LEC 3 ENVI SCI

Air Pollution

Are substances that make air smelly,

discolored, or hazardous to breathe

Air Pollutants

Any chemical, physical (e.g., dust) or biological substance that changes the natural characteristics of the atmosphere

1. stationary sources,

2. mobile sources,

3. Area Sources

Emissions of air pollution come from four major source types:

Stationary Sources

factories, power plants, industrial facilities, and other fixed sources.

Mobile Sources

vehicles such as cars, buses, trucks, and motorcycles

Area Sources

activities that produce pollution over a broad area, such as construction, open burning, and similar activities.

Republic Act 8749

Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999

Agriculture Area Source

Animals confined to a barn or area (vs grazing animals), produce large amounts of manure.

Manure

emits various gases, particularly ammonia, into the air

Amonia

What gas does manure produce?

Biogenic (Natural Sources) Area Sources

Erupting volcano and Forest and prairie fires are examples of this area sources

Plants and trees

These emit hydrocarbons, and dust storms can create large amounts of particulate matter

Major Pollutants

▪ Particulate Matter

▪ Nitrogen Oxides

▪ Sulfur Dioxide

▪ Carbon Dioxide

▪ Carbon Oxide (Carbon Monoxides)

▪ Volatile Organic Compounds

▪ Ozone

Particulate Matter

Tiny solid or liquid particles that are small enough to remain suspended in the air.

Particulate Matter

Key component of smog

PM10

coarse particles that have diameters of less

than 10μm, which is roughly one-eighth the

diameter of a human hair;

Examples of PM 10

lead, iron, copper, nickel particulates

Carbon Monoxide

a very poisonous gas produced by incomplete fuel combustion

Hemoglobin

carbon monoxide has greater affinity with

Carbon Monoxide

Gas that causes drowsiness, headache, dizziness and nausea

Carbon Monoxide

can lead to asphyxiation or even death

Carbon dioxide

a primary product of combustion

Greenhouse gas

Carbon dioxide is considered as

Lead

Burning of lead gasolin that cause neurotoxins

Smog

was originally referred to as a mixture of smoke and fog.

Smog

It now becomes a generic term for a noxious (harmful) mixture of gases and particles in the air.

Smog

often be seen, especially over heavily populated areas, as a brownish-yellow or greyish-white haze in the ai

Volatile Organic Compounds

volatile hydrocarbon components of consumer products (paint thinners, roof tar, petroleum distillates)

Volatile Organic Solvents

Evaporating solvents and propellants (nail polish, deodorants, after-shave lotions, hair sprays,insecticides

Primary Pollutants

Pollutants that enters the air as the direct result of a specific activity

Secondary Pollutants

Pollutants formed by the further reaction of a primary air

Greenhouse Gas

The greenhouse effect is the rise in temperature that the Earth experiences because certain gases in the atmosphere (water vapor, CO2, Nitrous oxide, and methane) trap the energy from the Sun

10/31 zmikss

Thickness of stratosphere

0-10 miles

Thickness of Troposphere

UV-C

Absorbed in the Stratosphere by Ozone

UV-B

Absorbed mostly by ozone

UV-A

Partially absorbed by Ozone

63.7%

Percentage of CO2

6%

Percentage of N2O

11%

Percentage of CFC

18.9%

Percentage of Methane

Sources of Greenhouse Gases

• Thermal power stations based on fossil fuels, mainly coal and mineral oil emit huge amounts of CO2.

• Numerous factories and industrial chimney waste.

• Automobiles

• Deforestation and burning of fossil fuels

Impact of Greenhouse Effect

• Global warming and climate change

• Rise of sea level

• Worsening of health effects

• Changing forest and natural areas

• Challenges to agriculture and food supply

• Effect on the ozone layer

• Effect on oceanic climate

Global Warming

is the long-term heating of Earth's surface observed since the pre-industrial period (between 1850 and 1900) due to human activities.

Between 1850-1900

Period of pre-industrialization

Climate Change

refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns.

Acid Deposition

Any form of precipitation with acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid that fall to the ground from the atmosphere in wet or dry forms.

Wet deposition (Acid Rain)

Rain or any other form of precipitation that is acidic.

Dry Deposition

acidified particles and gases which are deposited directly from the air.

Two Types of Acid Deposition

Wet and Dry Deposition

Clean Rain

naturally slightly acidic (pH of 5.6), containing acids formed when carbon dioxide reacts with atmospheric moisture

Less than 5.6 (<5.6) pH

Acid rain has what pH level

Impacts of Acid Deposition

• Surface water (rivers, lakes etc) and aquatic animals

• Soils

• Forests and vegatations

• Human Health

• Building and the Urban environment

Dissolving

Some gases, which are more soluble in a particular liquid than air, for example, ammonia in water, can be separated by

Gravity Settling Tanks

Particles larger than 50 mm are separated in

extracting sulphur from the fuel before use.

SO2 pollution can be controlled by

Pollution Control Laws

These laws should be enforced strictly

Population Growth

the leading cause of pollution

Trees

should be planted on the roadside, riverbanks, parks and open places as they keep the environment fresh.

Nuclear Explosion

This explosion should be restricted.

balanced and healthful ecology

The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a ______ and __________ in accord with the rhythm and harmony in nature

Area-based

The State recognizes that the responsibility of cleaning the habitat and environment is primarily

Polluters must pay

The State also recognizes the principle that

concern of all

the State recognizes that a clean and healthy environment is for the good of all and should, therefore, be the _____

holistic national program of air pollution management

Formulate a _____________ that shall be implemented by the government through proper delegation and effective coordination of functions and activities;

cooperation and self-regulation

Encourage _____________ among citizens and industries through the application of market-based instruments;

Pollution prevention

Focus primarily on ________ rather than on control and provide for a comprehensive management program for air pollution

Promote Public information and education

and to encourage the participation of an informed and active public in air quality planning and monitoring; and

Formulate and enforce a system of accountability for short and long-term adverse environmental impact of a project, program or activity.

This shall include the setting up of a funding or guarantee mechanism for clean-up and environmental rehabilitation and compensation for personal damages.

Recognition of Rights in Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999

• right to breathe clean air;

• utilize and enjoy all natural resources

• right to participate

• right to be informed of the nature and extent of the potential hazard of any activity

• right of access to public records

• right to bring action in court or quasi-judicial bodies

• right to bring action in court

The Department (EMB)

shall be the primary government agency responsible for the implementation and enforcement of this Act.

Environmental Management Bureau

EMB stands for

Role of Local Government Units

Local Government Units (LGUs) shall share the responsibility in the management and maintenance of air quality within their territorial jurisdiction.

Environment and natural resources officer

There may be established an Environment and Natural Resources Office in every province, city, or municipality which shall be headed by the

DENR Secretary

The Board shall be headed by the

RA 8749 - Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999

Philippine law designed to protect and improve the country’s air quality and prevent air pollution that can harm human health, ecosystems, and the environment.

Purpose of RA 8749

1. Prevent and control air pollution.

2. Protect the public from the harmful effects of polluted air.

3. Maintain clean and healthy air for present and future generations.

Main Goal of RA 8749

Clean air → healthier people + healthier environment