AIR POLLUTION

Air pollution refers to the presence of the foreign particles in air which can effect the quantity of air and the health of living things. These foreign particles are called air pollutants. Most of these pollutants are results of human activities. Generally, pollution in industrial areas and cities are worse than in rural areas.

The sources and effects of air pollutants

Air pollutant Dust, soot and smoke Sources Forest fire Burning of rubbish Industrial activities Effect Low visibility Breathing difficulties Reduction in the rate of photosynthesis Burning of petrol Acid rain which Smoke from factories destroys buildings and aquatic habitats Industrial activities Cigarette smoking Brain damage Smoke from motor Death vehicles

Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides Carbon monoxide

Air pollutant
Carbon dioxide

Source
Burning of fossil fuels Burning of rubbish Aerosol sprays Electronics factories Burning of leaded petrol

Effect
Global warming as a result of the greenhouse effect Damage to the ozone layer Skin cancer and eye diseases Damage to the kidneys, heart and brain Mental retardation in children

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)

Lead

Steps needed to prevent and control air pollution

Everyone should take interest in the issue of air pollution and be aware of the step that need to be taken to prevent and control air pollution. The steps to prevent and control air pollution are ; - Enforcement of anti-pollution laws - Managing pollutant

Local law and its function

Types of laws Function Environment Protects, controls and beautifies the Quality Act, 1974 environment. Environment Quality Law (clean air), 1978 Motor Vehicle Law (Control and Gas), 1977 Controls the release of pollutants into the atmosphere from factories and the open combustion of industrial waste. Control the emission of excess smoke from motor vehicles. Diesel engine owners will have to pay a fine if the black smoke released from their exhaust pipe exceeds the fixed limit.

Types of laws
Environment Quality Law (Reduction of Plumbum and Motor Gasoline), 1985

Function
Reduces the percentage of lead in petrol from 0.84g/l to 0.15g/l beginning 1990.

Local Government Law Act (Collection Disposal and Incineration of Rubbish (section 9)

Constantly updates the method of disposing and burning rubbish

Enforcement of anti-pollution laws

- Industrial activities must not be carried out in residential areas. - Factories should be set up far away from residential areas.

- Opening burning is banned. - People caught for open burning of rubbish will be punished

- The chimneys of factories must be built to a certain height. - This ensures that smoke and soot are released into the upper atmosphere

Managing pollutants

- Removal of sulphur and lead from fuels. - This help to reduce the release of sulphur dioxide and lead into the air.

- Use of catalytic converters to make the poisonous fumes from car engines harmless. - Catalytic converters can reduce the release of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons into the air.

- Use of electrostatic precipitators fitted on chimneys to trap the particles of dust, smoke and soot.