NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,  

CALICUT

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES – PROJECT  
REPORT

Submitted by:
Repaul Kanji.
Dinesh Singh Yadav.
Apurva Singh.
Nikhil Nakhate.
Amarendra Oraon.
Ajay Kumar.
 AIR POLLUTION
­WITH CASE STUD Y (THE GREAT  
SMOG OF LONDON 1952)

To   put   in   simple   way,   pollution   is   the 

introduction   of   a   contaminant   into   the 
environment. It is created mostly by human 
actions, but can also be a result of natural 
disasters. Pollution has a detrimental effect 
on any living organism  in an environment, 
making it virtually impossible to sustain life.
To sum up, the effects of pollution, the following
diagram serves the purpose:
 Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, 
particulate matter, or biological materials that 
cause harm or discomfort to humans or other 
living organisms, or damages the natural 
environment into the atmosphere.

The main sources of air pollution are the 
industries, agriculture and traffic, as well as 
energy generation.During combustion processes 
and other production processes air pollutants 
are emitted. Some of these substances are not 
directly damaging to air quality, but will form 
harmful air pollutants by reactions with other 
substances that are present in air.
­>The agricultural sector is known for its 
extensive use of pesticides. This application 
causes emissions of many nitrogen oxide based 
toxic chemicals.
­>The industries are responsible for emissions of 
carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulphur 
dioxide, nitrogen oxides, VOC, methane, 
ammonia and radioactive radiation.
­>The combustion of coal and natural gas for 
electricity production causes the release of 
sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon 
dioxide into the air.

­>Traffic is held responsible for one­third of the 
greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions caused by 
traffic are mainly those of carbon dioxide, carbon 
monoxide, nitrogen oxides, VOC and small dust 
particles.

­>Consumers are also partly responsible for air 
pollution. Firstly because the products they use 
have caused air pollution during their 
production and distribution and secondly 
because heating of houses and offices causes 
chemicals release into the air. 
CO2  Emission accounts for the maximum 
pollution in the developing 3rd world countries.
The graphical representation of the fact stated 
above is given below:
GREENHOUSE EFFECT

Smog
Smog is a type of air pollution derived from 
vehicular emission from internal combustion 
engines and industrial fumes that react in the 
atmosphere with sunlight to form secondary 
pollutants that also combine with the primary 
emissions to form photochemical smog. 
Smog is also caused by large amounts of coal 
burning in an area caused by a mixture of smoke 
and sulphur dioxide.
Smog is a serious problem in many cities and 
continues to harm human health. Ground­level 
ozone, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and 
carbon monoxide are especially harmful for 
senior citizens, children, and people with heart 
and lung conditions such as bronchitis, and 
asthma.
It can inflame breathing passages, decrease the 
lungs' working capacity, cause shortness of 
breath, pain when inhaling deeply, wheezing, 
and coughing. 
It can cause eye and nose irritation and it dries 
out the protective membranes of the nose and 
throat and interferes with the body's ability to 
fight infection, increasing susceptibility to 
illness. 
 GREAT SMOG OF
1952-LONDON
­>The Great Smog befell London starting on 
December 4, 1952, and lasted until March of 
1953.
­>It was a great disaster that killed nearly 
12,000 people and formed an important impetus 
to the modern environmental movement.

CAUSES
->In early December of 1952, a cold fog descended
upon London.
->Because of the cold, Londoners began to burn more
coal than usual.
->Factory chimneys continued releasing gases and
huge numbers of particles into the atmosphere, some
causing lung and eye irritations, while some were
poisonous.
->At the same time, the final conversion of London's
electric trams to diesel buses was completed.
->The resulting air pollution was trapped by the heavy
layer of cold air, and the concentration of pollutants
built up dramatically.
->The resulting air pollution was trapped by the heavy
layer of cold air, and the concentration of pollutants
built up dramatically.

EFFECTS
->In the weeks that followed, the medical services
compiled statistics and found that the fog had killed
4,000 people.
->Another 8,000 died in the weeks and months that
followed.
Mortality from bronchitis and pneumonia increased
more than sevenfold as a result of the fog.
->Road, rail and air transport were almost brought to a
standstill.

What Can You Do?

­>Drive less.
­>Keep cars well maintained and tires properly 
inflated.
­>Turn off the engine when your vehicle is not in 
motion.
­>Purchase low­emitting and fuel efficient 
vehicles.
 ­>Share a ride, take public transportation bike, 
or walk.
­>Combine errands into one trip.

AFFORESTATION
Trees provide oxygen. They also absorb the 
carbon dioxide thus purifying the air.
Afforestation is as far the best method to reduce 
the green house effect.Afforestation act as 
windbreaks.It restores ecological balance of all 
eco systems.

LETS HOPE FOR A BETTER TOMORROW