Air Pollution

• Air pollution may be defined as the presence of one or more

contaminants in the air in such quantities and for such durations
which may be or tend to be injurious to human, animal or plant life,
or property, or which unreasonably interferes with the comfortable
usage of air.
Types of Air Pollutants
Primary pollutants: Pollutants which are being emitted into
the air directly by point/area/line sources.
Examples: CO, NOx, SO2, Pb, SPM, RSPM, VOCs

Secondary pollutants: Pollutants which are getting formed

from primary pollutants in the atmosphere. Some of the
reactionsare catalyzed by sun light.
Examples: acid rains, smog, O3, H2O2, formaldehyde,
peroxy acetyl nitrate (PAN)
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,
1981
• This Act may be called the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
• It extends to the whole of India.
• It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.
• Definitions.
• In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-
• (a) "air pollutant" means any solid, liquid or gaseous substance 2[(including
noise)] present in the
• atmosphere in such concentration as may be or tend to be injurious to human
beings or other
• living creatures or plants or property or environment;
• (b) "air pollution" means the presence in the atmosphere of any air
• (c) "approved appliances" means any equipment or gadget used for
the bringing of any combustible material or for generating or
consuming any fume, gas of particulate matter and approved by the
State Board for the purpose of this Act;
• (d) "approved fuel" means any fuel approved by the State Board for
the purposes of this Act;
• (e) "automobile" means any vehicle powered either by internal
combustion engine or by any method of generating power to drive
such vehicle by burning fuel;
• (f) "Board" means the Central Board or State Board;
• (g) "Central Board- means the 3[Central Board for the Prevention and
Control of Water
• Pollution] constituted under section 3 of the Water (Prevention and
Control of Pollution) Act,1974;
• (h) "chimney" includes any structure with an opening or outlet from
or through which any air pollutant may be emitted,
• (i) "control equipment" means any apparatus, device, equipment or
system to control the quality and manner of emission of any air
pollutant and includes any device used for securing the efficient
operation of any industrial plant; or flue or any other outlet;
• (k) "industrial plant" means any plant used for any industrial or trade
purposes and emitting any air pollutant into the atmosphere;
• (l) "member" means a member of the Central Board or a State Board,
as the case may be, and includes the Chairman thereof, 4[(m)
"occupier", in relation to any factory or premises, means the person
who has control over the affairs of the factory or the premises, and
includes, in relation to any substance, the person in possession of the
substance;]
• (n) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act by
the Central Government or as the case may be, the State government;
• (o) "State Board" means,-
• (i) in relation to a State in which the Water (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act,1974, is in force and the State Government has
constituted for that State a 5[State Board for the Prevention and
Control of Water Pollution] under section 4 of that Act, the said
• State Board; and in relation to any other State, the State Board for the
Prevention and Control of Air Pollution constituted by the State
Government under section 5 of this Act.
NAMP
• Central Pollution Control Board is executing a nation-wide programme of
ambient air quality monitoring known as National Air Quality Monitoring
Programme (NAMP).
• The network consists of Six hundred and Eighty Three (683) operating stations
covering Three Hundred (300) cities/towns in twenty six (29) states and four (6)
Union Territories of the country.
The objectives of the N.A.M.P. are to determine status and trends of ambient air
quality; to ascertain whether the prescribed ambient air quality standards are
violated; to Identify Non-attainment Cities; to obtain the knowledge and
understanding necessary for developing preventive and corrective measures and
to understand the natural cleansing process undergoing in the environment
through pollution dilution, dispersion, wind based movement, dry deposition,
precipitation and chemical transformation of pollutants generated.
• Under N.A.M.P., four air pollutants viz ., Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Oxides of Nitrogen as NO2,
Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM / PM10) and Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5)
have been identified for regular monitoring at all the locations.
• The monitoring of meteorological parameters such as wind speed and wind direction, relative
humidity (RH) and temperature were also integrated with the monitoring of air quality.
• The monitoring of pollutants is carried out for 24 hours (4-hourly sampling for gaseous pollutants
and 8-hourly sampling for particulate matter) with a frequency of twice a week, to have one
hundred and four (104) observations in a year.
• The monitoring is being carried out with the help of Central Pollution Control Board; State
Pollution Control Boards; Pollution Control Committees; National Environmental Engineering
Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur. CPCB co-ordinates with these agencies to ensure the
uniformity, consistency of air quality data and provides technical and financial support to them for
operating the monitoring stations. N.A.M.P. is being operated through various monitoring
agencies.
• Large number of personnel and equipments are involved in the sampling, chemical analyses, data
reporting etc. It increases the probability of variation and personnel biases reflecting in the data,
hence it is pertinent to mention that these data be treated as indicative rather than absolute.
Automobile Pollution Control
• Engine efficiency has been steadily improved with improved engine design
• ii. One of the first-developed exhaust emission control systems is secondary air injection.
Originally, this system was used to inject air into the engine’s exhaust ports to provide oxygen so
unburned and partially-burned hydrocarbons in the exhaust would finish burning.
• Air injection is now used to support the catalytic converters oxidation reaction, and to reduce
emissions when an engine is started from cold. After a cold start, an engine needs a fuel-air
mixture richer than what it needs at operating temperature, and the catalytic converter does not
function efficiently until it has reached its own operating temperature.
• The air injected upstream of the converter supports combustion in the exhaust head pipe, which
speeds catalyst warm up and reduces the amount of unburned hydrocarbon emitted from the
tailpipe.
• iii. Converter does not function efficiently until it has reached its own operating temperature. The
air injected upstream of the converter supports combustion in the exhaust head pipe, which
speeds catalyst warm up and reduces the amount of unburned hydrocarbon emitted from the
tailpipe
• iv. The catalytic converter is a device placed in the exhaust pipe, which
converts hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and NOx into less harmful gases
by using a combination of platinum, palladium and rhodium as catalysts.
• v. Evaporative emissions control-Emissions are the result of gasoline
vapours escaping from the vehicle’s fuel system. In a typical system,
vapours from the fuel tank and carburetor bowl vent (on carbureted
vehicles) are ducted to canisters containing activated carbon. The vapours
are adsorbed within the canister, and during certain engine operational
modes fresh air is drawn through the canister, pulling the vapour into the
engine, where it is burned.
• vii. Reduce use, and car pool.
• viii. Monitor and repair any leaks.
• x. Always take used oil, batteries and other fluids to a repair shop for
proper disposal.
• x. Never allow oil or other toxins to runoff into the ground, street
gutters or storm drains.
• xi. Take your car to a commercial car wash or use detergents that
don’t contain phosphorus to wash your car and direct the flow of
runoff to grass clippings or gravel instead of the street.
• xii. When purchasing a new automobile look for cars with high fuel
efficiency ratings.
Other Recent Measures to Control Air
Pollution
1 Reduce the air pollution of your automobile
• When you are out for a drive, do not idle your vehicle. Drive less by
combining trips, telecommuting, carpooling, car sharing, riding a bike,
walking, or using public transit. Bring your lunch to work, so you do not
have to drive out during the lunch break, or agree with your co-workers on
going to get lunch together. Do not speed up or drive agressively because
that only produces more emissions. And if possible avoid driving out during
rush hours.
When you are in the market to buy a new vehicle, consider buying the
most efficient, and least polluting vehicle. In general, newer models are
less polluting as they are developed with the latest technologies. Be sure to
keep car tuned and regularly replace air filters at recommended intervals.
2 Save energy
• When you save energy, whether it is at home, at work, or while you are traveling, you will be
reducing air polluting particulates as well as carbon emissions that pollute the air.
3 Use eco-friendly products in your home
• When purchasing household products for your home and your yard, opt for the cleanest and
greenest products that don’t contain any harmful polluting chemicals.
A few great tips:
• Opt for no-VOC or low-VOC paints, stains, finishes, paint strippers, and glues. Paint with a brush rather than
spray.
• Instead of using chemical-filled air fresheners, use essential oils, herbs and flowers to make your home smell
nice. And do not forget to regularly open windows to ventilate your house.
• Use green cleaning products instead of conventional chemical-filled products. For ideas about which products
contain the cleanest ingredients, The Environmental Working Group’s Consumer Guides web page is a great
place to start. Or use natural cleaning methods such as baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice.
• Use perfumes moderately or not at all. Perfumes consist of a number of synthetic chemicals that when being
sprayed in the air break down into harmful compounds.
4 Do not smoke inside your home
• Cigarette smoke contains up to 70 carcinogenic substances and toxins that remain in the indoor air for a
long time. Exposure to this second hand smoke can cause serious health problems to other family members.
• Some of the health deteriorating compounds found in smoke include lead, arsenic, ammonia and carbon
monoxide. By smoking in a confined space, the level of these compounds quickly exceed safe limits without
you even realizing the danger associated with inhaling them
5 Plant trees
• Trees around your house and in your neighborhood will help reduce air pollutants. Trees have the unique
ability to clean the air of gaseous pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and
ozone, as well as particulate pollutants [3].
• Except being natural air filters, trees also improve our mood and cool down the temperature by a few
degrees, which makes them a great substitute for energy demanding and polluting air conditioners.

6 Keep air-cleaning houseplants

• Similarly like trees, some plants have the ability to remove pollutants such as benzene and formaldehyde
from the indoor air.
7 Take a good care of your fireplace
• If you own a wood burning stove or a fireplace, be sure to keep it well-maintained. Old
wood stoves can be replaced with newer models that are more efficient.
• It is also important to burn the right wood in the right way to prevent the generation of
unnecessary air pollution.

8 Recycle and buy recycled products

• It takes more energy and natural resources to make new things, increasing the
environmental footprint (including the air pollution that is produced) of those products,
compared with those products that are made from recycled materials.
9 Choose sustainable products
• Support companies that are committed to sustainable manufacturing practices and
reducing pollution in the air.
10 Become interested in local matters
Support public policies and representative politicians who will work to protect the air and the environment.
These are just a few ways how each one of us can help prevent further air pollution. Try to keep these tips in
mind and change your habits to more sustainable ones where possible. It will improve your and your family
health, and at the same time will enable all other inhabitants of this beautifully diverse planet to thrive.
Become a person who respects life rather than the one who destroys it.
Eleventh Plan Strategy to Control Air
Pollution
• The 11th Five Year Plan envisaged a clear commitment topursue a development agenda which is
environmentally sustainable, based on a strategy that notonly preserves and maintains natural
resources but also provides equitable access to those who are generally denied this.
• It recognized the need to have environment protection at the core/centre stage of all policy
formulation.
• Translating the vision of environmental sustainability will require that environmental concerns
are given a high priority in development planning at all levels.
• Though the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) is the nodal agency in the administrative
structure of the Central Government for the planning, promotion, co-ordination and overseeing
the implementation of India’s environment related policies and programmes, it is important to
recognize and appreciate the fact that environmental issues cut across various developmental
sectors.
• It is therefore pertinent to understand that MoEF alone cannot address all the issues concerned
with the conservation of natural resources and protection of environment. What is desired is that
various sectoral ministries work in coordinated manner with MoEF to address these issues.
Therefore the intersectoral action plans should be dovetailed with action plans of line ministries
and adequate budgetary allocation to line ministries be made by the
Planning Commission to implement these action plans. For instance, the air pollution and sewage
and solid waste management require intersectoral action plan. The ministries to be engaged in
implementation these action plans would be:
• Air pollution and vehicular pollution – MoPNG (ensuring supply of clean fuel), MoP (use of
clean technologies for power), MoRTH (promoting public transport), MoH&FW(conducting
health related studies), MNRE (promotion of renewable energy) and MoC(for supply of clean
coal)
• Sewage treatment and solid waste management – MoUD (creation of infrastructure under
JNNURM), MoWR (Cleaning of ponds), MNRE (implementing waste-to-energy
projects), and MoH&FW (infrastructure related to biomedical waste)
• The report of the Sub-group on ‘Environment’ discusses various policies and programmes of
MoEF, institutional setup for environment management, progress of various schemes in the 11th
Five Year Plan and suggests recommendations for the 12th Five Year Plan.
Noise Pollution
• This definition would first bring to mind the sound of one’s mother’s
voice which one would probably like to associate with noise pollution.
Jokes aside, noise is a very real, subtle entity which one cannot see, taste,
feel or smell.
• And because of these very things noise is not taken as seriously as it should
be.
• Our ears are so adapting to the environment.
• They have the special ability to block out the noisy background and focus
on what one wants to hear.
• For eg when standing with a friend at the busy bus stop , you block the
sounds of the on-going traffic, the stomping of many feet, the music
flowing from the nearby cafeteria, all just to concentrate on the very
interesting story your friend has to tell.
How Sound is measured
• Sound is measured in units called Decibels(dB) According to The National
Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, sound that is
safe for the ear is said to be 75 dB and below, while sound that can causes
harm is 85 dB and above.
• The normal refrigerator hums at 45 dB, whereas maximum volume on an
MP3 player is a loud 105 dB. Having a normal conversation is a pleasant 60
dB whereas it can be understood that arguing with loud voices will not be
easy on the ears.
• Noise pollution is therefore the addition of unwanted noise into the
atmosphere. Noises cann be of different levels.
• Depending on duration : long lasting and short-term
• Depending on intensity : very loud , medium and soft sounds
• Depending on the distance from the source
Sources ( Causes ) of noise pollution
• Sound of traffic with the roaring engines of trucks, buses, motorcycles and
constant humming of cars.
• Living in areas near the railways stations or airports
• Working near loud machinery in industries, factories and construction sites
• Working with loud tools such as at wood cutting, welding, generators,
lawnmowers and other gardening and cleaning machinery,
• Listening to music with head phones, playing in a band, music concerts
• Loud speakers and amplifiers used at Large gatherings of celebrations or
protests
• War zones with sudden intense sounds or constant loud ones
• Fire crackers depending on the proximity to them.
Effects of noise pollution
• Noise induced hearing loss – The loss of hearing is not noticeable at first if one is exposed to
continuous and medium to loud sounds. One becomes aware of it only after a while. But exposure
to a sudden very loud sound even for a short moment such as an explosion can cause a temporary
or permanent damage. One or both ears can be affected. Noise pollution can affect all age groups.
• Hearing loss as an occupational hazard.
• Headaches and fatigue due to disturbed sleep patterns
• Hypertension and cardiovascular disease such as myocardial infarction.
• Increases stress leading to psychological disturbance- One may have noticed the degree of
annoyance is higher and tolerance is lower in places having loud sounds. This leads to quick
altercations for apparently no reason. Dementia is also associated with noise pollution
• Low Birth Weight -The U.S Environmental Protection Agency has studied the co-relation of sound
pollution on low birth weights and birth defects in babies born in these environments, but this is
still under debate.
• The effects on animals that are sensitive to sounds beyond the capacity of human years is also
noted. This is expressed in terms of fear, increased aggression and changes in normal physiologic
or bodily functions such as hunger, urination, defecation, pacing etc.
Protection from noise pollution
• To be aware of the kind of noises around oneself
• Since it is a subtle form of pollution it is important to create awareness of it especially among those living or working in
spaces like noisy factories, industries, airports, railways, construction sites, sports stadia, traffic wardens, malls, etc.
• Ear protection using ear muffs or plugs especially for babies, elderly people, handicapped persons, pet animals etc.
• Avoid using headphones or earplugs at high volumes.
• If suspecting hearing loss, get tested.
• Use of sound insulating architectural elements in offices , apartments, industries and public places
• Planning living spaces such that there is sufficient distance between the source of noise and residences, schools and
hospitals
• Use of silencers in automobiles
• Lubrication and maintenance of machinery.
• Plant more trees at strategic points. These act as sound barriers.
• In the human ear are many delicate parts. It is the nerve endings in the inner ear that is most affected by continuous sounds
and when these are damaged hearing loss occurs. Unlike other cells these cannot be regenerated or replaced. Hence one
realizes how important it is to protect the ears from harm.