2. Air
Atmospheric gases used in
breathing and photosynthesis is Air
By volume dry air contains 78.09%
nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93%
argon, 0.039% carbon dioxide and
small amounts of gases
Air also contains 1% water vapour
PPRC/INDIA 01
3. Air
In earth’s troposphere and artificial
atmospheres contain air suitable for
the survival of plants and animals
The study of atmospheric science is
“aerology”
PPRC/INDIA 02
4. Composition of air
Item
% content
O2
N2
Ar
CO2
Ne
He
CH4
H2
Kr
Ozone
20.946
78.084
0.9340
0.035
0.001818
0.000524
0.0001745
0.000055
0.000114
0 to 7 x 10 -6
PPRC/INDIA 03
6. Facts about air pollution
Introduction into the atmosphere of
chemicals, particulate matter or
biological materials that cause harm
or discomfort to organisms
Air pollution disturbs the ecological
balance to a great extent
Air pollutants: Primary : NO2, SO2,
CO
PPRC/INDIA 05
7. Facts about air pollution
Secondary pollutants:
Ozone, Peroxyacetyl nitrate
Major air pollutant – ozone (O3)
We breathe 2 gallons of air / minute
30 million adults, children in US
have been diagnosed with “Asthma”
- NIEHS study
PPRC/INDIA 06
8. Facts about air pollution
Air pollution in India is estimated to
cause 527,700 deaths every year
In US deaths due to air pollution
every year is estimated as 50,000
80% lung cancers are caused due to
air pollution by vehicles
750,000 deaths in China prematurely
due to air pollution
PPRC/INDIA 07
9. Facts about air pollution
Research by MIT : 13,000 British
citizens die due to air pollution from
vehicles
>1 million people die / year from
chronic obstructive respiratory
disease
Air pollution takes away 2 yrs of
typical human life
PPRC/INDIA 08
10. Facts about air pollution
Air pollution in California kills
25,000 people every year and costs
$200 million worth of medical
expenses
300,000 in China die every year due
to heart attack and lung cancer caused
by air pollution
PPRC/INDIA 09
11. Facts about air pollution
Rising temperatures make smog
pollution worse and increase the
number of bad days when it is hard to
breathe
By 2050, 6 million people will die
per year due to air pollution
2 million of premature deaths / year
are caused due to air pollution
PPRC/INDIA 10
12. Facts about air pollution
Vehicle transportation sources
related with 90% cancer risk
Diesel exhaust contain >40
hazardous substances
High traffic – greater risk of cancer
Children have more problem due to
air pollution in gardens, parks
PPRC/INDIA 11
13. Facts about air pollution
US air pollution – effects caused $22
billion loss in 2004
Breath 20,000 litres of air / day
In London 1952, air pollution caused
deaths of 4000 people
Vehicle emission contributes to 45%
of Carbon monoxide in US and 95% in
larger cities
PPRC/INDIA 12
14. Facts about air pollution
Inhalation of fumes of heavy traffic
shows death by Pneumonia every year
Jogging with traffic around, causes
heart disorders
Air pollution causes faster and
deeper air breathing
PPRC/INDIA 13
16. Major Air pollutants
Toxic metals – lead, mercury
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) harmful
to ozone layer
Ammonia
Odours from garbage, sewage and
industrial processes
Radioactive pollutants
PPRC/INDIA 15
17. The Air we breathe, water we drink,
food we eat and products we use
contain harmful chemicals that affect
our health
These chemicals are known as toxins
and are linked to thyroid disorders,
cancer, women’s hormonal conditions,
chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia
and other several illnesses & symptoms
PPRC/INDIA 16
21. Control devices
Acid gas / SO2 control …. scrubbers
Mercury control
Dioxin and furan control
Source capturing systems
Continuous emissions monitoring
systems (CEMS)
PPRC/INDIA 20
