Text 9. What You Can Do to Reduce Air Pollution.

There are various air pollution control technologies and land use planning strategies available to reduce air pollution. At its most basic level land use planning is likely to involve zoning and transport infrastructure planning. In most developed countries, land use planning is an important part of social policy, ensuring that land is used efficiently for the benefit of the wider economy and population as well as to protect the environment.

Efforts to reduce pollution from mobile sources includes primary regulation (many developing countries have permissive regulations), expanding regulation to new sources (such as cruise and transport ships, farm equipment, and small gas-powered equipment such as lawn trimmers, chainsaws, and snowmobiles), increased fuel efficiency (such as through the use of hybrid vehicles), conversion to cleaner fuels (such as bioethanol, biodiesel, or conversion to electric vehicles).

The task of cleaning up air pollution, though difficult, is not believed to be impossible. The shift to less polluting forms of power generation, such as solar energy, wind energy, geothermal, tidal and other forms of renewable energy in place of fossil fuel can be used for controlling pollution. The example of London, as well as of other cities, has shown that major improvements in air quality can be achieved in 10 years or less.

Many cities in India now have pollution control checks for vehicles. Cars are being fitted with catalytic converters and unleaded petrol is being used. There is an attempt to keep a check on polluting industrial units by the judiciary. Cars that use CNG have also been introduced.

You can also contribute to reducing air pollution to some extent. One of the first things you can start doing is to conserve energy. Walk or ride a bicycle to the market or to your friend’s house. Take a bus to school or organize a carpool. See to it that the use of aerosols is reduced in your house. Make sure that your father or mother gets a pollution check of the car done at regular intervals and that the car is well maintained. Trees give out oxygen and take in carbon dioxide and thereby clean the air around us. It is therefore our duty to take care of them. Look after the trees in your neighborhood, along with your friends, begin a tree watch similar to a neighborhood watch. See to it that trees in your area are looked after. Plant more trees and tend to them too.

Switch off the lights and fans each time you leave a room. During the day, use only the required number of lights. At home, during hot summer months when you tend to use an airconditioner or a cooler or a heater on very cold winter days, learn to share the room with your brother or sister when you are studying, watching the television, etc.

After you read Texts 8 and 9

· Can you think of any more solutions to cleaning up air pollution?

· Have you found new facts and ideas on the problem of air pollution in the texts?

 

Fast Facts

 

• The greenhouse effect is the process by which absorption and emission of infrared radiation by gases in the atmosphere warm a planet's lower atmosphere and surface. It was discovered by Joseph Fourier in 1824 and was first investigated quantitatively by Svante Arrhenius in 1896.

 

• Naturally occurring greenhouse gases have a mean warming effect of about 33 °C (59 °F).

• The major greenhouse gases are water vapor, which causes about 36–70 percent of the greenhouse effect; carbon dioxide (CO2), which causes 9–26 percent; methane (CH4), which causes 4–9 percent; and ozone (O3), which causes 3–7 percent.

· The Industrial Revolution in Europe in the19th Century first saw the beginning of air pollution, which gradually became a major global problem.

· The major air-polluting industries are iron, steel and cement.

· Of the 35-40 million tonnes of flyash generated annually by thermal power plants in India, only 2-3 percent is productively utilized.

· Every year some 50 million cars are added to the world’s roads. Car making is now the largest manufacturing industry in the world.

· Growing population, poverty, and inadequate access to clean fuels in rural areas have perpetuated the use of biomass, thereby condemning more than 90% of rural households and more than 35% of urban households to high levels of indoor air pollution.

· One of the most important measure to counter pollution is planting trees. With neem and peepal being the largest emitters of oxygen, planting them in the gardens purifies the surrounding air and helps in maintaining hygienic conditions. While champa, mogra and chameli have better chances of surviving pollution in summer, bulbous varieties do better in winter.

Important Terms

 

A batement – The reduction or elimination of pollution.

A cid Rain – Rain which is especially acidic. Principal components of acid rain typically include nitric and sulfuric acid. These may be formed by the combination of nitrogen and sulfur oxides with water vapor in the atmosphere.

A cute Exposure – One or a series of short-term exposures generally lasting less than 24 hours.

A cute Health Effect – A health effect that occurs over a relatively short period of time (e.g., minutes or hours). The term is used to describe brief exposures and effects which appear promptly after exposure.

A erosol – Particles of solid or liquid matter that can remain suspended in air from a few minutes to many months depending on the particle size and weight.

A fterburner – An air pollution abatement device that removes undesirable organic gases through incineration.

A gricultural Burning – The intentional use of fire for vegetation management in areas such as agricultural fields, orchards, rangelands, and forests.

A ir – So called "pure" air is a mixture of gases containing about 78 percent nitrogen; 21 percent oxygen; less than 1 percent of carbon dioxide, argon, and other gases; and varying amounts of water vapor. See also ambient air.

A ir Basin – A land area with generally similar meteorological and geographic conditions throughout. To the extent possible, air basin boundaries are defined along political boundary lines and include both the source and receptor areas.

A ir Monitoring – Sampling for and measuring of pollutants present in the atmosphere.

A ir Pollutants – Amounts of foreign and/or natural substances occurring in the atmosphere that may result in adverse effects to humans, animals, vegetation, and/or materials.

A ir Toxics – A generic term referring to a harmful chemical or group of chemicals in the air. Substances that are especially harmful to health.

A lternative Fuels – Fuels such as methanol, ethanol, natural gas, and liquid petroleum gas that are cleaner burning. These fuels may be used in place of less clean fuels for powering motor vehicles.

A mbient Air – The air occurring at a particular time and place outside of structures. Often used interchangeably with "outdoor air."

A mmonia (NH3) – A pungent colorless gaseous compound of nitrogen and hydrogen that is very soluble in water and can easily be condensed into a liquid by cold and pressure.

A sbestos – A mineral fiber that can pollute air or water and cause cancer or asbestosis when inhaled. The U.S. EPA has banned or severely restricted its use in manufacturing and construction and the ARB has imposed limits on the amount of asbestos in serpentine rock that is used for surfacing applications. For more information, please visit our website.

A sthma – A chronic inflammatory disorder of the lungs characterized by wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and cough.

B aghouse – An air pollution control device that traps particulates by forcing gas streams through large permeable bags usually made of glass fibers. For more information, please go tou our baghouse training website.

B iogenic Source – Biological sources such as plants and animals that emit air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds. Examples of biogenic sources include animal management operations, and oak and pine tree forests.

C ancer – A group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled invasive growth of body cells leading to the formation of malignant tumors that tend to grow rapidly and spread (i.e., metastasize).

C arbon Dioxide (CO2) – A colorless, odorless gas that occurs naturally in the Earth's atmosphere. Significant quantities are also emitted into the air by fossil fuel combustion.

C arbon Monoxide (CO) – A colorless, odorless gas resulting from the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbon fuels. CO interferes with the blood's ability to carry oxygen to the body's tissues and results in numerous adverse health effects. Over 80 percent of the CO emitted in urban areas is contributed by motor vehicles. CO is a criteria air pollutant.

C arcinogen – A cancer-causing substance. (See also cancer.)

C hlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) – Any of a number of substances consisting of chlorine, fluorine, and carbon. CFCs are used for refrigeration, foam packaging, solvents, and propellants.

C hronic Health Effect – A health effect that occurs over a relatively long period of time (e.g., months or years). (See also acute health effect.)

C leaner-Burning Gasoline – Gasoline fuel that results in reduced emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, reactive organic gases, and particulate matter, in addition to toxic substances such as benzene and 1,3-butadiene.

C ombustion – The act or instance of burning some type of fuel such as gasoline to produce energy. Combustion is typically the process that powers automobile engines and power plant generators.

C onsumer Products – Products such as hairspray, detergents, cleaning compounds, polishes, lawn and garden products, personal care products, and automotive specialty products which are part of our everyday lives and, through consumer use, may produce volatile organic air emissions which contribute to air pollution. Dust – Solid particulate matter that can become airborne.

E mission Factor – For stationary sources, the relationship between the amount of pollution produced and the amount of raw material processed or burned. For mobile sources, the relationship between the amount of pollution produced and the number of vehicle miles traveled. By using the emission factor of a pollutant and specific data regarding quantities of materials used by a given source, it is possible to compute emissions for the source. This approach is used in preparing an emissions inventory.

E mission Inventory – An estimate of the amount of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere from major mobile, stationary, area-wide, and natural source categories over a specific period of time such as a day or a year. For more information, please view our emissions inventory website.

E mission Standard – The maximum amount of a pollutant that is allowed to be discharged from a polluting source such as an automobile or smoke stack.

E nvironmental Tobacco Smoke – Primarily a combination of sidestream smoke from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe or cigar, and exhaled mainstream smoke from the smoker. Other components include smoke emitted at the mouthpiece during puff drawing.

E vaporative Emissions – Emissions from evaporating gasoline, which can occur during vehicle refueling, vehicle operation, and even when the vehicle is parked. Evaporative emissions can account for two-thirds of the hydrocarbon emissions from gasoline-fueled vehicles on hot summer days.

E xceedance – A measured level of an air pollutant higher than the national or state ambient air quality standards.

E xposure – The concentration of the pollutant in the air multiplied by the population exposed to that concentration over a specified time period.

E xposure Assessment – Measurement or estimation of the magnitude, frequency, duration and route of exposure to a substance for the populations of interest.

F ly Ash – Air-borne solid particles that result from the burning of coal and other solid fuel.

F ossil Fuels – Fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas; so-called because they are the remains of ancient plant and animal life.

F ume – Solid particles under 1 micron in diameter formed as vapors condense, or as chemical reactions take place.

G lobal Warming – An increase in the temperature of the Earth's troposphere. Global warming has occurred in the past as a result of natural influences, but the term is most often used to refer to the warming predicted by computer models to occur as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases.

G reenhouse Effect – The warming effect of the Earth's atmosphere. Light energy from the sun which passes through the Earth's atmosphere is absorbed by the Earth's surface and re-radiated into the atmosphere as heat energy. The heat energy is then trapped by the atmosphere, creating a situation similar to that which occurs in a car with its windows rolled up. A number of scientists believe that the emission of CO2 and other gases into the atmosphere may increase the greenhouse effect and contribute to global warming.

G reenhouse Gases – Atmospheric gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons, nitrous oxide, ozone, and water vapor that slow the passage of re-radiated heat through the Earth’s atmosphere.

H azardous Air Pollutant (HAP) – An air pollutant listed under section 112 (b) of the federal Clean Air Act as particularly hazardous to health. Emission sources of hazardous air pollutants are identified by U.S. EPA, and emission standards are set accordingly

H aze (Hazy) – A phenomenon that results in reduced visibility due to the scattering of light caused by aerosols. Haze is caused in large part by man-made air pollutants.

H ealth-Based Standard (Primary Standard) – A dosage of air pollution scientifically determined to protect against human health effects such as asthma, emphysema, and cancer.

I ncineration – The act of burning a material to ashes.

I ndirect Source – Any facility, building, structure, or installation, or combination thereof, which generates or attracts mobile source activity that results in emissions of any pollutant (or precursor) for which there is a state ambient air quality standard. Examples of indirect sources include employment sites, shopping centers, sports facilities, housing developments, airports, commercial and industrial development, and parking lots and garages.

I ndoor Air Pollution – Air pollutants that occur within buildings or other enclosed spaces, as opposed to those occurring in outdoor, or ambient air. Some examples of indoor air pollutants are nitrogen oxides, smoke, asbestos, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide.

I ndustrial Source – Any of a large number of sources, such as manufacturing operations, oil and gas refineries, food processing plants, and energy generating facilities, that emit substances into the atmosphere.

I ntegrated Sampling Device – An air sampling device that allows estimation of air quality components over a period of time through laboratory analysis of the sampler's medium.

I nternal Combustion Engine – An engine in which both the heat energy and the ensuing mechanical energy are produced inside the engine. Includes gas turbines, spark ignition gas, and compression ignition diesel engines.

I nversion – A layer of warm air in the atmosphere that prevents the rise of cooling air and traps pollutants beneath it.

M ajor Source – A stationary facility that emits a regulated pollutant in an amount exceeding the threshold level depending on the location of the facility and attainment with regard to air quality status.

M ortality – Death rate.

N atural Sources – Non-manmade emission sources, including biological and geological sources, wildfires, and windblown dust.

N itric Oxide (NO) – Precursor of ozone, NO2, and nitrate; nitric oxide is usually emitted from combustion processes. Nitric oxide is converted to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the atmosphere, and then becomes involved in the photochemical processes and / or particulate formation.

N on-Industrial Source – Any of a large number of sources -- such as mobile, area-wide, indirect, and natural sources -- which emit substances into the atmosphere.

N on-Point Sources – Diffuse pollution sources that are not recognized to have a single point of origin.

O rganic Compounds – A large group of chemical compounds containing mainly carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. All living organisms are made up of organic compounds.

O xidant – A substance that brings about oxidation in other substances. Oxidizing agents (oxidants) contain atoms that have suffered electron loss. In oxidizing other substances, these atoms gain electrons. Ozone, which is a primary component of smog, is an example of an oxidant.

O zone – A strong smelling, pale blue, reactive toxic chemical gas consisting of three oxygen atoms. It is a product of the photochemical process involving the sun's energy and ozone precursors, such as hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen. Ozone exists in the upper atmosphere ozone layer (stratospheric ozone) as well as at the Earth's surface in the troposphere (ozone). Ozone in the troposphere causes numerous adverse health effects and is a criteria air pollutant. It is a major component of smog.

O zone Depletion – The reduction in the stratospheric ozone layer. Stratospheric ozone shields the Earth from ultraviolet radiation. The breakdown of certain chlorine and / or bromine-containing compounds that catalytically destroy ozone molecules in the stratosphere can cause a reduction in the ozone layer.

P articulate Matter (PM) – Any material, except pure water, that exists in the solid or liquid state in the atmosphere. The size of particulate matter can vary from coarse, wind-blown dust particles to fine particle combustion products.

P oint Sources – Specific points of origin where pollutants are emitted into the atmosphere such as factory smokestacks.

P ollution Prevention – The use of materials, processes, or practices to reduce, minimize, or eliminate the creation of pollutants or wastes. It includes practices that reduce the use of toxic or hazardous materials, energy, water, and/or other resources. For more information, please go to our pollution prevention program website.

P rescribed Burning – The planned application of fire to vegetation to achieve any specific objective on lands selected in advance of that application. In California, prescribed burning is governed under the Agricultural Burning Guidelines.

S mog – A combination of smoke and other particulates, ozone, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and other chemically reactive compounds which, under certain conditions of weather and sunlight, may result in a murky brown haze that causes adverse health effects.

S moke – A form of air pollution consisting primarily of particulate matter (i.e., particles released by combustion). Other components of smoke include gaseous air pollutants such as hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, and carbon monoxide. Sources of smoke may include fossil fuel combustion, agricultural burning, and other combustion processes.

S oot – Very fine carbon particles that have a black appearance when emitted into the air.

S ource – Any place or object from which air pollutants are released. Sources that are fixed in space are stationary sources and sources that move are mobile sources.

S tationary Sources – Non-mobile sources such as power plants, refineries, and manufacturing facilities which emit air pollutants.

S torage Tank – Any stationary container, reservoir, or tank, used for storage of liquids.

S ulfur Dioxide (SO2) – A strong smelling, colorless gas that is formed by the combustion of fossil fuels. Power plants, which may use coal or oil high in sulfur content, can be major sources of SO2. SO2 and other sulfur oxides contribute to the problem of acid deposition. SO2 is a criteria air pollutant.

S ulfur Oxides – Pungent, colorless gases (sulfates are solids) formed primarily by the combustion of sulfur-containing fossil fuels, especially coal and oil. Considered major air pollutants, sulfur oxides may impact human health and damage vegetation.

T otal Suspended Particulate (TSP) – Particles of solid or liquid matter -- such as soot, dust, aerosols, fumes, and mist -- up to approximately 30 microns in size.

T oxic Air Contaminant (TAC) – An air pollutant, identified in regulation by the ARB, which may cause or contribute to an increase in deaths or in serious illness, or which may pose a present or potential hazard to human health.

V apor – The gaseous phase of liquids or solids at atmospheric temperature and pressure.

W ater Solubility – The solubility of a substance in water provides information on the fate and transport in the environment. The higher the water solubility, the greater the tendency to remain dissolved and the less likely to volatilize from the water. Low water soluble substances will volatilize more readily in water and will partition to soil or bioconcentrate in aquatic organisms.

W oodburning Pollution – Air pollution caused by woodburning stoves and fireplaces that emit particulate matter, carbon monoxide and odorous and toxic substances.