ES036A - AIR POLLUTION

• Atmosphere


  A layer or a set of layers of gases surrounding a planet or other material body, that is held in place by the gravity of that body

  • Greek atmos meaning vapour and sphaira means sphere
• Layers of the atmosphere

  • Troposphere
  • Stratosphere
  • Mesosphere
  • Thermosphere
  • Exosphere
• Troposphere


  • Lowest atmospheric layer
  • Begins at the surface of the earth
  • Extends out to about 4-10 miles
  • Where the weather occurs
  • Temperature decreases with increase in altitude
• Stratosphere


  • Second lowest atmospheric layer
  • Temperature rises with the rise in altitude
  • Ozone layer is here
  • Extends 30-50 miles above the earth's surface
• Mesosphere


  • Last layer with homogeneous air
  • Stretches up till 50 miles from the earth's surface
  • Where most meteors burn upon entry
• Thermosphere


  • Extends up to 400 miles from the earth's surface
  • Air is heterogeneous with varying amounts of Hydrogen and Helium
  • Actual temperature can reach as high as 2000°C
  • Contains the lower part of the ionosphere
• Exosphere


  • Beyond 6200 miles from the earth's surface
  • Start of the earth's outermost atmospheric layer, marking the beginning of outer space
  • Air particles are hotter than the ionosphere
  • Density is very low, collisions between particles are extremely rare
• Importance of the atmosphere

  • Crucial part of the water cycle
  • Ozone makes life on Earth possible
  • Keeps Earth's temperature moderate
  • Provides the substance for waves to travel through
• Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms
• Sources of air pollution

  • Natural sources
  • Anthropogenic (man-made) sources (Mobile, Stationary, Area)
• Primary air pollutants


  Enters the atmosphere directly
• Secondary air pollutants


  Forms from chemical reaction/s
• Main air pollutants


  • Carbon Oxides (COx)
  • Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM)
  • Sulfur Oxides (SOx)
  • Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
  • Lead (Pb)
  • Ground-level Ozone (O3)
• Carbon Oxides (COx)


  • Colorless, odorless, heavier than air
  • Highly toxic gas that forms during the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials
  • 93% of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the troposphere occurs as a result of the carbon cycle, 7% from human activities
  • Impairs mental functions and visual acuity, even at low levels
• Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM)


  • Consists of a variety of solid particles and liquid droplets small and light enough to remain suspended in the air
  • The most harmful forms are fine particles (PM-10) and ultrafine particles (PM-2.5)
  • Causes lung damage, mutagenic, carcinogenic, teratogenic
• Sulfur Oxides (SOx)


  • Colorless gas with irritating odor
  • About one-third occurs naturally through the sulfur cycle, two-thirds from human sources
  • Produces acid rain, breathing difficulties, eutrophication
• Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)


  • Reddish brown gas
  • NO reacts with air to form NO2, which reacts with water vapor to form nitric acid and nitrate salts
  • Causes acid rain, lung and heart problems, decreased visibility, suppresses plant growth
  • sources are lightening and certain soil bacteria, fossils fuels at high temperatures, power plants, forest fires, vlcanoes, bacteria in soil
• Lead (Pb)


  • A powerful neurotoxin that accumulates in tissue, affects kidneys, liver and nervous system, especially in children
  • mental retardation and possible carcinogen
  • sources: smelters, batteries, mercury from coal fired power plants, binds tighter than HGB than O2
• Ground-level Ozone (O3)


  • Highly reactive gas, major component of photochemical smog
  • Created by sunlight acting on NOx and VOC, photocopiers, chemical solvents, incomplete fuel combustion products
  • Lung irritant, can aggravate respiratory illness and heart disease, damage plants, rubber, fabrics, and paints
• Effects of air pollution

  • Effects to human health
  • Effects to vegetation and environment
• Effects of air pollution to human health


  • Respiratory diseases (asthma, pneumonia)
  • Lung cancer
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Others (leukemia, defects, liver problems, cystic fibrosis)
• Effects of air pollution to the environment


  • Acid rain
  • Ozone depletion
  • Haze
  • Crop and forest damage
  • Global climate change
  • Smog and soot
• Republic Act No. 8749, also known as the Philippine Clean Air Act, is a comprehensive air quality management policy and program which aims to achieve and maintain healthy air for all Filipinos
• Penalties for polluting industries

  • Fine of up to P100,000 per day of violation
  • Imprisonment of 6-10 years for gross violations
  • Closure through Cease and Desist Order
• Penalties for smoke-belching vehicles

  • 1st offense: P1,000
  • 2nd offense: P3,000
  • 3rd offense: P5,000 plus pollution management seminar
• Institutions involved in implementing the Clean Air Act

  • Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
  • Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC)
  • Land Transportation Office (LTO)
  • Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)
  • Local government units
• Air pollution control equipment is used to reduce or eliminate air pollutants before they are released into the atmosphere
• AIR POLLUTANTS


  any solid, liquid or gaseous substance present in the air that have adverse effects on humans and ecosystem
• Waste Management Hierarchy


  source reduction - recycling - energy recovery - treatment - disposal or other releases
• What causes indoor pollution and why is it so dangerous?

  The burning of fossil fuels for heating and cooking produces emissions of dirt particles, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and many more hazardous air pollutants that are harmful to health.

  • CO2
  • tobacco smoke, radon gas
• For vehicle owners/motorist:

  • Maintain your vehicle by changing oil regularly (every 5,000 kilometers).
  • Keep the engine well-tuned following the owner’s manual. • Keep tires properly inflated.
  • Plan trips and observe proper driving habits.
  • Remove unnecessary things from the trunk. Don’t overload and travel only at speed required by traffic regulations and road conditions.
• For commuters:

  • Try talking to the jeep/bus/tricycle driver about the high health risks of poor vehicle maintenance and improper driving practices.
  • Patronize mass railway transit (i.e., MRT, LRT)
• For office workers:

  • Reduce use of air conditioning and ensure that rooms are sealed.
  • Make sure that lights are energy-efficient.
  • Use company vehicles wisely and make sure that they are well maintained.
  • Use natural lighting by opening window curtains at daytime.
• At home:

  • Use low watt bulbs or energy-saving lights.
  • Limit the use of air conditioning units and keep the temperature a few degrees higher.
  • Don’t burn garbage.
  • Avoid using aerosols.
  • Properly dispose of refrigerant, refrigeration equipment, and used coolant.
• • Talk to people on what they can do about air pollution.Report smoke-belchers to LTO, MMDA, and/or the appropriate local government units. • Walk or ride your bike to places. • Take the bus or mass rail transit whenever you can. • Work with residential associations to stop burning of garbage. • Plant trees. • Spread the word about the ban on smoking in public places.
• For everyone:

  • Talk to people on what they can do about air pollution.
  • Report smoke-belchers to LTO, MMDA, and/or the appropriate local government units.
  • Walk or ride your bike to places.
  • Take the bus or mass rail transit whenever you can.
  • Work with residential associations to stop burning of garbage.
  • Plant trees.
  • Spread the word about the ban on smoking in public places.
• Packed towers, spray chambers, venturi scrubbers


  P: gases, vapors, sulfur oxides, solid particles, liquid droplets

  EWU: asphalt, concrete batch plants, coal burning plants
• CARBON ABSORBERS


  P: vapor phase VOCs, hazardous air pollutants

  EWU: soil remediation facilities, oil refineries, steel mills, printers
• FABRIC FILTERS/ BAGHOUSES


  P: particulate matter

  EWU: asphalt batch plants, steel mills, foundries, fertilizer plants
• CATALYTIC REACTORS


  P: VOCs, gases

  EWU: land fills, oil refineries, printing or paint shops