Air pollution Air pollution may be defined as any atmospheric condition in which substances are present at concentrations, above

their ambient levels, to produce measurable adverse effect on man, animal, vegetation or materials.

Composition of atmospheric gases in clean, dry air at ground level: Gas Nitrogen (N2) Oxygen (O2) Argon (Ar) Carbon dioxide (CO2) Neon Helium (He) Methane (CH4) Krypton (Kr) Hydrogen (H2) Dinitrogen Oxide (N2O) Carbon monoxide (CO) Zenon (Xe) Ozone (O3) Ammonia (NH3) Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) Nitric oxide (NO) Sulfur dioxide (SO2) Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) Sources of Indoor Air Pollution y y y y y Cooking (especially using biomass fuel in traditional cooking stoves in developing countries) Tobacco Smoking Heating appliance Vapor from building materials, paints, furniture etc. Radon ( natural radioactive gas released from earth) Concentration (ppm by volume) 780,000 209,500 9,300 320 18 5.2 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.08 0.02 0.006 0.001 0.0006 0.0002 0.0002 Concentration (% by volume) 78.09 20.95 0.93 0.032 0.0018 0.00052 0.00015 0.0001 0.00005 0.00002 0.00001 0.000008 0.000002 0.0000006 0.0000001 0.00000006 0.00000002 0.00000002

Pollution exposure at home and workplace is often greater than outdoors. Sources of Air Pollution y y Major source are use of fossil fuel for heating and cooling, for transportation, for industries and for energy conversion. Incineration of various forms of industrial, municipal and private wastes

Certain chemicals (e.g., perchloriethylene from dry cleaners, methylene chloride used as solvent and paint stripper) and materials (e.g., asbestos used as fire proofing materials) used in different processes and purposes also contribute to air pollution.

Major Sources (Outdoor Pollution) 1. Mobile sources/ transportation include motor vehicle, rail, ship, aircraft 2. Stationary source include utility, industrial, institutional and commercial facilities. Examples are power plant, heating plant, paper pulp industries, petroleum refineries, municipal waste combustor. 3. Area source includes may individual small activities, e.g., gasoline service stations, small paint shops, open burning associated with solid waste, agriculture and forest management, cooking in slum areas. 4. Incineration and burning of wastes 5. Miscellaneous: resuspension from road, domestic fuel, wood burning, forest fire, volcanic activity, pollen grains, bacterial, viruses etc. Major types of pollutants Criteria pollutants: y y Six major air pollutants indentified as causing health effects at concentration above their threshold established at levels known to be safe. These are o Carbon Monoxide (CO), o Lead (Pb), o Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), o Ozone (O3), o Sulfer Dioxide (SO2), o Particulate matter (PM)

Air Toxins y y y Pollutant those are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects. Air toxins can come from natural sources e.g., radon gas emitting from ground Man made sources, such as motor vehicles and industrial processes. Examples include benzene (from gasoline), perchloroethylene (from dry cleaners), and methylene chloride ( from paint)

Asbestos Asbestos is an incombustible chemical resistant, fibrous materials used for fire proofing as well as insulation, building materials, brake linings etc. asbestos fibers in the ambient air pose a risk to human health in the form of cancer and other diseases. Chloroflurocarbons (CFC)

CFCs are various compounds used as aerosol propellants, solvents and refrigerants. Such compounds when releases to the atmosphere contribute to the breakdown of stratospheric ozone layer which shields the earths surface from dangerous solar ultraviolet radiation. Classification of pollutants According to origin Primary pollutant: emitted directly into the atmosphere and are found in form in which they were emitted e.g., SOx, NOx etc Secondary pollutants: derived from the primary pollutants by chemical or photo chemical reactions in the atmosphere, e.g., ozone, peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) According to chemical composition Organic: e.g., hydrocarbons, aldehydes and ketone etc Inorganic According to state of matter Gaseous Particulate/aerosols Units of measurement: Usually expressed as: ppm = volume of pollutants per million volume of air mixtures mass per unit volume Relationship between mg/m3 and ppm: At standard condition [00C and 1 atm (101.325 kPa)], one mole of an ideal gas occupies 22.414 L Again from ideal gas law: P1V1/T1 = P2V2/T2 Combining the above two, we can derive Mg/m3 =(ppm x molecular weight)/(22.414) x (273 x P2 atm)/(T2 K) Regulations and standards Two types of standard: Emission standard: source can not emit more than a specified concentration of pollutant ( over a period of time) This is based on technology, economics, relation to airborne concentration

The objective is to control pollutant sources so that ambient pollutant concentrations are reduced to levels considered safe from public health point of view. Bangladesh environmental Conservation Rules (ECR) 1997 has set emission standard for motor vehicles, industries etc. The motor vehicle standard has been revised in July 2005. Ex. Petro/gas driven motor vehicle standard at the time of registration CO: 2.2 gm/km and HC+NOx = 0.5 gm/km Air quality standard

What Are the Six Common Air Pollutants?

The Clean Air Act requires EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for six common air pollutants. These commonly found air pollutants (also known as "criteria pollutants") are found all over the United States. They are particle pollution (often referred to as particulate matter), ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and lead. These pollutants can harm your health and the environment, and cause property damage. Of the six pollutants, particle pollution and ground-level ozone are the most widespread health threats. EPA calls these pollutants "criteria" air pollutants because it regulates them by developing human health-based and/or environmentally-based criteria (science-based guidelines) for setting permissible levels. The set of limits based on human health is called primary standards. Another set of limits intended to prevent environmental and property damage is called secondary standards. Click on one of the pollutants below for information on sources of the pollutant, why the pollutant is of concern, health and environmental effects, efforts underway to help reduce the pollutant, and other helpful resources.
y y y y

Ozone Particulate Matter Carbon Monoxide Nitrogen Oxides

y Sulfur Dioxide y Lead

Ozone (O3) is a gas composed of three oxygen atoms. It is not usually emitted directly into the air, but at ground-level is created by a chemical reaction between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the presence of sunlight. Ozone has the same chemical structure whether it occurs miles above the earth or at ground-level and can be "good" or "bad," depending on its location in the atmosphere. In the earth's lower atmosphere, ground-level ozone is considered "bad." Motor vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents as well as natural sources emit NOx and VOC that help form ozone. Ground-level ozone is the primary constituent of smog. Sunlight and hot weather cause ground-level ozone to form in harmful concentrations in the air. As a result, it is known as a summertime air pollutant. Many urban areas tend to have high levels of "bad" ozone, but even rural areas are also subject to increased ozone levels because wind carries ozone and pollutants that form it hundreds of miles away from their original sources. "Good" ozone occurs naturally in the stratosphere approximately 10 to 30 miles above the earth's surface and forms a layer that protects life on earth from the sun's harmful rays. Learn more about how ozone can be beneficial up high in the stratosphere but harmful at ground level.

Basic Information
Ground-level or "bad" ozone is not emitted directly into the air, but is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the presence of sunlight. Emissions from industrial facilities and electric utilities, motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents are some of the major sources of NOx and VOC. Breathing ozone, a primary component of smog, can trigger a variety of health problems including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and congestion. It can worsen bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Groundlevel ozone also can reduce lung function and inflame the linings of the lungs. Repeated exposure may permanently scar lung tissue.

Ground-level ozone also damages vegetation and ecosystems. In the United States alone, ozone is responsible for an estimated $500 million in reduced crop production each year. Under the Clean Air Act, EPA has set protective health-based standards for ozone in the air we breathe. EPA and others have instituted a variety of multi-faceted programs to meet these health-based standards. More about EPA s ozone standards and regulatory actions. Throughout the country, additional programs are being put into place to cut NOx and VOC emissions from vehicles, industrial facilities, and electric utilities. Programs are also aimed at reducing pollution by reformulating fuels and consumer/commercial products, such as paints and chemical solvents that contain VOC. Voluntary and innovative programs also encourage communities to adopt practices, such as carpooling, to reduce harmful emissions. More about EPAs innovative programs to reduce air pollution. Sunlight and hot weather help form ground-level ozone. Both also contribute to global warming and heat island effect.
y Learn more about the effect of ground-level ozone on health y Learn more about EPA's national and regional rules to reduce emissions of pollutants that form ozone

Health
Breathing ozone can trigger a variety of health problems including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and congestion. It can worsen bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Ground-level ozone also can reduce lung function and inflame the linings of the lungs. Repeated exposure may permanently scar lung tissue. The Clean Air Act requires EPA to set air quality standards to protect both public health and the public welfare (e.g. crops and vegetation). Ground-level ozone affects both.

Health Effects People with lung disease, children, older adults, and people who are active can be affected when ozone levels are unhealthy. Numerous scientific studies have linked ground-level ozone exposure to a variety of problems, including:

y y y y

airway irritation, coughing, and pain when taking a deep breath; wheezing and breathing difficulties during exercise or outdoor activities; inflammation, which is much like a sunburn on the skin; aggravation of asthma and increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis; and, y permanent lung damage with repeated exposures.

See the Air Quality Guide for Ozone for ways to protect your family's health when ozone levels reach the unhealthy range and ways you can help reduce ozone air pollution. Learn more about asthma.

Environmental Effects Ground-level ozone can have detrimental effects on plants and ecosystems. These effects include:
y interfering with the ability of sensitive plants to produce and store food, making them more susceptible to certain diseases, insects, other pollutants, competition and harsh weather; y damaging the leaves of trees and other plants, negatively impacting the appearance of urban vegetation, as well as vegetation in national parks and recreation areas; and y reducing forest growth and crop yields, potentially impacting species diversity in ecosystems.

Particulate matter," also known as particle pollution or PM, is a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets. Particle pollution is made up of a number of components, including acids (such as nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles. The size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems. EPA is concerned about particles that are 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller because those are the particles that generally pass through the throat and nose and enter the lungs. Once inhaled, these particles can affect the heart and lungs and cause serious health effects. EPA groups particle pollution into two categories:

y "Inhalable coarse particles," such as those found near roadways and dusty industries, are larger than 2.5 micrometers and smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter. y "Fine particles," such as those found in smoke and haze, are 2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller. These particles can be directly emitted from sources such as forest fires, or they can form when gases emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles react in the air.

Basic Information
Particle pollution (also called particulate matter or PM) is the term for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Some particles, such as dust, dirt, soot, or smoke, are large or dark enough to be seen with the naked eye. Others are so small, they can only be detected using an electron microscope.

How Big is Particle Pollution?

Particle pollution includes "inhalable coarse particles," with diameters larger than 2.5 micrometers and smaller than 10 micrometers and "fine particles," with diameters that are 2.5 micrometers and smaller. How small is 2.5 micrometers? Think about a single hair from your head. The average human hair is about 70 micrometers in diameter making it 30 times larger than the largest fine particle.

Enlarge this figure

These particles come in many sizes and shapes and can be made up of hundreds of different chemicals. Some particles, known as primary particles are emitted directly from a source, such as construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks or fires. Others form in complicated reactions in the atmosphere of chemicals such as sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides that are emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles. These particles, known as secondary particles, make up most of the fine particle pollution in the country. EPA regulates inhalable particles (fine and coarse). Particles larger than 10 micrometers (sand and large dust) are not regulated by EPA. More about EPA PM Standards and Regulatory Actions.
y Health: Particle pollution contains microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are so small that they can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems. The size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing

health problems. Small particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter pose the greatest problems, because they can get deep into your lungs, and some may even get into your bloodstream. More information about health. y Visibility: Fine particles (PM2.5) are the major cause of reduced visibility (haze) in parts of the United States, including many of our treasured national parks and wilderness areas. More information about visibility. y Reducing particle pollution: EPAs national and regional rules to reduce emissions of pollutants that form particle pollution will help state and local governments meet the Agencys national air quality standards. More information about reducing particle pollution.

PM Standards
Announcements September 21, 2006 - EPA strengthens National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particle Pollution.

y y y

Learn more about today's action Final Rule Fact Sheet (PDF, 8 pp, 63 KB)

The Clean Air Act requires EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six criteria pollutants, particle pollution (also known as particulate matter) is one of these. The Clean Air Act established two types of national air quality standards for particle pollution. Primary standards set limits to protect public health, including the health of "sensitive" populations such as asthmatics, children, and the elderly. Secondary standards set limits to protect public welfare, including protection against visibility impairment, damage to animals, crops, vegetation, and buildings. The nation's air quality standards for particulate matter were first established in 1971 and were not significantly revised until 1987, when EPA changed the indicator of the standards to regulate inhalable particles smaller than, or equal to, 10 micrometers in diameter (that's about 1/4 the size of a single grain of table salt). Ten years later, after a lengthy review, EPA revised the PM standards, setting separate standards for fine particles (PM2.5) based on their link to serious health problems ranging from increased symptoms, hospital admissions and emergency room visits for people with heart and lung disease, to premature death in people with heart or lung disease. The 1997 standards also retained but slightly revised standards for PM10 which were intended to regulate "inhalable coarse particles" that ranged from 2.5 to 10

micrometers in diameter. PM10 measurements, however, contain both fine and coarse particles. EPA revised the air quality standards for particle pollution in 2006. The 2006 standards tighten the 24-hour fine particle standard from the current level of 65 micrograms per cubic meter ( g/m3) to 35 g/m3, and retain the current annual fine particle standard at 15 g/m3. The Agency decided to retain the existing 24-hour PM10standard of 150 g/m3. The Agency revoked the annual PM10 standard, because available evidence does not suggest a link between long-term exposure to PM10 and health problems. The Clean Air Act requires EPA to review the latest scientific information and standards every five years. Before new standards are established, policy decisions undergo rigorous review by the scientific community, industry, public interest groups, the general public and the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). More about the process of reviewing the standards.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particle Pollution Pollutant Primary Stds. Revoked (1) Particulate Matter (PM10) 150 g/m3 15.0 g/m3 Particulate Matter (PM2.5) 35 g/m3 Averaging Times Annual (1) (Arithmetic Mean) 24-hour (2) Annual (3) (Arithmetic Mean) 24-hour (4) Same as Primary Same as Primary Same as Primary Secondary Stds.

(see the complete table of National Ambient Air Quality Standards at http://www.epa.gov/air/criteria.html) Units of measure for the standards are micrograms per cubic meter of air (g/m3). Footnotes: (1) - Due to a lack of evidence linking health problems to long-term exposure to coarse particle pollution, the agency revoked the annual PM10standard in 2006 (effective December 17, 2006). (2) - Not to be exceeded more than once per year on average over 3 years. (3) - To attain this standard, the 3-year average of the weighted annual mean PM2.5 concentrations from single or multiple community-oriented monitors must not exceed 15.0 g/m3. (4) - To attain this standard, the 3-year average of the 98th percentile of 24-hour concentrations

at each population-oriented monitor within an area must not exceed 35 g/m3 (effective December 17, 2006).

Health
The size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems. Small particles less than10 micrometers in diameter pose the greatest problems, because they can get deep into your lungs, and some may even get into your bloodstream. Exposure to such particles can affect both your lungs and your heart. Small particles of concern include "inhalable coarse particles" (such as those found near roadways and dusty industries), which are larger than 2.5 micrometers and smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter; and "fine particles" (such as those found in smoke and haze), which are 2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller. The Clean Air Act requires EPA to set air quality standards to protect both public health and the public welfare (e.g. crops and vegetation). Particle pollution affects both. Health Effects Particle pollution - especially fine particles - contains microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are so small that they can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems. Numerous scientific studies have linked particle pollution exposure to a variety of problems, including:
y increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing, or difficulty breathing, for example; y decreased lung function; y aggravated asthma; y development of chronic bronchitis; y irregular heartbeat; y nonfatal heart attacks; and y premature death in people with heart or lung disease.

People with heart or lung diseases, children and older adults are the most likely to be affected by particle pollution exposure. However, even if you are healthy, you may experience temporary symptoms from exposure to elevated levels of particle pollution. For more information about asthma, visit www.epa.gov/asthma.

Environmental Effects

Visibility reduction Fine particles (PM2.5) are the major cause of reduced visibility (haze) in parts of the United States, including many of our treasured national parks and wilderness areas. For more information about visibility, visitwww.epa.gov/visibility. Environmental damage Particles can be carried over long distances by wind and then settle on ground or water. The effects of this settling include: making lakes and streams acidic; changing the nutrient balance in coastal waters and large river basins; depleting the nutrients in soil; damaging sensitive forests and farm crops; and affecting the diversity of ecosystems. More information about the effects of particle pollution and acid rain. Aesthetic damage Particle pollution can stain and damage stone and other materials, including culturally important objects such as statues and monuments. More information about the effects of particle pollution and acid rain.
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For more information on particle pollution, health and the environment, visit: Particle Pollution and Your Health: Learn who is at risk from exposure to particle pollution, what health effects you may experience as a result of particle exposure, and simple measures you can take to reduce your risk. (PDF, 2 pp, 320 KB) How Smoke From Fires Can Affect Your Health: It's important to limit your exposure to smoke -- especially if you may be susceptible. This publication provides steps you can take to protect your health. Air Quality Criteria Document for Particulate Matter (October 2004): This comprehensive assessment of scientific data about the health and environmental effects of particulate matter is an important part of EPAs review of its particle pollution standards.