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Pollutants[edit]
An air pollutant is a substance in the air that can have adverse effects on
humans and the ecosystem. The substance can be solid particles, liquid
droplets, or gases. A pollutant can be of natural origin or man-made.
Pollutants are classified as primary or secondary. Primary pollutants are
usually produced from a process, such as ash from a volcanic eruption.
Other examples include carbon monoxide gas from motor vehicle exhaust,
or the sulfur dioxide released from factories. Secondary pollutants are not
emitted directly. Rather, they form in the air when primary pollutants react
or interact.
1. Carbon dioxide :CO2 currently forms about 405 parts per million
(ppm) of earth's atmosphere, compared to about 280 ppm in pre-
industrial times, and billions of metric tons of CO2 are emitted
annually by burning of fossil fuels. CO2 increase in earth's
atmosphere has been accelerating. Because of its role as
a greenhouse gas it has been described as "the leading pollutant.
2. Sulfur oxides (SOx) - particularly sulfur dioxide, a chemical compound
with the formula SO2. SO2 is produced by volcanoes and in various
industrial processes. Coal and petroleum often contain sulfur
compounds, and their combustion generates sulfur dioxide. Further
oxidation of SO2, usually in the presence of a catalyst such as NO2,
forms H2SO4, and thus acid rain.
Dust from natural sources, usually large areas of land with little or no
vegetation
Methane, emitted by the digestion of food by animals, for example cattle
Radon gas from radioactive decay within the Earth's crust. Radon is a
colorless, odorless, naturally occurring, radioactive noble gas that is
formed from the decay of radium. It is considered to be a health hazard.
Radon gas from natural sources can accumulate in buildings, especially
in confined areas such as the basement and it is the second most
frequent cause of lung cancer, after cigarette smoking.
Smoke and carbon monoxide from wildfires
Vegetation, in some regions, emits environmentally significant amounts
of Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on warmer days. These VOCs
react with primary anthropogenic pollutantsspecifically, NOx, SO2, and
anthropogenic organic carbon compounds to produce a seasonal
haze of secondary pollutants.[19] Black gum, poplar, oak and willow are
some examples of vegetation that can produce abundant VOCs. The
VOC production from these species result in ozone levels up to eight
times higher than the low-impact tree species.[20]
Volcanic activity, which produces sulfur, chlorine, and ash particulates
Benzene 1 ppm
Cadmium 5 g/m3
use of car pooling. If you and your colleagues come from the same locality
and have same timings you can explore this option to save energy and
money.
2. Conserve energy: Switch off fans and lights when you are going out.
Large amount of fossil fuels are burnt to produce electricity. You can save
away items that are of no use to you. In-fact reuse them for some other
purpose. For e.g. you can use old jars to store cereals or pulses.
like solar, wind and geothermal are on high these days. Governments of
various countries have been providing grants to consumers who are
P
Tier Date CO THC NMHC NOx HC+NOx PM
[#/km]
Diesel
Euro October
2.72 - - - 0.97 0.14 -
1 1994
Euro January
1.0 - - - 0.7 0.08 -
2 1998
Euro January
0.64 - - 0.50 0.56 0.05 -
3 2000
Euro January
0.50 - - 0.25 0.30 0.025 -
4 2005
Euro September
0.500 - - 0.180 0.230 0.005 -
5a 2009
Euro September
0.500 - - 0.180 0.230 0.005 61011
5b 2011
Euro September
0.500 - - 0.080 0.170 0.005 61011
6 2014
Petrol (Gasoline)
Euro October
2.72 - - - 0.97 - -
1 1994
Euro January
2.2 - - - 0.5 - -
2 1998
Euro January
2.3 0.20 - 0.15 - - -
3 2000
Euro January
1.0 0.10 - 0.08 - - -
4 2005
Euro September
1.000 0.100 0.068 0.060 - 0.005* -
5 2009
Euro September
1.000 0.100 0.068 0.060 - 0.005* 61011
6 2014
CONTROL MEASURES
The atmosphere has several built-in self cleaning processes such as dispersion,
gravitational settling, flocculation, absorption, rain-washout, etc to cleanse
the atmosphere. However, control of contaminants at their source level is a
desirable and effective method through preventive or control technologies.
Source control: Some measures that can be adopted in this direction are:
1. Using unleaded petrol
2. Using fuels with low sulphur and ash content
3. Encouraging people to use public transport, walk or use a cycle as
opposed to private vehicles
4. Ensure that houses, schools, restaurants and playgrounds are not
located on busy streets
5. Plant trees along busy streets as they remove particulates, carbon
dioxide and absorb noise
6. Industries and waste disposal sites should be situated outsdide the
city preferably on the downwind of the city.
7. Catalytic converters should be used to help control emissions of
carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons
Control measures in industrial centers