Survey on pollution

Environmental biotechnology

Group members Hina

Maryam salman arslanNasar

• Date 6 0ct 2015 • Day Tuesday • Location = industrial estate • Pollution observed

air pollutionSource of pollution :

• Point source … • frontier techwood industry ltd, jamrud road

,Peshawar

Composition of pollution / pollutants

( emitting dust ,smoke ,gases effecting air quality ) • oxides of

nitrogen (NOx), sulphur (SOx) and carbon (COx) from combustion

• dust from combustion • Formaldehydes and other VOCs

urea-formaldehyde resins for binding wood particles Use + emission

• Solids particulates PM-10, and PM-2.5 (micrometers)

Effect of these pollutants • Formaldehyde (inhalation )

effects on the nasal cavity. Respiratory track irritation coughing, wheezing, chest pains, and bronchitis.nausea and skin irritationburning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat

• Suspected as carcinogenic in human

• CO2 in atmosphere GLOBAL WARMING

• Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides cause direct damage to leaves of crop plants & trees when they enter leaf pores (stomata).

• Chronic exposure of leaves & needles to these pollutants can also break down the waxy coating that helps prevent excessive water loss & damage from diseases, pests, drought & frost

• NO2 can cause irritation & disorders of the respiratory tract. They contribute to acid rain.

• Sulphur dioxide SO2 causes irritation of the mucous membrane & respiratory tract, sometimes leading to oedema of the lungs & bronchi. It is also one of the pollutants that cause acid rain.

• PM (PM-10 µm , and PM-2.5 µm )

• PM-10 µm can lodge in the trachea (upper throat) or in the bronchi.

• PM-2.5 µm , fine particles (< 10 µm) remain suspended in the air

• These can penetrate deep into lung alveoli & cause respiratory disorders and it also causes cancer.

• Deposition of fine particles can hinder transpiration in vegetation & impair material property.

• Creating unpleasant unhealthy environment

Environmental Effects of Particulate Matter:

• The environmental effects of particulate matter include accelerated corrosion of metals, as well as damage to paints, Particulate matter has also the potential to modify the climate through the formation of clouds and snow. Particles also contribute to acid deposition and may absorb solar radiation and impair/reduce visibility

Treatment• Establish systems to monitor, measure, control and minimise

dust emissions.• Use such filters that catch and carry away the particulate

matter & fine particles of wood instead of letting them out in the atmosphere.

• To prevent SO2 emission switch over to fuels that contain less to no sulphur i.e natural gas instead of fuel oil.

• To prevent nitrogen oxide emissions, we have to pay attention to the concentrations of oxygen that is added during production processes. When the oxygen concentration exceeds a certain limit, oxygen and nitrogen may react to form nitrogen oxides.

USE OF BIOFILTERS:This is the simplest and least expensive biological treatment method. Its main component is a bed of compost, tree bark, peat, heather, or soil, about 1m deep, through which the contaminant gas is blown . The material in the biofilter bed provides a diverse culture of microorganisms that degrade the gaseous pollutants passing through.keep covers on chemical containers to prevent odour and stop the escape of potentially harmful vapours and fumes.