Air Pollution is an atmospheric condition in which certain substances (including the

normal constituents in excess)are present in concentrations which can cause

undesirable effects on man and his environment.
These substance include gases,particulate matter ,radioactive substances etc.
Air pollutants occur in gaseous form and may be organic or inorganic in nature

AIR POLLUTION

OURCE:Perspectives In Environmental Studies - Anubha Kaushik and C.P.Kaushik

On the basis of origin of pollutants ,they can be classified as :

PRIMARY POLLUTANTS
These are emitted directly from the point source(identifiable source)
Eg: Carbon monoxide(CO),oxides of nitrogen(NO2),oxides of sulphur
(SO2), hydrocarbons, radioactive substances etc
SECONDARY POLLUTANTS
These are formed by interaction of primary pollutants with other
primary pollutants or with some natural constituents of atmosphere
Eg: Ozone(O3),peroxyacetyl nitrate(PAN),photochemical smog etc

CLASSIFICATION OF AIR POLLUTION

OURCE:Perspectives In Environmental Studies - Anubha Kaushik and C.P.Kaushik

 NATURAL SOURCES
Volcanic eruptions ,forest fires, sea salt sprays, biological decay, photochemical
oxidation of terpenes, marshes, extra terrestrial bodies, pollen grains of
flowers ,spores etc.
MAN MADE SOURCES
Includes thermal power plants, industrial units, vehicular emissions, fossil fuel
burning, agricultural activities etc
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
The main pollutants emitted are fly ash and SO2.

CAUSES/SOURCES OF AIR
POLLUTION

OURCE:Perspectives In Environmental Studies - Anubha Kaushik and C.P.Kaushik

 VEHICULAR EMISSIONS
Pollutants like carbon monoxide(CO),unburnt hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen,
oxides of sulphur, particulate matter ,smoke and odour are emitted by vehicles.
Heavy duty diesel vehicles spew more NO2 and suspended particulate matter
(SPM) than petrol vehicles which produce more carbon monoxide and
hydrocarbons
INDUSTRIAL UNITS
Industries like nuclear power plants,iron and steel, metals and minerals ,pulp
and
paper,tanneries,textile,chemical,foundry,cement,fertilizer,distilleries,pharmace
utical,mining industries etc. discharge organic pollutants ,particulates ,gaseous
pollutants ,hydrocarbons ,volatile organic compounds ,hydrogen sulphide, lead,
hazardous waste ,oils and solvents.

OURCE:Perspectives In Environmental Studies - Anubha Kaushik and C.P.Kaushik

The environment inside buildings ,offices and houses also have several pollutants.
The most important indoor air pollutant is radon gas. They are emitted from
building materials like bricks, concrete, tiles etc. which are derived from soil
containing radium.
Incomplete combustion of fuel produces toxic gas called carbon monoxide. Coal
contains varying amount of sulphur which on burning produce sulphur dioxide.
Burning of fossil fuels produce CO,SO2,soot ,formaldehyde, benzo (a) pyrene
(BAP)etc. which are harmful for health.

INDOOR AIR POLLUTION

OURCE:Perspectives In Environmental Studies - Anubha Kaushik and C.P.Kaushik

EFFECTS ON ENVIRONMENT
Pollutants in the presence of sunlight cause photochemical smog
effecting animals and plants. The green house gases emitted by
various sources cause global warming and CFCs cause ozone
depletion
EFFECTS ON HUMAN HEALTH
Years of exposure to pollutants can adversely effect natural
defenses and cause asthma, lung cancer, chronic bronchitis
and emphysema. Long exposure to CO may cause dizziness,
unconsciousness and even death.
Many other pollutants like benzene (from unleaded petrol)
,formaldehyde and particulates like polychlorinated
biphenyls(PCBs) toxic metals and dioxins can cause mutations ,
reproductive problems or even cancer.
Hazardous materials like asbestos, beryllium, mercury, arsenic
and radioactive substances cause lung diseases and effect vital
organs like kidney, liver ,spleen ,brain and may also cause
cancer.
EFFECTS ON PLANTS
Air pollutants enter through the stomata of plants, destroy
chlorophyll and affect photosynthesis.
Damage to leaf structures cause necrosis dead areas of leaf
, chlorosis-loss of reduction of chlorophyll causing yellowing of
leaf , epinasty - curling of leaf and abscission dropping of
leaves
SOURCE:Perspectives In Environmental
Studies - Anubha Kaushik and C.P.Kaushik

EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION

TAJ MAHAL
ACID RAIN DAMAGE AT COPOLA,MEXICObottom right
EFFECTS ON AQUATIC LIFE
Air pollutants mixing up with rain can cause high acidity(lower
pH) in fresh water lakes. This affects aquatic life especially
fish. Some of the freshwater lakes have experienced total fish
death.
EFFECTS ON MATERIALS
Because of their corrosiveness, particulates can cause damage
to exposed surfaces. Metal parts of buildings ,vehicles,
,bridges, wires and metallic railway tracks are effected.

CE:Perspectives In Environmental Studies - Anubha Kaushik and C.P.Kaushik

 Minimize activities which cause pollution like transportation and energy

production
Modify process and equipments and use appropriate materials
Use low sulphur coal in industries
Remove NOx during combustion process and control the flow of air and fuel
in industries
Check vehicular pollution by regular tune up of engines
Replacement of more polluting vehicles
Install catalytic converters to have fuel efficiency and to reduce emission of
CO and hydrocarbons
Use mass transport systems, bicycles etc.
Shift to less polluting clean fuels-hydrogen gas
Use non conventional source of energy
Use biological filters and bio-scrubbers
Plant more trees
Reduce pollution at source

MEASURES TO CONTROL AIR POLLUTION

OURCE:Perspectives In Environmental Studies - Anubha Kaushik and C.P.Kaushik

 Anubha Kaushik and C.P.Kaushik ,Perspectives In Environmental

Studies
Picture Source
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www.mcqbiology.com
www.epa.gov
www.slideshare.net
www.windows2universe.org
niehs.nih.gov
chem-guide.blogspot.com
effect-of-pollution.blogspot.com

BIBLIOGRAPHY
SANIYYA MUJEEB

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