AIR POLLUTION

MICRO AND MICRO AIR

POLLUTION
• Air pollution problems may occur on
three scales: micro, meso, and macro:

• Microscale problems range from

those covering less than a centimeter
to those the size of a house or slightly
larger.
• Macroscale problems extend from
countries to states, nations, and in
the broadest sense, the globe.
• Mesoscale problems are those of a
few hectares up to the size of a city or
a country
SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION
ENERGY PRODUCTION AND
DISTRIBUTION
AGRICULTURAL
ACTIVITIES
NATURAL PHENOMENA

HOUSEHOLD

ROAD TRANSPORT

LANDFILLS
 STATIONARY SOURCE
• A stationary source of air pollution
refers to an emission source that does
not move, also known as a point
source. Stationary sources include
factories, power plants, dry cleaners
and degreasing operations.
 MOBILE SOURCES
• A mobile source of air pollution refers
to a source that is capable of moving
under its own power. In general, mobile
sources imply "on-road" transportation,
which includes vehicles such as cars,
sport utility vehicles, and buses. In
addition, there is also a "non-road" or
"off-road" category that includes gas-
powered lawn tools and mowers, farm
and construction equipment,
recreational vehicles, boats, planes, and
trains.
 AGRICULTURAL SOURCES
• Agricultural operations, those that
raise animals and grow crops, can
generate emissions of gases and
particulate matter.
 NATURAL SOURCES
• Although industrialization and the use of
motor vehicles are overwhelmingly the
most significant contributors to air
pollution, there are important natural
sources of "pollution" as well.
• Wildland fires, dust storms, and volcanic
activity also contribute gases and
particulates to our atmosphere.
Natural "air pollution" is not caused by
people or their activities.
 AREA SOURCES
• Area sources include small pollution
sources like dry cleaners, gas stations,
and auto body paint shops. Area
sources are defined as sources that
emit less than 10 tons per year of a
criteria or hazardous air pollutant or
less than 25 tons per year of a
combination of pollutants.
 POINT SOURCES
• Point sources include major industrial
facilities like chemical plants, steel
mills, oil refineries, power plants, and
hazardous waste incinerators. Point
sources are defined as those that emit
10 tons per year of any of the criteria
pollutants or hazardous air pollutants
or 25 tons per year of a mixture of air
toxics.
QUIZ
1. emission source that does not move, also known as a point
source
2. refers to a source that is capable of moving under its own
power.
3. is not caused by people or their activities.
4. emit less than 10 tons per year of a criteria or hazardous air
pollutant or less than 25 tons per year of a combination of
pollutants.
5. that emit 10 tons per year of any of the criteria pollutants or
hazardous air pollutants or 25 tons per year of a mixture of
air toxics.