Health Impacts: Respiratory diseases (asthma, bronchitis), cardiovascular diseases, and cancers.
Environmental Effects: Acid rain, smog formation, eutrophication in water bodies, and harm to vegetation.
Climate Change: GHGs contribute to global warming and extreme weather patterns.
Air Quality Monitoring
Monitoring Stations: Fixed stations that collect data on various pollutants.
Portable Devices: For on-site measurements of air quality.
Air Quality Index (AQI): A system used to communicate the quality of air to the public, indicating levels of various pollutants.
Air Pollution Control Technologies
Particulate Matter Control:
Electrostatic precipitators
Baghouse filters
Cyclones
Scrubbers
Gas Pollution Control:
Scrubbers (for SO2 removal)
Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) for NOx
Activated carbon adsorption (for VOCs)
Emission Reduction Techniques:
Cleaner fuels and energy sources
Industrial processes optimization
Carbon capture and storage (CCS)
Regulations and Standards
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS): Set by regulatory agencies like the EPA in the U.S., these standards limit the concentrations of pollutants in the air.
International Protocols: The Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, and various local policies aimed at controlling air pollution and reducing GHG emissions.
Air Pollution Modeling and Forecasting
Atmospheric Dispersion Models: Used to predict how pollutants disperse in the atmosphere based on meteorological conditions.
Computer Simulations: Predict future air quality and assess the impacts of different control strategies.
Indoor Air Quality
Pollutants: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), radon, tobacco smoke, and mold.
Control Measures: Ventilation, air purifiers, and controlling sources of indoor pollution.
Air pollution control is an evolving field that requires a balance between technology, policy, and public awareness to reduce the impacts of air pollution on both health and the environment.
