Republic of the Philippines

Mountain Province State Polytechnic College

Tadian, Mountain Province

Chemistry for Engineers

SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION

By:

Banwa, Harlee A.

Dalisan, Jenneth C.

Pascual, Rogelio Jr. E.

Quizzagan, Edmar T.
 Sicang, Elsie Marie G.

1st Semester, School Year 2022-2023

OBJECTIVES:

 Define air pollution and its types

 Learn the sources and effects of air pollution
 Learn and understand the strategies/solutions of other countries including
Philippines to protect the world from the effect of air pollution
 Strategies done in construction industry to control air pollution
 And learn the clean air act

WHAT IS AIR POLLUTION?

• Air pollution is the contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any

chemical, physical or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the
atmosphere. Household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities and
forest fires are common sources of air pollution. Also,the contamination of air due to
the presence of substances in the atmosphere that are harmful to the health of
humans and other living beings, or cause damage to the climate or to materials. There
are many different types of air pollutants, such as gases, particulates, and biological
molecules.

• It is a mix of hazardous substance from both human-made and natural sources. It

consists of chemicals or particles in the air that can harm the health of humans,
animals, and plants. It also damages the buildings.

• It can be defined as the presence of toxic chemicals and compounds (including those
of biological origin) in the air, at levels that pose a health risk. In an even broader
sense, air pollution means the presence of chemicals or compounds in the air which
are usually not present and which lower the quality of the air or cause detrimental
changes to the quality of life (such as damaging the ozone layer or causing global
warming).

TYPE OF AIR POLLUTION

SULFUR OXIDES (SOX) – is a common pollutant in most civilized countries, from

industrial processing plants (coal, oil, cement, metal, wood, copper, electric power plants,
etc.).Toxic gases produced by volcanic activity, industrial processes, and burning of fossil
fuels.

NITROGEN OXIDE(NOX) – toxic gases that pollutes air through car exhaust, electric
power plants, the burning of various fuels, cigarette smoking, electro planting, welding,
etc.

CARBONMONOXIDE (CO) – is a known pollutant, almost omnipresent in present-day

cities around the world. It is produced during the process of burning fuels(gasoline, oil,
 diesel, wood, charcoal, etc.). This means its present in vehicle exhaust and tobacco
smokes, as well as unvented spaces where a fuel is being burned.

CARBONDIOXIDE(CO2) – a natural compound present in the atmosphere, in Earths

water and land etc. It absorbs heat and contribute to global warming, which makes it
both useful and very dangerous to humans’ future.

VOLATILEORGANICCOMPOUNDS (VOCs) – are compounds that contain carbon and can

quickly turn into vapors or gases. This VOCs can be released by a number of products or
items in contemporary life, from burning gasoline or coal, glues, dry-cleaning products,
etc., and they contribute to air pollution and serious health condition. Not all VOCs are
known to be toxic, however in some cases there are clear negative effects, depending on
the compound, the length and intensity of the exposure.

PARTICULATEMATTER (PM10) – is the generic name used for particles that exist in the
air around us. Some particles are microscopic, others are big enough to be seen with the
naked eye. Some are benign, others are highly toxic.

Hg(Mercury) inGASEOUSFORM – is known to be extremely harmful to human health in

any form, a strong neurotoxin that can occur naturally or be released from power plants
and other sources and spread across land, soil, air and water.

RADIOACTIVEPOLLUTANTS – is defined as the increase in the natural radiation levels

caused by human activities. It is estimated that about 20% of radiation we are exposed to
is due to human activities. The human activities that can release radiation involve
activities with radioactive materials such as mining, handling, and storage of radioactive
waste, as well as the use of radioactive reactions to generate energy ( nuclear power
plants), along with the use of radiation in medicine ( e.g. X – Rays and research), and our
cellular cellphones, laptops, computers, microwaves, and etc.

AMMONIA(NO3) – is a naturally occurring compound that can be manufactured. When

naturally occurring, It is present in decaying matter, but also in water, soil and, air. When
manufactured, It is often found in liquid form and has numerous industrial and
household uses. It is commonly sold in liquid form and is a corrosive chemical.

SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION

Where does air pollution came from?

Most air pollution, harmful gases and particles in the air affecting national parks is created
outside park boundaries.

Types of Sources

There are four main types of air pollution sources:

 mobile sources – such as cars, buses, planes, trucks, and trains

 stationary sources – such as power plants, oil refineries, industrial facilities, and
factories
  area sources – such as agricultural areas, cities, and wood burning fireplaces

 natural sources – such as wind-blown dust, wildfires, and volcanoes

Mobile, stationary, area, and natural sources all emit pollution into the air.

Mobile sources account for more than half of all the air pollution in the United States
and the primary mobile source of air pollution is the automobile, according to the
Environmental Protection Agency. Stationary sources, like power plants, emit large amounts
of pollution from a single location, these are also known as point sources of pollution. Area
sources are made up of lots of smaller pollution sources that aren't a big deal by themselves
but when considered as a group can be. Natural sources can sometimes be significant but do
not usually create ongoing air pollution problems like the other source types can.

Pollution from human-generated and natural sources is often created in one place and
transported through the air. Sometimes chemical reactions in the atmosphere change
pollutants before they are deposited. Pollutants in the air can create haze, making it harder
to see, and pollutant deposition can have biological effects. NPS areas experience these
effects just like other places. Location and even the time of year can determine which
pollution sources are most important to each park.
Wind can move air pollutants short or very long distances before they cause harmful impacts.

Parks downwind of power plants that lack modern pollution controls can have
increased smog. Tailpipe emissions from cars and trucks, as well as industrial processes
such as oil and gas development, give rise to elevated ozone concentrations. Summertime
wildfires can also reduce visibility in NPS areas. There are even examples of pollutants that
originated from other countries and were transported thousands of miles arriving at parks.
The effects of this pollution can be seen as haze and through negative biological effects.

2 Classifications of Air Pollutants:

PrimaryPollutantsare directly emitted to the atmosphere, whereas

secondarypollutants are formed in the atmosphere from precursor gases through chemical
reactions and microphysical processes. Air pollutants may have a natural, anthropogenic or
mixed origin, depending on their sources or the sources of their precursors.
Keyprimaryairpollutants include particulate matter (PM10), black carbon (BC), Sulphur
oxides (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX) (including nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, NO2),
ammonia (NH3), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), non-methane volatile organic
compounds (NMVOCs), including benzene, and certain metals and polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons, including benzo[a]pyrene (BaP).

Keysecondaryairpollutants are PM10, ozone (O3), NO2 and several oxidized volatile

organic compounds (VOCs). Key precursor gases for secondary PM are Sulphur dioxide (SO 2),
NOX, NH3 and VOCs. These pollutants and their precursor gases can be of both natural and
anthropogenic origin including:

 burning of fossil fuels in electricity generation, transport, industry and households;

 industrial processes and solvent use, for example in the chemical and mining
industries;

 agriculture;

 waste treatment;
  Natural sources, including volcanic eruptions, windblown dust, sea-salt spray and
emissions of volatile organic compounds from plants.

Significant cuts in emissions are essential to improve air quality, as air pollutant emissions
are the principal drivers behind air pollution.

At the same time, reductions in emissions do not always automatically result in similar falls
in concentrations. There are complex links between air pollutant emissions and air quality.
These include emission heights, chemical transformations, reactions to sunlight, additional
natural and hemispheric contributions and the impact of weather and topography.

Ground-level (tropospheric) ozone is not directly emitted into the atmosphere. Instead, it
forms in the atmosphere from a chain of chemical reactions following emissions of certain
precursor gases: NOX, carbon monoxide (CO) and NMVOCs and methane (CH4). Ground-level
ozone is formed from chemical reactions in the presence of sunlight, following emissions of
precursor gases, mainly NOX, NMVOCs, CO and CH4.

Nitrogen oxides are emitted during fuel combustion from industrial facilities and the road
transport sector. NOX is a group of gases comprising nitrogen monoxide (NO) and nitrogen
dioxide (NO2). NO makes up the majority of NOX emissions. NOX contributes to the formation
of ozone and particulate matter.

Particulate matter is a mixture of aerosol particles (solid and liquid) covering a wide range
of sizes and chemical compositions. PM is either directly emitted as primary particles or it
forms in the atmosphere from emissions of certain precursor pollutants such as SO 2, NOX,
NH3 and NMVOCs. PM is emitted from many anthropogenic sources, including both
combustion and non-combustion sources. Natural emissions of PM also occur, including
from sea salt and windblown Saharan dust.

Sulphur dioxide is formed and emitted by combustion of fossil fuels (mainly coal and oil)
primarily for electricity generation. High concentrations of SO 2 are associated with multiple
health and environmental effects. The highest concentrations of SO2 have been recorded in
the vicinity of large industrial facilities. SO2 emissions are an important environmental issue
because they are a major precursor to ambient PM2.5 concentrations.

Benzo (a) pyrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) found in fine PM. Its origin is
the incomplete combustion of various fuels. The main sources of BaP in Europe are domestic
home-heating, in particular wood- and coal-burning, waste-burning, coke and steel
production, and road traffic. Other sources include outdoor fires.

MAIN SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION

Traffic ad Mobility

Petrol and diesel engines of cars, ships, trains and other vehicles emit pollutants such
as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic
compounds. Friction from tires and brake wear also create primary- i.e. direct particulate
matter emissions. In addition, the nitrogen dioxide andVOCs released by road vehicles also
undergo photochemical reactions to form ozone.
In Europe, more than 40% of NOx and almost 40% of primary PM2.5 emissions are linked to
road transport. In the United States, 35.8% of CO and 32.8 of NOx stem from road transport.

Industry and heating

The combustion of fossil fuels such as coal and oil in industrial processes in power
plants, refineries, and factories release a variety of pollutants, the majority of which are
identical to those emitted by traffic and mobility. On top of this, chemical processes and
volatile industry by products also cause VOC emissions.

In Europe, around 60% of sulfur oxides come from energy production and
distribution. In the US, stationary fuel combustion sources like electric utilities and
industrial boilers are responsible for 73.2% of sulfur dioxide pollution.

Agriculture

A wide range of nitrogen compounds, including ammonia, can be attributed to

fertilizer production, farm machinery, and livestock waste management in agriculture. In
addition, the digestive processes of livestock release methane.
 In Europe, agriculture activities cause approximately 90% of ammonia emissions and
80% of methane emissions. In the US, livestock and manure management are responsible for
46% of methane emissions.

Other sources

Not all air pollution comes from human activity: sand and dust storms from deserts
like the Sahara, the Gobi, and the Taklamakan are responsible for PM 2.5 pollution due to the
size of the grains spread. Wildfires generate high levels of PM pollution along with CO and
NOx .Volcanoes release NH3 and SO2 during eruptions, which can form secondary PM when
combined with other pollutants in the atmosphere. Salt from sea spray also contributes as
PM pollution, contributing up to 80% of particle levels in coastal areas. Even plants are a
source of VOC emissions, because they use the pollutant to adapt to environmental stress,
communicate to other plants, and to defend against insects.
COMMON SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION

1. The Burning of Fossil Fuels

Most of the air pollution takes place due to the incomplete burning of fossil fuels.
These include coal, oil and gasoline to produce energy for electricity and transportation. The
release of CO at a high level indicates how much fossil fuel is burned. This also emits other
toxic pollutants like nitrogen oxides into the air.The nitrogen oxides are responsible for acid
rain and the formation of smog.

When fossil fuels are burned, they emit more than just CO2.

 Coal-fired power stations alone account for 35% of harmful mercury emissions in the
US.
 Two-thirds of SO2 emissions caused acid rain
 The great majority of dust is released in our air due to fossil fuel burning.

2. Industrial Emission

Industrial activities emit several pollutants in the air that affect the air quality more
than we can even imagine. Particulate matter 2.5 and 10, NO2, SO2 and CO are key
pollutants that are emitted from industries that use coal and wood as their primary energy
source for the production of their goods. Huge amounts of organic chemicals like CO2,
hydrocarbons, etc are released by the industries including other toxicants.

3. Indoor Air Pollution

Use of toxic products also called Volatile Organic Compounds {VOCs}, inadequate
ventilation, uneven temperature and humidity level can cause indoor air pollution, whether
you are in an office, school or at your comfortable home. House air pollution can take place
due to ignorant factors, for instance, smoking tobacco inside a room or leaving mold-infected
walls untreated. Heating a house by burning substances such ask kerosene, wood, and coal
can contaminate the air inside the house.

4. Wildfires

Climate change is not just increasing wildfire but also spiking air pollution. But
burning stubble and farm residue is also a major contribution to wildfire. It causes increased
PM2.5 in the air which collides with other harmful substances like chemical substances like
chemical gas and pollen creating smog.

5. Microbial Decaying Process

Manufacturing, chemical and textiles industries release a large number of CO,

hydrocarbons, chemicals and organic compounds which contaminate our environment.
Bacteria and fungi play a fundamental role in the biogeochemical cycle in nature. They are
the key indicators of abnormal environmental conditions. Decaying of these microorganisms
present in the surroundings releases methane gas which is highly toxic. Decaying process
releases carbon, methane, and nitrogen that can affect the quality of air to some extent.
6. Transportation

Cars on the roads are increasing day by day. There is no denying that vehicle pollution
is the major contributor to air pollution is the major contributor to air pollution, especially in
urban cities, where car ownership rates are more as compared to rural areas. When the car
burns gasoline, it emits pollutants in the air which is as harmful as smoking 10 cigarettes a
day. Your vehicle emits:

1. Carbon monoxide
2. Hydrocarbons
3. Nitrogen oxide, and
4. Particulate matter

7. Open Burning of Garbage Waste

Open burning of garbage is much more harmful to your health and the environment
than one may think. As per engage EPW, Delhi Air Pollution is choking public health. Delhi
generates a whopping 9500 tons of waste every day, which makes it India’s second waste
dumping city.

Open garbage burning causes skin irritation, aggravates asthma and other respiratory
diseases and illnesses, increases the risk of heart diseases, and difficulties in breathing,
nausea and headaches.

8. Construction and Demolition

During the clean air act movement, the Central Pollution Control Board registered the
highest number of air pollution complaints in the Delhi NCR due to construction pollution
and demolition activities. With the rise of population in the city, construction and demolition
is a part of the ever-going development phase of the national capital. Several construction
sites and raw materials such as bricks ad concrete haze and foul air.

9. Agricultural Activities

Agricultural activities have had a serious impact on the decreasing air quality. To
begin with, pesticides and fertilizers are the main sources that contaminate the surrounding
air. Nowadays, pesticides and fertilizers are mixed with new invasive species which are not
found in nature, for quick growth of the crops and vegetation. Once they are sprayed over,
the smell and the effect of the pesticides are left in the air. Some mix with water and some
seeps into the ground which not only destroys the crops but also causes numerous health-
related issues.

10. Use of chemical and synthetic products

Talking about air pollution, we always consider outdoor air pollution dangerous for
our lives but never talk about indoor air pollution. Household products causes indoor air
pollution which is 10 times more harmful than outdoor air pollution. We spend more than
90% of our lives indoors, which makes the indoor air pollution impacts more serious and
concerning. Volatile Organic Compounds found in paints, cleaner and personal care products
such as perfume and deodorants are a reason for common health issues.

11. Environmental tobacco smoke produces fine particulate matter, which is the most
dangerous element of air pollution for health. Levels indoors can far exceed those outdoors,
because new engine models and lead free fuels have cut the levels of particulate matter
emissions from car exhausts, say the authors.

Air pollution happens when solid and liquid particles called aerosols and certain gases
end up in our air. These particles and gases can be bad for the planet and for our health, so
keeping track of them is important.

Where do aerosols come from?

Any particles that gets picked up into the air or is formed from chemical reactions in
the air can be aerosol. Many aerosols enter the atmosphere when we burn fossil fuels- such
as coal and petroleum- and wood. These particles can come from many sources, including
car exhaust, factories and even wildfires. Some of the particles and gases come directly from
these sources, but others form through chemical reactions in the air. Aerosols can come from
other places, too, such as ash from an erupting volcano.

Other examples: Dust, pollen from plants and mold spores.

What else causes air pollution?

Certain gases in the atmosphere can cause air pollution. For example, in cities, a gas
called ozone is a major cause of air pollution. Ozone is also a greenhouse gas that can be
both good and bad for our environment. It all depends where it is in earth’s atmosphere.

Ozone high up in our atmospheric is a good thing. It helps blockharmful energy from the
sun, called radiation. But, when ozone is closer to the ground, it can be really bad for our
health. Ground level ozone is created when sunlight reacts with certain chemicals that come
from sources of burning fossils fuels, such as factories or car exhaust. When particles in the
air combine with ozone. They create smog. Smog is a type of air pollution that looks like
smoky fog and makes it difficult to see.

EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION:

Air pollution affects all things. It is harmful to our health, its impacts to the environment by
reducing visibility and blocking sunlight, causing acid rain and harming forests, wildlife and
agriculture. Greenhouse gases pollution, the cause of climate change affects the entire Eath.

 EFFECTS ON HUMANS:

Exposure to high levels of air pollution can cause a variety of adverse health
outcomes. Effects can be broken down into short-term effects and long term effects.
Symptoms from short-term exposure typically resolve quickly, but long-term exposure
is linked to serious illness and diseases in multiple body systems. Children, the elderly
and people with ongoing illnesses are more vulnerable to air pollution than other
 groups. Urban populations are also at greater risk due to high concentrations of
pollution within cities.

Short Term Effects

 Pneumonia or Bronchitis
 Irritation to the nose, throat, eyes,
or skin
 Headaches
 Dizziness
 Nausea
 Coughing
 Difficulty/Wheezing breathing
 Fatigue
Long Term Effects
 Respiratory diseases(asthma, emphysema)
 Cardiovascular damage
 Harm to liver, kidneys, spleen, and blood
 Nervous system damage
 Cancer
 Birth Defects
 Death
 EFFECTS ON ANIMALS AND PLANTS
Wildlife can experience many of the same negative health effects of air
pollution that humans do. Damage to respiratory systems is the most common effect
on animals, but neurological problems and skin irritation are also common. Like
humans, animals can suffer health effects from exposure to air pollution. Birth
defects, diseases and lower reproductive rates have all been attributed to air pollution.
Plants and crops grow less when exposed to long-term air pollution. Ozone pollution
harm plants by damaging structures called stomata, which are tiny pores on the
underside of leaves that allow the plant to breathe. Some types of plants can protect
themselves by temporarily closing their stomata or producing antioxidants, but others
are particularly sensitive to damage.
Between 1980 and 2011, nine billion dollars-worth of soybeans and corns
were lost in the US as a result of ozone population. When acid rain, lead toxicity and
exposure to nitrogen oxides change the chemical nature of the soil. Plants are robbed
of the nutrients that they need to grow and survive. This impacts agriculture, forests
and grasslands. There are other ways that air pollution affects the living things such
as damaging the habitat, water and food sources that animals and plants need to live.
 EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Like people, animals and plants, entire ecosystems can suffer effects from air
pollution. Haze like smog, is a visible type of air pollution that obscures shapes and
colors. Hazy air pollution can even muffle sounds. Air pollution particles eventually fall
back to Earth. It can directly contaminate the surface of bodies of water and soil. This
can kill crops or reduce their yields. It can also kill young trees and other plants.
Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen particles in the air, can create acid rain when they mix
with water and oxygen in the atmosphere. These air pollutants come mostly from coal-
 fired power plants and motor vehicles. When acid rain falls to Earth, it damages
plants, by changing soil composition; degrades water quality in rivers, lakes and
streams; damages crops; and can cause buildings and monuments to decay.
 CAUSING ACID RAIN
Burning fossil fuels releases sulfur and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. Acid rain
forms when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide mix with water droplets in the
atmosphere to make sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Winds can carry these pollutants for
thousands of miles, until they fall to the Earth’s surface as acid rain, which damages
the leaves of vegetation, increases the acidity of soils and water, and is linked to 500
death each year. Buildings and other structures are also impacted by acid rain, which
causes property damages. Acid rain dissolves mortar between bricks, causes stone
foundations to become unstable, and is destroying ancient buildings and statues
carved from marble and limestone.
 REDUCING SUNLIGHT
High levels of particulate pollution from all types of burning reduces the amount of
sunlight that reaches the surface and even changes the appearance of the sky. When
less sunlight is available for photosynthesis, forests grow at a slower rate and crops
are less productive. Hazy skies not only reduce visibility, but also impact the weather
and even the climate.
 MAKING A HOLE IN THE OZONE LAYER
The hole in the ozone layer is caused by air pollutants. Chemicals use as refrigerants,
such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), contain chlorine atoms. Releasing chlorine atoms
into the atmosphere destroys ozone. A single chlorine atom can destroy thousands of
ozone molecules. The ozone layer blocks harmful ultraviolet –B (UVB) radiation from
the sun. It protects us in a way that similar to putting sunscreen on your skin to
prevent sunburn. The ozone hole puts all living things at risk by increasing the
amount of UVB that reaches the surface. Exposure to UVB increases the risk of skin
cancer to humans, restricts growth and development of fishj and amphibians, and
reduces the number of phytoplankton in marine ecosystems. UVB also causes natural
and synthetic materials to breakdown at an accelerated rate.

 GLOBAL WARMING
Global warming is an environmental phenomenon caused by natural and
anthropogenic air pollution. It refers to rising air and ocean temperatures around the
world. This temperature rise is at least partially caused by an increase in the amount
of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases trap heat energy in the
Earth’s atmosphere. (Usually, more of the Earth’s heat escape into the space.)
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that has the biggest effect on global warming. It is
emitted into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels (coals, gasoline and natural gas).
Humans have come to rely on fossil fuels to power cars and planes, heat homes, and
run factories. Doing these things pollute the air with carbon dioxide. Other
greenhouse gases emitted by natural and artificial sources also include methane,
nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases. Methane is a major emission from coal plants and
agricultural processes. Nitrous oxide is a common emission from industrial factories,
agriculture and the burning of fossil fuels in cars. Fluorinated gases, such as
hydrofluorocarbons, are emitted by industry. Fluorinated gases are often used instead
 of gases such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs have been outlawed in many
places because they deplete the ozone layer.

 EFFECTS OF GREENHOUSE GAS POLLUTION

By trapping the Earth’s heat in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases lead to warmer
temperatures which in turn lead to the hallmarks of climate change: rising sea levels,
more extreme weather, heat-related deaths, and the increased transmission of infectious
diseases. In 2018 carbon dioxide accounted for 81 percent of the country’s total
greenhouse gas emissions, and methane made up 10 percent.

As a result, ecosystems are changing faster than plants and animals can adapt, and
many species are going extinct. Marine ecosystems are vulnerable to ocean acidification
caused when carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere is dissolved in seawater. Ocean
acidification makes it difficult for many marine species to grow shells and skeletons.

Melting ice sheets, warming oceans and extreme weather conditions are examples of how
climate changes caused by greenhouse gas pollution threaten ecosystems across the
Earth. In many cases, the decline of one or a few species due to air pollution can topple
the balance of entire ecosystems.

 ADDING TOO MUCH NITROGEN TO THE LAND

Gaseous ammonia (NH3) from agriculture and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from car, truck and
airplane emissions increase the amount of nitrogen in soils. Plants need nitrogen to grow
but too much nitrogen can limit the growth of some plants and increase the growth of
others, disrupting the balance of species within an ecosystem. This disruption is
negatively impacting grasslands and other fragile environments around the world.

 SMOG AND SOOT

These are the two most prevalent two types of air pollution. Smog (sometimes referred to
as ground level ozone) occurs when emissions from combusting fossil fuels react with
sunlight. Soot (also known as particulate matter) is made up of tiny particles of chemicals,
soil, smoke, dust or allergens- in the form of either gas or solids-that are carried in the
air. The sources of soot and smog are similar. Both come from cars and trucks, factories,
power plants, incinerators, engines generally anything that combusts fossil fuels such as
coal, gas or natural gas.

Smog can irritate the eyes and throat and also damages the lungs, especially those of
children, senior citizens, and people who work or exercise outdoors. It’s even worse for
people who have asthma or allergies as these extra pollutants can intensify their
symptoms and trigger asthma attacks. The tiniest airborne particles in soot, whether
gaseous or solid, are especially dangerous because they can penetrate the lungs and
bloodstream and worsen bronchitis, lead to heart attacks, and even hasten death. In
2020, a report from Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health showed COVID-19
mortality rates in areas with more soot pollution were higher than in areas with even
slightly less, showing a correlation between the virus’ deadliness and long –term exposure
to fine particulate matter and illuminating an environmental justice issue.
  POLLEN AND MOLD

Mold and allergens from trees, weeds, and grass are also carried in the air, are
exacerbated by climate change and can be hazardous to health. Though they aren’t
regulated and are less directly connected to human actions, they can be considered a
form or air pollution. When homes, schools, or businesses get water damage, mold can
grow and can produce allergenic airborne pollutants. Mold exposure can precipitate
asthma attacks or an allergic response, and some molds can even produce toxins that
would be dangerous for anyone to inhale. Pollen allergies are worsening because of
climate change. Lab and field studies are showing that pollen-producing plants-especially
ragweed-grow larger and produce more pollen when you increase the amount of carbon
dioxide that they grow in. Climate change also extends the pollen production season and
some studies are beginning to suggest that ragweed pollen itself might be becoming a
more potent allergen. If so, more people will suffer runny noses, eyes, itchy eyes, and
other symptoms.

CLEAN AIR ACT

Some of us may take having clean air for granted. But the Clean Air Act was enacted
50 years ago, the air in American cities was laden with toxic pollution---heavy, noxious smog
you could feel when you walked outside. As a result, many people struggle with respiratory
and cardiovascular health issues, and premature deaths was common. We have come a long
way since then, thanks largely in part to the law, which remains one of the country’s greatest
environmental successes. Nevertheless, we still have a ways to go.

Here are the basics of the Clean Air Act---and how this critical tool continuous to
protect public health despite the obstacles it faces.

What is the Clean Air Act?

The Clean Air Act is a comprehensive federal law that gives the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) authority to regulate air pollutants and polluting industries. Federal
legislation to address air quality dates back to 1955 but the Clean Air Act as we know it
largely comes from bipartisan amendments enacted in 1970, 1977 and 1990. The law has
been instrumental in dramatically reducing the country’s air pollution over the past few
decades. It also plays an important part in the U.S. economy by reducing health-care costs
and absences from work or school. It authorizes the federal government to regulate and
reduce gas emissions---critical to the global mission to combat climate change. And strong
regulations especially benefit low-income communities and communities of color, were
polluting facilities are often located.

Why was the Clean Air Act created?

Before the existence of the Clean Air Act, unregulated industrialization and our
increasing dependence on cars dramatically increased public exposure to dangerous
pollutants like particulate matter and ground-level ozone, or smog. Cities like Los Angeles
and New York suffered from deadly smog episodes, stemming from garbage incinerators, coal
and oil-powered plants, and other sources.
A cloud of smog darkening the streets of Donora, Pennsylvania, at noon, October 26, 1948

Air pollution, of course, doesn’t stop at state lines. For example, the pollution from a
coal-fired power plant in the Midwest can travel hundreds of miles on easterly winds,
burdening downwind areas with pollution they can’t control. But at the time, there were no
federal regulations, only a flimsy patchwork of a local and state rules to reign in major
sources of air pollution.

Today, some older generations can still recall the deadly Donora smog. In 1948, a
thick yellow fog descended on the town of Donora, Pennsylvania, and in just a few days, 20
people are dead and nearly a third of the town’s population of 14000 fell sick. The toxic smog
was a lethal combination of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and metal dust produced by
the town’s zinc plant and steel mill. The tragedy opened up a national dialogue about the
seriousness of air pollution and the urgent need for robust federal legislation and standards.

When was the Clean Air Act passed?

The Clean Air A ct as we know it today was born in 1970 from a significant
amendment to earlier laws. The bipartisan piece of legislation passed unanimously in the
U.S. Senate and 374-to-1 in the House of Representatives, before being signed into law by
President Richard Nixon on December 31, 1970 under the banner of protecting clean air for
“for future generations of America.”

The Clean Air Act of 1970 was built on important precursors:

 The Air Pollution Control Act of 1955 served as the first piece of legislation
regarding air pollution and allocated federal funding for research.
 The Clean Air Act of 1963 aimed to reign in air pollution with expanded research
efforts and a new public health programs.
 The Air Act of 1967 Quality established that states and local governments should be
in charge of their own population problems---but that the federal government could
step in if the state failed to adequately act on its own.

Since 1970, there have also been major updates to the Clean Air Act:

 The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977 included provisions to protect areas
that still had clean air---expanding on its previous focus of cleaning up polluted
areas. They also included new requirements for areas that weren’t meeting
clean a air standards and tightened the rules around automobile emissions---a
major source of pollution then, and now.
 The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 represented a major shift and were
touted as cost-effective approaches to reducing air pollution. The amendments
contained provisions to establish a national permits program, implement the
 Montreal Protocol to phase out chemicals depleting the ozone layer, and control
acid rain with a market-based cap and trade program for emissions. And until
this point, the EPA regulated toxic air pollutants one chemical at a time---an
inefficient process, since many sources of pollution release more than one. But
these amendments required the EPA to identify whole categories of industrial
sources for nearly 190 toxic air pollutants. The agency was now able to reduce
pollution by requiring these industries to install appropriate pollution controls,
such as emission monitoring systems, or change their production processes.
And if a polluting facility failed to comply, the EPA could collect penalties or
even sue the violators in court.
 The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 cemented a 2007 Supreme Court decision
holding that the original 1970 Clean Air also covers climate-changing
pollution---and reinvigorated EPA’s regulatory mandate with new funding,
including grants and incentives to help industries, states, and localities pay for
deeper pollution cuts.

Philippine Clean Air Act

Republic Act No. 8749, otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Air Act, is a
comprehensive air quality management policy and program which aims to achieve and
maintain healthy air for all Filipinos. It aims to formulate a holistic national program of air
pollution management and encourage cooperation and self-regulation among citizens and
industries through market-based instruments.

The Act mandates the implementation of air quality action plan that includes emission
limits, monitoring and control strategies; expects LGUs to develop an integrated air quality
improvement framework and mandates DOST-PAGASA to monitor GHG and ozone.

Environmental organisations, civil-society groups, faith-based institutions,

academicians and community-based organizations are calling on the government for effective
and sustainable environmental protection during the anniversary of the passage of the Clean
Air Act into law on June 23.

The Act bans incinerators for waste disposal, making the Philippinesthe first nation in
the world to ban incinerators outright. Among their calls is to drop the legalization of garbage
incineration in the guise of waste-to-energy plants proposed by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian
and instead pass long-term, comprehensive waste management policies and safer practices
that would reduce waste.

One solution is the zero-waste approach, where barangays have managed to reduce and
eliminate waste off our streets and even saved millions of pesos while creating jobs. It is a
circular system that minimises unnecessary extraction and consumption, reduces waste, and
ensures that products and materials are reused or recycled back into nature or into the
market.

The Act provides for the creation of a national program of air pollution management
focusing primarily on pollution prevention; for the promotion of mass media communication
in order to create social awareness and active participation in air quality planning and
monitoring. A Certificate of Conformity issued by the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources to vehicle manufacturer / assembler or importer shall certify that this
new vehicle or vehicle type meets the mandatory requirements in terms of pollution
prevention as per this Act. The provisions of this Act extend to the Ozone Depleting
Substances (ODS), that significantly deplete or otherwise modify the ozone layer,and to
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), organic compounds persisting in the environment,
bioaccumulating, and resisting photolytic, chemical and biological degradation (including but
not limited to dioxin, furan, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides,
such as aldrin, dieldrin, DDT, hexachlorobenzene, lindane, toxaphere and chlordane) and
other tpoxic or poisounous substances potentially damaging human and animal health and
the ecosystem.

STRATEGIES/SOLUTION DONE BY OTHER COUNTRIES TO PROTECT THE

WORLD FROM THE EFFECT OF AIR POLLUTION

 Municipal waste incineration technology

Advanced ability to prevent pollution and high-efficiency power generation

From about 1960, Japan began disposing urban garbage by incineration, and
today, Japan possesses the world's leading garbage incineration facilities. In the fiscal
year 2009, there were 1243 incineration facilities in Japan, incinerating garbage using
several methods - stoker furnaces, fluidized bed furnaces, and gasification fusion
resource furnaces with the objective of ash recycling. Stoker furnaces account for 70%
of all furnaces, and improvement of this type of furnace is progressing rapidly. Today,
while high level environmental conservation technologies are being introduced,
technologies related to high-efficiency power generation and technologies related to
safe operation, such as automatic incineration devices and automatic cranes, are also
being developed. We are now accumulating know-how on handling diverse types of
garbage of today, ranging from the low-calorie garbage, which was generated when
incineration facilities were first being built, to the high-calorie garbage. Such
technology can be utilized for the type of garbage generated in the Asian region. The
newest stoker furnace technology is low air incineration that aims for high-efficiency
power generation, which is already under construction in Japan. The figure below
shows one example of the latest technology: a facility exhibiting high pollution
prevention and high-efficiency power generation capacity.
  Waste incineration facilities in residential and commercial areas

With Japan's high-tech incineration facilities, waste incineration has won trust as
safe and sound technology, and when planning construction of such facilities,
communication with the surrounding residents about risks is smooth, enabling swift
progress in plans to construct incineration facilities in urban and residential areas. Some of
the incineration plants are shown in the photographs below.
Solution to poisonous gas and dioxin emissions

It is known that incineration plants for municipal waste generate SOx, HC1, NOx,
smoke and dioxin. From the perspective of environmental preservation and to obtain
approval from people residing near the plant, harmful substances in the exhaust gas must be
sufficiently reduced. In response to this need, public and private institutes, where many
countermeasure technologies were developed and improvements have been made on
operation technology, have conducted many studies. Studies have shown that dioxin is
produced by incomplete combustion of waste, and measures have been taken to prevent and
reduce dioxin generation with complete combustion in the furnace. Other countermeasures
taken includes exhaust cooling to prevent the resynthesis of dioxin, application of bag filters
to thoroughly eliminate dioxin contained in smoke, and the development of activated coal,
which adsorbs and eliminates dioxin in exhaust fumes and a catalyst that decomposes
dioxin. Based on the above-mentioned studies, structural and maintenance management
standards for the incineration plants were established, as illustrated below. The standards
apply not only to new facilities but also to existing facilities, where improvements have been
achieved. Methods of control for dioxin and other poisonous gas emissions that have been
employed by the private and public sectors are as shown in the figure, and problems related
to dioxin from incineration have been nearly resolved. Sufficient environmental measures are
also taken for SOx, HC1, NOx and other substances.

 Medical waste disposal technology

Safe and appropriate disposal of medical waste
Some waste generated from medical institutes may be contagious. In the past,
Japan has experience cases of medical accidents in which medical staff were infected
by hepatitis B with needles used on hepatitis patients which eventually caused death.
Such accidents attracted public attention and made people aware of the need for the
sterilization of medical waste. Today, there are laws regulating methods of medical
waste disposal. The risk of contaminated waste being mixed with general waste and
increasing the possibility of the spread of contamination highlights the need for
appropriate treatment and disposal. The number of hospitals in Asia and Africa has
increased, yet there are only few treatment facilities for medical waste, causing the
risk of infection through contact with contagious waste. Appropriate treatment and
disposal of medical waste is strongly advised.

 Home appliance recycling technology

Home appliances can be a source of pollution if handled inappropriately, but become
useful resources if handled in the right way
In developing countries, small companies recover precious metal from appliance
waste manually, which is a health hazard for workers and contributes to
environmental pollution. Home appliances contain both hazardous substances and
useful resources, such as rare metals. Treatment through sophisticated resource
recovery technology produces merit in term of environmental preservation and the
reuse of precious resources. During the 1990s, the introduction of wide-ranging larger
home appliances increased the burden of municipality-managed bulk waste treatment
facilities in Japan. The compacting of these appliances became difficult, and the ability
of such facilities to recover useful resources reached its limit, making it necessary to
search for alternative methods of recycling, which led to the enactment of the Home
Appliance Recycling Law in 2001. This law included the concept of Extended Producer
Responsibility (EPR), in which the responsibility of the producers extended to disposal
at the end of product life. Now, appliance producers, etc. are the ones recycling items
specified in the law and recycling is made more efficient through a high recycling rate.

The Recycling Specified kinds of Home Appliance Recycling Law stipulates that
four home appliances - air conditioners, TVs, refrigerators, and washer-dryers - are to
be disposed of with responsibility shared by several parties. Waste generators deliver
the used appliances to retailers, who charge for disposal. The retailers take the
appliances to the manufacturers, importers of the said appliances, etc., who are
responsible for recycling.
  The Kyoto Protocol
First adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997, is an agreement between 183 countries
that they will work to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions. The United States has
not signed the treaty.
In addition to the International Kyoto Protocol, most developed nations have adopted
laws to regulate emissions and reduce air pollution. In the United States, debate is
underway about a system called cap and trade to limit emissions. This system would
cap, or place a limit, on the amount of pollution a company is allowed. Companies
that exceeded their cap would have to pay. Companies that polluted less than their
cap could trade or sell their remaining pollution allowance to their companies. Cap
and trade would essentially pay companies to limit pollution.
In 2006 the World Health Organization issued new Air Quality Guidelines. The WHOs
guidelines are tougher than most individual countries existing guidelines. The WHO
guidelines aims to reduce air pollution-related deaths by 15% a year.

 Tangshan today is a hub of heavy industry and coal-burning, a city that produces
cement, chemicals, and more than five percent of the world’s steel. Flatbed trucks
loaded with big rolls of steel are parked on roadsides. From the rubble of 1976,
clusters of tall, concrete apartment buildings have risen to house the workers who
keep the mills and factories running and the towering smokestacks pumping. Three
years ago, at the Communist Party’s annual congress, Premier Li Keqiang declared
war on air pollution in China. At the party congress this past March, he renewed his
vow “to make our skies blue again.” Among Li’s main weapons: Reducing the
production of steel and of coal-fired electricity. To replace coal, China is rolling out the
world’s biggest investment in wind and solar power. The benefits, if it’s successful, will
be felt not just in Tangshan but all over the planet: China is the world’s largest emitter
of climate-warming greenhouse gases. But in Tangshan, people are also feeling the
costs of the fight for cleaner air.

STRATEGIES/SOLUTIONS DONE IN THE PHILIPPINES TO PROTECT THE

WORLD FROM THE EFFECT OF AIR POLLUTION

“Air pollution is still a problem. Waste management is still a problem,” Lopez said. “We need
to beat air pollution and address waste issues at the same time, as pollutants [are] being
emitted, for instance, by burning piles of trash in the open.”

The Philippines Clean Air Act of 1999 outlines the government’s measures to reduce air
pollution and incorporate environmental protection into its development plans, while the
Ecological Solid Waste Management Act enacted in 2000 has provisions mandating for solid
waste reduction and waste minimization measures such as recycling, composting, re-use and
other methods of waste disposal.
In recent years, however, the environmental department came out with an order that allows
cement manufacturers to burn mixed waste to use as an alternative fuel in their facilities to
circumvent a ban on waste burning.

Another organization working in the Philippines, the Healthcare for Clean Air Alliance, aims
to highlight the health impacts of air pollution by pushing for the strict implementation of
laws against air pollutants and helping improve the country’s air quality monitoring
standards. Forming in 2018 and composed of health and environmental advocates, doctors,
students and government agencies, the alliance is using a series of environmental campaigns
to frame air pollution not just an environmental problem but also as a health menace.

Divest dependence from coal which can be made possible by political will backed up with
solid engineering and scientific solutions to source out more power from alternative sources
like hydro, tidal, geothermal, wind and solar. In addition, the government is adapting fuel
and vehicle standards set by the European Union to reduce levels of harmful vehicles.

OTHER WAYS TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION

1. Using public transports

Using public transport is a sure short way of contributing to less air pollution as it provides
with less gas and energy, even carpools contribute to it. In addition to less release of fuels
and gas, using a public transport can also help in saving money. Lesser vehicles on roads
will contribute to lesser emissions. Using public transport will help in:

 Reducing the overall emissions

 Number of vehicles reduced on the roads

 Lesser traffic congestion episodes

 It is pocket friendly alternative

2. Turn off the light when not in use

The energy that the lights take also contribute to air pollution, thus less consumption of
electricity can save energy. Use energy saving fluorescent lights to help the environment.

3. Recycle and Reuse

The concept of recycle and reuse is not just conserve resources and use them judicially but
also is helpful for air pollution as it helps in reducing pollution emissions. The recycled
products also take less power to make other products.

4. No to plastic bags

The use of plastic products could be very harmful to the environment as they take a very long
time to decompose, due to their material made up of oil. The use of paper bags instead is a
better alternative as they decompose easily and are recyclable.

5. Reduction of forest fires and smoking

The collecting of garbage and getting it on fire in dry seasons or dry leaves catching fires is a
huge factor for causing air pollution, moreover smoking also causes air pollution and causes
the air quality to worsen along with obviously damaging one’s health.

6. Use of fans instead of Air Conditioner

The usage of AC’s takes a lot of energy and emits a lot of heat which is bad for the
environment. AC’s also take a lot of power and energy to work as compared to fans.

7. Use filters for chimneys

The gas that is emitted from fireplaces in homes and factories are extremely dangerous for air
pollution and harms the air quality severely. The use of filters should be used at least if the
consumption couldn’t be lessened, this will help to reduce the effect of harmful gases
absorbing in the air.

8. Avoid usage of crackers

The use of crackers during festivals and weddings is sadly one of the biggest contributors to
air pollution, leading to a layer of smog which is extremely harmful for health. So, practice of
no crackers should be implemented.

9. Avoid using of products with chemicals

Products that use the chemicals in their usage or smell strongly, like paints or perfumes
should be used less or outside the house. There can also be an alternative to use products
with low chemical content and organic properties.

10. Implement Afforestation

Last but not the least, plant and grow as many trees as possible. The practice of planting
trees provides a lot of benefits to the environment and helps with the release of oxygen.

11. Limit backyards fire in the city

 Smoke from backyard fires can cause unhealthy conditions for hundreds of people,
especially during stagnant weather conditions. Since cities have elevated levels of pollution
compared to rural areas, urban fires are more of a nuisance to people with asthma and other
lung conditions. If you do have a campfire:

o Keep fires brief and small — 3 feet across or less.

 o Burn only dry fire wood. In the Twin Cities it is illegal to burn any waste in a
fire, even yard waste.

o Never start campfires during an air quality alert. Sign up for texts or emails
about elevated air pollution levels.

12. Don't burn your garbage

 Burning your household garbage is dangerous to your health and our environment, and
generally against the law in Minnesota. If you're still using a burn barrel, wood stove, or fire-
pit for your trash, contact your county about arranging for trash hauling services.

13. Plant and care for trees

 Trees filter pollutants and absorb carbon dioxide. Trees also release oxygen into the
atmosphere and help cool our homes.

14. Switch to electric or hand-powered lawn equipment

 Gas-powered engines like those on lawnmowers and leaf or snow blowers often lack
pollution control devices. An hour running a lawn mower can produce nearly the same
amount of pollution as a 100-mile car trip! Use hand-powered or electric lawn care
equipment instead.

15. Use less energy

 Choose efficient appliances and heating systems. Get an energy audit and follow the advice.
Turn off electrical stuff you are not using. It all adds up.

16. Become a champion for clean air

 Direct local businesses, city offices, and school districts toward program that can help them
reduce air pollution and become more sustainable.

o GreenStep Cities: practices.

o Small business assistance: The Small Business Environmental Assistance
Program helps Minnesota businesses comply with environmental rules, reduce
wastes and emissions, and reduce regulatory City and county official’s
governments can help by passing local ordinances, creating incentives for
beneficial behaviors, and promoting and educating residents on best
obligations.
o Minnesota GreenCorps:  An AmeriCorps program coordinated by the MPCA
places members with organizations around the state to address environmental
issues, including air quality. Nonprofit, government and school districts are
eligible to host members to work on qualified projects. 

17. Go Local

A great way to cut down on car journeys is to start travelling to shops in your local area by
walking or cycling. Combine your trips as much as possible. If going further away consider
public transport such as bus or train and buy in bulk. It's often cheaper and more
convenient than driving and parking your car. Then top-up in between big shops by
supporting your local businesses. To avoid breathing in air pollution from cars on the road,
try looking at alternative traffic-free routes.

18. Cut down on car journeys

One great way to start on your journey to lower air pollution is to go car-free. Many have
achieved this already, but we understand this isn’t always practical, especially if you live
further away from amenities.

If you can’t let go of the car just yet, here are a few tips to help lower its impact:

 Make sure to service it regularly, for example, if your car uses diesel, make sure the
particulate filer is emptied regularly.

 Consider switching to a cleaner car, such as an electric or hybrid, to lower your

emissions. When purchasing, check its nitrogen dioxide emissions and avoid diesel if
you can.

 Keep your tyres properly inflated.

 Turn off your car when stationary in traffic. Leaving the engine running when the car
is not moving can release many harmful pollutants into the air around you, as well as
wasting fuel.

19.Support Clean Air legislation

 Keep an eye on local developments and policy changes that are focused on air pollution.

 One such policy that areas in the UK are looking at is developing Clean Air Zones.

 Air pollution is most acute on busy and congested roads in our towns and cities. 

 We believe that a broader network of Clean Air Zones (also known as Low Emission Zones in
London and Scotland) that reduce motorized transport, underpinned by a legal framework
which sets minimum standards and consistency between towns and cities is required.

 This should run alongside a roll-out of ‘school streets’ (streets closed to motor traffic outside
schools) to protect children, who are most vulnerable to air pollution.

POLLUTION FROM CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Pollution is an issue that the construction industry cannot ignore. The main types of pollution
you need to be aware of are air, water and noise. If you don’t put precautionary measures in place to
manage harmful waste, it can directly affect site employees and people living nearby. This includes
causing irreversible damage to their health, with a concerning link between pollutants and cancer .

As construction activities are a large contributor to air pollution, organisations within

the sector have a shared responsibility to limit the amount they produce. Therefore, you’ll
need to have an awareness of the emissions your work activities create and take precautions
to limit the harmful impact.

Common construction activities that contribute to air pollution include:

  Use of plant and vehicles on site. This depends on the site activities but can include
machinery such as breakers, bulldozers, dumpers and excavators. Plant and
machinery that is used at construction sites is not regulated by the government to the
degree that other vehicles are. Due to the scale of many construction projects,
equipment is often running and polluting for a long time. As a lot of this heavy
machinery, and other vehicles on site, operate on diesel engines, they release
pollutants into the air. This includes the gases carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide,
nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons.

 Land clearing and demolition. As land often has to be cleared and made suitable for
construction to take place, this process must be done in a way that ensures the impact on the
environment is as minimal as possible. As well as with the construction of buildings, high
levels of dust are generated when land is disrupted and existing buildings demolished.

 Chemicals. It is likely that you will use hazardous chemicals on construction sites.
This may include paints, glues, oils, thinners and plastics, which all produce noxious
vapors.

 PM10. These large quantities of construction dust from cement, concrete, silica and
wood are collectively classified as PM10. PM10 is particle matter less than or equal to 10
micrometres in diameter that is invisible to the naked eye. The diesel engine exhausts
of plant and other vehicles is also a large contributor to PM10 emitted at construction
sites. Specifically, this is referred to as diesel particle matter (DPM) and contains
sulphates and silicates that add to the pollutants in the atmosphere.

Consequences of Air Pollution

Employees

Research into PM10 has shown that it can penetrate deep into the lungs of those who inhale
polluted air. For employees working regularly on construction sites, there is an increased risk
of them developing health complications as a result. Poor air quality due to pollution can
cause the following health problems:

 Coughs, wheezing and shortness of breath.

 Cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

 Lung cancer.

 Strokes.

 Exacerbation of asthma.

Indeed, 56% of the occupational cancers in men are within the construction industry. This
includes mesothelioma, a type of cancer that develops on the lining of the lungs and chest
and which the only known cause of is asbestos exposure. Frequent exposure to dusts and
fibres, such as silica and asbestos, as well as the fumes and gases emitted by vehicles and
machinery explains why lung cancer is particularly common amongst construction workers.
Indeed, those working in the construction industry are potentially exposed to between 15 and
20 carcinogens as a result of common work activities.

Local Residents
People living nearby to construction sites may also experience the effects of air pollution.
Although local residents will not be in such close proximity to the pollutants as workers, they
may experience the effects of poor air quality long after the project has been completed.
PM10 and other air pollutants are spread by wind to the surrounding area and can then
settle. Here, residents often unknowingly breathe them in and may then develop a cough or
shortness of breath as a short-term consequence.

Environmental

As well as the consequences to human health, you need to be aware of the impact air
pollution has on the environment. Construction sites are responsible for 14.5% of
PM2.5 (particle matter that is 2.5 micrometres in diameter) and 8% of PM 10 emissions. The
majority of this comes from construction machinery and generators that run on diesel, with
1% representing dust from site activities such as demolition. Both plants and animals
struggle to thrive as a result of this contamination, causing a loss of biodiversity and
disrupting the food chain. If you want to learn more, why not take a look at
our Environmental Awareness Course.

STRATEGIES/SOLUTION DONE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO

CONTROL AIR POLLUTION

Managing how much pollution you create as a company and as an individual is

incredibly important. As well as controlling the negative impacts on site workers, local
residents and the environment, enforcing pollution prevention strategies can have a
significant positive impact on your business. By working sustainably and considering how
you can limit the impact of your construction activities, perception of your company is going
to be positive and you can establish yourself as a forerunner in comparison to your
competitors.

Under the Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) (England)

Regulations 2015, businesses are made financially liable for any damage they cause to land,
air, water and biodiversity in England. The regulations reinforce what is known as the
‘polluter pays’ principle. This is in place to hold businesses responsible for the pollution they
create by encouraging them to limit their environmental impact with financial incentives.
Companies also risk being fined for breaking environmental laws. Some of these so-called
‘enforcement undertakings’ are an alternative to prosecutions, with the money going towards
projects helping wildlife. Therefore, if your construction activities do create a lot of pollution,
especially when it is avoidable or manageable, you risk being given a significant fine.

To try and reduce your pollution contribution we have created a list of suggestions that you
could put in place:

Air Pollution in Construction Industry

 Never burn waste materials. Doing so will cause smoke, releasing poisonous gases
such as carbon monoxide into the atmosphere. In the UK, you risk being fined for
burning materials on site under the Clean Air Act 1993.
  Adopt hybrid technology in place of diggers and excavators with diesel engines. For
example, Volvo is currently trialling a prototype hybrid excavator that runs on electric
power generated from the down-swing of its boom arm.

 Use low sulphur diesel to power equipment and vehicles.

 Improve your existing equipment by using particulate filters and catalyst

converters.

 Use water sprays or sprinklers to control some types of dust and stop it spreading.
This will be particularly beneficial during tasks such as the filling of skips or breaking
down of concrete.

 Use an on-tool extraction to control some types of dust. This is a type of exhaust
that fits onto some tools and removes dust as it is being produced.

 Source local materials to avoid the need for them to be transported hundreds of
miles.

 Use renewable or sustainable materials, such as timber from sustainably managed

forests.

 Wear appropriate PPE, such as the correct type of respiratory protective equipment

(RPE) depending on the task.

REFERENCES:

https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/pollution-from-construction/

https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/get-active/2020/in-your-community/10-
things-you-can-do-to-help-reduce-air-pollution-today

https://www.env.go.jp/recycle/circul/venous_industry/index.html

https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/knowledge-centre/policies/philippine-clean-air-
act-1999-ra-8749

https://japan-product.com/waste-management-recycling-technology-japan/

https://www.breeze-technologies.de/blog/main-sources-of-air-pollution/-

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/air/sources.htm

https://ecavo.com/air-pollution-causes-effects-solutions/

https://scied,ucar.edu/learning-zone/air-quality/effects-air-pollution