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General
Definition
Air pollution may be defined as the presence in the air (outdoor atmosphere) of one or more contaminants or combinations thereof in such quantities and of such durations as may be or tend to be injurious to human, animal or plant life, or property, or which unreasonably interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property or conduct of business.
Air Pollutant
It is a substance or effect dwelling temporarily or permanently in the air , which adversely alters the environment by interfering with the health, the comfort, or the food chain, or by interfering with the property values of people. A pollutant can be solid (large or sub-molecular), liquid or gas . It may originate from a natural or anthropogenic source (or both). It is estimated that anthropogenic sources have changed the composition of global air by less than 0.01%. However, it is widely accepted that even a small change can have a significant adverse effect on the climate, ecosystem and species on the planet. Examples of these are acid rain, ozone in the lower atmosphere, and photochemical smog.
Gas Volume Nitrogen (N2) 780,840 ppmv (78.084%) Oxygen (O2) 209,460 ppmv (20.946%) Argon (Ar) 9,340 ppmv (0.9340%) Carbon dioxide 375 ppmv (CO2) Neon (Ne) 18.18 ppmv Helium (He) 5.24 ppmv Methane (CH4) 1.745 ppmv Krypton (Kr) 1.14 ppmv Hydrogen (H2) 0.55 ppmv Not included in above dry atmosphere: Water vapor typically 1% (highly variable)
Minor components of air not listed above include: Gas Volume nitrous 0.5 ppmv oxide xenon 0.09 ppmv ozone 0.0 to 0.07 ppmv nitrogen 0.02 ppmv dioxide iodine 0.01 ppmv carbon trace monoxide
8-hour 1-hour
Secondary Stds. None None Same as Primary Same as Primary Same as Primary Same as Primary
Lead Nitrogen Dioxide Particulate Matter (PM10) Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Ozone Sulfur Oxides
Quarterly Average Annual (Arithmetic Mean) 2 Annual (Arith. Mean) 1 24-hour 3 Annual (Arith. Mean) 4 24-hour 5 8-hour
Same as Primary Annual (Arith. Mean) ------1 24-hour ------1 3-hour 0.5 ppm 3 (1300 ug/m )
To attain this standard, the 3-year average of the weighted annual mean PM10 concentration at 3 each monitor within an area must not exceed 50 ug/m .
3
To attain this standard, the 3-year average of the weighted annual mean PM2.5 concentrations 3 from single or multiple community-oriented monitors must not exceed 15.0 ug/m .
4
To attain this standard, the 3-year average of the 98th percentile of 24-hour concentrations at 3 each population-oriented monitor within an area must not exceed 65 ug/m .
5
To attain this standard, the 3-year average of the fourth-highest daily maximum 8-hour average ozone concentrations measured at each monitor within an area over each year must not exceed 0.08 ppm.
Index Value
PSI Descriptor
Cautionary Statements
Up to 50 50 to 100
Good Moderate
None for the general population. Few or none for the general population. Mild aggravation of symptoms among susceptible people, with irritation symptoms in the healthy population.
100 to 200
Unhealthful
Persons with existing heart or respiratory ailments should reduce physical exertion and outdoor activity. General population should reduce vigorous outdoor activity. Elderly and persons with existing heart or lung disease should stay indoors and reduce physical activity. General population should avoid vigorous outdoor activity. Elderly and persons with existing diseases should stay indoors and avoid physical exertion.
200 to 300
Very Unhealthful
Significant aggravation of symptoms and decreased exercise tolerance in persons with heart or lung disease; widespread symptoms in the healthy population. Early onset of certain diseases in addition to significant aggravation of symptoms and
Over 300
Hazardous
Other Effects
Seriously injure vegetation at certain concentrations. Effects include:
Bleaching or killing plant tissue. Causing leaves to fall. Reducing growth rate.
Deteriorate fabrics and fade dyes. Corrode metals (due to nitrate salts formed from nitrogen oxides). Reduce visibility.
Sulfur Dioxide
Ninety-five percent of pollution related sulfur oxide emissions are in the form of sulfur dioxide (SO2), a heavy, colorless gas with an odor like a struck match. This gas combines easily with water vapor, forming aerosols of sulfurous acid (H2SO3), a colorless, mildly corrosive liquid. This liquid may then combine with oxygen in the air, forming the even more irritating and corrosive sulfuric acid (H2SO4).
Sulfur dioxide tends to have more toxic effects when acidic pollutants, liquid or solid aerosols, and particulates are also present. (In the past, thousands of excess deaths occurred in areas where SO2 concentrations exceeded 1 ppm for a few days and other pollutants were also high.) Effects are more pronounced among mouth breathers, e.g., people who are exercising or who have head colds. These effects include: Health problems, such as episodes of bronchitis requiring hospitalization associated with lower-level acid concentrations. Self-reported respiratory conditions, such as chronic cough and difficult breathing, associated with acid aerosol concentrations. (Asthmatic individuals are especially susceptible to these effects. The elderly and those with chronic respiratory conditions may also be affected at lower concentrations than the general population.) Increased respiratory tract infections, associated with longer term, lower-level exposures to SO2 and acid aerosols. Subjective symptoms, such as headaches and nausea, in the absence of pathological abnormalities, due to long-term exposure.
Other Effects
Increases in sulfur dioxide concentrations accelerate the corrosion of metals, probably through the formation of acids. (SO2 is a major precursor to acidic deposition.) Sulfur oxides may also damage stone and masonry, paint, various fibers, paper, leather, and electrical components. Increased SO2 also contributes to impaired visibility. Particulate sulfate, much of which is derived from sulfur dioxide emissions, is a major component of the complex total suspended particulate mixture.
Long-term, repeated exposure to high levels of ozone may lead to large reductions in lung function, inflammation of the lung lining, and increased respiratory discomfort.