UNIT V

Upcoming Technology for pollution control: Air pollution- Urban air quality standards as per WHO, its
sources and controlling methods. Water pollution- water quality index as per WHO, its sources and controlling
methods.

Air Pollution
Air pollution is a main environmental issue nowadays. The air pollution is a mixing of many harmful substances like dust,
mist, smoke and color in the fresh air and pollutes the environment. It causes many damages, human health disorders,
reducing the quality of life, etc. The composition of Air is given below:

Nitrogen 78%
Oxygen 21%
Argon less than 1%
Carbon dioxide 0.037%
Water vapour Remaining
Ozone, Helium and ammonia Trace amount

But, recently this composition is getting disturbed because of

1. Rapid industrialization
2. Rapid growth in population
3. Fast urbanization
4. Growth of vehicles on the roads and
5. Activities of human beings have disturbed the natural balance of the atmosphere.

Sources of Air Pollution

1. Natural sources of pollution are those that are caused due to natural phenomena.
Ex: Volcanic eruptions, Forest fires, Biological decay, Pollen grains, Marshes, Radioactive materials.
2. Artificial sources are those which are created by man.
Ex: Thermal power plants, Vehicular emissions, Fossil fuel burning, agricultural activities etc.

Causes of Air Pollution

The major causes of Air Pollution are discussed below:

1. Fossil fuel based power plants – Power plants that are mainly dependent on fossil fuels is one of the
major causes of air pollution. Using fossil fuels for thermal generation and other purposes lead to
harmful effects in air and atmosphere. Combustion of these fuels result in production of excessive
carbon dioxide. This further adds up to problems like global warming and greenhouse effect.
2. Ever-increasing transportation vehicles – Vehicles are growing more and more every day on the
roads. All vehicle engines burn fuel and produce dangerous air pollutants including nitrogen oxides,
carbon monoxide, PM (particulate matter), etc., that are responsible for various risky diseases in children
as well as adults.
 3. Urbanization – The ever-increasing urbanization is making way for more cities, more power plants,
industries and traffic. All these sources are constantly contributing in air pollution turning it into a major
problem today.
4. Deforestation – Trees and forests help in purifying the air by taking in carbon dioxide. The cutting of
forests leads to presence of carbon dioxide in excess amount and air pollution.
5. Massive use of hydrocarbons based fuels pollutes the air – Most of the vehicles use hydrocarbon
based fuels in their engines. When this fuel is burnt, pollutants get produced in big quantity, leading to
poor quality of air.
6. Radioactive contamination – Radioactive emissions like emission of radon is also an important natural
cause of air pollution. Radon is an odorless and colorless gas with high density. It is produced when the
radioactive decay occurs in the radium of soil. The radioactive contamination in air can cause lung
cancer.
7. Burning of garbage – Burning garbage is a common cause for air pollution. When non categorized
garbage (which contains plastic, clothes or various other materials) is burnt, it produces different
harmful gases, adding to air pollution.
8. Excessive use of plastic – Nowadays, plastic is everywhere! Be it food, drinks, toys, carry bags or
anything else, you find plastic in various shapes and forms. In simple words, using plastic contributes to
air pollution. Plastic does not biodegrade and also produces risky gases when burnt!
9. Spraying of insecticides and use of chemicals in agricultural activities – Insecticides and pesticides
used in different agricultural activities contain chemicals. These insecticides get drifted away from one
place to other, degrading the quality of air and resulting in air pollution.
10. Emission of greenhouse gases from various sources –Many dangerous gases like methane, nitrous
oxide, carbon dioxide, etc., are emitted on combustion of coal, natural gas and oil in various factories &
industries.
11. Forest fires & big volcanic eruptions – Forest fires and huge volcanic eruptions are major natural
causes for air pollution. Many poisonous gases enter into air due to forest fires and volcanic eruptions,
thus, causing air pollution.
12. Mining Procedures – During the mining procedures, big machines are used for extracting minerals that
are buried deep down inside the Earth. These extractions’ processes of mining give out a lot of dust and
dangerous particles that cause air pollution on a large scale.
13. Household products causing air pollution – There are many household products that contribute to air
pollution inside our homes. Products like wall paints, detergents, floor cleaners, etc., contribute to air
pollution by emitting chemicals that are harmful for our health.
14. Dust constantly adding up to air – Dust is continuously adding up to atmosphere causing air pollution.
There is not one single reason for this ‘dust addition’ to air! Processes like construction, driving on
rough semi-constructed roads, etc., are some of the many reasons that add dust to air, making it polluted
and unsafe.
15. Dependence on wood-fuel for cooking – Many people use wood fuel for cooking. This is also an
important cause of air pollution. Wood fuel emissions contain PM (particulate matter), carbon
monoxide, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide and other dangerous gases.

Major Air Pollutants:

1. Primary pollutants are those that are directly emitted in the atmosphere in the harmful form.
Ex: CO, NO, CO2, SO2 etc.

2. Secondary pollutants are those that are formed by reacting with other components or some basic component of
the atmosphere to form new pollutants.
Ex: Ozone, Oxides of Nitrogen (NO2 or NO3) react with moisture in the atmosphere to give Nitric acid
Effects of Air Pollutants
Sr Name of
Property Source Effects
No pollutant
It is a colourless, It is formed by incomplete It reduces the ability of red blood
odourless gas that is combustion of carbon cells to carry oxygen to body cells
Carbon poisonous animals containing fuels. and tissues. This leads to
1
monoxide headache and anemia. At high
levels it causes coma, irreversible
brain damage and death.
It is a colourless, It is formed by combustion of It is permissible upto 200-
odourless gas fossil fuels. 5000ppm. Higher concentration
2 Carbon Dioxide
causes suffocation, headache,
vertigo & double vision.
It is a reddish-brown It is caused by burning fossil Lung irritation and damage.
irritating gas that fuels in industries and power Environmental effects involve
causes photochemical plants. acid deposition leading to damage
Nitrogen smog. In the . of trees, lakes, soil and ancient
3
Dioxide atmosphere, it gets monuments. NO2 can damage
converted into nitric fabrics.
acid (HNO3)
It is a colourless and It is formed by combustion of Breathing problems for healthy
irritating gas sulphur containing fossil fuels people, reduced visibility and
Sulphur such as coal acid deposition on trees, lakes,
4 soils and monuments leading to
Dioxide
their deterioration and adverse
effect on aquatic life.
Includes a variety of Human sources for SPM Nose and throat irritation, lung
particles and droplets include burning coal in power damage, bronchitis, asthma,
Suspended (aerosols) and industrial units, burning reproductive problems and cancer
5 Particulate diesel and other fuels in
Matter (SPM): vehicles, agriculture, unpaved
roads, construction, etc.
It is a browinsh smoke due to chemical reactions Breathing problems, cough, eye,
that frequently forms among nitrogen oxides and nose and throat irritation, heart
on clear, sunny days hydrocarbons in the presence diseases, reduced resistance to
6 Photochemical over large cities with of sunlight colds and pneumonia. Damage to
smog significant amounts of plants and trees. Additionally,
automobile traffic Smog reduces visibility.
It is a secondary It occurs on earth due to Skin cancer
pollutant which is reaction between Volatile
highly reactive gas Organic Compounds (VOCs)
with an unpleasant and Nitrogen Oxides. It
odor occurring in the moderates the climate
7 Ozone stratosphere where it
protects mankind from
the harmful ultra-violet
rays from the Sun.
However on earth, it is
a pollutant.
 Air quality standards as per WHO (World Health Organization)

Ambient air quality standard:

Ambient air quality refers to the condition or quality of air surrounding us in the outdoors. National Ambient
Air Quality Standards are the standards for ambient air quality set by the Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB) that is applicable nationwide. The CPCB has been conferred this power by the Air (Prevention and
Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981 describes the main functions of the Central Pollution
Control Board (CPCB) as follows:

 To advise the Central Government on any matter concerning the improvement of the quality the air and the
prevention, control and abatement of air pollution.
 To plan and cause to be executed a nation-wide programme for the prevention, control and abatement of air
pollution.
 To provide technical assistance and guidance to the State Pollution Control Board.
 To carry out and sponsor investigations and research related to prevention, control and abatement of air
pollution.
 To collect, compile and publish technical and statistical data related to air pollution; and
 To lay down and annul standards for the quality of air
The current National Ambient Air Quality Standards were notified on 18 November 2009 by the Central
Pollution Control Board.

Table 1: National Ambient Air Quality Standards

Pollutant Time Weighted Concentration in Ambient Air
Average
Industrial, Residential, Rural Ecologically Sensitive Area (notified
and Other Areas by Central Government)
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Annual* 50 20
µg/m3 24 hours** 80 80
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Annual* 40 30
µg/m3 24 hours** 80 80
Particulate Matter (size less than 10 µm) Annual* 60 60
or PM10 µg/m3 24 hours** 100 100
Particulate Matter (size less than 2.5 µm) Annual* 40 40
or PM2.5 µg/m3 24 hours** 60 60
Ozone (O3) µg/m3 8 hours* 100 100
1 hour** 180 180
Lead (Pb) Annual* 0.50 0.50
µg/m3 24 hours** 1.0 1.0
Carbon Monoxide (CO) mg/m3 8 hours* 02 02
1 hour** 04 04
Arsenic(As), Annual* 6 60
ng/m3
* Annual arithmetic mean of minimum 104 measurements in a year at a particular site taken twice a week 24 hourly at uniform intervals.
** 24 hourly or 8 hourly or 1 hourly monitored values, as applicable, shall be complied with 98% of the time, they may exceed the limits
but not on two consecutive days of monitoring.
Source: National Ambient Air Quality Standards, Central Pollution Control Board Notification in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, New
Delhi
 Controlling Methods for Air Pollution

A) For particulate matter control

1. Cyclon: It removes particles larger than 20 micrometer with 90% efficiency.
2. Scrubbers: It removes particles larger than 2 micrometer with 90% efficiency.
3. Electrostatic Precipitators: It removes particles larger than 1 micrometer with 99% efficiency.
4. Baghouse filters: It removes suspended particles by using fabric filter bags fitted on top of the
chimneys.

Measures to reduce Air Pollution

The solutions/preventive measures to control Air Pollution are discussed below:

1. Use renewable energy, renewable energy sources like sunlight, wind, water, air, etc., produce energy
without causing air pollution. Therefore, the use of renewable energy should be enhanced and
encouraged.
2. Protect forests and grow more tress –reforestation will help in setting up a forest on land that had trees
on it sometime back; the process of afforestation will help establish a forest on land that has no forest or
trees on it for a long period of time. In addition to this, planting trees near the industrial areas will also
help in the prevention of air pollution.
3. Solar energy based equipment –Using solar panels, solar cooker, solar lamps, lights, solar cars,
batteries, inverter, energy collectors and similar other useful solar equipment can help prevent air
pollution at a significant level because solar devices do not pollute the air.
4. Proper vehicle maintenance –Vehicles that are in proper condition produce lesser harmful emissions
than those which are in bad condition.
5. Clean and Efficient garbage disposable system – Efficient garbage disposal systems should be
arranged at various public places so that the garbage can be disposed in the right way.
6. Measures to control dust – Efficient and appropriate measures should be taken to control dust emission
during various activities like mining, building constructions, road constructions, etc. Dust particles add
up to atmosphere and degrade the quality of air, causing air pollution.
7. Encourage environmental audits at regular intervals –The environmental audits are done in an
organized document form so that a track record can be established for necessary measures.
8. Support & encourage the use of human-made products & handicraft items – Human-made products
and handicraft items are environmental friendly and help control air pollution. These items are made
manually and do not require a processing through factories or industries. Thus, obviously, there are no
chances of harmful emissions.
9. Use unadulterated vehicular fuels –.unadulterated fuels are comparatively safer than the adulterated
fuels as the former produce lesser harmful emissions.
10. Create awareness among people – Creating awareness for air pollution is very necessary. If people
stay aware about air pollution, its causes and dangerous effects, they will definitely make individual
efforts to combat and prevent air pollution.
 Water pollution
Water pollution, in simple terms, can be defined as the contamination of the water bodies when pollutants are released
into the water without thorough treatment and removal of harmful components. It not only affects the environment and
human well-being, but also disrupts the balance of the ecosystem. Here are some of the major effects of water defilement
on man and the environment.

Causes of Water Pollution

1. Sewage from domestic households, factories and commercial buildings Sewage that is treated in water treatment
plants is often disposed into the sea. Sewage can be more problematic when people flush chemicals
and pharmaceutical substances down the toilet.
2. Dumping solid wastes and littering by humans in rivers, lakes and oceans. Littering items include cardboard,
Styrofoam, aluminum, plastic and glass.
3. Oil Pollution caused by oil spills from tankers and oil from ship travel. Oil does not dissolve in water and forms
a thick sludge.
4. Burning fossil fuels into the air causes the formation of acidic particles in the atmosphere. When these particles
mix with water vapor, the result is acid rain.
5. An increase in water temperature is caused by global warming and thermal plants that use lakes and rivers to cool
down mechanical equipment.
6. Industrial waste from factories, which use freshwater to carry waste from the plant into rivers, contaminates
waters with pollutants such as asbestos, lead, mercury and petrochemicals.

Effects of Water Pollution

1. Groundwater contamination from pesticides causes reproductive damage within wildlife in ecosystems.
2. Sewage, fertilizer, and agricultural run-off contain organic materials that when discharged into water,
increase the growth of algae, which causes the depletion of oxygen. The low oxygen levels are not able
to support most indigenous organisms in the area and therefore upset the natural ecological balance in
rivers and lakes.
3. Swimming in and drinking contaminated water causes skin rashes and health problems like cancer,
reproductive problems, typhoid fever and stomach sickness in humans. Therefore, it’s very important to
make sure that your water is clean and safe to drink.
4. Industrial chemicals and agricultural pesticides that end up in aquatic environments can accumulate in
fish that are later eaten by humans. Mercury is particularly poisonous to small children and women.
Mercury has been found to interfere with the development of the nervous system in fetuses and young
children.
5. Ecosystems are destroyed by the rising temperature in the water, as coral reefs are affected by the
bleaching effect due to warmer temperatures. Additionally, the warm water forces indigenous water
species to seek cooler water in other areas, causing an ecological damaging shift of the affected area.
6. Human-produced litter of items such as plastic bags and 6-pack rings can get aquatic animals caught
and killed from suffocation.
7. Water pollution causes flooding due to the accumulation of solid waste and soil erosion in streams and
rivers.
8. Oil spills in the water causes animal to die when they ingest it or encounter it. Oil does not dissolve in
water so it causes suffocation in fish and birds.
STANDARDS OF WATER QUALITY

Drinking Water Standards of BIS (IS: 10500: 1991)

Parameters Desirable limits Permissible limits mg/l
mg/l

pH 6.5-8.5 No relaxation
Total Hardness, CaCO3 300 600

Chloride (Cl) 250 1000

Alkalinity 200 600

Fluoride (F) 1 1.5

Turbidity (NTU) 5 10

Parameters Desirable limits Permissible limits mg/l

mg/l

Mercury (Hg) 0.001 No relaxation

Cadmium (Cd) 0.01 No relaxation

Arsenic (As) 0.05 No relaxation

Lead (Pb) 0.05 No relaxation

Dissolved Solids 500 2000

Water Pollution Control Methods:
Precipitation: Chemical precipitation in water and wastewater treatment is the change in form of
materials dissolved in water into solid particles. The aim of precipitation is to precipitate the chemical from
dissolved substances in the wastewater by adding a reagent, which forms an insoluble compound with the to-be-
separated matter. Positive ions such as (heavy) metals, but also negative ions like phosphates and sulphates, can
be removed via precipitation. This method removes metals and fluoride.

Adsorption: Adsorption is one of the best water treatment technologies and has been used extensively for the
removal of toxic metal ions from ground, surface and wastewaters. Activated carbon is considered as universal
adsorbent for the removal of diverse types of pollutants from water.

Disinfection: After the water has been filtered, a disinfectant (for example, chlorine, chloramine) may be
added in order to kill any remaining parasites, bacteria, and viruses, and to protect the water from germs.

Chemical oxidation: In water and wastewater engineering, chemical oxidation serves the purpose of
converting pollutants to stabilized products. The oxidizing agents most commonly used are ozone, hydrogen
peroxide, hypochlorites, chlorine, and chlorine dioxide. The Chemical oxidants most commonly employed to
date include peroxide, ozone, and permanganate.

Ion exchange: Ion exchange is a water treatment process commonly used for water softening or
demineralization, but it also is used to remove other substances from the water. Ion exchange describes a
specific chemical process in which unwanted dissolved ions in water and wastewater — like nitrate, fluoride,
sulfate, and arsenic — are exchanged for other ions with a similar charge. Ions are atoms or molecules
containing a total number of electrons that are not equal to the total number of protons. It is based on use of
resins.

Electrodialysis: Electrodialysis is applied for the removal of dissolved ionic substances from water.
Amongst other desalination processes, such as ion exchange, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis, the main
advantages of electrodialysis are high water recovery, selective desalination, low chemical demand and low
energy demand. Electrodialysis is a membrane-based process involving transport of ions through
semipermeable membranes using an applied electric field. The applications employing electrodialysis include
desalination, table salt production, wine stabilization, whey demineralization, and pickling bath recovery.