CHAPTER 3 AIR POLLUTION

The Major Air Pollution Episodes

London Episodes, 1873-1963

The industrial revolution in the 19th century saw the set in of air pollution in Europe on a large
scale. The industries and the households relied heavily on coal for heating and cooking.

Due to burning of coal for heat during the winter months, emissions of smoke and sulphur
dioxide were much greater in winters than they were during the summer months. Smoke
particles trapped in the fog gave it a yellow/black colour and this smog often settled over cities
for many days.

The effects of smog on human health were evident, particularly when smog persisted for several
days. Many people suffered respiratory problems and increased deaths were recorded, notably
those relating to bronchial causes.

The smog-related deaths were first recorded in London in 1873, when it killed 500 people. In
1880, the toll was more than 1000. London had one of its worst experiences of smog in
December 1892. It lasted for three days and resulted in about 1000 deaths. Despite gradual
improvements in air quality during the 20th century, eight air pollution episodes occurred in
London between 1948 and 1962. The December 1952 episode is the major episode in the
history of air pollution.

The Killer Smog began on Thursday, Dec. 4, 1952 as a high-pressure air mass created a
subsidence temperature inversion over southern England. With the particulate and SO2 levels
going up due to extensive use of coal as fuel for space heating and electric production, the fog
turned black.

At the same time the high-pressure area stalled and became stationary. The build up of
pollutants combined with the fog resulted in essentially zero visibility. Within a matter of three
days, the pollutants were concentrated enough to cause deaths. The old and respiratory
affected died first, but younger people exposed to the outside atmosphere were also affected.

The maximum daily SO2 concentration recorded at that time was 1.34 ppm (about 4000 g/m3,
standard SO2 conc. in clean dry atmosphere is 0.0002 ppm) and smoke levels were 4.46 mg/m3.

The Great London Smog lasted for five days and lifted on 9th Dec, resulting in about 4000 deaths.

Bhopal Disaster, 1984

In the mid night of 2nd - 3rd December 1984, in a densely populated area of Bhopal, Central India,
a poisonous vapor burst from the tall stacks of the Union Carbide pesticide plant.

About forty tons of toxic gases had leaked from the Carbides Bhopal plant and spread
throughout the city. The cause was the contamination of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) storage tank
with water carrying catalytic material.

Residents of the city awoke to clouds of suffocating gas, unaware of the magnitude of the
devastation, which had engulfed them. The city of Bhopal was immediately turned into a city of
dead bodies, and the whole place smelled of burning chilli peppers.

Of the million people living in Bhopal at that time, more than 2,000 died immediately (one
fourth of actual figures) and as many as 300,000 were injured. In addition, about 7,000 animals
were affected, of which about 1000 were killed. The precise number of deaths still remains a
mystery till date.

The degree of injury was so high that about 30% of the injured were unable to return to their
jobs. Among the survivors, most of them still suffer agonizing pain from the disastrous effects of
the massive poisoning while there are still apprehensions of the future generations being
affected. The Bhopal Disaster was the worst episode in the history of industrial air pollution.

Donora Fog, 1948

Horror visited the US Steel company town of Donora on the Halloween night of 1948, when a
temperature inversion descended on the town.

Fluoride emissions from the Donora Zinc Works smelting operation and other sources containing
sulphur, carbon monoxide and heavy metal dusts were trapped by weather conditions, causing
20 deaths within 14 hours.

Cold ground and high-pressure conditions intensified the elevated inversion of the anticyclone
that arrived in the region. The situation was aggravated by local conditions of meteorology,
industrial pollutant emissions and peculiar terrain of the area.

The meteorological conditions and the geographical characteristics of the area produced a
strong temperature inversion with a temperature gradient as high as 33oC/km. The fog was held
close to the ground by the stability of the elevated inversion layer.

During the third and fourth days of the episode, as ambient levels of pollutants escalated,
almost half of the population of 14,000 people became ill. Almost 43 % of the population in
Donora and Webster, PA experienced the effects of the smog.

Most of the affected were above the age group of 60 years and above (29% of this group were
seriously affected). The health effects were mainly symptoms affecting the lung, and in
particular, upper respiratory symptoms such as nasal discharge, constriction of the throat, or
sore throat were experienced.
Smoke Haze Episodes in Malaysia 1997

Between July and November 1997, an estimated 45,000 km 2 of forest and land burnt
on the islands Sumatra and Kalimantan.

In the first half of 1998, another fire episode affected roughly a similar area in
Kalimantan alone. The emissions of these fires caused considerable air pollution
throughout the Southeast Asian region, notably in Indonesia, Singapore and
Malaysia.

The air pollutant that predominantly caused violations of ambient air quality
standards was particulate matter. Particulate matter may cause acute and chronic
respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, asthma and upper respiratory tract
infections. Increased ambient particle concentrations are suspected to be linked with
increased daily mortality. By scattering and absorbing light, particulates also result in
reduced visibility, impairing transportation by air, land and water. Fire-related air
pollution episodes are a recurrent phenomenon in Southeast Asia.

Nine such incidents have been reported over the last 20 years, of which the 1997/98
smoke haze episode attracted the broadest attention.

In contrast to Singapore and Malaysia, Indonesia does not yet have an integrated air
quality monitoring network which could provide real-time, region-covering air quality
information.

Due to the absence of such information, an assessment of the severity of the firerelated air pollution episodes is limited. As a surrogate, horizontal visibility was
frequently used to report the status of ambient air pollution. However, even though
sufficient information on the status of air quality was available in Singapore and
Malaysia, much uncertainty existed on the impacts of such air pollution episodes and
on how to response adequately to them.

The governments of the affected countries recommended the public to remain

indoors as much as possible, to avoid physical exertion and to wear respiratory
masks outdoors. In Kuching, Borneo-Malaysia, the state of emergency was
proclaimed for 10 days in 1997, leading to the closure of schools, public offices and
factories.

Dubious statements in the media on the impacts of the smoke haze were
disseminated - such as the daily exposure would equal to 20 to 40 cigarettes; panic
easily evolved.

During the peak episode, satellite imagery (NASA/TOMS aerosol index maps) showed
a smoke haze layer which expanded over an area of more than 3 million km 2,
covering large parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan. Its northward extension partially
reached Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Thailand.

During this period, particulate matter concentrations frequently exceeded national

ambient air quality standards.

Scanty particle measurement data at hand for areas close to fires in Kalimantan and
Sumatra indicate that ambient particle concentration was roughly 20 to 40 times the
normal (non-haze) background concentration and exceeded levels categorised as
'hazardous' (or 'significant harm level'). Monthly mean horizontal visibility at most
locations in Sumatra and Kalimantan in September was below 1 km and daily
maximum visibility was frequently below 100 metres.

The neighbouring region most affected by pyrogenic transmissions in 1997 was

Sarawak, Borneo-Malaysia. In the city of Kuching, ambient particle concentration
rose roughly 5 to 20 times above background levels, with in total 32 days in the
'unhealthy to hazardous' range. Visibility decreased from generally above 15 km to
below 0.5 km during this period.

In Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia, a 2 to 5-fold rise in ambient particle

concentration was recorded. 12 and more than 40 days, respectively, were in the
unhealthy' range in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Visibility below 2 km
predominantly prevailed at both locations during the smoke haze episode.

In contrast to the situation in 1997, the fire-related air pollution episode in the first
half of 1998 was essentially restricted to Borneo. This was mainly due to the
weakened southerly monsoonal flow by that time. However, again, the population in
Kalimantan and Borneo-Malaysia was exposed to distinctively elevated air pollution
for a period of months.

The Environmental Quality Act 1974

sets standards for emission sources.

The EQA controls pollution through :

1. Licensing
2. Regulations, order, guidelines

1. To Control of Industrial Emissions:

1. Environmental Quality (Clean Air) Regulations 1978
2. Environmental Quality (Compounding of Offences) Rules 1978;
2. To Control of Motor Vehicle Emissions
1. Motor Vehicles (Control of Smoke & Gas Emission) Rules 1977
2. Environmental Quality (Control of Lead Concentration in Motor Gasoline)
Regulations 1985
3. Environmental Quality (Control of Emission From Diesel Engines) Regulation
1996
4. Environmental Quality (Control of Emission From Petrol Engines) Regulation
1996

For open burning, law applicable is :

1. Section 29A EQA (Amendment 1998)
2. Section 29AA EQA (Amendment 2001)
3. Environmental Quality (Prescribed Activities)(Open Burning) Order, 2000
4. Environmental Quality (Delegation of Powers)(Investigation of Open Burning)
Order, 2000
5. Environmental Quality (Compounding of Offences)(Open Burning) Rules, 2000

EQASECTION 29A
1. No person shall allow or cause open burning on any premises
2. Maximum fine RM 500,000
3. Maximum jail term 5 years Or Both

Types of air pollution

1. Sulfur dioxide

Sulfur dioxide is a colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. It is a dangerous

air pollutant because it is corrosive to organic materials and it irritates the eyes,
nose and lungs.

Sulfur is contained within all fossil fuels, and is released in the form of sulfur dioxide
(SO2) during fossil fuel combustion. Fossil fuel combustion accounts for almost all
anthropogenic (human-caused) sulfur emissions.

Sulfur contents in fossil fuels range between 0.1% and 4% in oil, oil by-products
and coal, and up to 40% in natural gas (when immediately extracted from the well;
however, the sulfur is efficiently removed during the processing of gas before
distribution; therefore, combustion of natural gas is not a major source of sulfur
emissions

Historically, the use of coal in domestic heating was a major source of sulfur dioxide
emissions (at least in the UK), but it has declined substantially over time.

Over the last several decades the industrial use of coal in the UK has also declined,
whereas the use of oil and natural gas has gradually increased.

In the UK, the sulfur dioxide emissions declined significantly since 1970, thanks to
the introduction of low sulfur fuels, the switch from coal to gas and increased energy
efficiency.

This trend is possibly true for other industrialized countries as well, though the US
as the most important economy in the world is still a large consumer of energy
derived from coal.

Below is a breakdown of all the significant sources of sulfur dioxide emissions (based
on sources of the UK emissions) :
1. Energy Production
a. Electric power generation
b. Petroleum refining
c. Other combustion
d. Commercial and residential use
e. Combustion for industry use
f. Production processes
g. Extraction and distribution of fossil fuels
h. Transport
2. Road transport
a. Other Transport (such as aviation, ships, trains).

Currently, the most important sources of sulfur dioxide emissions (as a result of
fossil fuel combustion) are electric power generating plants.

For example, as of 1998, 66% of all sulfur dioxide emissions in the UK came from
power plants. In contrast, transport contributions of sulfur dioxide emissions are
among the smallest ones

The biggest sulfur dioxide emitters: US, China and Russia.

In fact, you may be surprised to learn that just one Siberian city in Russia Norilsk
produces 1% of the total global emissions of sulfur dioxide. In 2007, Norilsk was
considered to be one of the most polluted places on Earth.

There are also significant sulfur emissions generated by natural sources.

The main natural sulfur emissions come in the reduced forms of sulfur compounds
such as
a. hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
b. carbon disulfide (CS2)
c. carbonyl sulfide (COS) and in the organic forms of:
d. methyl mercaptan (CH3SH)
e. dimethyl sulfide (DMS) (CH3SCH3)
f. dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) (CH3SSCH3)

Most of these compounds get oxidized to sulfur dioxide or to sulfate aerosols in the
atmosphere.

Marine phytoplankton produce dimethyl sulfide (DMS) which is then oxidized to SO2
in the atmosphere; decay processes in soil and vegetation produce H2S (as one of
sulfur compounds); and SO2 is emitted into the atmosphere by volcanoes.

Around 90% of all natural sulfur emissions come in the form of DMS.

Most recently the natural sources have been by far surpassed by anthropogenic
sources. Natural sources have been estimated to produce around 24% of all sulfur
dioxide emissions, whereas human-caused emissions made up around 76%.

Effects of Sulfur Dioxide Emissions

Sulfur dioxide found in the air produces following effects:

1. Irritates eyes, nose, throat
2. Damages lungs when inhaled

As part of acid rain:

a.

acidifies lakes and streams

b.

destroys plant and fish life in lakes and streams

c.

may deplete mineral nutrients in the soil

d.

may cause reduction of forest and agricultural yields

e.

corrodes metals

f.

damages surfaces of buildings.

2. Nitrogen Oxides

Oxides of nitrogen are produced by combustion of all fossil fuels including coal- and
gas-fired power stations and motor vehicles

Whereas fuel itself can produce some nitrogen (for example, oil and coal contain
around 0.5 1.5% of nitrogen, and natural gas contains less than that most of
nitrogen oxides' production comes from the reaction of atmospheric nitrogen and
oxygen within the combustion chamber.

The two main nitrogen oxides are nitric oxide (NO), or nitrogen monoxide, and
nitrogen dioxide (NO2) the sum of which is equal to NOx.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a colorless gas.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a gas of reddish-brown color with a distinct sharp, biting
odor. (26)

Combustion of fuels always produces both NO2 and NO.

But almost 90% of the NOX combustion product is in the form of NO which is then
oxidized to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the air

Therefore, only a small percentage of NO2 found in the atmosphere is directly

emitted there in this form. The rest has been formed as a result of chemical
reactions in the atmosphere itself.

Road transport (motor vehicles) is by far the largest contributor of nitrogen

emissions (in contrast, it contributes a very small proportion to sulfur dioxide
emissions, as discussed above).

For example, based on 1998 UK figures, road transport contributed nearly half of
all nitrogen emissions, followed by contributions from electric power generating
plants which only contributed around 20% of total nitrogen emissions

Below is a breakdown of the significant sources of emissions of nitrogen oxides

(based on sources of the UK emissions):
1. Road transport
2. Other Transport
3. Energy Production
4. Electric power generation

5. Petroleum refining
6. Other combustion
7. Combustion for industry use
8. Production processes
9. Extraction and distribution of fossil fuels.

Nitric oxide (NO) is also emitted by soils but there is very little data available for the proper
assessment of this area.

Some estimates suggest that the soil production of NO in the UK may be around 2 5% of its
production from fossil fuel combustion.

Effects of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Emissions

When inhaled, nitrogen dioxide becomes a serious air pollutant which may :

Cause pulmonary edema (accumulation of excessive fluid in the lungs)

Be part of acid rain (destroying fish and plant life in lakes, damaging surfaces of buildings etc)

Contribute to photochemical smog.

3. Carbon monoxide (CO)

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas which is highly toxic to humans.

The combustion of carbon-based fuels produces carbon dioxide (CO2).

But not all such combustion is complete, and this leads to the production of carbon monoxide
(CO).

Motor vehicles and industry are among the largest anthropogenic sources of carbon monoxide
emissions.

Effects of Carbon Monoxide Emissions

Carbon monoxide is the most common type of fatal poisoning in many countries around the
world.

Exposures to carbon monoxide may lead to

Toxicity of the central nervous system and heart

Severe effects on the baby of a pregnant woman

Headaches and dizziness

Problems with getting oxygen supplied to some body parts which may be lifethreatening.

4. Particular Matter

Particles can come in almost any shape or size, and can be solid particles or liquid
droplets. We divide particles into two major groups. These groups differ in many

ways. One of the differences is size, we call the bigger particles PM10 and we call the
smaller particles PM2.5.

The big particles are between 2.5 and 10 micrometers (from about 25 to 100 times
thinner than a human hair). These particles are called PM10 (we say "P M ten", which
stands for Particulate Matter up to 10 micrometers in size). These particles cause
less severe health effects.

The small particles are smaller than 2.5 micrometers (100 times thinner than a
human hair). These particles are called PM2.5 (we say "P M two point five", as in
Particulate Matter up to 2.5 micrometers in size).

Size isn't the only difference. Each type of particle is made of different material and
comes from different places.

Coarse Particles (PM10)

smoke, dirt and dust

What they

from factories, farming,

are

and roads

Fine Particles (PM2.5)

toxic organic
compounds
heavy metals

mold, spores, and

pollen

driving automobiles
How theyre

crushing and grinding rocks and

made

soil then blown by wind

burning plants (brush

fires and forest fires or
yard waste)
smelting (purifying)
and processing metals

The smaller particles are lighter and they stay in the air longer and travel farther.
PM10 (big) particles can stay in the air for minutes or hours while PM2.5 (small)
particles can stay in the air for days or weeks. And travel? PM10 particles can travel
as little as a hundred yards or as much as 30 miles. PM2.5 particles go even farther;
many hundreds of miles.

When you inhale, you breathe in air along with any particles that are in the air. The
air and the particles travel into your respiratory system (your lungs and airway).
Along the way the particles can stick to the sides of the airway or travel deeper into
the lungs.

Smaller particles can pass through the smaller airways. Bigger particles are more
likely to stick to the sides or get wedged into one of the narrow passages deep in the
lung.

Other factors that affect how deep into the lungs particles can go:
1. Mouth or nose breathing. Breathing through your mouth allows particles to travel
deeper into your lungs.
2. Exercise. While exercising, particles can travel deeper.
3. Age. Older people breath less deeply so particles may not get as deep.
4. Lung disease. If lung diseases block the airway, particles will not travel as far.
5. Weather (temperature).
6. Other pollutants in the air.

Lungs produce mucous to trap the particles, and tiny hairs wiggle to move the
mucous and particles out of the lung. If the particle is small and it gets very far into
the lungs, special cells in the lung trap the particles and then they can't get out and
this can result in lung disease, emphysema, lung cancer.

Health Effects

Both PM10 (big) and PM2.5 (small) particles can cause health problems; specifically
respiratory health (that's the lungs and airway).

Because the PM2.5 travels deeper into the lungs AND because the PM2.5 is made
up things that are more toxic (like heavy metals and cancer causing organic
compounds), PM2.5 can have worse health effects than the bigger PM10.

Exposure to particulate matter leads to increased use of medication and more visits
to the doctor or emergency room. Health effects include the following:
1. Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath
2. Aggravated asthma

3. Lung damage (including decreased lung function and lifelong respiratory

disease)
4. Premature death in individuals with existing heart or lung diseases
5. Lead Dust

Lead occurs naturally in the environment and has many industrial uses. However,
ongoing exposure to even small amounts of lead can be harmful to your health.

Everyone is exposed to trace amounts of lead through air, soil, household dust, food,
drinking water and some consumer products. The amount of lead in the environment
increased during the industrial revolution, and again significantly in the 1920s with
the introduction of leaded gasoline.

However, since the early 1970s lead exposure in Canada has gone down
substantially, mainly because leaded gasoline and lead-based paint were phased out
and the use of lead solder in food cans was virtually eliminated.

Source Of lead:
o

Food - Traces of lead are found in almost all food. Airborne lead falls onto
crops or soil and is absorbed by plants. Lead solder used in making cans may
also contaminate food. However, in Canada food manufacturers have
eliminated the use of lead-soldered cans. Infants can also absorb lead from
their mothers' bodies through breast milk

Air - Lead in soil can come from the air or from erosion of lead-bearing rocks,
and may be carried indoors as dust. Lead dust can also come from within the
home, especially older homes that used lead-based paints or lead solder.
Lead dust is especially dangerous for babies and young children, because they
tend to put things in their mouths and their breathing zone is closer to floor
level where lead dust tends to collect.

Drinking Water - lead can enter the water supply from lead solder in
plumbing, lead service connections or lead pipes in your home. Lead is more
likely to be found in soft or very acidic water and in very old or very new
homes

Paint - In 1976, the amount of lead that could be intentionally added to

interior paints was limited by federal law, but exterior paints could still
contain higher amounts of lead, provided they carried a warning label. Most
indoor and outdoor paints made before 1950 contained substantial amounts
of lead. If you strip or sand old paint that contains lead, you could breathe in
lead particles.

Short-term exposure to high levels of lead can cause vomiting, diarrhea,

convulsions, coma or even death. Severe cases of lead poisoning are rare in Canada.

Lead builds up in the body, so ongoing exposure to even very small amounts of lead
can be harmful, especially to infants and young children. Lead taken in by pregnant
women can also present a danger to the health of unborn children.

Anaemia is common and lead can also damage the brain and nervous system. Other
symptoms are:
appetite loss
abdominal pain
constipation
fatigue
sleeplessness
irritability
headache
Repeated, prolonged exposure to lead can affect your kidneys.
Lead exposure is most serious for young children because their growing bodies
absorb lead more easily than adults and they are more vulnerable to its harmful
effects.
Young children and infants are more likely to be exposed to lead because of their
natural habit of putting objects into their mouths.
even low level lead exposure may harm the intellectual development, behaviour, size
and hearing of infants. During pregnancy, especially in the last trimester, lead can
cross the placenta and affect an unborn child.
Female workers exposed to high levels of lead have more miscarriages and
stillbirths.

5. Ozone (O3)

Ozone (O3) is a colorless, poisonous gas with a sharp, cold, irritating odor.

Ozone can be found in

1. the stratosphere, one of the upper layers of the atmosphere, where it occurs
naturally, and
2. the troposphere, the lowest layer of the atmosphere, where it occurs both naturally
and as a result of human-generated emissions.

The natural stratospheric ozone is considered to be of beneficial nature it keeps

harmful excessive ultraviolet sunlight from reaching the surface of the Earth.

Ozone which is formed in the troposphere as a result of anthropogenic emissions of

primary pollutants, has negative effects on humans and the natural environment.
And from this point of view it is an air pollutant.

This human-caused ozone in the troposphere is a secondary pollutant because it is

produced by the reaction of primary pollutants, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons
[including VOCs], in the presence of sunlight.

The troposphere ozone is the main component of the photochemical smog.

A photochemical smog (of brown-yellow color) is a product of the chemical reaction

between sunlight, nitrogen oxides and VOCs, which results in the formation of ozone
and airborne particles.

The process of ozone formation may take several days to complete, and ozone itself
may turn out to be far from the sources of original primary pollutant emissions.

Effects of Ozone as an Air Pollutant

Ozone in the troposphere can have the following negative effects on animals (including
humans) and the natural environment :

Irritation of the respiratory system causing coughing, throat irritation and an

uncomfortable sensation in the chest

Susceptibility to respiratory infections

Compromised lung function harming the breathing process which may become more
rapid and more shallow than normal

Inflammation and damage to the lining of the lungs

Aggravation of asthma

Reduction in agricultural yields

Interference with photosynthesis and suppression of growth of some plant species

Greenhouse Effect
3. Happen when Earths temperature rise by certain atmospheric gases that trap
the Suns energy
4. Suns energy passes through atmosphere
1. 26% is reflected or scattered
2. 19% absorbed by clouds, gases, and particles
3. 4% reflected to space by surface
4.

51% reaches the surface

Examples of Heat Trapping Gases (greenhouse gasses):

1. Water vapor (H 2 O)
2. Carbon dioxide (CO 2 )
3. Nitrous oxide (N 2 O)
4. Methane (CH 4 )

5. Causes of greenhouse effect are from:

1. Deforestation and agriculture
2. Burning of fossil fuels, gasoline, oil
3. Burning of wood and coal
4. CFCs
5. Population Growth
6. Greenhouse gasses can effect:
1. Deforestation and agriculture
2. Burning of fossil fuels, gasoline, oil
3. Burning of wood and coal
4. Population Growth
Global Warming
1. Heat trapped inside earth that cause general warming affected. When global
warming happen its can increase air and water temperature
2. Cause of global warming
1. Greenhouse gases increase through human activity

2. Deforestation
3. Use of fertilizers
4. Burning of organic matter
5. Burning of fossil fuels

Effect of global warming:

1. Climate changes
2. Changes in wildlife adaptations and cycles
3. Melting of polar ice caps
4. Increase in sea level
5. Flooding in coastal areas
6. Ocean Acidification
Indoor Pollution
Pollutant

Source

Health Effect

What to do

By-products of

Unvented kerosene

Eye, nose, and

1. Avoid use of

combustion (such

and gas heaters,

throat irritation,

unvented gas or

as CO, CO

gas appliances,

impaired lung

kerosene space

wood- and gas-

function and

heaters

burning fireplaces,

respiratory

2. Keep gas

leaking chimneys

function in

appliances and

and furnaces,

children,

furnaces properly

tobacco smoke,

bronchitis, lung

adjusted

automobile

cancer, flu-like

3. Install and use

exhaust in

symptoms.

exhaust fans

, NO x )

attached garages

4. Change filters on
heating/cooling
systems and air
cleaners
5. Increase of
supply of outside
air 6. Proper
location of air
intakes to avoid
exhaust from

vehicles
Radon

Local geology,

Lung cancer,

1.Seal crack and

soil, water

possibly

opening in the

stomach cancer

basement
2.ventilate crawl
space
3.Increase
ventilation

Asbestos

Deteriorating or

Cancer and Lung

1.Test the

damaged

diseases

suspected

insulation,

(smoker at

material

fireproofing, or

higher risk)

2.Remove

acoustical

asbestos by

materials

trained
contractor
3.Develop
maintenance plan
4.Encapsulation
of material
containing
asbestos

Organic Material

Paint, solvent,

Eye, nose and

1.Buy only what

wood

throat irritation,

you need

preservative,

head ache, loss

2.Read label and

aerosol spray,

of coordination,

follow instruction

cleaner and

nausea, damage

3.Used in well

disinfectant, air

to kidney and

ventilate area or

freshener, hobby

nervous system,

outdoor

supplier and dry

Some cause

4. Hang dry clean

cleaned clothes

cancer in animal

clothes in open

and human

area about 6
hour

Formaldehyde

Pressed wood

Eye, nose and

1.Used product

product

throat irritation,

with low emission

(hardwood,

coughing,

rates of

plywood,

fatigue, rashes

formaldehyde

particleboard,

and allergic

2.Keep humidity

fiberboard) used

reaction, cause

low in house

in building and

cancer to

3.Increase

furniture,

animal, death at

ventilation

permanent press

very high

textile, glue,

concentration

vehicle exhaust,
stoves, fireplace
Lead/heavy

Paint,

Headache,

1.Vaccum

metal

automobile,

irritation in

regularly

tobacco smoke,

mouth, rash,

2. Removal of

soil and dust

kidney damage

lead in paint

Biological

Mold, dust

Allergic reactions,

1. Install and use

Pollutant

mites, pet

including

exhaust fans that

dander (skin

hypersensitivity

are vented to the

flakes),

pneumonitis,

outdoors in

droppings and

allergic rhinitis,

kitchens and

body parts from

and some types of

bathrooms and

cockroaches,

asthma. Infectious

vent clothes

rodents and

illnesses, such as

dryers outdoors.

other pests or

influenza, measles,

2. Thoroughly

insects, viruses,

and chicken pox

clean and dry

and bacteria

are transmitted

water-damaged

through the air.

carpets and

Molds and mildews

building materials

release disease-

(within 24 hours

causing toxins.

if possible) or

Symptoms of

consider removal

health problems

and replacement.

caused by

3. Keep the

biological

house clean.

pollutants include

House dust

sneezing, watery

mites, pollens,

eyes, coughing,

animal dander,

shortness of

and other

breath, dizziness,

allergy-causing

lethargy, fever,

agents can be

and digestive

reduced,

problems.

although not
eliminated,
through regular
cleaning.
4. Clean and
disinfect the
basement floor
drain regularly

Air pollution control equipment

Type of
equipme
nt

How its work

Advantages/Disadvantage

velocity forces larger particles to

settle out of the gas stream.
4. To improve settlement
efficiency in this settling
chamber, baffle plates are

1. to remove particles from the gas stream

Advantages:

provided.

2. Cyclone

1.Cyclone is an enclosed,

Advantages:

Collector

conical tube

1. remove particles from the

2. Particle-filled air is pumped

airstream eliminating the need

in at the top, above the wide

2.to replace expensive filters and expose

end of the cone.

maintenance workers

3. As the air comes in at an

3. Can be designed to remove liquids from

angle, it moves down the

gas.

cone in a spiral, increasing in

4. Low capital costs,

speed as the cones

Low maintenance costs.

2. Unable to handle sticky or tacky materials;

3. The sudden reduction in

1.Relatively low PM collection efficiencies, particularly for PM less than 50 m in size;

expands in a large chamber.

Disadvantages:

reduced significantly, as the gas

10. Dry collection and disposal

(oldest)

velocity of the gas stream is

construction; and

Chambers

2.In the expansion chamber, the

9. Temperature and pressure limitations are only dependent on the materials of

tion

8. Provide incidental cooling of gas stream;

chambers.

7. Device not subject to abrasion due to low gas velocity;

Sedimenta

6. Low pressure drop through device;

chambers or expansion

5. Excellent reliability;

nal

4. No moving parts, therefore, few maintenance requirements and low operating costs;

referred to as gravity settling

3.Low capital cost; Very low energy cost;

Gravitatio

(approximately 75 micrometers and larger)

1. Settling chambers are also

2. used only for very large particles in the upper end of the super coarse size range

1.

circumference grows smaller.

4. This creates a vortex much
like a tornado or cyclone.

Disadvantage :

Large particles are thrown

1.Lower collection efficiency

against the sides of the cone

2. Higher collection only when used higher

and drop to a bin at the

pressured drop

bottom.

3. Collection efficiency sensitive to changes of

5. A fan at the top of the

gas flow, dust load and particle size

cyclone cone draws lighter

distribution

particles and the air up the

center of the cyclone to an
exhaust tube or outlet, usually
to a filter for catching fine
particles.

3.Wet
Scrubber

1. In the flue gas scrubber,

Advantages:

the gas gets in close contact

1. remove various types of pollutants from the

with fine water drops in a co-

gas streams in a furnace, flue, or other device.

current or counter current

2. The devices can handle a wide range of

flow.

temperatures and moisture content, making

2. As the liquid drains through

them ideal for operation in just about any

the vanes, it creates curtains

environment.

of scrubbing liquid

3. Any type of contaminant can be removed

3. Dust laden gas enters the

4.No secondary dust sources

scrubber tangentially and

Once particles are collected, they cannot

collides with the curtains

escape from hoppers or during transport.

initiating particle
agglomeration.
4. The coarser particles
produced are washed down to
the slurry outlet.
5. A restriction disc located in
the scrubbing vane assembly
accelerates the spin velocity
of the gas. This action
combined with the flood of

5.Ability to collect both gases and particles

Disadvantages:
1. the devices do require maintenance in order
to continue operating efficiently
2. Corrosion problems
Water and dissolved pollutants can form highly
corrosive acid solutions. Proper construction
materials are very important. Also, wet-dry
interface areas can result in corrosion.
3. High collection efficiencies for particles are

atomized liquid from the spray

attainable only at high pressure drops, resulting in

causes the formation of fine

high operating costs.

liquid droplets which

encapsulate the fine
particulates, again enhancing
agglomeration.

4. Fabric

1 In a bag house, dirty air

Collector

flows into and through a

number of cloth filter bags
that are placed in parallel.
2. The filters remove the
particulate from the gas
stream while the cleaned gas
passes through the cloth and
is exhausted to the
atmosphere.
3.The fabric filters do some
filtering of the dust particles;
however, their more
important role is to act as a
support for the layer of dust
(filter cake) that quickly
accumulates on it.
3. This layer then acts in a
highly efficient manner to
filter both the large and small
particles from the gas stream
and becomes the main
filtration mechanism
throughout the process.

Advantages:
1.Bag houses have a very high collection
efficiency for both large and small particle
2. They are modular in design, and they can
operate on a wide variety of dust types and
wide range of flow rates with reasonably low
pressure drops.
Disadvantages:
1. Bag houses require large floor areas to
operate, need frequent cleaning, have the
potential for fire/explosion hazards, and need
bag replacement.
2.The fabric filters have the potential to
degrade from high temperatures or corrosive
environments. The filters may also become
clogged in highly humid or moist
environments.

5.Electric

1. These dust-laden gases

Advantages:

Precipitato

pass through an electrostatic

1. Precipitators typically collect 99.9% or more

precipitator that collects most

of the dust from the gas stream.

of the dust. These dust-laden

2.Very high efficiency

gases pass through an

3. Ability to handle very large gas flow rates

electrostatic precipitator that

with low pressure losses

collects most of the dust.

4. Ability to remove dry as well as wet particle

2. Precipitators function by
electro statically charging the

Disadvantages:

dust particles in the gas

1.High capital cost

stream.

2.Taking a lot of space

3. The charged particles are

3. Failure to operate on particles with high

then attracted to and

electrical resistivity

deposited on plates or other

collection devices.
4. When enough dust has
accumulated, the collectors
are shaken to dislodge the
dust, causing it to fall with the
force of gravity to hoppers
below
5. The dust is then removed
by a conveyor system for
disposal or recycling.

Air Pollution Index

The air quality in Malaysia is reported as the API or Air Pollution Index. API reported
daily air quality.API is calculated based on major air pollution in Malaysia.

The main purpose of API is to help people to understand mean to your health.

Five of the index's pollutant components used in Malaysia is:

1. Carbon monoxide is reported in ppm
2. Ozone is reported in ppm
3. Nitrogen dioxide is reported in ppm
4. Sulfur dioxide is reported in ppm
5. PM10 particulate matter is reported in g/m3.

Final API valued is calculated based on the highest reading for all 5 parameter. Each
parameter value is calculated per day.

This scale below shows the Health classifications used by the Malaysian government.

0-50 Good

51-100 Moderate

101-200 Unhealthy

201-300 Very unhealthy

301- Hazardous

If the API exceeds 500, a state of emergency is declared in the reporting area.