollutants, these pollutants can pose an immediate health risk to exposed individuals and can cause other environmental problems . Examples: heavy metals like Ni, Hg, Cd, As, radionuclides, organic compound like benzene etc. Air Toxics

15. Pollutant Sources arsenic volcanoes, weathering of rocks and minerals containing arsenic, industrial processes such as metal smelting, burning wood that has been treated with arsenic compounds asbestos natural deposits, building materials benzene burning coal and oil, vehicle exhaust, industrial solvents, tobacco smoke beryllium compounds burning coal and oil, tobacco smoke, natural occurrence in soil cadmium compounds burning fossil fuels, incineration of waste, smelting of zinc, lead, and copper chlorine papermaking, drinking water, swimming pools coke oven emissions coke ovens Air Toxics

16. Pollutant Sources cyanide compounds automobile exhaust, chemical processing, waste incineration formaldehyde building materials and home furnishings, power plants, incineration of waste, automobile exhaust, tobacco smoke lead compounds battery manufacturing, paints and ceramic glazes, metal products mercury compounds paint manufactured prior to 1990–91, batteries, industrial processes, dental amalgam fillings, fish products nickel compounds nickel processing, fossil-fuel burning, sewage sludge incineration radionucleides (radon, radium, uranium) ambient air (radon, uranium), drinking water (uranium), uranium mines and processing facilities, phosphate fertilizers selenium compounds drinking water and ambient air, some plastics and paints, pharmaceutical production vinyl chloride manufacture of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is used in pipes, furniture, and automobiles Air Toxics

17. Air Toxics……………. Effects on health headache , nausea , eye and skin irritation and death CNS disorders thyroid disorders respiratory tract issues inflammation of mouth, esophagus, and stomach if ingested lung and nasopharyngeal cancer gastrointestinal disorders reduced fertility fetal effects including low birth weight and mental impairment blindness, and deafness kidney damage dermatitis and asthma bone cancer loss of consciousness, inhibition of blood clotting; liver cancer anemia

18. AQI (Air Quality Index) AQI Color Levels of Concern Values of Index Description of Air Quality Green Good 0 to 50 Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk. Yellow Moderate 51 to 100 Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Orange Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups 101 to 150 Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected. Red Unhealthy 151 to 200 Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Purple Very Unhealthy 201 to 300 Health alert: The risk of health effects is increased for everyone. Maroon Hazardous 301 and higher Health warning of emergency conditions everyone is more likely to be affected. ground-level ozone; particle pollution (also known as particulate matter, including PM2.5 and PM10) carbon monoxide; sulfur dioxide; nitrogen dioxide