AIR

POLLUTION
Presented By- Dr. Rachel S Daniel
Moderator- Dr. M R Gudadinni
 Contents
 Introduction
 Composition of Air
 Air pollution
 Sources of air pollution
 Air pollutants
 Effects of air pollution
 Monitoring of air pollution
 Indoor Air Pollution
 Prevention and Control measures
 Conclusion
 Recent initiatives
 References

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 Introduction
AIR
Vital component for life.
The requirement for air is constant: 10-20m3/day/person

Role
• Support life giving oxygen
• Cooling effect
• Special senses – Olfactory & Hearing
• Vehicle for disease agents

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Composition of Air

4
 Air is rendered impure by:
 Respiration

 Combustion

 Decomposition of organic
matter

 Trade and Traffic

5
Self cleaning mechanism of Air

 Wind

 Sunlight

 Rain

 Plant life

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 Definition of Air Pollution

“Contamination of the indoor or outdoor

environment by any chemical, physical or
biological agent that modifies the natural
characteristics of the atmosphere”
-WHO

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Problem Statement

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9
 Sources of Air Pollution
 Natural

Volcanic Forest Fires Sand Storms

Emissions

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 Sources of Air Pollution
 Anthropogenic

Automobiles- 27% Industries- 52%

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 Sources of Air Pollution
 Domestic

Rural- Cholaah Urban- Smoking

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Air Pollutants

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 Air Pollutants- Definition

It is a chemical, physical or biological agent that

modifies the natural characteristics of atmosphere.

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 Air Pollutants- Types
Primary
Emitted/
Formed
Secondary
Air
Pollutants
Gaseous
Physical
State
Particulate

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 Air Pollutants- Types
•Primary- emitted into atmosphere, e.g. Factory chimney, exhaust
pipe- Carbon monoxide, Sulphur dioxide, Hydrocarbon species, Dust &
Soot.

Secondary- Formed within atmosphere, arises from chemical reaction

of primary pollutants. E.g. Nitrogen dioxide, photochemical ozone,
aerosols.

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 Air Pollutants- Types
Based on Physical state

GASEOUS:
• Passes readily through respiratory
system

PARTICULATE:
• Solid/ Liquid material suspended in
atmosphere
• Primary/ Secondary Distribution of atmospheric particulate matter
• Measured in micron meter 17
 Carbon Monoxide
 Most common; Colorless, odorless

 Product of incomplete combustion

of carbon-containing materials.

 India- 8 hr avg- 2mg/m3,

1 hr avg- 4mg/m3

 Deprives body of O2 causing

headaches, fatigue, and impaired
vision

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 Nitrogen Dioxide
 Reddish, brown gas

 Produced when nitric oxide

combines with oxygen in the
atmosphere

 Present in car exhaust and power

plants

 Affects lungs and causes wheezing;

increases chance of respiratory
infection 19
 Sulphur Dioxide
 Combustion of sulphur containing fossil fuel,
the smelting of sulphur containing ores

 80 µg/m3 is considered safe limit in

atmosphere

 Narrows the airway, causing wheezing and

shortness of breath, especially in those with
asthma

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 Lead

 Combustion of alkyl lead additives

in motor fuels

 At risk : Children up to 6 years of age

pregnant
women

 Ref Blood Values: <10 µg/dL for

children
< 25 µg/dL for
adults.

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 Ozone
 At upper level, ozone shields
Earth from sun’s harmful UV rays

 At ground level, ozone is harmful

pollutant

 Formed from car, power and

chemical plant exhaust

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Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)

 Organic compounds with two or more benzene

rings.

 Incomplete combustion of organic materials

 There are about 500 PAH in the air – Benzo

pyrene

 Skin cancer & Lung cancer

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 Particulate matter
 Complex mixture of organic and inorganic
substances.

 10 microns : nose and trachea

2.5 microns : alveoli
100 nanometers : pass through capillaries

 PM 10 - Annual mean: 20 µg/m³

24-hour mean: 50 µg/m³
 PM2.5 - Annual mean: 10 µg/m³
24-hour mean: 25 µg/m³

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Classification of Particulate matter

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 Effects of Air pollution
• WHO: Globally - 4.6 million people die / Year

• Urban residents exposed to risk - 1.3 billion

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Effects of Air pollution on
Environment

• Acid rains
• Smog
• Global warming

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Acid Rain

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 Smog
Smog = Smoke + Fog -Dr. H.A. Des Voeux (UK)

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 Greenhouse effect
 The earth's "greenhouse
effect" is what makes this
planet suitable for life

 Gases (water vapour,

carbon dioxide, methane,
ozone and nitrous oxide)
absorb heat from the earth
& are referred to as
"greenhouse gases."

 Greenhouse gases cause

global warming

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 Global Warming
• It is change in climate due to
rise in the average
temperature of the Earth and
its related effects

• Effects include warming

global temperature, rising
sea levels, extreme weather,
expansion of deserts

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 Effects of Air pollution on
Health
 Acute/ Immediate

Acute effects - immediate and often reversible

when exposure to the pollutant ends.

E.g.: Eye irritation, headaches and nausea,

suffocation.

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 Effects of Air pollution on
Health
 Chronic/ Delayed

Chronic effects - late and not

reversible when exposure to the
pollutant ends.

E.g. : Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis,

Lung Cancer

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 Agent Sources ILL effects
Oxides of Automobile exhaust, gas stoves, URTI & LRTI
nitrogen heaters, wood & RT Irritation
burning stoves
Hydrocarbons Automobile exhaust and cigarette Lung cancer
smoke
Ozone Automobile exhaust, high altitude RT Irritation,
aircraft cabins ↓ exercise performance
SO2 Power plants, oil refineries, stove COPD, Asthma,
Death (severe cases)
Lead Automobile exhaust using leaded Impaired neuropsychological
gasoline development in children

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 Effects of Air pollution on
Social & Economical aspects
• Destruction of plants and animals
• Corrosion of metals
• Damage to buildings
• Damage to Soil and clothing's
• Reduces visibility in towns
• Increased cost of cleaning and maintenance

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Air Quality Monitoring

Carried out by:

• Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
• State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB)
• Pollution Control Committees (PCC)

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 Monitoring of air pollution
Indicators of air pollution:
• SO2 Urban and industrial areas

• Smoke or Soiling Index: Photoelectric meter / micrograms per cubic

meter of air

• Grit and dust measurement: Deposit gauges

• Coefficient of haze: Amount of smoke and other aerosol

• Air pollution index: One or more pollutants

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National Air Quality Index

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https://app.cpcbccr.com/AQI_India_Iframe/ 40
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

Principal Functions of the CPCB

(i) to promote the cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of
the States by prevention and control
(ii) to improve the quality of air and to prevent, and control air pollution
in the country.

Air Quality Monitoring is an important part of the air quality

management.

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 National Air Quality Monitoring
Programme (NAMP)
NAMP was started in 1984 by CPCB with 7 stations at Agra and Anpara.
The objectives of the NAMP are:
 To determine status and trends of ambient air quality;
 To ascertain whether the prescribed ambient air quality standards are violated;
 To Identify Non-attainment Cities;
 To obtain the knowledge and understanding necessary for developing preventive and
corrective measures, and
 To understand the natural cleansing process undergoing in the environment through
pollution dilution, dispersion, wind-based movement, dry deposition, precipitation and
chemical transformation of pollutants generated.

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National Clean Air Programme

The National Clean Air Programme is a national-level strategy for

reducing the levels of air pollution at both the regional and urban
scales.

It is a focused and time-bound scheme to implement various

sectoral policies, strengthen monitoring, and enhance public
participation in more than 100 cities for effective air quality
management.

The tentative national level target of 20%–30% reduction of

Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5) concentration by 2024

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Status of Air Quality-
Out of 131 identified
cities, decrease in PM10
Concentration has been
observed in 95 cities
during 2023-24 as
compared to levels
during FY 2017-18.

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 State Pollution
Control Boards
(SPCB)
The Karnataka State Pollution
Control Board for Prevention and
Control of Air Pollution was
constituted by the Government of
Karnataka.

Total 32 stations.

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 Pollution Control Committees
(PCC)
A Pollution Control Committee (PCC) is a statutory body established
within each state or union territory in India, responsible for implementing
environmental laws and regulations by monitoring and controlling
pollution levels from industries, municipal authorities, and other sources.

PCCs operate under the supervision of the respective State Pollution

Control Board (SPCB).

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 Indoor Air Pollution
Indoor air pollution refers to chemical, biological, and physical
contamination of indoor air which may result in adverse health effects.

Causes:
• Air tightness of buildings
• Poorly designed air conditioning and
ventilation systems
• Indoor sources of air pollution
• Outdoor sources of air pollution

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 Health Impact of Indoor Air
Pollution
 Responsible for an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year in 2021,
including over 237,000 deaths of children under the age of 5.

 Leads to noncommunicable diseases including stroke, ischaemic

heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and
lung cancer.

 Women and children, typically responsible for household chores such

as cooking and collecting firewood, bear the greatest health burden
from using polluting fuels and technologies in homes.

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Prevention & Control measures
1. Containment

2. Replacement

3. Dilution

4. Disinfection

5. Legislation

6. International Action

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 Prevention & Control measures
• Containment:
- prevention of escape of
toxic gases
- enclosure, ventilation &
air cleaning

• Replacement:
-↑use of electricity,
natural gas & central heating
Vs Coal
-↑use of Unleaded petrol
- Bicycles
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Prevention & Control measures
Renewable Energy

Solar Energies Wind Power Battery-Electric Vehicles,

Car Pooling

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 Prevention & Control measures
Dilution: process of reducing pollution in the air by extensive planting of
trees and vegetation around industrial and residential area.

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 Prevention & Control measures
Disinfection by:

UV Radiation:
• OTs and ID wards
• Public assembly and
schoolrooms
• UV lamps are shaded
and placed in the upper
portion of the room near
the inlet of air

Chemical Mist-

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IEC

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 Conclusion
 Air pollution is a major global issue that affects public health, the
environment, and economies, requiring urgent attention.

 Both short-term and long-term exposure to air pollutants pose

serious health threats, particularly to children, the elderly, and
individuals with pre-existing conditions.

 Pollution contributes to acid rain, smog, and global warming,

impacting ecosystems, agriculture, and overall biodiversity.

 Advances in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and pollution

control technologies offer promising solutions to reduce emissions.

 Raising public awareness and encouraging community participation

are vital for creating a collective responsibility in combating air
pollution. 56
 Recent Initiatives

 Online Continuous Emission and Effluent Monitoring System

(OCEMS)

 Industrial AQMS Portal

 Sameer App for Awareness and Public Complaint

Redressal

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As Public health Professionals, we can:
• Individual level
I. Reduce your carbon footprint by using sustainable practices, such as using
renewable energy.
II. Inspire colleagues and organizations to adopt environmentally friendly
practices.

• Community Level-
i. Conduct workshops and campaigns to educate communities about air
pollution
ii. Promote behavioral changes, like reducing open burning and adopting
cleaner cooking methods.
iii. Promote tree planting, waste segregation, and use of public transportation

• Policy and Advocacy Level

I. Advocate for stricter vehicle emission norms and industrial pollution
controls.
II. Promote green urban spaces and improved public transportation systems.
 References
1. Park’s Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine,21 st edition, Bhanot:2022. p 859- 865
2. Berkeley Earth. Global temperature report for 2023 [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 Nov 28].
Available from: https://berkeleyearth.org/global-temperature-report-for-2023/
3. Central Environmental Laboratory. Air Quality Index (AQI) of Manual Ambient Air Quality
Monitoring Stations for October 2024 [Internet]. Bangalore: Karnataka State Pollution
Control Board; 2024 [cited 2024 Nov 28].
4. Central Pollution Control Board. National Air Quality Index [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 28].
5. Primary Vs. Secondary Pollutants | Air Pollution in California. Available from: https://ucr.edu
6. IS 4167 (1980): Glossary of terms relating to air pollution. Available from: https://resource.org
7. Airborne particulate matter and their health effects - Encyclopedia of the Environment.
Available from: https://encyclopedie-environnement.org
8. India Air Quality Index (AQI): Real-Time Air Pollution Level. Available from: https://aqicn.org
9. Household air pollution. World Health Organization. Available from: https://who.int
10. National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) | Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change,
Government of India. Available from: https://moef.gov.in

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THANK YOU