Air Pollution and Air Quality
DISCUSSION:
Air pollution refers to the
contamination of the indoor or outdoor
environment by any chemical, physical
or biological agent that modifies the
natural characteristics of the
atmosphere. Household combustion
devices, motor vehicles, industrial
facilities, and forest fires are common
sources of air pollution. Pollutants of
major public health concern include
particulate matter, carbon monoxide,
ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur
dioxide. Outdoor and indoor air pollution
cause respiratory and other diseases and
is an important source of morbidity and
mortality (WHO.org)
Air Pollution Sources
Outdoor (Ambient)
• Fuel combustion
• Industrial operations
• Solid waste disposal
• Nuclear devices
• Smoking
• Miscellaneous sources -
volcanic eruptions, typhoons,
fires, construction
Indoor
• Cooking and heating
• Building materials
• Office machines
• Furnishings
• Household cleaning
substances
• Street dust/garden soil
• Biological agents
• Tobacco smoke
• Industrial operations
Major Air Pollutants
• Primary air pollutants -
emitted from identifiable
sources ( e.i. particulate
matter, carbon monoxide,
nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur
dioxide)
• Secondary air pollutants -
results from the suspension of
some primary pollutants (e.i.
ozone, PAN)
FATE OF AIR POLLUTANTS
1. Photochemical reactions
2. Scavenging processes or
disposal reactions
3. Dilution, diffusion, and
dispersion
AIR POLLUTANTS AND THEIR DISPOSAL REACTIONS

Pollutant Disposal reactions

CO Soil organisms

SO2 Oxidation to sulfate

Soluble: stays in the air for only a few minutes. May undergo intermediate processes and beco
Reducing agent H2SO4 that can cause acid rain

NO/NO2
Oxidation to nitrate
Soluble: stays in the air for only a few minutes.

Photosynthesis
CO2
Absorption in oceans

HC Photochemical reaction

Processes that will terminate their existence in

Particulate matter
absorption, adsorption, rainout or wash out
Air Pollution Effects
1. Environmental Effects
➢ Land
• Adverse effects on soil and
other surfaces
➢ Water
• Adverse effects of acid gases
on marine life and vegetation
• Settling of air particles in
water causes water pollution
➢ Vegetation
• Chlorosis – discoloration
• Necrosis – drying up
• Abscission – premature falling
out of flowers
• Plasmolysis – disturbance in
the water balance
2. Health Effects
• acute and chronic diseases
• Changes in important
physiological functions (CO
poisoning)
• Superficial physical damage
(e.i. sensory irritations,
Discomfort, impairment of
visibility)
• Indirect effects (e.i mental
well-being)
• death
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
1. Technological air pollution control (
e.i. filters, scrubbers, chimney)
2. Administrative air pollution control (e.
i. rules, regulations, standards, laws)
ADDITION LECTURE VIDEO
Reminders:
• Please prepare for a quiz next
meeting. Also, research for
examples of technological and
administrative air pollution
control.
• Recorded synchronous will be
posted on a separate page.
Environmental Health
DISCUSSION:
According to the
WHO, health pertains to a state of
complete physical, mental and social
well-being and not merely the absence
of disease or infirmity. The main factors
that influence our health would include
genetics, personal behavior and lifestyle,
and environment. The environment is
further believed to be grouped as
physical, biological, and social & cultural.
Environmental health is said to
include aspects of human health that are
determined by physical, biological, social,
and psychosocial factors in the
environment. It also involves the theory
and practice of assessing, correcting,
controlling, and preventing factors in the
environment that can adversely affect
the health of present and future
generations.
The Basic Requirements for a Healthy
Environment
• Clean air
• Safe and sufficient water
• Safe and adequate food
• Safe and peaceful settlements
• Stable global environment
Types of Environmental Hazards
Hazards are anything (things or
situations) that has the potential to
cause harm or injury to an individual.
• Chemical - Air pollutants,
toxins, pesticides, and volatile
organic compounds (VOCs)
• Biological - Disease organisms
present in food and water
• Physical - Noise, ionizing and
non-ionizing radiation
• Socioeconomic - Poor access
to safe and sufficient health
care
• Psychological - Anxiety,
overcrowding, isolation, and
anomie
Levels of Concern for Environmental
Quality by Winthrop (1968)
• Bare survival – control of
major disease epidemics and
violent death; minimum food
and water
• Control of disease and injury –
control of endemic and
dietary disease and accidental
injury
• Efficient performance –
adequate and proper diet;
maintenance of environment
for efficient use of manpower
• Comfort – stimulating
environment; aesthetic
satisfaction and comfort
control
• Survival of human species
Environmental Engineering
Branch of engineering concerned with:
• Protection of human
populations from the effects
 of adverse environmental
factors
• Protection of the environment
from potentially deleterious
effects of human activities
• Improvement of
environmental quality for
human health and well-being
** Recorded synchronous lecture to be
posted on a separate page.
SELF-CHECK ACTIVITY:
1. Research for examples and list them
down In your notebook.
• Types of environmental
hazards
• Examples of diseases and
disorders
• Environmental engineering