DCC6232

ENVIRONMENTAL
POLLUTION
AND CONTROL
CHAPTER 3: AIR POLLUTION

NIZAM BIN MAT ALI

 3.2 Identify the origin of indoor and outdoor air
pollution

 3.2.1 Explain the pollutants that contribute to indoor

and outdoor air pollution.
 3.2.2 State the sources of indoor and outdoor air

pollution
 3.2.3 Identify the passages of air pollutants to human

and environment.
 Major Air Pollutants

A. Suspended particulates
B. Gasses
What Are the 6 Common Air
Pollutants?
 Particle pollution (particulate matter),
ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide,
sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and lead.
 DOE calls these pollutants "criteria" air
pollutants because it regulates them by
developing human health-based and/or
environmentally-based criteria (science-
based guidelines) for setting permissible
levels.
 Criteria Air Pollutants
EPA uses six "criteria pollutants" as indicators of
air quality
1. Particulate Matter: PM10 (PM 2.5)
2. Lead: Pb
3. Ozone: ground level O3
4. Carbon monoxide: CO
5. Nitrogen Dioxide: NO2
6. Sulfur Dioxide: SO2
 Ozone

Dust
Sulfur
(particular
Dioxide
Matter)

TYPES OF
AIR
POLLUTION

Nitrogen
Lead Dust
Dioxide

Carbon
Monoxide
1-Particulate matter
 PM, is a complex mixture of extremely small
particles and liquid droplets.
 The size of particles is directly linked to their
potential for causing health problems.
 Once inhaled, these particles can affect the
heart and lungs and cause serious health
effects.
 2 categories: Inhalable coarse particles and
Fine particles
Mobile Source Emissions: Fine Particulate
Matter (PM2.5)
 2-Lead (Pb)
A metal found naturally in the environment as well
as in manufactured products. 
The major sources of lead emissions have
historically been from fuels in on-road motor
vehicles (such as cars and trucks) and industrial
sources. 
Today, the highest levels of lead in air are usually
found near lead smelters.
The major sources of lead emissions to the air
today are ore and metals processing and piston-
engine aircraft operating on leaded aviation
gasoline.
Lead (Plumbum)
 Retardation caused brain
defects in children.
 Reduce the ability of the
hand & foot coordination,
coma and death @ disrupt
the body's ability to build
new blood cells.
 Suspended matter.
 Sole source of car-exhaust
 Except with the nearest non-
ferrous smelting
3-Ozone, O 3

 Is a gas composed of three O atoms, is a

secondary pollutant
 O3 can be good or bad depend on its location in
the atmosphere
 Motor vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions,
gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents as well as
natural sources emit NOx and VOC that help form
O3 .
 Ground-level O3 is the primary constituent of
smog.
4-Carbon monoxide (CO)
 Is a colorless, odorless gas emitted from
combustion processes
 Majority of CO emissions to ambient air come
from mobile sources (incomplete combustion)
 HC + O2----> CO2 + H2O+ CO
 CO can cause harmful health effects by
reducing oxygen delivery to the body's organs
Mobile Source Emissions –
CO
5-Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
 NO2 is one of a group of highly reactive
gasses known as "nitrogen oxides (NOx).“
 NO2 is the component of greatest interest and
the indicator for the larger group of Nox
 NO2 forms quickly from emissions from
mobile, power plants, and off-road equipment
Mobile Source Emissions: Nitrogen
Oxides
 Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
 Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is the predominant form.
 Sulfur oxides (SOx) are compounds of sulfur and
oxygen molecules.
 The largest sources of SO2 emissions are from
fossil fuel combustion at power plants and other
industrial facilities. 
 Smaller sources of SO2 emissions include
industrial processes such as extracting metal
from ore, and the burning of high sulfur
containing fuels by locomotives, large ships, and
non-road equipment6-
Sulfur Dioxide Emissions
SOx and NOx pollution

                                                                                                                                                             
 Minor Gaseous Air Pollutants
 Carbon dioxide- natural source from respiration; human
caused from fossil fuels & deforestation

 ChloroFluoroCarbons (CFC’s)- from refrigerants, aerosols,

Styrofoam

 Formaldehyde- building materials & household products

 Benzene- paint

 Asbestos- car brakes, building materials

 Dioxins- pesticides


 Minor Gaseous Air
2. Halon
Pollutants
 Related to CFC
 Used in fire extinguishers
3. Carbon tetrachloride and Methychloroform
 Dry cleaner solvents
 Manufacturing processes

All above compounds catalyze the destruction of ozone

Recall: catalyzers participate in a reaction but are not
consumed  hang around a long time (1/2 life of
several years) and continue to reduce ozone

 Therefore, if stopped using now  good effects would

take many years to appear
 Sources of atmospheric CH4
Source CH4 emission (Tg CH4 year-1)
Rice fields 60-140
Natural wetlands 40-160
Land fill sites 30-70
Oceans/freshwater lakes/other 15-35
biogenic
Intestines of ruminants 66-90
Termites 6-42
Exploration of natural gas 30-40
Coal mining operations 35
Biomass burning 55-100
Other non-biogenic 1-2
Atmospheric methane and nitrous oxide
pollution
Gas Concentration Annual Contribution
(ppm) increase (per cent)
(per cent)

CO2 353.0 0.5 60

CH4 1.7 1.1 15

N 2O 0.310 0.3 5

O3 10-15 0.5 8

CFCs 0.00076 4.0 22

INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
 INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
 Indoor air pollution usually is a greater threat
to human health than outdoor air pollution.
 According to the EPA, the four most
dangerous indoor air pollutants in developed
countries are:
 Tobacco smoke.
 Formaldehyde.
 Radioactive radon-222 gas.
 Very small fine and ultrafine particles.
Indoor Air Pollution
Indoor Air Pollutants
What are some sources of indoor air
pollution?
1. Cigarette smoke
 Deadliest indoor air
pollutant
 Contain formaldehyde,
carbon monoxide
 Causes lung cancer,
emphysema
 Second hand smoke may
be worse due to
particulates that come
from tip.
What are some sources of indoor air
pollution?

2. Mold
 Moisture in vents,
carpets
 Allergy symptoms,
breathing
problems,
headache, fatigue
 What are some sources of indoor air
pollution?

3. Carbon monoxide
 Malfunctioning
furnace, gas
appliances, cars
 Blood cannot
carry oxygen
 Feel sleepy,
nausea, dizzy,
cause death.
 What are some sources of indoor air
pollution?

4. Radon
 Colorless, odorless,
radioactive gas
 Comes from soil under
basements
 Long term exposure can
cause lung cancer
 Fix cracks in floor or walls
to prevent influx of radon
 Install ventilation fan in
basement to blow radon
out.

Zone 1 (purple) high levels of radon

Zone 3 (yellow) low levels of radon
RADON
 Radon is a chemical element in the periodic table
that has the symbol Rn and atomic number 86.
 Noble gas that is formed by the disintegration of
radium, radon is the heaviest gases and is considered
a health hazard.
 The most stable isotope is Rn-222 which has a half
life of 3.8 days and used in radiotherapy.
Radon gas can accumulate in homes and cause lung
cancer [1], causing potentially 20,000 deaths in
Europe alone each year.
RADON
 Radioactive gas found in soil & earth bricks
that exist in the original form of radium that
is damaged - such as the decay products of
uranium.
 Progeny, decay products @ daughtera.
 Damage lung tissue & lung cancer.
 Smokers are likely to die from this cancer.
 Radon
 Radioactive radon-
222
 Lung cancer threat
 Occurs in certain
areas based on
geology
 Associated with
uranium and organic
material in rock
What are some sources of indoor air
pollution?

5. Asbestos
 Roofing, flooring,
insulation, brakes
 OK… unless
disturbed or
deteriorates
 Can cause Plaque build up (scarring)
asbestosis in lung w/asbestosis
(scarring of lungs)
and mesothelioma
(type of lung
What are some sources of indoor air
pollution?

6. Lead
 Old homes, toys,
lead crystal dishes
 Causes behavior &
learning problems,
slow growth,
hearing problems,
headaches
What are some sources of indoor air
pollution?

7. Formaldehyde
 Pressed wood,
paneling, particle
board, glue,
deodorizers
 Respiratory
irritation, fatigue,
skin rash, known
to cause cancer
 What are some sources of indoor air
pollution?

8. VOC’s
 Paradichlorobenzene-
mothballs,
insecticides
 PERC- dry cleaned
clothes
 Benzene- paints,
cigarettes
 Causes respiratory
problems,
What are some sources of indoor air
pollution?
1. Cigarette smoke
 Deadliest indoor air
pollutant
 Contain formaldehyde,
carbon monoxide
 Causes lung cancer,
emphysema
 Second hand smoke may
be worse due to
particulates that come
from tip.
What are some sources of indoor air
pollution?

2. Mold
 Moisture in vents,
carpets
 Allergy symptoms,
breathing
problems,
headache, fatigue
 What are some sources of indoor air
pollution?

3. Carbon monoxide
 Malfunctioning
furnace, gas
appliances, cars
 Blood cannot
carry oxygen
 Feel sleepy,
nausea, dizzy,
cause death.
 What are some sources of indoor air
pollution?

4. Radon
 Colorless, odorless,
radioactive gas
 Comes from soil under
basements
 Long term exposure can
cause lung cancer
 Fix cracks in floor or walls
to prevent influx of radon
 Install ventilation fan in
basement to blow radon
out.

Zone 1 (purple) high levels of radon

Zone 3 (yellow) low levels of radon
 Radon
 Radioactive radon-222
 Lung cancer threat

 Occurs in certain
areas based on
geology

 Associated with
uranium and organic
material in rock
Fig. 20-14 p. 451
What are some sources of indoor air
pollution?

5. Asbestos
 Roofing, flooring,
insulation, brakes
 OK… unless
disturbed or
deteriorates
 Can cause Plaque build up (scarring)
asbestosis in lung w/asbestosis
(scarring of lungs)
and mesothelioma
(type of lung
ASBESTOS
 Minerals in the formation of crystals /
crystal.
 Long & thin fibers.
 Divided 2: serpentine & amphibole -
depending on the crystal element.
 Individuals at risk, building
maintenance, repairs, cleaning, plumber
& carpenter.
What are some sources of indoor air
pollution?

6. Lead
 Old homes, toys,
lead crystal dishes
 Causes behavior &
learning problems,
slow growth,
hearing problems,
headaches
What are some sources of indoor air
pollution?

7. Formaldehyde
 Pressed wood,
paneling, particle
board, glue,
deodorizers
 Respiratory
irritation, fatigue,
skin rash, known
to cause cancer
FOMALDEHYDE
 Chemical industry
manufacturing of building
materials
& Household products.
 Products of combustion.
 In the home-building materials
/ buildings, smoke cigarettes, a
product home.
 Fuels such as gas stoves.
 Production of examples
glue & adhesive components.
What are some sources of indoor air
pollution?
8. VOC’s
 Paradichlorobenzene-
mothballs, insecticides
 PERC- dry cleaned
clothes
 Benzene- paints,
cigarettes
 Causes respiratory
problems, headaches,
loss of coordination,
nausea, organ damage,
cancer
THANK you