AIR POLLUTANTS

POLLUTANT EFFECTS PERMISSIBLE LEVEL

1. 1 3 Butadiene - human carcinogen 0.45 ppm
- can penetrate deep into
Particle not smaller
2. Particulate Matter 10 the lungs, can cause
than 2.5m
even death
- can cause reduced
3. Carbon Monoxide (CO) psychomotor 1 4 ppm
performance
- irritates the human
4. Sulphur Dioxide (2 ) 0.03 ppm 80g/m3
upper respiratory tract
- lung irritant
- continued exposure may
Not more than 5 ppm
5. Nitrogen Dioxide (2 ) produce an abnormal
for 15 minutes
accumulation of fluid in
the lung.
- lung and eye irritant and
can cause asthma
attacks
6. Ozone (3 ) - attacks materials and 0.001 0.100 ppm
has been found to cause
reduced crop yields and
stunt tree growth
One part of benzene
vapour per million
parts of air (1 ppm)
for an 8-hour
7. Benzene - human carcinogen workday and the
maximum short-term
exposure limit is 5
ppm for any 15-
minute period.
- can accumulate in the Not more than 60
blood, bones, and soft g/100 g of
8. Lead (Pb) tissues, mental retardation whole blood (600
to children ppm)
- to cause or suspected of
causing cancer or other
9. Hazardous Air Pollutant
serious human health
(HAPs) effects or damage to the
ecosystem
- causes immediate burning
of the nose, throat and
respiratory tract. This can
cause bronchiolar and
10. Ammonia 25-35ppm
alveolar edema, and
airway destruction
resulting in respiratory
distress or failure
 - can cause breathing
11. Volatile Organic
difficulties, eye and skin
Compounds 200 g/m3
irritation, nausea and
(Formaldehyde) dizziness
- CFCs drift into the upper
atmosphere where, given
12. Chlorofluorocarbons 1,000 ppm
suitable conditions, they
break down ozone
- it is a precursor to ground-
level ozone, which is a risk
13. Methane 5300 ppm
factor in asthma and other
lung diseases
- increased risk of lung
14. Radon 0.4 pCi/L
cancer
- can cause reproductive
and developmental
problems, damage the 0.7 picograms per
15. Dioxin
immune system, interfere kilogram
with hormones and also
cause cancer
- long-term exposure to
arsenic from drinking-
water and food can cause
cancer and skin lesions
16. Arsenic - it has also been associated
with developmental
effects, cardiovascular
disease, neurotoxicity and
diabetes
- increased risk of lung
17. Asbestos cancer, chest and
abdominal cancer
- eye irritation, cough and
18. Photochemical Oxidants 0.1 ppm
chest discomfort