UNIT 4 Environmental Pollution

Air Pollution - causes, effects and control measures

Air pollution - Air pollution may be defined as the presence of one or more contaminants like
dust, mist, smoke and colour in the atmosphere that are injurious human beings, plants and
animals.

Air Pollution-It is an undesirable change in the physical, chemical or biological characteristics

of air.
Air Pollutants-They are the substances which pollute the air. Some of the common pollutants
are dust, soot, ash, carbon monoxide, excess of carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, oxides of
nitrogen, hydrocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons(CFC), lead compounds, asbestos dust, cement dust,
pollens and radioactive rays.

Sources of Air pollution

Sources of air pollution are of two types.

Natural sources and Artificial sources

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.

Man made /Artificial sources are those which are created by man. Ex: Thermal power plants,
Vehicular emissions, Fossil fuel burning, agricultural activities etc.

Manmade Sources of Air Pollution-They are population explosion, deforestation, urbanisation

and industrialisation, whose effects can be explained as follows:
1. Burning of fuels like wood, cow dung cakes, coal and kerosene in homes pollute the air.
2. Exhaust gases emitted by motor vehicles which pollute the air are the major source of air
pollution in big cities.
3. Industries pollute air by releasing various types of pollutants such as sulphur dioxide,
oxides of carbon, nitrogen oxide, chlorine, asbestos dust and cement dust.
4. Thermal power plants pollute air by emitting sulphur dioxide and fly-ash.
5. Nuclear power plants pollute air by releasing radioactive rays.
6. Use of fertilisers and pesticides in agriculture pollute the air.
7. Mining activities releases particulate matter into the air and pollutes it.
8. Indiscriminate cutting of trees and clearing of forests increases the amount of carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere and thereby pollutes it.
9. Use of chlorofluorocarbons in refrigeration, fire extinguishers and aerosol sprayers
pollutes air by depleting the ozone layer.
 10. Smoking pollutes air by emitting carbon monoxide and nicotine.

Classification of Air Pollutants

Depending on the form of pollutants present in the environment, they are classified as:
1. Primary pollutants and
2. Secondary pollutants
Primary pollutants are those that are directly emitted in the atmosphere in the harmful form
Ex: CO, NO, CO2, SO2 etc.

Secondary pollutants are those that are formed by reacting with other components or some basic
component of the atmosphere to form new pollutants.
Ex: Oxides of Nitrogen (NO2 or NO3) react with moisture in the atmosphere to give Nitric acid

Indoor air pollutants are primary air pollutants. The most important indoor air pollutant
is Radon gas.
Sources of indoor air pollutants are:
1. Radon gas is emitted from building materials like bricks, concrete, tiles, etc that
are derived from soil containing radium
2. Radon is also found in natural gas and ground water and is emitted while being
used.
3. Burning fuel in the kitchen and cigarette smoke release pollutants like CO, SO2,
HCHO (Formaldehyde) and BAP (Benzo-(A) pyrene).

Cause of Air Pollution:

The various causes of air pollution are:

(i) Combustion of natural gas, petroleum, coal and wood in industries, automobiles, aircrafts,
railways, thermal plants, agricultural burning, kitchens, etc. (soot, flyash, CO2, CO, nitrogen
oxides, sulphur oxides).
(ii) Metallurgical processing (mineral dust, fumes containing fluorides, sulphides and metallic
pollutants like lead, chromium, nickel, beryllium, arsenic, vanadium, cadmium, zinc, mercury).

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(iii) Chemical industries including pesticides, fertilizers, weedicides, fungicides.

(iv) Cosmetics.

(v) Processing industries like cotton textiles, wheat flour mills, asbestos.

(vi) Welding, stone crushing, gem grinding.

(vii)Rapid industrialization
(viii)Fast urbanization
 ix)Rapid growth in population
x)Growth of vehicles on the roads and
xi)Activities of human beings have disturbed the natural balance of the atmosphere.

Natural air pollutants include (a) pollen, spores, (b) marsh gas, (c) volcanic gases and (a)
synthesis of harmful chemicals by electric storms and solar flares. The major cause of pollution
in the urban areas is automobiles which inefficiently burn petroleum, releases 75% of noise and
80% of air pollutants. Concentration of industries in one area is another major cause of air
pollution.

Effect of Air Pollutants:

Air pollutants are broadly classified into particulate and gaseous. The particulate substances
include solid and liquid particles. The gaseous include substances that are in the gaseous state at
normal temperature and pressure. The air pollutants have adverse effect on human beings,
animals, vegetation, buildings. Air pollutants also change earth’s climate. Aesthetic sense is also
influenced by air pollutants. The different air pollutants and their effects are as follows:

1. Particulate Matter:
It is of two types—settleable and suspended. The settleable dusts have a particle longer than 10
(am. The smaller particles are able to remain suspended for long periods in the air. The important
effects of particulate matter are.

(i) Dust and smoke particles cause irritation of the respiratory tract and produces bronchitis,
asthma and lung diseases.

(ii) Smog is a dark or opaque fog which is formed by the dust and smoke particles causing
condensation of water vapours around them as well as attracting chemicals like SO 2, H2S, NO2,
etc. Smog harms plant life through glazing and necrosis besides reduced availability of light. In
human beings and animals it produces respiratory troubles.
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(iii) Particulate matter suspended in air, scatters and partly absorbs light. In industrial and urban
areas, sunlight is reduced to 1/3 in summer and 2/3 in winter.

(iv) At a concentration above 150 g/100m 3, cotton dust in ginning process produces
pneumoconiosis or lung fibrosis called byssinosis. Lung fibrosis produced in other industries
includes asbestosis (in asbestos industry), silicosis (stone grinders), siderosis (iron mill), coal
miners’ pneumoconiosis, flour mill pneumoconiosis, etc.
2. Carbon monoxide:
It accounts for 50% of the total atmospheric pollutants. It is formed by incomplete combustion of
carbon fuels in various industries, motor vehicles, hearths, kitchens, etc. Carbon monoxide
combines with haemoglobin of blood and impairs its oxygen carrying capacity. At higher
concentration, carbon monoxide proves lethal.
3. Sulphur Oxides:
They occur mainly in the form of sulphur dioxide. It is produced in large quantity during
smelting of metallic ores and burning of petroleum and coal in industries, thermal plants, home
and motor vehicles. In the air, SO2 combines with water to form sulphurous acid (H 2SO3) which
is the cause of acid rain. It causes chlorosis and necrosis of vegetation. Sulphur dioxide, above 1
ppm, affects human beings. It causes irritation to eyes and injury to respiratory tract. It results in
discolouration and deterioration of buildings, sculptures, painted surfaces, fabrics, paper, leather,
etc.
4. Nitrogen Oxides:
They are produced naturally through biological and non-biological activities from nitrates,
nitrites, electric storms, high energy radiations and solar flares. Human activity forms nitrogen
oxides in combustion process of industries, automobiles, incinerators and nitrogen fertilizers.
Nitrogen oxides act on unsaturated hydrocarbons to form peroxy-acyl nitrates or PAN. It gives
rise to photochemical smog. They cause eye irritation, respiratory troubles, blood congestion and
dilation of arteries.

5. Carbon dioxide:
Due to excessive combustion activity, the content of C0 2 has been steadily rising. As carbon
dioxide accumulates in the atmosphere it absorbs more and more of the reflected infrared
radiation. This could cause an increase in temperature referred to as the green house effect.
Melting polar ice caps and glaciers could cause sea levels to rise, flooding most of the major
population centres and fertile lands.
6. Phosgene and Methyl Isocyanate:
Phosgene (COCl2) is a poisonous and suffocating volatile liquid which is employed in dye
industry and synthesis of organic compounds. Release of phosgene and MIC in industrial
accident of Bhopal (Dec. 2, 1984) killed over 2500 and maimed several thousand persons.
7. Aerosols:
They are widely used as disinfectants. Other sources are jet plane emissions which contain
chlorofluorocarbons. Chlorofluorocarbons are also used in refrigeration and formation of certain
types of solid plastic foams. Burning of plastics produces polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The
latter are persistent and pass into the food chain. Chlorofluorocarbons and carbon tetrachloride
react with ozone layers of stratosphere and hence deplete the same.

8. Photochemical oxidants:
Hydrocarbons have carcinogen properties. Some of these are also harmful to plants because they
cause senescence and abscission. In the presence of sunlight, hydrocarbons react with nitrogen
oxides to produce ozone, peroxy-acyl nitrates, aldehydes and other compounds. Peroxy-acyl
nitrates are a major constituent of air pollution. They cause eye irritation and respiratory
diseases.

9. Automobile Exhausts:
They are one of the major sources of air pollution. The important pollutants are Carbon
monoxide, Benzpyrene, Lead, Nitrogen oxides, Sulphur compounds and Ammonia.
10. Pollen and Microbes:
Excess of microbes in the atmosphere directly damage the vegetation, food articles and causes
diseases in plants, animals and human beings. Excess of pollen causes allergic reactions in
several human beings. The common reactions are also collectively called hay-fever. The
important allergic pollen belong to Amaranthus spinosus, Chenopodium album, Cynodon
dactylon, Ricinus communis, Sorghum vulgare, Prosopis chilensis etc.

The composition of Air is given below:

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

SOURCES AND COMMON EFFECTS OF COMMON AIR POLLUTANTS

Carbonmonoxide: It is a colourless, odourless gas that is poisonous animals. It is formed by
incomplete combustion of carbon containing fuels.
Source of carbonmonoxide is cigarette smoking and incomplete combustion of fossil fuels (more
than 77% comes from motor vehicle exhaust)
Health effects include reduced ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen to body cells and
tissues. This leads to headache and anemia. At high levels it causes coma, irreversible brain
damage and death.

Nitrogen Dioxide: It is a reddish-brown irritating gas that causes photochemical smog. In the
atmosphere, it gets converted into nitric acid (HNO3). It is caused by burning fossil fuels in
industries and power plants.
Health effects include lung irritation and damage. Environmental effects involve acid deposition
leading to damage of trees, lakes, soil and ancient monuments. NO2 can damage fabrics.

Sulphur Dioxide: It is a colourless and irritating gas that is formed by combustion of sulphur
containing fossil fuels such as coal and oil. In the atmosphere it is converted into Sulphuric acid
which is a major component of acid deposition.
Health effects involve breathing problems for healthy people.
Environmental effects involve reduced visibility and acid deposition on trees, lakes, soils and
monuments leading to their deterioration and adverse effect on aquatic life.

Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM): Includes a variety of particles and droplets (aerosols)
that can be suspended in atmosphere for short to long periods.
Human sources for SPM include burning coal in power and industrial units, burning diesel and
other fuels in vehicles, agriculture, unpaved roads, construction, etc.
Health effects include nose and throat irritation, ling damage, bronchitis, asthama, reproductive
problems and cancer.
Environmental Effects include reduced visibility and acid deposition. Acid deposition may lead
to damaged trees, soils and aquatic life in lakes.

Ozone is a highly reactive gas with an unpleasant odour occurring in the stratosphere where it
protects mankind fro the harmful ultra-violet rays from the Sun. However on earth, it is a
pollutant.
It occurs on earth due to reaction between Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Nitrogen
Oxides. It moderates the climate

Photochemical smog is a browinsh smoke that frequently forms on clear, sunny days over large
cities with significant amounts of automobile traffic.It is mainly due to chemical reactions among
nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons in the presence of sunlight.
Health effects include breathing problems, cough, eye, nose and throat irritation, heart diseases,
reduced resistance to colds and pneumonia.
Environmental effects involve damage to plants and trees. Additionally, Smog reduces visibility.

Lead is a solid and highly toxic metal. Its compounds are emitted into the atmosphere as
particulate matter.
Human Sources: Paint, Smelters (metal refineries), lead manufacture, storage batteries, leaded
petrol, etc
Health effects: Lead accumulates in the body and brain leading to nervous system damage and
mental retardation (especially in children), digestive and other health problems. Lead containing
chemicals are known to cause cancer in test animals.
Environmental Effects: It can harm wildlife.

Hydrocarbons Lower haydrocarbons accumulate due to decay of vegetable matter.

Human effects: They are carcinogenic

Chromium: It is a solid toxic metal emitted into the atmosphere as particulate matter.
Human sources: Paint, Smelters, Chromium manufacture, Chromium plating.
Health Effects: Perforation of nasal septum, chrome holes, etc.

Other effects of air pollution

1. Air pollution affects respiratory system causing breathing difficulties and diseases such
as bronchitis, asthma, lung cancer, tuberculosis and pneumonia.
2. It affects the central nervous system causing carbon monoxide poisoning. CO has more
affinity for haemoglobin than oxygen and thus forms a stable compound carboxy
haemoglobin(COHb), which is poisonous and causes suffocation and death.
3. It causes depletion of ozone layer due to which ultraviolet radiations can reach the earth
and cause skin cancer, damage to eyes and immune system.
 4. It causes acid rain which damages crop plants, trees, buildings, monuments, statues and
metal structures and also makes the soil acidic.
5. It causes greenhouse effect and global warming which leads to excessive heating of
earth's atmosphere, further leading to weather variability and rise in sea level. The increased
temperature may cause melting of ice caps and glaciers, resulting in floods.
6. Air pollution from certain metals, pesticides and fungicides causes serious ailments.
 Lead pollution causes anaemia, brain damage, convulsions and death.
 Certain metals cause problem in kidney, liver, circulatory system and nervous system.
 Fungicides cause nerve damage and death.
 Pesticides like DDT(Dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane) which are toxic enter into our
food chain and gets accumulated in the body causing kidney disorders and problems of
brain and circulatory system.

CONTROL MEASURES
The atmosphere has several built-in self cleaning processes such as dispersion, gravitational
settling, flocculation, absorption, rain-washout, etc to cleanse the atmosphere. However, control
of contaminants at their source level is a desirable and effective method through preventive or
control technologies.
Source control: Some measures that can be adopted in this direction are:
1. Using unleaded petrol
2. Using fuels with low sulphur and ash content
3. Encouraging people to use public transport, walk or use a cycle as opposed to
private vehicles
4. Ensure that houses, schools, restaurants and playgrounds are not located on busy
streets
5. Plant trees along busy streets as they remove particulates, carbon dioxide and
absorb noise
6. Industries and waste disposal sites should be situated outsdide the city preferably
on the downwind of the city.
7. Catalytic converters should be used to help control emissions of carbon monoxide
and hydrocarbons
Control measures in industrial centers
1. Emission rates should be restricted to permissible levels by each and every
industry
2. Incorporation of air pollution control equipment in design of plant layout must be
made mandatory
3. Continuous monitoring of the atmosphere for pollutants should be carried out to
know the emission levels.
EQUIPMENT USED TO CONTROL AIR POLLUTION
The following equipment is used to control air pollution:
 1. Control of SPM by gravitation
Control of SPM by gravitation
Equipment used: Gravitational Settling Chamber A typical gravitational chamber is shown
below.

The dust laden gas enters at the inlet and due to the sudden increase in cross-section the
particulate matter settles at the bottom and can be removed from the dust hoppers as shown
The clean gas free from particulate matter exits from the outlet
IMPORTANT FACTS:
Simple to construct and maintain
Efficient to remove particles of diameter greater than 50 mm from gas streams
They are used as pre-cleaners before passing gases through high efficiency collection devices
They rely on gravitational settling and are the simplest and oldest mechanical collectors for
removal of particulates from gas streams
Flow within the chamber must be uniform without macroscopic mixing
Dust removal system must be sealed to prevent production of turbulence due to air from leaking
into chamber
Efficiency of the equipment increases with increased residence time of the waste gas. Hence, the
equipment is operated at lowest possible gas velocity
The size of the unit depends on:
gas velocity which should preferably be less than 0.3 m/s
ADVANTAGES
Low capital and energy cost
Low maintenance and operating costs
Low pressure drop
Reliable
Equipment is not subjected to abrasion due to low gas velocity
Equipment provides incidental cooling of gas stream
Temperature and pressure limitations depend on material of construction
Pollutants are collected in dry state
DISADVANTAGES
Low particulate matter collection efficiency
Unable to handle sticky materials
Large size
Trays in multiple tray settling chamber may warp under high temperatures.

2. Control of SPM by centrifugation

Equipment used: Cyclonic separator
Centrifugation is a process that involves the use of centrifugal force for sedimentation of a
heterogeneous mixture with a centrifuge. It involves removal of particulates from air, gas or a
liquid stream without use of filters with a vortex separation. When removing particulates from a
gaseous stream, a gas cyclone is used while a hydrocyclone is used to remove particulates from a
liquid stream. This method can also be used to separate fine droplets of liquid from a gaseous
stream.
A high speed rotating air flow is formed in a cylindrical or conical container called a cyclone.
Air flows in a helical pattern from the top to a narrow bottom as show,

Cyclones use the principle of inertia to remove particulate matter from a gas stream. Several
cyclones operating in parallel is known as multicyclone. In a cyclone separator, dirty gas is fed
into a chamber where a spiral vortex exists. The large particles hit the inside walls of the
container and drop down into the collection hooper. The clean flue gas escapes from the top of
the chamber. Cyclones can be used efficiently to remove particles of size 10 microns or more.
High efficiency cyclones can remove particles of dimeter as small as 2.5 microns. They are the
least expensive of all particulate collection devices. They are used as rough separators before the
gas is passed through fine filtration systems. Their efficiency is between 50-99%. Cyclone
separators work best on flue gases that contain large amount of big particulate matter.
ADVANTAGES:
Cyclones are less expensive to install or maintain as they do not contain any moving parts
It is easy to dispose particulate matter as it is collected in the dry state
Space requirement is very less
DISADVANTAGES:
They are not efficient in collecting particulate matter smaller than 10 microns
They cannnot handle sticky material

3. Control of SPM by filtration

In a fabric filter system, a stream of the polluted gas is made to pass through a fabric that filters
out the particulate pollutant and allows the clear gas to pass through. The particulate matter is
left in the form of a thin dust mat on the insides of the bag. This dust mat acts as a filtering
medium for further removal of particulates increasing the efficiency of the filter bag to sieve
more sub micron particles (0.5 µm).

A typical filter is a tubular bag which is closed at the upper end and has a hopper attached at the
lower end to collect the particles when they are dislodged from the fabric. Many such bags are
hung in a baghouse. For efficient filtration and a longer life the filter bags must be cleaned
occasionally by a mechanical shaker to prevent too many particulate layers from building up on
the inside surfaces of the bag. A typical bag house filter is shown in the figure below.
ADVANTAGES:
Bag filter is a high quality performance instrument to effectively control particulate emissions
and its efficiency is as high as 99%
Collection efficiency is not affected by sulphur content in fuel
It is not sensitive to particle size distribution
It does not require high voltage
It can be used to collect flammable dust
Special fiber or filter aids can be used to sub-micron level smoke and fumes
DISADVANTAGES:
Fabric life is reduced due to presence of highly acidic or alkaline atmospheres, especially at high
temperatures
Maximum operating temperature is 500 F
Collection of hygroscopic materials or condensation of moisture can lead to fabric plugging, loss
of cleaning efficiency and large pressure losses.
Certain dusts may require special fabric treatments to aid in reducing leakage or to help in cake
removal
Fabric bags are prone to burning or melting at extreme temperatures.

4. Control of SPM by scrubbing

A scrubber is a system used to remove harmful materials from industrial exhaust gases before
they are released into the environment. The two main ways to scrub pollutants out of exhaust are:
Dry scrubbing and
Wet scrubbing
In dry scrubbing, harmful components of exhausted flue gas are removed by introducing a solid
substance (usually in the powdered form) in the gas stream.

Wet scrubbing involves removal of harmful components from exhaust by spraying a liquid
substance through the gas.
Both methods work similarly and perform the same process of removing pollutants. The
difference lies in the materials they use to remove the pollutant from the gas stream. By
removing acidic gases from the exhaust before it is released into the atmosphere, scrubbers help
in the prevent the formation of acid rain.
Scrubbing is sometimes referred to as flue gas desulfurization.

Scrubbing is the most effective technique for the removal of oxides of sulphur and is widely
used. Scrubbers remove sulphur oxides from flue gases by passing the gases through a spray of
water in a wet scrubber that contains many chemicals, mainly calcium carbonate.
If a dry scrubber is used, the flue gas comes in contact with pulverised limestone. The chemical
reaction between suphur dioxide and calcium carbonate yields calcium sulphite. The calcium
sulphite either falls out of the gas stream or is removed with other particulates.
Scrubbers are highly efficient and remove almost 98% of sulphur from flue gases. However, they
are expensive to maintain and install. They are also energy intensive as the flue gas must be
reheated after coming into contact with water vapour in the wet scrubber to make the gas
buoyant to exit the smoke stacks.

5. Control of SPM by Electrostatic precipitator

An Electrostatic precipitator is mainly used to control particulate matter. An Electrostatic
precipitator uses electrostatic forces to separate dust particles from exhaust gases. A number of
high-voltage, direct-current discharge electrodes are placed between grounded collecting
electrodes. The contaminated gases flow through the passage formed by the discharge and
collecting electrodes as shown in the figure below.
Air borne particles receive a negative charge as they pass through the ionized field between the
electrodes. These charged particles are then attracted to the oppositely charged electrode and
stick to it. The collected material is then removed by rapping or vibrating the electrodes.
Cleaning the electrodes is done without interrupting the air flow.
The main components of all electrostatic precipitators are:

 a power supply unit to supply high voltage DC power

 ionizing section to impart a charge to the particulates in the gas stream
 an attachment to remove the collected particulates
 a housing to enclose the precipitator zone

The following factors influence the collection efficiency of electrostatic precipitators:

 Larger collection surface areas and lower gas flow rates increase efficiency of
electrostatic precipitators due to increased time for the electrical activity to collect the dust
particles
 The dust particle migration velocity to the collecting electrodes can be increased by:
 Decreasing gas velocity
 Increasing gas temperature and
 Increasing the voltage field

There are two types of precipitators:

1. Single-stage precipitators that combine an ionization and collection step also

known as cottrell precipitators. It is mainly used in mineral processing operations.
2. Low voltage, two stage precipitators that use a similar principle, but in this case,
the ionization section is followed by collection plates. It is mainly used for filtration in
air-conditioning systems.
Electrostatic precipitators may be:
Plate precipitators in which particles are collected on flat parallel surfaces about 20 to 30 cm
apart with a series of discharge electrodes spaced along the centerline of two adjacent plates. The
contaminated particles pass through the passage between the plates and the particles get charged
and adhere to the collection plates. The particles are eventually removed by rapping the plates
and the dust is collected in the hoppers or bins placed at the base of the precipitator.
Tubular precipitators consist of cylindrical collection electrodes with discharge electrodes
located on the axis of the cylinder. The contaminated gases flow around the discharge electrode
and through the inside of the cylinders. The charged particles are collected on the grounded walls
of the cylinder. The collected dust is removed from the bottom of the cylinder. They are
generally used for collection of mist or fog or for adhesive, sticky, radioactive or extremely toxic
materials.
Air pollution can be reduced by adopting the following approaches.
1. Ensuring sufficient supply of oxygen to the combustion chamber and adequate
temperature so that the combustion is complete thereby eliminating much of the smoke
consisting of partly burnt ashes and dust.
2. To use mechanical devices such as scrubbers, cyclones, bag houses and electro-
static precipitators in manufacturing processes. The equipment used to remove
particulates from the exhaust gases of electric power and industrial plants are shown
below. All methods retain hazardous materials that must be disposed safely. Wet scrubber
can additionally reduce sulphur dioxide emissions.
3. The air pollutants collected must be carefully disposed. The factory fumes are
dealt with chemical treatment.

Other Control measures of Air Pollution:

1. Industrial estates should be established at a distance from residential areas.

2. Use of tall chimneys shall reduce the air pollution in the surroundings and compulsory use of
filters and electrostatic precipitators in the chimneys.

3. Removal of poisonous gases by passing the fumes through water tower scrubber or spray
collector.

4. Use of high temperature incinerators for reduction in particulate ash production.

5. Development and employment of non-combustive sources of energy, e.g., nuclear power,

geothermal power, solar power, tidal power, wind power, etc.

6. Use of non-lead antiknock agents in gasoline.

7. Attempt should be made to develop pollution free fuels for automobiles, e.g., alcohol,
hydrogen, battery power. Automobiles should be fitted with exhaust emission controls.
8. Industrial plants and refineries should be fitted with equipment for removal and recycling of
wastes.

9. Growing plants capable of fixing carbon monoxide, e.g. Phaseolus vulgaris, Coleus blumei,
Daucus carota, Ficus variegata (Bidwell and Bebee, 1974).

10. Growing plants capable of metabolising nitrogen oxides and other gaseous pollutants, e.g.,
Vitis, Pimis, Jttniperus, Quercus, Pyrus, Robinia pseudo-acacia, Viburnum, Crataegus, Ribes,
Rhamnus.

11. Afforestation of the mining area on priority basis.

12.Different techniques are used for controlling air pollution caused by 'gaseous pollutants' and
that caused by 'particulate pollutants'.
 Methods of controlling gaseous pollutants-The air pollution caused by gaseous
pollutants like hydrocarbons, sulphur dioxide, ammonia, carbon monoxide, etc can be
controlled by using three different methods-Combustion, Absorption and Adsorption.
1. Combustion-This technique is applied when the pollutants are organic gases or vapours.
The organic air pollutants are subjected to 'flame combustion or catalytic combustion' when
they are converted to less harmful product carbon dioxide and a harmless product water.
2. Absorption-In this method, the polluted air containing gaseous pollutants is passed
through a scrubber containing a suitable liquid absorbent. The liquid absorbs the harmful
gaseous pollutants present in air.
3. Adsorption-In this method, the polluted air is passed through porous solid adsorbents
kept in suitable containers. The gaseous pollutants are adsorbed at the surface of the porous
solid and clean air passes through.
 Methods of controlling particulate emissions-The air pollution caused by particulate
matter like dust, soot, ash, etc can be controlled by using fabric filters, wet scrubbers,
electrostatic precipitators and certain mechanical devices.
1. Mechanical Devices-It works on the basis of following:
 Gravity-In this process, the particulate settle down by the action of gravitational force
and get removed.
 Sudden change in the direction of air flow-It brings about separation of particles due to
greater momentum.
2. Fabric Filters-The particulate matter is passed through a porous medium made of woven or
filled fabrics.
 The particulate present in the polluted air are filtered and gets collected in the fabric
filters, while the gases are discharged.
 The process of controlling air pollution by using fabric filters is called 'bag filtration'.
3. Wet Scrubbers-They are used to trap SO2, NH3 and metal fumes by passing the fumes
through water.
4. Electrostatic Precipitators-When the polluted air containing particulate pollutants is passed
through an electrostatic precipitator, it induces electric charge on the particles and then the
aerosol particles get precipitated on the electrodes.
Some other methods of controlling Air Pollution:
1. Tall chimneys should be installed in factories.
2. Better designed equipment and smokeless fuels should be used in homes and industries.
3. Renewable and non-polluting sources of energy like solar energy, wind energy, etc
should be used.
4. Automobiles should be properly maintained and adhere to emission control standards.
5. More trees should be planted along roadsides and houses.