Biosafety

• Air pollutants can have significant impacts on environmental animal health and biosafety
• Air pollutants


  Can be categorized into two main types: natural pollutants and human-made pollutants
• Air pollutants


  Can occur both indoors and outdoors
• Causes of indoor air pollution

  • Combustion sources
  • Building materials and furnishings
  • Tobacco smoke
  • Biological contaminants
  • Radon
• Combustion sources


  Indoor activities such as cooking, heating, and the use of certain fuels (e.g., wood, coal, kerosene) can release pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter into the air
• Building materials and furnishings

  Can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, and other chemicals into the air, contributing to indoor air pollution
• Tobacco smoke


  Can release numerous harmful chemicals, including carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and carcinogenic substances, leading to poor indoor air quality
• Biological contaminants


  Include mold, bacteria, viruses, pet dander, and dust mites. Poor ventilation and high humidity levels can promote the growth and spread of these contaminants, causing respiratory issues and allergies
• Radon


  A naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into buildings through cracks in the foundation. Prolonged exposure to high levels of radon can increase the risk of lung cancer
• Causes of outdoor air pollution

  • Vehicle emissions
  • Industrial emissions
  • Agricultural activities
  • Dust and construction
  • Natural sources
• Vehicle emissions


  The burning of fossil fuels in vehicles releases pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds into the air
• Industrial emissions


  Industrial processes, power plants, and manufacturing activities release various pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and hazardous chemicals, into the atmosphere
• Agricultural activities


  The use of fertilizers, pesticides, and livestock farming can release pollutants such as ammonia, methane, and fine particles into the air
• Dust and construction


  Dust from construction sites, unpaved roads, and agricultural fields can contribute to outdoor air pollution, particularly particulate matter
• Natural sources


  Natural events such as volcanic eruptions, dust storms, and wildfires can release significant amounts of pollutants into the air, impacting air quality on a regional or global scale
• Major air pollutants


  • Particulate Matter
  • Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
  • Sulfur Dioxide
• Particulate Matter (PM)


  A mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. These particles can vary in size, composition, and origin
• Examples of particulate matter

  • Dust
  • Smoke
  • Pollen
  • Vehicle Emissions
  • Industrial Emissions
• PM10


  Particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or smaller. These particles are inhalable and can penetrate into the upper respiratory system
• PM2.5


  Particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller. These particles are fine and can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream
• Health effects of particulate matter

  • Short-term exposure can cause respiratory symptoms, aggravate existing respiratory conditions, and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Long-term exposure has been associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, reduced lung function, and premature death
• Environmental impact of particulate matter

  • Can contribute to reduced visibility, known as haze or smog. Fine particles can also deposit on surfaces, including buildings, vegetation, and bodies of water, affecting ecosystems and water quality
• Regulation and control of particulate matter

  Includes the use of pollution control technologies, such as particulate matter filters on vehicles and industrial smokestacks, and the promotion of cleaner fuels and energy sources
• Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)


  A reddish-brown gas with a pungent odor. It is one of the most common nitrogen oxides found in the atmosphere. NO2 is primarily produced from the burning of fossil fuels, such as in vehicles, power plants, and industrial processes
• Sources of nitrogen dioxide emissions

  • Combustion of Fossil Fuels
  • Vehicles
  • Industrial Processes
  • Residential Heating and Cooking
  • Agricultural Activities
• Environmental impact of nitrogen oxides


  • Play a role in the formation of air pollution, including the formation of smog and the production of secondary particulate matter (PM2.5). They can also contribute to the formation of acid rain when they react with other compounds in the atmosphere
• Health effects of nitrogen oxides

  • Exposure to nitrogen oxides can contribute to respiratory issues such as coughing, wheezing, and asthma attacks. Prolonged exposure to high levels of nitrogen dioxide can increase the risk of respiratory infections and may have long-term effects on lung function
• Regulatory measures for nitrogen oxides

  Include the use of emission control technologies, such as catalytic converters in vehicles and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) in power plants, to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. Additionally, the adoption of cleaner fuels and the promotion of energy efficiency can help mitigate nitrogen oxide pollution
• Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)


  A colorless gas with a pungent odor ("rotten egg smell"). It is produced by the burning of fossil fuels that contain sulfur, such as coal and oil
• Sources of sulfur dioxide emissions

  • Power Plants
  • Industrial Processes
  • Residential and Commercial Heating
  • Smelting and Refining
  • Volcanic Activity
• Health effects of sulfur dioxide


  • Short-term exposure to high levels of sulfur dioxide can irritate the respiratory system, causing coughing, wheezing, and breathing difficulties. Long-term exposure can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular problems
• Industrial activities that release sulfur dioxide

  • Production of metals
  • Paper production
  • Chemical production
• Sources of sulfur dioxide emissions

  • Industrial processes involving combustion of fossil fuels or processing of sulfur-containing materials
  • Residential and commercial heating using coal-fired stoves, oil furnaces, and other fossil fuel-based systems
  • Smelting and refining of metals like copper, lead, and zinc
  • Volcanic activity
• Sulfur dioxide


  A gas that can irritate the respiratory system, causing symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath
• Sulfur dioxide


  • Can react with other compounds to form acid rain, which can damage forests, lakes, and aquatic ecosystems
  • Can corrode buildings, statues, and infrastructure made of stone or metal
• Regulatory measures to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions


  • Use of cleaner fuels with lower sulfur content
  • Installation of pollution control technologies like flue gas desulfurization systems in power plants
  • Enforcement of emission standards for industrial processes
• Sulfur dioxide emissions and their environmental impacts are addressed through international agreements and initiatives, such as the UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution
• Carbon monoxide (CO)


  A colorless, odorless gas produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels
• Sources of carbon monoxide emissions

  • Vehicle exhaust
  • Industrial processes
  • Residential heating systems
• Carbon monoxide


  • Toxic to humans and animals, as it binds to hemoglobin in the blood, reducing its ability to carry oxygen to the body's organs and tissues
  • Can lead to symptoms like headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness and death