Air Pollution and Control

Lecture 1: Introduction to Air Pollution - I

Prof. Bhola Ram Gurjar
Department of Civil Engineering

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Contents
• Definitions of air pollution • Environmental protection programs

• Evolution of air pollution as a problem • Air pollution episodes

• Air pollution in Roman Era • Accidental air pollution events

• Conclusions
• Industrialization
• Industrial revolution
• Air pollution in pre industrialization scenario
• Air pollution in post industrialization scenario
• Air pollution regulation history
• Air pollution legislation history

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Definition of air pollution (1/3)

Air pollution is the presence in ambient atmosphere of

substances generally resulting from the activity of man,
in sufficient concentration, presents for a sufficient time
and under circumstances which interfere significantly
with the comfort, health or welfare of persons or with
the full use or enjoyment of property.

Sourec: M N RAO & H V N.Rao 2007. Air pollution. Image :https://www.health.harvard.edu

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Definition of air pollution (2/3)

The presence of contaminants or pollutant

substances in the atmosphere that interferes
with human health or welfare, or produce other
harmful environmental effects.

Source: VALLERO, DANIEL A. 2008. Fundamentals of Air Pollution

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Definition of air pollution (3/3)

.
Air pollution is the excessive concentration of
foreign matter in the air which adversely
affects the well being of individual or causes
damage to property.

Source: M N RAO & H V N.Rao 2007. Air pollution.

5
Evolution of air pollution as a problem

Lighting the fire smoke air pollution started

Source: Makra, L., 2019, Image: https://www.clipartmax.com

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 Air pollution in Roman Era
• In Roman era (350 BCE to 175 CE), mining and
smelting activities polluted the atmosphere for nearly
500 years.
• Released large amounts of toxic fumes into Europe's
air
• Within that period, lead pollution increased to more
than 10 times higher than background levels.

BCE: Before the common era

Source: Makra, L., 2019, Image: www.geology.com

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 Industrialization

Image 1 Image 2

Agrarian and handicraft

economy

Industry and machine

manufacturing

Image 3 Image 4
Source: www.britannica.com, Image: 1, www.sutori.com, 2, www.wordpress.com, 3, 4, www.istockphoto.com

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 Industrial revolution

• The term Industrial Revolution was first

popularized by the English economic
historian Arnold Toynbee.

• This process began in Britain in the 18th

century and from there spread to other parts
of the world.

Source: www.britannica.com

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Air pollution in pre-industrialization scenario (1/2)
• In the ancient time

Burning of wood was used for Smoke was most likely tolerated

cooking, heating of caves and indoors because it helped to keep

smelting furnaces. away the mosquitoes.

The caves was found thick black

layer because of air pollution.

Source: Mosley, S., 2014, Image: www.clipartmax.com

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Air pollution in pre-industrialization scenario (2/2)
Scientists found blackening of the lungs
in the samples of mummified lung
tissues from Egypt, Peru and Britain.

That revealed long term exposure

to the smoke of domestic fires.

Source: Mosley, S., 2014, Image: www.shutterstock.com

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Fuel switch: Wood to Coal
In the sixteenth- Complaints about
century, population smoke emissions
started to increase increased

Wood demand Increased the

increased coal consumption

Wood became Wood price

scarce hiked
Source: Mosley, S., 2014

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Air pollution in post-industrialization scenario (1/3)

Wood burning Coal burning Oil started Severe air

started used as fuel pollution
problem started

Source: Mosley, S., 2014

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Air pollution in post-industrialization scenario (2/3)
From the end of the eighteenth
century, rapid industrial growth
started throughout the world.

Consumption of coal increased in

Europe, the United States and other
parts of the world.

World coal output was around 10

million tons annually in 1800.

Source: Mosley, S., 2014, Image: www.proprofs.com `

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Air pollution in post-industrialization scenario (3/3)
By 1900, global coal output had
increased by 77 % annually with
respect to 1800.

Air pollution rose to unprecedented

levels as coal demand increased for
industrial and home energy uses.

Increased the negative impacts on

nature and human health.

Source: Mosley, S., 2014

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Air pollution regulation history
Year Brief description
1307 King Edward I of England banned use of coal
1377 -1399 Richard II restricts use of coal
1413 - 1422 Henry V regulates/restricts use of coal
1578 Queen Elizabeth - I objected to the ‘taste and smoke’ of coal
Source:https://www.downloadclipart.net
1661 By royal command of Charles II, John Evelyn of the Royal Society
publishes “Fumifugium; or the Inconvenience of the Air and Smoke
dissipated; together with Some Remedies Humbly Proposed”
1784 Watt’s steam engine; the coal was used for making the steam to
pump water and move machinery. Smoke and ash produced from
burning of coal.
Source: Mosley, S., 2014, www.coursehero.com

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Air pollution legislation history
Year Action
1955 First Federal Air Pollution Control Act (USA)
1960 Motor Vehicle Exhaust Act (USA)
1963 Clean Air Act (USA)
1965 Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Control Act (USA)
• Emission regulations for cars to begin in 1968
1967 Air Quality Act (USA)
• Criteria documents
• Control technique documents
1970 Clean Air Act Amendments (USA)
• National Ambient Air Quality Standards
• New Source Performance Standards
Source: www.coursehero.com, Image: cpcbenvis.nic.in

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Air pollution legislation in India
Year Action • Mostly all the countries

1981 Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act are having their own
environmental pollution
1982 The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Rules acts.

1988 Central Motor Vehicles Act

1986 Environment (Protection) Act, (EPA).

Source: Habib, G., Air Pollution.

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Environmental Protection Programs (1/5)
The first world
conference to protect Montreal
the environment Protocol, Canada, Earth Summit, Kyoto Protocol,
,Stockholm, 1972 1987 Brazil, 1992 Japan, 1997

Vienna Convention, IPCC, Switzerland, The first COP, Berlin, Paris Agreement,
Austria, 1985 1988 1995 France, 2015

IPCC: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

COP: Conference of the Parties

Source: www.un.org

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Environmental Protection Programs (2/5)
Programs Key points

• The first world conference • Focused on international

to protect the environment, environmental issues
Stockholm, 1972
• Vienna convention, Austria, • To preserve human health
1985 and to protect the
environment from harmful
effects of ozone layer
depletion

Source:https://www.britannica.com

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Environmental Protection Programs (3/5)
Programs Key points

• Montreal Protocol, • To protect the ozone layer, stop the

Canada, 1987 manufacturing and import of ozone
depleting substances and reduce
their concentration.

• IPCC, Switzerland, • To provide the scientific

1988 information that use to develop
climate policies.

Source: www.un.org

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Environmental Protection Programs (4/5)
Programs Key points

• Earth Summit, Brazil, 1992 • To put the concept of

sustainable development

• The first COP, Berlin, 1995 • To stabilize the greenhouse

gas emission and to address
the threat of climate change

Source: www.un.org

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Environmental Protection Programs (5/5)
Programs Key points
• Kyoto Protocol, Japan, 1997 • For stabilization of
greenhouse gas
concentrations in the
atmosphere
• Paris Agreement, France, • To limit global warming to
2015 well below 20 C, preferably
to 1.50C, compared to pre-
industrial levels.

Source: www.un.org

23
Air pollution episodes
Donora, Acid rain,
Meuse Valley, Pennsylvania Los Angeles America
Belgium (1930) (1948) smog (1954) (1969)

Gas Attack, Great London Inversion over Acid rain,

Los Angeles Smog (1952) New York City West Virginia
(1940) (1966) (1978)

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Meuse Valley, Belgium (1930) (1/2)
• The Meuse valley is the region along the
Meuse river in Belgium.
• The sources of pollution were the densely
populated factories such as zinc smelter,
glass and steel manufacturers

Source: www.soe.uoguelph.ca, Image: www.prezi.com

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Meuse Valley, Belgium (1930) (2/2)

• Severe respiratory symptoms were seen.

• Deaths of 63 people and cattle’s death were
reported
• Approximately 6000 residents became ill.

Source: www.soe.uoguelph.ca, Image: www.emedicinehealth.com

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 Gas attack, Los Angeles (1940s)
• One of the first cities in the
U.S. To experience severe air
pollution problem.
• In the middle of world war II,
residents believed that they
were under chemical attack.

Image 1 Image 2

• Pollution sources were auto exhaust and petroleum

refineries

Source: www.jstor.org, Image: 1, www.wired.com, 2, www.timeline.com

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Donora, Pennsylvania (1948) (1/2)
• Donora is a town which is situated along the
Monongahela river.
• Poor topography for the dispersion.
• Pollution sources were zinc smelting and blast
furnaces.

Source: www.soe.uoguelph.ca, www.pollutionissues.com

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Donora, Pennsylvania (1948) (2/2)
• High levels of hydrofluoric acid inhaled by
the residents.
• 20 deaths and 600 become ill.

Source: www.soe.uoguelph.ca, www.alleghenyfront.org

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Great London Smog (1952) (1/2)
• The Great Smog was a huge pollution
event in London, England from
December 5 to December 9, 1952.
• Pollution sources were burning
Image 1 Image 2 of coal, factories and power plants.

Image 3
Source: www.energyeducation.ca, Image: 1,2, www.britanica.com, 3, www.bbc.com

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 Great London Smog (1952) (2/2)
• Breathing problems
• 4,000 deaths in a weeks

Image 1 Image 2

Source: www.energyeducation.ca, Image: 1, www.lotusarise.com, 2, www.webmd.com

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Los Angeles smog (1954)
• Visibility was drastically reduced by dense
smog in Los Angeles.
• Air pollution is blamed for causing 2000 auto
accidents in a single day.

Source: www.dnrec.delaware.gov, Image: www.garyflannelsuit.net

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Inversion over New York City (1966) (1/2)
• The high level of air pollution in the history
of the eastern United States.
• Noxious combination of sulfur dioxide
(SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO).

Source: www.allthatsinteresting.com, Image: www.alamy.com

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Inversion over New York City (1966) (2/2)

• Heart and respiratory issues

• Death rate of approximately 24 deaths
per day.
• Deaths of 169 people.

Source: www.allthatsinteresting.com

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Acid rain, America (1969) (1/2)
• Acid rain became potent in
area of Indiana and East
Chicago.
• Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission
by industries.

Image 1 Image 2

Source: www.dnrec.delaware.gov, image: 1, www.internetgeograpgy.com, 2, www.wander.com

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Acid rain, America (1969) (2/2)
• Burned lawns, ate away tree leaves and Birds to lose their feathers.

Image 3 Image 4

Source: www.dnrec.delaware.gov, Image: www.themailbox.com, 2, www.communityrspb.org.uk

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Acid rain, West Virginia (1978)
• Rainfall in Wheeling, West Virginia. pH
was measured at about 2.
• 5000 times more acidic than normal
rainfall.

Source: http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Air/Documents/airqualityappx.pdf

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Accidental air pollution events
Vizag gas
Vapour Cloud leakage (2020)
Explosion,
Jaipur (2009)
Attack on the
WTC (2001)
Bhopal gas
tragedy (1984)
Seveso,
Poza Rico, Italy (1976)
Mexico
(1950)

WTC : World Trade Center

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Poza Rico, Mexico (1950) (1/2)
• Poza Rica is situated in the midst of the
petroleum-producing regions.
• A major air pollution disaster in 1950

Source: www.cabdirect.org

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Poza Rico, Mexico (1950) (2/2)
• Hydrogen sulfide at an oil field was
accidentally vented into the air under a low-
altitude temperature inversion
• 22 sudden deaths
• 320 hospitalized of all ages

Source: www.cabdirect.org, image: pubs.acs.org

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 Seveso, Italy (1976)

• A 1976 chemical factory explosion near Seveso,

Italy.
• Explosion of Dioxin i.e. a human carcinogen.
• 19 children were admitted to hospitals with skin
lesions (abnormal skin growth).
• High animal and plant mortality.

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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Bhopal gas tragedy (1984) (1/2)

• On 3rd December 1984, chemical leak in the

city of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
• It is called the worst industrial air pollution
accident in history.
• Air pollutant was Methyl Isocyanate (MIC)
escaped from an insecticide plant.

Source: Sharif, A., 2020

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Bhopal gas tragedy (1984) (2/2)

• Main symptoms were vomiting and Eye irritation or

blindness
• Final death toll was estimated to be between
15,000 and 20,000

Source: Sharif, A., 2020

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Attack on the World Trade Center (2001) (1/2)
• The terrorist attack on the World Trade Center
in New York city on September 11, 2001.
• Exposed thousands of people to potentially
harmful debris and environmental
contaminants. Image 1 Image 2

• Jet fuel was burning after the crash of two

airplanes.

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih, Image: 1, www. depositphotos.com,2, www.pubs.acs.org

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Attack on the World Trade Center (2001) (2/2)

• Toxic smoke and fumes were released which

was creating a cloud of dust, smoke, and
debris.
• Persistent cough, and increased risk of asthma.
• Firefighters were among the most heavily
exposed populations.

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih, Image: 1, www. community.aafa.org

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Vapour Cloud Explosion, Jaipur (2009) (1/2)

• A devastating vapour cloud explosion occurred in a

large fuel storage area at the Indian Oil Corporation

(IOC) Depot in Jaipur, India, generating significant

blast pressure.

• Due to leakage of gasoline.

Source: R.K. Sharma et al., 2013

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Vapour Cloud Explosion, Jaipur (2009) (2/2)

• 11 casualties, 150+ injured

• 5000 people from nearby

surrounding area were evacuated.

Before explosion After explosion

Source: R.K. Sharma et al., 2013

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 Vizag gas leak, India (2020) (1/2)
• A gas leakage was from LG polymers India
Pvt. Ltd. in R.R Venkatapuram village,
Visakhapatnam.
• Release of styrene vapor in the area.

Image 1

Source: www.eprajournals.com, image: www.bbc.com

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Vizag gas leak, India (2020) (2/2)
• Respiratory problems and Irritation in
the eyes.
• Number of deaths were 12 people.
• Death of cattle's.
Image 1 Image 2 • 585 citizens were hospitalized

Source: www.eprajournals.com, image: www.bbc.com

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Conclusions

• Air pollution have a long and complex history that is associated with its adverse
effects on nature and human health.
• During the Industrial Revolution, the air quality became worsened because the
usage of coal and resulting emissions increased globally.
• In 19th and early 20th centuries, the effects of coal smoke were recognized on
locally and regionally.
• After the 2nd World War, rapid industrialization and
urbanization resulted in several negative impacts due to air
pollution such as acid rain, photochemical smog, ozone
depletion and climate change.

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References
• RAO, M N RAO & H V N. 2007. AIR POLLUTION. Tata McGraw Hill.

• VALLERO, DANIEL A. 2008. Fundamentals of Air Pollution. The Changing Face of Air Pollution.

• Makra, László. 2018. “Anthropogenic Air Pollution in Ancient Times.” Toxicology in Antiquity: 267–87.
• Mosley, Stephen. 2014. “Environmental History of Air Pollution and Protection.” : 143–69.

• Wagner, J. 1993. The Mesue Valley Fog of 1930.

• Brienes, Marvin. 2009. “Smog Comes to Los Angeles.” Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 6(11), 951–952. 58(4): 515–32.

• Ivel, J. 2016. “Donora, Pennsylvania Smog Event of 1948.” 1: 0–1.

• Mecabe, Lonis C. “Hydrogen Sulfide-Rich Gases plus Temperature Inversion and Fog Caused 320 Casualties Including 22 Deaths in Poza Rica, Maxico.”
• Brimblecombe, Peter. 1988. The Big Smoke London since Medieval Times.

• Jun, Kagawa. 1930. “Case Study of Air Pollution Episodes in Meuse.” Environmental Toxicology and Human Health I: 5–7.
• Sharif, Amina. 2020. “Case Study for Bhopal Gas Tragedy.”
• Yashoda Tammineni, and Teja Dakuri. 2020. “Vizag Gas Leak- a Case Study on the Uncontrolled Styrene Vapour Release for the First Time in India.”
EPRA International Journal of Research & Development (IJRD) 7838(August): 13–24.

• Science, Environmental, and American Chemical Society. 2006. “World Trade Center Aftermath and Its Effects on Health: Understanding and Learning
through HUMAN-EXPOSURE.” Environmental Science & Technology.

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Thank You

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