AIR POLLUTION

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

• Air pollution is defined as the release of harmful amounts of natural or synthetic materials into the atmosphere as direct or indirect result of human activity

• The severity of air pollution in a given area depends on several factors including

i. climate, ii. topography, iii. population density and iv. the number and type of industrial activities.

• Air pollution may be broken down into four categories:

i. Ambient or outdoor air pollutionii. Indoor air pollution iii. Occupational air pollution iv. Personal air pollution

• In this experiment we will use a high volume air sampler to measure TSP. The 24 hour air quality standard established for TSP is 260µg/m3. The size range of particles trapped on the filter is typically less than 25-50µm but greater than 10µm.

Calculation

• TSP concentration =• Where;• Wi = 2.63g• Wf = 2.76 g• R = average flow rate = (0.85-0.57)/5 =0.056x4 =0.224CMM + 0.57 = 0.794CMM x 60 =47.64

RD

g/m^3) Wi-(Wf 10^6

hrm /3

• D = duration of exposure (hour) = 1530 hr until 0900 hr = 17.30 hr• RD = total volume of air passing through • TSP concentration )30.17(/64.47

/)63.276.2(103

36

hrhrm

mg

g73.157

Discussion

Question 1: How would your filter look like if it were placed alongside a road? Next to the factory? Why is the location of the filter important?The filter look same at the two areas as the particulate pollutants in these two area are almost the same. But, variation may occur due to presence of chimney air filter, automotive cabin air filters and others. The location of the filter is important because the amount of total particulate pollutants (TSP) is vary from location to location as the TSP in rural area less than the urban area, TSP near factory more compared to inside a forest.

Question 2:Do you consider the air pollution in your area to be dangerous? If so, what are the contributors to the air pollution in your area? If air pollution is not a problem now, do you think it will be in the future if nothing is done to protect air quality?The air pollution in this new campus is still not consider to be dangerous, however there still have some particulate pollutants present in this area as the contribution from vehicles and building construction. Actually air pollution is consider as a problem now and it will become worse in the future if nothing is done to protect air quality.

• “Particulate pollutants" also known as particulate matter or PM, is a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets. Particulate pollution is made up of a number of components, including acids (such as nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles.

• The size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems. Particles that are 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller are the particles that generally pass through the throat and nose and enter the lungs. Once inhaled, these particles can affect the heart and lungs and cause serious health effects.

Particulate pollutants can grouped into two categories:

• "Inhalable coarse particles" such as those found near roadways and dusty industries, are larger than 2.5 micrometers and smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter.

• "Fine particles," such as those found in smoke and haze, are 2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller. These particles can be directly emitted from sources such as forest fires, or they can form when gases emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles react in the air.

EPA Air Quality Index

Levels of Health

Concern

Cautionary StatementsPM2.5 PM10

0 - 50 Good None None51 - 100 Moderate None None

101 - 150Unhealthy for

Sensitive Groups

People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should limit prolonged exertion.

People with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit

outdoor exertion.

151 - 200 Unhealthy

People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should avoid prolonged exertion;

everyone else should limit prolonged exertion.

People with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid

outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially the elderly and children,

should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

201 - 300 Very Unhealthy

People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should avoid any outdoor activity;

everyone else should avoid prolonged exertion.

People with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid any outdoor activity; everyone else,

especially the elderly and children, should limit outdoor exertion.

301 - 500 HazardousEveryone should avoid any outdoor

exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should remain indoors.

Everyone should avoid any outdoor exertion; people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should

remain indoors.

What are the health effects of particle pollution?

Short-term increases (over hours to days) in particle pollution have been linked to:

• death from respiratory and cardiovascular causes, including strokes

• increased numbers of heart attacks, especially among the elderly and in people with heart conditions

• inflammation of lung tissue in young, healthy adults• increased hospitalization for cardiovascular disease,

including strokes;• hospitalization for asthma among children• aggravated asthma attacks in children.

Year-round exposure to particle pollution has also been linked to:

• increased hospitalization for asthma attacks in children living near roads with heavy truck or trailer traffic

• stunted lung function growth in children and teenagers

• significant damage to the small airways of the lungs

• increased risk of heart attacks and strokes in older women

• increased risk of dying from lung cancer

• greater risk of death from cardiovascular disease

Who is at risk? Anyone may be affected by particle pollution, but several groups are most at risk:

• Children under 18• Adults 65 and older• Anyone with chronic lung disease, such as asthma,

chronic bronchitis, or emphysema• Anyone with a cardiovascular disease, such as high

blood pressure, coronary artery • disease, or congestive heart failure • Anyone with diabetes.

CONCLUSION

At the end of this experiment, we are able to : understand the significant of particulate pollutants. Become familiar with air sampling technique for total suspended particulates (TSP). Determine whether our environment is free of air pollutants.