Air Pollutants

Gaseous Pollutants Description Impacts

Carbon monoxide • Highly toxic. • Carbon monoxide poisoning.

(CO) • Produced from internal • Produces carboxyhemoglobin

combustion engines due to
incomplete combustion.
• Other sources are volcanoes,
forest fires, etc.
• Greenhouse gas.
Carbon dioxide • Heavier than air.
(CO2) • Source are volcanoes, fire, etc.
• Greenhouse gas.
reducing the oxygen-carrying
capacity of the blood.
• CO2 is an asphyxiant gas
• Has other harmful effects if a
high concentration of CO2 is
inhaled like dizziness,
headache, etc.
• Carbonic rain in high polluted
areas.
 Air Pollutants
Chlorofluorocarbons • Used in refrigerators, air • Highly destructive to the Ozone
(CFCs) conditioners, aerosols, etc. layer.
Ozone (O3) • Very useful in the • Has toxic effects.
Stratosphere but harmful at • Causes watery and itchy eyes.
the ground layer.
• It’s produced due to industries
and vehicles.
• Greenhouse gas.
Nitrogen oxide • Various oxides of Nitrogen • Aggravates Ashtamatic
(NOx) come under NOX. conditions and other
• Caused due to the reaction respiratory issues in humans.
between oxygen and nitrogen • Plays a major role in the
at high temps such as in formation of SMOG, acid rain
combustion engines and (nitric acid), and the
industries. greenhouse effect.
 Air Pollutants
Sulphur dioxide • Pungent smelling colorless gas • Respiratory issues, premature
(SO2) produced from mostly deaths, and death of certain
volcanic activities, industrial nerves when inhaled.
processes, and production of
sulphuric acid.
Volatile Organic • Volatile Organic Compounds • Irritations in eyes, skin, nose,
Compounds (VOCs) (VOCs) are a large group of and throat.
carbon-based chemicals that • Long-term exposure can cause
easily evaporate at room serious damage to the liver and
temperature. other organs.
Benzene • Found in petrochemicals and • Increases cancer risk and a
used as a fuel additive major cause of bone marrow
failure.
Ethylene • Used in plastic and chemical • Excess exposure can cause
industries in the production of headaches and dizziness.
 Air Pollutants
Polyethylene and other • Ethylene oxide is a carcinogen.
polymers.
Asbestos • Occurs naturally as a fibrous • Prolonged exposure and
mineral. inhalation can be very harmful
and can cause fatal illness.
Air Pollutants
Particulate Pollutants:
The particles that pollute the air by being suspended can be defined as particulate
pollutants.
These particles are results of some anthropogenic processes like vehicles, industries,
construction sites/activities, etc. or natural sources like pollen, volcanic eruptions,
natural gaseous precursors, etc.
Their size ranges from 0.001 to 500 micrometers (µm) in diameter.
 Air Pollutants
Particulate Description Impacts
Pollutant
Lead • Lead is one of the most • Lead can cause serious
hazardous heavy metals. damage to the human
• Hence, Lead was banned as an body like:
additive to fuels and other • Nervous system
products. damage
• Lead mixed with water and • Digestive issues
food can create cumulative • Kidney damage
poisoning, • Impacts on
intelligence
Fly Ash • Fly Ash is particles of oxides • Its deposition in
and other heavy metals. The agricultural fields can
majority of them are aluminum cause heavy metal
silicate (in large amounts),
Air Pollutants
silicon dioxide (SiO2), and contamination of crops
calcium oxide (CaO). and vegetables.
• Thermal power plants are a The Ministry of Environment
major source of Fly Ash and Forests has made it
pollutants. mandatory to use Fly Ash-
based products in all
construction projects, road
embankment works, and low-
lying landfilling works that are
within a 100 km radius of
Thermal Power Stations and
mine-filling activities within a
50 km radius of Thermal Power
Stations.
 Air Pollutants
Nanoparticles (NP) • Nanoparticles have diameters
less than 100 Nanometers (10-
9).
• NP is responsible for the
formation of dust clouds,
Ozone depletion,
environmental hydroxyl
radical concentration, and
stratospheric temperature
changes.