SKILLASSESSMENT 1

NAME : Pralayakaveri Siva

REG NO :212220040121
SUBJECT NAME: Air pollution
SUBJECT CODE: 19CE521
SLOT :4B-1
DEPT : MECH
Case Study Discussions: Global Air
PollutionIncidents
Here's a breakdown of five air pollution incidents
worldwide,highlightingcauses,effects,andpotentialsolutions:

1. TheGreatSmogofLondon(1952):

 Causes: A combination of cold weather, coal burning

forheating, and industrial emissions trapped pollutants in
astagnantairmass.
 Effects: Over 12,000 deaths attributed to
respiratoryproblems,widespreadrespiratoryillness,andeconom
icdisruption.
 Discussion: This event exposed the dangers of uncheckedair
pollution and led to the Clean Air Act of 1956 in the
UK,regulatingindustrialemissionsandpromotingcleanerfuels.

2. TheDonoraSmog(Pennsylvania,USA,1948):

 Causes: Similar to the Great Smog of London, heavy use ofcoal

for industrial purposes and home heating during atemperature
inversiontrappedpollutants.
 Effects: An estimated 20 deaths in the immediate aftermath,with
thousands suffering respiratory problems in the followingdays.
 Discussion: This incident further highlighted the need
forstricterregulationsonindustrialemissionsandashifttowardscleaner
energysources.

3. TheBhopalGasTragedy(India,1984):

 Causes: A leak of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas from a

UnionCarbidepesticideplant.
 Effects:Immediatedeathsofthousands,withlong-termhealth
problems affecting hundreds of thousands. The disastercontinues to
have a devastating impact on the localcommunity.
 Discussion: The Bhopal disaster raised concerns
aboutindustrial safety and the need for stricter regulations

4. Beijing'sAirpocalypse(China,2013):

 Causes: Rapid industrialization, coal-fired power plants,

andvehicle emissions combined with geographical factors
likemountainstrapping pollutants.
  Effects:Visibilityseverelyreduced,respiratoryillnessesspiked,
andpublicoutcryoverhealth concerns.
 Discussion:ThiseventbroughtglobalattentiontoChina'sairpollution
crisis. China has since implemented measures tocurb emissions,
including stricter regulations and promotingrenewableenergy.

5. WildfireSmokeEvents(Global,Recurring):

 Causes: Wildfires caused by natural phenomena like

lightningstrikesorhumanactivity.
 Effects: Smoke travels vast distances, leading to
respiratoryproblems,reducedvisibility,andeconomicdisruption.
 Discussion: Wildfires are becoming more frequent andintense
due to climate change. This highlights the need forbetter forest
management practices, mitigating climatechange, and
developing early warning systems for smokeevents.

These case studies illustrate the diverse causes and devastatingeffects of

air pollution. They also showcase the importance ofregulations, cleaner
energy sources, and international cooperationin
tacklingthisglobalchallenge.
 SKILLASSESSMENT 2

NAME : Pralayakaveri Siva

REG NO :212220040121
SUBJECT NAME: Air pollution
SUBJECT CODE: 19CE521
SLOT :4B-1
DEPT : MECH
IndoorAir Pollution: A Detailed LiteratureReview
Introduction:

Indoor air pollution (IAP) has emerged as a significant public

healthconcern,withhumansspendingalargeportionoftheirtimeindoors(80-
90%) [1, 2]. Unlike outdoor air pollution, which receives morepublic
attention, IAP can pose serious health risks due to
theconcentrationofpollutantsin confinedspaces.

SourcesofIndoorAirPollution:

 Combustion Sources: Activities like cooking with gas

stoves,burning candles, and smoking tobacco contribute
significantlyto indoor air pollution. These sources release pollutants
likecarbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and
fineparticulatematter(PM2.5)[1, 3].
 Building Materials and Furnishings: Off-gasing of
volatileorganic compounds (VOCs) from paints, carpets,
furniture,and building materials can pollute indoor air. VOCs can
irritatethe eyes, nose, and throat and contribute to
respiratoryproblems[2,4].
 Biological Contaminants: Mold, mildew, dust mites, and
petdander are biological contaminants that can trigger
allergiesandasthma insusceptibleindividuals[5].
 Outdoor Air Intrusion: Pollutants like particulate matter
andozone can seep into buildings from outdoor
sources,especiallyinareaswithhighlevelsofoutdoorairpollution[1].

HealthEffectsofIndoor AirPollution:

Exposuretoindoorairpollutantscancausearangeofhealthproblems,including:

 Respiratory issues like asthma, chronic obstructive

pulmonarydisease(COPD),andrespiratoryinfections[1,2].
 Eye,nose,andthroatirritation[4].
 Headaches,fatigue,anddizziness[2].
  Insomecases,exposuretospecificpollutantslikeradoncanincreasether
iskoflungcancer[6].

PopulationsatHigherRisk:

 Children, pregnant women, and older adults are morevulnerable

to the health effects of indoor air pollution due
totheirdevelopingorweaker respiratorysystems[7].
 Individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions like asthmaare
also at higher risk of experiencing exacerbated
symptomsduetoIAP[1].

MonitoringandMitigationStrategies:

Regularmonitoringofindoorairqualityiscrucialforidentifyingandaddressingp
ollutionconcerns.Severalmethodsexist,including:

 Air quality monitors: These devices measure pollutant

levelslikePM2.5, VOCs,and CO2.
 Test kits: These can be used to detect specific pollutants
likeradonormold.

Mitigationstrategiestoimproveindoorairqualityinclude:

 Ventilation: Increasing ventilation by opening windows

anddoors or using mechanical ventilation systems helps to
diluteandremovepollutants.
 Source control: Eliminating or reducing the sources ofpollutants
is the most effective mitigation strategy. This caninvolve using
cleaner burning fuels for cooking, choosing low-VOC building
materials and furniture, and controlling moisturelevelsto
preventmoldgrowth.
 Air filtration: Using air purifiers with HEPA filters
caneffectivelycaptureairborne pollutants.

LiteratureReview:

A comprehensive review of scientific literature reveals a

growingbodyofresearchonindoorairpollution.Studieshavedocumentedthe
link between IAP exposure and various health problems. Forexample, a
study published in the journal Environmental HealthPerspectives
foundthatexposuretofineparticulatematter
(PM2.5) indoors was associated with an increased risk ofrespiratory
infections in children [8]. Another study, published inIndoor Air,
reported that exposure to VOCs from building materialswas
linkedtothedevelopmentofasthmainchildren[9].

Research efforts are also exploring innovative solutions formitigating

indoor air pollution. A study published in the journalBuilding and
Environment investigated the use of green walls(vertical gardens)
as a potential method for improving indoor airqualitybyremoving
VOCs [10].

Conclusion:

Indoor air pollution poses a significant threat to human health.

Byunderstandingthesources,healtheffects,andmitigationstrategies,individual
s and policymakers can work together to create healthierindoor
environments. Continued research is crucial for developingnew
technologies and optimizing existing methods for tackling
thisglobalchallenge.