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AIR POLLUTION ANAS SAFWAN BIN JAMIL

CONTENTS

KEY POINTS PAGE

Definition of air pollution 2 - 3

Examples of air pollutants 4 - 5

Sources of air pollutants 6 - 7

The effects of air pollution 8 - 13

The steps to prevent and control air pollution

14 - 16

The ways to maintain clean air 17 - 22

Practice to maintain clean air 23 - 27


Definition of Air Pollution


Air Pollution Definition :

1. The addition of harmful chemicals to the atmosphere. The most serious air pollution results from theburning of fossil fuels, expecially in internal-combustion engines.

2. Air pollution is the introduction of particulates, biological molecules, or other harmful materials into the Earth's atmosphere, possibly causing disease, death to humans, damage to other living organisms such as food crops, or the natural or built environment.

3. Air pollution is unwanted and harmful substances that are released to the air by factories, motor verhicles, forest fires, the development of housing estates and the extensive use of clorofluorocarbon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Built_environment

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Built_environment

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_environment

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth's_atmosphere

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomolecule

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Particulates

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/internal-combustion%20engines

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fossil%20fuels

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fossil%20fuels

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/atmosphere


1.The unwanted and harmful substances are called the pollutants.

2.Examples of air pollution include smoke, toxic acid, dust, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and pesticides.

EXAMPLES OF AIR

POLLUTANTS


3.Man must control his activities so that they do not pollute the air because clean air is essential for a healthy life.

Factory’s smoke Forest burning

Car’s smoke Smoking

SOURCES OF AIR

POLLUTANTS


THE EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION


1. Air pollution causes harmful effects on living things, including man and on the environment.

2. Some of these harmful effects are explained below.3. Health problems

a) Harmful gases, dust and soot in the air cause several health problems such as : i) headaches ii) skin diseases iii) asthma iv) bronchitis v) lung and throat cancer vi) damages the respiratory system

b) Radioactive waste thrown into the environment causes :

i) giddiness and vomiting ii) infertility iii) canceriv) defects to unborn babies

c) Haze caused by dust and smoke :i) reduces visibility ii) increases the risk of road accidents

4. Depletion of food resources a) Dust and soot on the leaves of plants reduce the

rate of photosynthesis, causing less food and to be produced by plants.

b) Acid rain causes plants to die because they become unable to absorb water.


c) Acid rain causes aquatic animals such as fish and prawns to be killed.

5. Destruction of habitatsa) Acidic gases such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen

oxide which dissolve in water to form acid rain have destroyed large areas of forests and made ponds and rivers unsuitable for plants and animals.

b) As a result, the natural habitats are destroyed.

6. Extinction of species a) Destruction of natural habitats has caused many

plants and animals to die and several species become extinct.

b) Plants and animals in danger of going extinct include Rafflesia, orang utan, tapir, hornbill and leatherback turtle.

7. Destruction of property a) Acid rain is corroding buildings and important

historic monuments. b) Smoke and soot caused many buildings to turn

black.8. Global warming

a) The Earth’s atmosphere now contains excess carbon dioxide. This is due to fewer forests to absorb the gas and industries releasing a lot of carbon dioxide.


b) This layer of carbon dioxide traps heat radiated from the ground and prevents it from escaping into outer space. As a result the Earth’s temperature is rising. The phenomenon is called the greenhouse effect or global warming.

c) Global warming causes : i) Ice bergs in the poles to melt quickly.ii) Level of sea water to rise.iii) Floods in low-lying areas such as some coastal

regions.iv) Tropical diseases to spread to temperate

regions. 9. Thinning of the ozone layer

a) The ozone layer in the atmosphere of the Earth protects us from the harmful rays of the Sun.

b) Harmful ultraviolet rays from the Sun can cause :i) Cataract

The eye lens becomes opaque and the patient cannot see. He has to replace the lens with a synthetic one.

ii) Skin cancer Constant exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays can cause skin cancer. A general skin cancer, known as melanoma, cannot be cured.

iii) Lowering of the body’s defense system


Harmful ultraviolet rays make the body less able to resist diseases such as tuberculosis and diphtheria.

iv) Reducing the yield from plants Plant crops such as paddy give lower yields when exposed to harmful ultraviolet rays.

c) Air pollutants mainly chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), have made the ozone layer very thin and allowing a lot of harmful ultraviolet rays to reach the Earth.

THE STEPS TO PREVENT AND CONTROL AIR POLLUTION


1. The steps to prevent and control air pollution consists of two strategies, namely a) Enforcement of anti-pollution laws b) Managing pollutants

2. Enforcement of the Clean Air Act 1979 would ensure that industrial activities are not carried out in a housing area, open burning is not carried out and chimneys of factories are built to a certain height.

3. Managing pollutants includes removing sulphur from fuels, using catalytic converters to make poisonous fumes from car engines harmless and fixing electronic devices on chimneys to trap dust, smoke and soot.

4. Air pollution must be controlled so that its harmful effects can be reduced. Some ways for controlling air pollution are explained below.

THE STEPS TO PREVENT AND CONTROL AIR POLLUTION


a) Rubbish Do not allow open burning in residential areas.

b) Motor vehicles Ensure that the engines of motor vehicles do not give

out excessive exhaust gases and black smoke.

c) Factories Treat waste gases in air cleaning systems before

releasing them into the air. d) Agriculture

Advise farmers to reduce the use of pesticides. e) Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)

Reduce the use of chlorofluorocarbon and other gases which destroy the Earth’s ozone layer. f) Nuclear substances

Store and throw radioactive waste in the recommended ways. g) Reforestation

Replant forests for absorbing carbon dioxide. This reduces global warming. h) Educating the public

Educate members of the public to be aware of the dangers of air pollution and how to control them.


1. Clean air is vital to human health and all the parts of our ecosystem. Most air pollutants come from manufacturing industries, vehicles and burning oil, gas or coal. But many come from smaller-scale, everyday activities. Just a few small changes in routine habits can make a significant difference in the quality of the air you and your family breathe.

2. Examples of the ways to maintain clean air : a) Rubbish

THE WAYS TO MAINTAIN CLEAN AIR


Burning should only be done in approved sites or in incinerators built for the purpose.

Recycle paper, cans and bottles to reduce waste and rubbish. b) Motor vehicles

Encourage the use of liquid petroleum gas as fuel in motor vehicles.

Use unleaded petrol in motor vehicles.

c) Factories Use wind energy, solar energy and hydroelectric

power as alternatives to fuels such as coal and petroleum.

Fix electrostatic precipitators on the chimneys to attract particles in the waste gases to prevent from escaping into the air. d) Agriculture

Encourage farmers to use biological control ways to kill pest. For example, owls can be reared in oil palm plantations to catch rats. e) Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)

Use ozone friendly gases such as hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC).f) Nuclear substances

Ban nuclear tests through an international agreement.


g) Educating the public This can be done through campaigns in schools and

talks over radio and television.

Clean Air at Home

Give up your burn barrel, it is now illegal to burn household trash and leavesMunicipal waste incinerators operate at 1,800 degrees F and use filters to reduce harmful emissions, but backyard burn barrels rarely exceed 500 degrees F, releasing up to 40 times the toxins and pollutants as permitted facilities. Especially bad are plastics, foils, batteries and chlorine-bleached paper. The pollutants found in burn barrel smoke can be harmful to people, animals and the environment.

Choose pump sprays over aerosol spraysAerosols waste much of the product, spewing it into the air (and your lungs) instead of where you want it. Also buy non-aerosol products such as deodorant rolls-on, cooking oil instead of cooking spray, shaving soap instead of shaving cream, setting lotion or gel instead of hair spray.

Refuel garden equipment carefullySpilled gasoline + sunlight and summer heat = pollution that irritates the lungs and causes smog. To avoid spills when refueling garden equipment, use a spout or funnel. Don't overfill. Tightly close the cap and store in a cool place, out of direct sunlight.

Use latex paintsOil-based paints contain solvents that evaporate easily and give off fumes. Water-based latex paint has better color retention and releases less pollution into the air.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8554.html



Check for fever with a digital thermometerIf an old-fashioned thermometer breaks, mercury can evaporate to form a harmful vapor. Never throw products containing mercury in the trash. Contact local authorities for disposal programs.

Clean Air on the Road

Gas up after duskRefueling any motorized vehicle or appliance allows the escape of vapors that, on summer days, can lead to ozone formation. Simply waiting until dusk to refuel can reduce this phenomenon. Ozone damages crops, forests, structures, and human health.

Don't overfill your tank

Topping off your gas tank after the pump automatically turns off can harm your vehicle's emissions system. Gas station pumps are designed to turn off at a fuel level that leaves room in the tank for the emissions system to operate correctly. If you smell gas while refueling, that means highly toxic substances are in the air.

Drive smartDecreasing emissions from vehicles is key to keeping our air clean. Drive less by carpooling, combining trips, driving the speed limit and keep your vehicle in good running order. See the "Gas Saving Tips" page for more ideas.




Clean Air at Play

Be air quality awareBeing active outside can be dangerous-especially for kids and seniors-if the ozone level is high. Ozone can cause a variety of respiratory problems including coughing, shortness of breath, decreased lung function and increased susceptibility to respiratory infection.



1. There are many ways of practicing that keep the air clean.

2. Examples of the ways of practicing that keep the air clean :

a) Planting flowers b) Do not burn trash in the openc) Reduce contaminants such as

Chlorofluorocarbond) Sorting waste properly, such as dividing the

paper, glass and plastic

PRACTICE TO MAINTAIN CLEAN

AIR


3. Smoking is one of the habits that should be discouraged, especially among the underaged. It is better not to experiment with smoking because once you start smoking, you can easily be addicted. Cigarette smoke contains harmful substances such as tar, carbon monoxide, and nicotine. These substances are harmful to our health.

4. Smoking is the cause for many deaths through diseases such as :

a) bronchitis b) lung cancer c) heart diseased) emphysema

5. Emphysema is a condition in which the air-sacs in the lungs are damaged by cigarette smoke and cannot function properly . As a result, the patient is short of breath. It cannot be cured.

6. Cigarette smoke contains over a thousand poisonous chemicals. Some of them may cause lung cancer.

7. Nicotine in cigarette smoke :a) Damages brain tissues b) Hardens blood vessels (makes blood

difficult to flow).


8. Tar in cigarette smoke : a) Consists of tiny black b) Forms in the lungs as a sticky liquid

(blackens the lungs).

9. Carbon monoxide given out during smoking : a) Is a poisonous gas b) Combines with haemoglobin in the blood,

causing the body to be lack in oxygen.10. Pregnant women who smoke heavily have

the risk of having smaller babies, premature birth or still-birth.

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