Air Pollutants
The major air pollutants are as follows:
- Particulate matter - Soot, smoke, tar or dust and domestic wastes.
- Toxic Gases - Carbon Monoxide, Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulphur, Halogens (chlorine, bromine and iodine) and volatile organic compounds.
- Metals - Lead, zinc, iron and chromium.
- Industrial pollutants - Benzene, ether, acetic acid etc. and cyanide compounds.
- Agricultural pollutants - Pesticides, herbicides and fungicides, Chemical fertilizers.
- Photo-chemical pollutants - Ozone, Oxides of Nitrogen, aldehydes, ethylene, photo-chemical smog and Peroxy Acetyl Nitrate and Oxides of Sulphur.
- Radiation pollutants - Radioactive substances and radioactive fall-outs of the nuclear test.
Sources of air pollution
The basic sources of air pollution are natural and
anthropogenic/man-made.
Natural sources of pollution are those that are caused due to natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions, forest fires, biological decay, pollen grains, marshes, radioactive materials etc.
Anthropogenic/man-made sources of pollution are those which
are created by human activities. These include indoor air pollutants, vehicular
emissions, fossil fuel burning, agricultural activities, industrial emissions
and thermal power plants etc.
Air Quality Index (AQI)
Air Quality Index is the index used to show level
of air pollution in particular area. It is used by government to communicate to
public about the quality of air. Public health risks increase as AQI rises.
Control Measures of Air Pollution
Following measures have been suggested to control air pollution -
1) Avoid burning of fire wood, charcoal and garbage.
2) Use renewable energy resources.
3) Strict implementation of pollution control laws.
4) Height of chimneys should be increased to the highest possible level to reduce pollution at the ground level.
5) Development of green belt by tree plantation. The trees absorb polluting gases and particulate matter which settles on the leaf surface.
6) Strengthen and use public transport system.
The best method to control air pollution is ‘Pollution Prevention’, also known as 'source reduction,' is any practice which reduces, eliminates or prevents pollution at its source.For every vehicle you must regularly obtain PUC (Pollution Under Control) certificate which is a Certification Mark issued to certify that motor vehicles in India meet emission and pollution control norms is necessary for every vehicle.
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,1981, was established to maintain the ambient air quality in the nation. The enactment regulates the emissions from the industries and factories so as to keep them below the harmful levels. The Air Act also has a provision under which Pollution Control Boards can earmark areas wherein no polluting industrial activity is allowed. Violation of provisions of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 attracts criminal charges and such organisation or individuals have to face criminal trials for polluting air. The Act makes it mandatory for every occupier of the premises to furnish appropriate information, whenever asked for, to the pollution control board officials.
