ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION Air pollution - The contamination of air by undesirable substances
which are harmful to the animals and plants is called air pollution.
Pollution - It is the addition of unwanted constituents to the air, water, soil or to any
part of the environment which adversely change the quality of environment.
Sources of Air Pollution –
Pollutant - Any substance or agent or factor which cause contamination to the a) Natural Sources – This include volcanic action, forest fire etc. which release
environment is called pollutant. Eg. Carbon monoxide, dust particles, pesticides, poisonous gases like CO, H2S, SO2 etc and various particulate matter into the
radioactive substances and metals like lead, mercury, etc. atmosphere.
b) Man-made sources – Eg. Automobiles, industry, electric power plants,
agricultural activities, refrigerant, Boilers etc.
Volcano Forest fire Industry
Man-made sources - - - - - The air pollutants are classified as,
Automobiles and industries release large amounts of toxic gases by the burning of
fossil fuels. These gases include carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides etc. 1. Primary pollutant – These are harmful chemical substances
The leakage of refrigerant gases into the atmosphere can cause ozone depletion
(pollutants) which are directly released in to the atmosphere. [Link],
and contribute to global warming. CO2, ammonia, hydrocarbons etc.
Boilers emit a variety of pollutants, including those associated with combustion
processes and HAPs, such as: Nitrogen oxides (NOx). Sulfur dioxide (SO2). Particle
pollution. (HAPs - Hazardous Air Polltants) 2. Secondary pollutants
These are harmful
chemicals formed in the
air due to chemical
reaction between the
primary pollutants or
between primary
pollutants and air. Eg.
SO3, NO2, Smog etc.
Automobiles Refrigerant Boiler
Air Pollution Control Methods
Major Air pollutants and their effects
1. Bag Filter - A bag filter is a pollution control device and dust collector
Name of Pollutant Effect that removes particulates or gas released from commercial process out of
Carbon Monoxide (CO) - Head ache, dizziness, vomiting, the air. When the dust-containing gas passes through the filter media, the
breathing difficulty and death at high concentration
Oxides of Carbon dust is stopped on its surface and the clean air is discharged through the
Carbon dioxide (CO2) – If present in excess quantity cause
Green house effect and global warming gaps of the filter media.
Oxides of Nitrogen Oxides of nitrogen cause acid rain and photochemical smog.
(NO2, N2O3, N2O5 , NO2 - Cause respiratory problems, Internal bleeding, Lung
N2O, NO ) cancer etc.
Oxides of Sulphur Bronchitis, Asthma, Lung cancer, sulphurous smog (London
(SO2, SO3 ) Smog) and acid rain.
Hydrocarbons Breathing difficulty, cough, suffocation, lung cancer and
photochemical smog
Particulate Breathing difficulty, lung cancer, and brain damage
(Air borne small solid particles and liquid droplets are called
Particulate)
2. cyclone separator - In the cyclone separator air flows in a 3. Electrostatic precipitator - Electrostatic precipitators operate on the
helical pattern. The centrifugal force created by this fast, circular principle of the attraction of a charged particle for an oppositely
air flow drives the heavier dust particles toward the wall of charged collector. It consists of two sets of electrodes: positive and
the cyclone chamber. They hit the wall, lose velocity, and fall negative. The polluted air is passed through the electrostatic precipitator
down to the bottom of the cyclone where they can be removed. containing positive and negative electrode. Depending on the charge, the
particles in the polluted air are attracted towards the oppositely charged
electrode.
4. Absorber - Absorption is a physical or chemical process of removing a
5. Catalytic converter - Catalytic converters make use of a catalyst, usually
pollutant from a gas phase media by dissolving the pollutant into a solvent
platinum or palladium, to speed up the chemical reactions between oxygen
media. It involves the transfer of a gaseous pollutant from the air into a
and pollutants in the air to convert them into less toxic byproducts like
contacting liquid, such as water.
water vapor, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen gas.
Water pollution Sources of Water pollution and their effects
a) Sewage – Foul smell, contain pathogenic microorganism, depletion of dissolved
Water pollution is the contamination of water by foreign substances
oxygen
which unfavorably alter its quality and characteristics. b) Industrial effluents – Increase the toxic organic matter in water, depletion of
dissolved oxygen, Eutrophication,
c) Soaps and detergents- Increase organic content in water, depletion of dissolved
oxygen
d) Pesticides – Toxic to human being and other animals
e) Fertilizers – Eutrophication, Algal blooming
f) Heavy metals – Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Arsenic, Chromium etc are toxic to
human being and other animals
(Eutrophication – the process of increase in plant nutrients in water which leads to growth
of Algae in water. Algal blooming – Sudden growth of algae in a particular area)
Noise pollution- Noise pollution is defined as regular exposure to
Water quality parameters
elevated sound levels that may lead to adverse effects in humans or
a) pH – pH of most drinking water lies in the range of 6.5 to 8.5
b) Dissolved Oxygen (DO) – It is the weight of oxygen in milligrams present per other living organisms.
litre of water. For good quality water the value is 4 -6 mg/L
Sources of noise pollution–
c) Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) – Biological Oxygen Demand is defined
a) Industries, Factories, Machinery
as the amount of dissolved oxygen required by aerobic microorganisms to
b) Vehicles – Train, bus, car, scooter etc
breakdown the organic materials in a sample of water at a specific
c) Domestic appliances – Mixie, Grinder etc
temperature & timeframe. A higher value of BOD indicate pollution. For
d) Construction work
normal sample of water the value of BOD is 1-3 mg/L
d) Chemical oxygen demand (COD) – COD is defined as the oxygen equivalent
required for the oxidation of organic matter in water determined with the help
of a strong oxidant. COD value higher than 250 ppm indicates pollution.
Noise pollution induces hormonal imbalances, emotional disturbances, increases The Noise Pollution Rules established in 2000. The noise pollution rules prohibit
heart beat, raises blood pressure, disturbs sleep, cause fatigue, frustration, the use of loudspeakers at night and provide provisions for penalties in case of use
anxiety, and fright. of such devices without the permission from a competent authority.
This rule categorized the areas into industrial, commercial, residential or
Noise level in the environment is expressed in decibels(dB). Noise level up to 85
silence areas/zones for the purpose of implementation of noise standards for
dB is tolerable.
Beating of a drum --- 80-90 db different areas. Noise pollution rules have defined the acceptable level of noise in
Exploding a cracker --- 120 dB, different zones for both daytime and night time. Sound emitting construction
Siren – 150 dB
equipments shall not be used or operated during night time in residential areas
and silence zones
Silence Zone Residential Zone Commercial Zone Industrial Zone
Permitted noise limits in different zones
Area Code Category of Limits in dB
Area/Zone Day Time Night Time
(A) Industrial area 75 70
(B) Commercial area 65 55
(C) Residential area 55 45
(D) Silence Zone 50 40
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