AIR POLLUTION

BY NIKUNJ GAUTAM
CLASS XI-S6
DEFINITION
Air pollution is the introduction of particulates, biological molecules, or other harmful
materials into Earths atmosphere, causing diseases, allergies, death to humans, damage
to other living organisms such as animals and food crops, or the natural or built
environment. The substances responsible for Air pollution are called air pollutants. An
air pollutant is a substance in the air that can have adverse effects on humans and the
ecosystem. The substance can be solid particles, liquid droplets, or gases.
TYPES OF POLLUTANTS
Primary air pollutants:
The pollutants that are a direct result of the process can be called primary pollutants.
A classic example of a primary pollutant would be the sulfur-dioxide emitted from
Factories.
Secondary air pollutants:
Secondary pollutants are the ones that are caused by the inter mingling and reactions
of primary pollutants. Examples are Smog, ground level ozone, Peroxyacetyl nitrate.
CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION
Outdoor Air Pollution
Outdoor air pollution can be defined as the presence of solids, liquids, or gases in
outdoor air in amounts that are injurious to human health and the environment.
Burning of Fossil Fuels, Agricultural activities, Exhaust from factories and industries
Mining operations are few examples.
Indoor pollution
Indoor air pollution refers to chemical, biological and physical contamination of
indoor air. It may result in adverse health effects. Household cleaning products,
painting supplies emit toxic chemicals in the air and cause air pollution.
OUTDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION
Anthropogenic (man-made) sources
Natural sources
ANTHROPOGENIC SOURCES
Stationary sources include smoke stacks of power plants, manufacturing facilities
(factories) and waste incinerators, as well as furnaces and other types of fuel-
burning heating devices.
Mobile sources include motor vehicles, marine vessels, and aircraft.
Controlled burn practices in agriculture and forest management.
Fumes from paint, aerosols, hair spray , varnish and other solvents
Waste deposition in landfills, which generate methane. Methane is highly
flammable and may form explosive mixtures with air.
Military resources, such as nuclear weapons, toxic gases, germ
warfare and rocketry.
NATURAL SOURCES
Dust from natural sources, usually large areas of land with little or no vegetation
Methane emitted by the digestion of food by animals, for example cattle.
Radon gas from radioactive decay within the Earths crust. Radon is a colourless,
odourless, naturally occurring, radioactive noble gas that is formed from the decay
of radium. It is considered to be a health hazard.
Smoke and carbon monoxide from wildfires.
Volcanic activity, which produces sulfur, chlorine and ash particulates.
EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION
Acid Rain
Depletion of Ozone layer
Effect on Vegetation and Wildlife
Green house effect
Effects on Health
Effects on materials
ACID RAIN
DEPLETION OF OZONE LAYER
EFFECT ON VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE
GREEN HOUSE EFFECT
EFFECTS ON HEALTH
EFFECTS ON MATERIALS
Different metals and metallic structures are corroded when exposed to polluted air.
The oxides of sulphur react with limestone to form calcium carbonate.
ALTERNATIVES TO AVOID AIR POLLUTION
Combustion of fossil fuels for space heating can be replaced by using ground
source heat pumps and seasonal thermal energy storage.
Electric power generation from burning fossil fuels can be replaced by power
generation from nuclear and renewable.
Motor vehicles driven by fossil fuels, a key factor in urban air pollution, can be
replaced by electric vehicles.
METHODS TO PREVENT AIR POLLUTION
Use public mode of transportation
Use catalytic converters
Plant trees
Stop smoking
Use bicycle for short distance
THANK YOU