Air Pollution Notes PDF

AIR POLLUTION NOTES Introduction Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that causes adverse change. Major forms of pollution: Air pollution, light pollution, littering, noise pollution, plastic pollution, soil contamination, radioactiv...

AIR POLLUTION NOTES Introduction Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that causes adverse change. Major forms of pollution: Air pollution, light pollution, littering, noise pollution, plastic pollution, soil contamination, radioactive contamination, thermal pollution, visual pollution, water pollution. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light. In 2015, pollution killed 9 million people in the world. Do us harm. These agents are present in the air we chemical, biological, and physical agents that could breathe, the water we drink, and even the food we eat. We encounter them when we travel, when we work or when we use consumer goods such as cosmetics or electrical equipment. Determining the source of these risks, and quantifying their effects, requires collaboration by experts across a host of different disciplines. Toxicology and Environmental Health gives fundamentals informations to assess the risks present in everyday life. Gain the knowledge and skills needed to identify chemical, biological, and physical hazards, as well as the risks associated with exposure to these agents. # Definition of air pollution Air pollution may be described as contamination of the atmosphere by gaseous, liquid, or solid wastes or by-products that can endanger human health and welfare of plants and animals. Environmental Toxicology sulfur dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and nitrogen oxides produced by industry and motor vehicles. Photochemical ozone and smog are created as nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons react to sunlight. Particulate matter, or fine dust is characterized bythe micrometre size 1  # GENERAL CATEGORIES AND SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION. ✓ Primary Air Pollutant Harmful substance that is emitted directly into the atmosphere ✓ Secondary Air Pollutant Harmful substance formed in the atmosphere when a primary air pollutant reacts with substances normally found in the atmosphere or with other air pollutants # Effect on human health Air pollution Respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, throat inflammation, chest pain, and congestion. Older people are majorly exposed to diseases induced by air pollution. Those with heart or lung disorders are at additional risk. Children and infants are also at serious risk. The WHO estimated in 2007 that air pollution causes half a million deaths per year in India. #Clinical effects ✓ Immediate: Large inhalation exposures to nerve agents or mustards are likely to kill people immediately. ✓ Delayed: Small exposures on the skin to nerve agents and mustards are more dangerous than they seem at first. People exposed to such agents needto be carefully observed for slowly developing or delayed effects. #Management 2  1. Personal protective equipment: First responders to a chemical attack are at serious risk. Themselves from the chemically contaminated environment (known as the hot zone). They can come in direct contact with the CW or Inhale the vapour. They are also at risk If they handle skin and clothing of victims if a liquid chemical agent was used. Vapors pose little added risk for anyone outside the hot zone. 2. Decontamination: Decontamination is the physical process of removing the remaining chemicals from people, equipment, and the environment. Immediate decontamination is a major treatment Priority Initial decontamination involves removing all Contaminated clothes and jewelry from the affected person and then washing the body thoroughly with warm water and soap. Hot water and vigorous scrubbing may actually worsen the effects by increasing chemical absorption into the skin. Vapor exposure alone may not require decontamination. But if it is not known whether the exposure was to a vapor or liquid, or if exposed people have symptoms, they Should undergo decontamination. 3.Supportive and specific therapy: Doctors Will first make sure exposed victims are able to breathe. For many chemical warfare agents, doctors can only treat the symptoms they produce. But specific, well- established antidotes are available for nerve agent and cyanide exposures. Lab tests are not widely available in hospitals to rapidlyhospitals to rapidly confirm exposure to chemical agents. 3 #Fallowing method are fallowed to control the Air Pollution Conserve energy: carpool, bike, walk, use public transport, buy compact fluorescent bulbs, and energy-efficient appliances. Don’t use polluting two-cycle gasoline engines if cleaner fourcycle models are available for lawn mowers, boat motors, etc. Buy refrigerators and air conditioners designed for CFC alternatives. If you have old appliances or other CFC sources, dispose of them responsibly. Plant a tree and care for it (every year). Write to your Congressional representatives and support a transition to an energy- efficient economy. If green pricing options are available in your area, buy renewable energy. If your home has a fireplace, install a high-efficiency, clean burning, two- stage insert that conserves energy and reduces pollution up to 90 percent 4