Environmental Science

Topic 9: Air Pollution

Air Pollution

 Is a condition in which the quality of air is degraded due to the presence of harmful substances,
particulate matter and biological agents.

Sources of Pollution

Point Source Pollution – is a source of pollution when that comes from a single location.

Examples:

i. Air – a certain factory is producing chemicals and released directly into the atmosphere
untreated.
ii. Water – a company has a new tank that is being treated with a special chemical, releasing
directly into the river make the river contaminated and can kill organisms from the river.
iii. Soil – a garage does mechanical work on cars and as a result produced waste oil that was
dumped into the soil.

Non-Point Source Pollution – is a source of pollution that is introduced into the environment over a
large, extensive area.

Examples:

i. Air – a car that is running produces a variety of chemical products including oxides of
nitrogen and molecules of unburned hydrocarbons from gasoline.
ii. Water – Acid rain from the air can enter water cycle and as a result enters the environment
making iy so harmful to different organisms.
iii. Soil – harmful pollutants can enter the soil from the air or from the water and these
pollutants is absorbed by plants so that the plants become toxic as well.

Air Pollutants

 Are substances whose concentrations in air are high enough to be considered hazardous in
human health.

Types of Pollutants

1. Primary pollutants – are the one directly emitted into the atmosphere from the source and
emitted the natural ways or due to human actions.
Examples:
 Gases and ash emitted from volcanic reactions
 Carbon dioxide gas emitted from cars due to human interventions
2. Secondary pollutants – are not emitted directly to the atmosphere but are rather produced in
the air using other pollutant or react with other molecules.
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Examples:
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 Ozone formed from hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide in the presence of sunlight
  Photochemical smog

Major Air Pollutants

Pollutants Sources Effects

Ozone. A gas that can be found Ozone is not created directly, but Ozone near the ground can
in two places. Near the ground is formed when nitrogen oxides cause a number of health
(troposphere), it is a major part and volatile organic compounds problems. Ozone can lead to
of smog. The harmful ozone in mix in sunlight. That is why more frequent asthma attacks in
the lower atmosphere should ozone is mostly found in the people who have asthma and
not be confused with the summer. Nitrogen oxides come can cause sore throats, cough
protective layer ozone in the from burning gasoline, coal or and breathing difficulty. It may
upper atmosphere other fossil fuels. There are many even lead to premature death.
(stratosphere), which screen out types of volatile organic Ozone can also hurt plants and
harmful ultraviolet rays. compounds and they come from crops.
sources ranging from factories to
trees.
Carbon Monoxide. A gas that Carbon monoxide is released Carbon monoxide makes it hard
comes from the burning of fossil when engines burn fossil fuels. for body parts to get the oxygen
fuels, mostly in cars. It cannot be Emissions are higher when they need to run correctly.
seen or smelled. engines are not tuned properly Exposure to carbon monoxide
and when fuel is not completely makes people dizzy and tired and
burned. Cars emit a lot of the gives them headaches. In high
carbon monoxide found concentrations it is fatal. Elderly
outdoors. Furnaces and heaters people with heart diseases are
in the home can emit high hospitalized more often when
concentrations of carbon they are exposed to higher
monoxide, too, if they are not amounts of carbon monoxide.
properly maintained.
Nitrogen Dioxide. A reddish- Nitrogen dioxide mostly comes High levels of nitrogen dioxide
brown gas that comes from from power plants and cars. exposure can give people coughs
burning of fossil fuels. It has a Nitrogen dioxide is formed in and can make them feel short of
strong smell at high levels. two ways – when nitrogen in thebreath. People who are exposed
fuel is burned or when nitrogento nitrogen dioxide for a long
in the air reacts with oxygen at
time have a higher chance of
very high temperatures. Nitrogen
getting respiratory infections.
dioxide can also react in the Nitrogen dioxide reacts in the
atmosphere to form ozone, acid atmosphere for form acid rain
rain and particles. which can harm plants and
animals.
Particulate Matter. Solid or Particulate matter can be divided Particulate matter that is small
liquid matter that is suspended into two types – coarse particles enough can enter the lungs and
in the air. To remain in the air, and fine particles. Coarse cause health problems. Some of
particles usually must be less particles are formed from these problems include more
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than 0.1 – mm wide and can be sources like road dust, sea spray frequent asthma attacks,
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as small as 0.00005 mm. and construction. Fine particles respiratory problems and
 are formed when fuel is burned premature death.
in automobiles and power
plants.
Sulfur Dioxide. A corrosive gas Sulfur dioxide mostly comes Sulfur dioxide exposure can
that cannot be seen or smelled from burning of coal or oil in affect people who have asthma
at low levels but can have a power plants. It also comes from or emphysema by making it
“rotten egg” smell at high levels. factories that make chemicals, more difficult for them to
paper or fuel. Like nitrogen breathe. It can also irritate
dioxide, sulfur dioxide reacts in people’s eyes, noses and throats.
the atmosphere to form acid rain Sulfur dioxide can harm trees
and particles. and crops, damage buildings and
make it harder for people to see
long distances.
Lead. A blue-gray metal that is Outside, lead comes from cars in Higher amounts of lead can be
very toxic and is found in a areas where unleaded gasoline is dangerous for small children and
number of forms and locations. not used. Lead can also come can lead to lower IQs and kidney
from power plants and other problems. For adults exposure to
industrial sources. Inside, lead lead can increase the chance of
paint is an important source of having heart attacks or strokes.
lead, especially in houses where
paint is peeling. Lead in old pipes
can also be source of lead in
drinking water.
Toxic Air Pollutants. A large Each toxic air pollutant comes Toxic air pollutants can cause
number of chemicals that are from a slightly different source cancer. Some toxic air pollutants
known or suspected to cause but many are created in chemical can also cause birth defects.
cancer. Some important plants or are emitted when fossil Othe effects depend on the
pollutants in this category fuels are burned. Some toxic air pollutant, but can include skin
include arsenic, asbestos, pollutants like asbestos and and eye irritation and breathing
benzene and dioxin. formaldehyde, can be found in problems.
building materials and can lead
to indoor air problems. Many
toxic air pollutants can also enter
the food and water supplies.
Stratospheric Ozone Depleters. CFCs are used in air conditioners If the ozone in the stratosphere
Chemicals that can destroy the and refrigerators since they work is destroyed, people are exposed
ozone in the stratosphere. These well as coolants. They can also to more radiation from the sun
chemicals include be found in aerosol cans and fire (ultraviolet radiation). This can
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), extinguishers. Other lead to skin cancer and eye
halons and other compounds stratospheric ozone depleters problems. Higher ultraviolet
that include chlorine or bromine. are used as solvents in industry. radiation can also harm plants
and animals.
Greenhouse Gases. Gases that Carbon dioxide is the most The green house effect can lead
stay in the air for a long time and important greenhouse gas. It to changes in the climate of the
warm up the planet by trapping comes from the burning of fossil planet. Some of these changes
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sunlight. This is called the fuels in cars, power plants, might include more
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greenhouse effect because the houses and industry. Methane is temperatures extremes, higher
gases act like the glass in the released during the processing of sea levels, changes in forest
greenhouse. Some of the fossil fuels and also comes from composition and damage to land
important greenhouse gases are natural sources like cows and near the coast. Human health
carbon dioxide, methane and rice paddies. Nitrous oxide might be affected by diseases
nitrous oxide. comes from industrial sources that are related to temperature
and decaying plants. or by damage to land and water.

Acid Deposition

Acid deposition refers to the process by which acidic components in the atmosphere—mainly sulfur
dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ)—are deposited on the Earth's surface. These substances can be
transported by wind and weather and fall to the ground in two main forms:

Types of Acid Deposition:

1. Wet deposition – When acids fall to the ground through precipitation such as rain, snow, sleet,
or fog.
2. Dry deposition – When acidic gases and particles settle out of the air in the absence of moisture,
sticking to buildings, cars, trees, and soil.

Causes:

 Burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) in power plants, vehicles, and industries
releases SO₂ and NOₓ.
 These gases react with water vapor, oxygen, and other chemicals in the atmosphere to form
sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and nitric acid (HNO₃).

Effects:

 Soil acidification, which can harm plant life.

 Damage to aquatic ecosystems, by lowering the pH of lakes and streams.
 Erosion of buildings and monuments, especially those made of limestone or marble.
 Harm to human health, especially respiratory problems due to inhalation of acidic particles.

Acid deposition is a form of pollution caused by emissions of sulfur and nitrogen compounds,
leading to environmental harm through acidic precipitation or dry fallout.

Dry fallout refers to the deposition of radioactive particles or pollutants from the atmosphere to the
ground without the aid of precipitation (like rain or snow). It occurs when fine solid particles, such as
dust, ash, or radioactive materials, settle directly from the air onto surfaces due to gravity.

Ozone Depletion

Ozone depletion refers to the gradual thinning of the Earth's ozone layer in the stratosphere, primarily
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caused by human-made chemicals. The ozone layer is crucial because it absorbs most of the Sun's
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harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, protecting living organisms from damage.

Main Causes:

 Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs): Found in old refrigerators, air conditioners, and aerosol sprays.
 Halons: Used in fire extinguishers.
 Other ozone-depleting substances (ODS) like carbon tetrachloride and methyl chloroform.

These chemicals release chlorine and bromine atoms in the stratosphere, which break down ozone (O₃)
molecules into oxygen (O₂).

Effects of Ozone Depletion:

 Increased UV radiation reaching Earth.

 Higher risks of skin cancer, cataracts, and immune system damage in humans.
 Harm to plants, animals, and marine ecosystems.
 Disruption of photosynthesis and food chains.

Global Warming

Global warming is the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to the buildup of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These gases—such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and
nitrous oxide (N₂O)—trap heat from the sun, preventing it from escaping back into space. This
phenomenon is often referred to as the greenhouse effect.

Main Causes of Global Warming:

1. Burning of fossil fuels (like coal, oil, and gas) for energy and transportation.
2. Deforestation, which reduces the number of trees that absorb CO₂.
3. Industrial processes that emit greenhouse gases.
4. Agriculture, particularly livestock farming, which releases methane.

Effects of Global Warming:

 Rising global temperatures

 Melting ice caps and glaciers
 Rising sea levels
 More frequent and severe heatwaves, storms, and droughts
 Disruption of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity

Indoor Pollution

Indoor pollution refers to the contamination of indoor air by harmful physical, chemical, or biological
agents that can affect the health and comfort of people living or working inside buildings.
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Sources of Indoor Pollution:

1. Combustion Sources:
o Tobacco smoke
o Cooking stoves (especially wood, coal, or kerosene-based)
o Fireplaces and space heaters
2. Building Materials:
o Asbestos (in old insulation and flooring)
o Formaldehyde (in furniture, plywood, adhesives)
o Lead-based paints
3. Household Products:
o Cleaning agents
o Air fresheners and aerosols
o Pesticides and insect repellents
4. Biological Pollutants:
o Mold and mildew
o Pet dander
o Dust mites and cockroach allergens
o Bacteria and viruses
5. Poor Ventilation:
o Inadequate airflow traps pollutants indoors

Common Indoor Pollutants:

Pollutant Sources Health Effects

Gas stoves, heaters, vehicle Headache, dizziness, death at high
Carbon monoxide
exhaust levels
Radon Soil under buildings Lung cancer
Volatile Organic Compounds Eye/nose irritation, headaches, cancer
Paints, solvents, cleaners
(VOCs) risk
Particulate Matter (PM) Cooking, smoking, candles, dust Respiratory problems, asthma
Furniture, pressed wood
Formaldehyde Eye/skin irritation, cancer
products

Health Effects of Indoor Pollution:

 Short-Term Effects:
o Eye, nose, and throat irritation
o Headache, dizziness, fatigue
o Allergic reactions
 Long-Term Effects:
o Respiratory diseases (e.g., asthma, bronchitis)
o Heart disease
o Cancer (especially from radon, asbestos, formaldehyde)
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The Montreal Protocol

The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the
production and consumption of substances that deplete it.

Adoption and Entry into Force:

 Adopted: September 16, 1987

 Entered into Force: January 1, 1989

Objective:

To reduce and ultimately eliminate the production and use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) such
as:

 Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
 Halons
 Carbon tetrachloride
 Methyl chloroform
 Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)

Importance:

 Protects the ozone layer, which shields life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
 Contributes to the reduction of skin cancer, cataracts, and damage to ecosystems.
 One of the most successful environmental agreements in history.

Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty that was adopted on December 11, 1997, in Kyoto, Japan,
and entered into force on February 16, 2005. Its main goal is to combat climate change by reducing
greenhouse gas emissions globally.

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