AIR POLLUTION

Air pollution occurs when harmful substances including particulates and biological
molecules are introduced into Earth's atmosphere. It may cause diseases, allergies or
death of humans; it may also cause harm to other living organisms such as animals and
food crops, and may damage the natural or built environment. Human activity and
natural processes can both generate air pollution.

Indoor air pollution and poor urban air quality are listed as two of the world's worst toxic
pollution problems in the 2008 Blacksmith Institute World's Worst Polluted Places
report. According to the 2014 World Health Organization report, air pollution in 2012
caused the deaths of around 7 million people worldwide, an estimate roughly echoed by
one from the International Energy Agency.

There are many types of air pollution. Some are visible. Others are invisible. But all of
them can make people sick, harm plants, pollute waterways, or even cause global
warming.

Some of these dangerous particles get into the atmosphere naturally from forest fires,
lightning strikes, and erupting volcanoes, but most of the stuff that we call air pollution is
put into the atmosphere by humans. Here's a list of a few of the common air pollutants
and where they come from.

CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION

Air pollution is probably one of the most serious environmental problems confronting our
civilization today. Most often, it is caused by human activities such as mining,
construction, transportation, industrial work, agriculture, smelting, etc. However, natural
processes such as volcanic eruptions and wildfires may also pollute the air, but their
occurrence is rare and they usually have a local effect, unlike human activities that are
ubiquitous causes of air pollution and contribute to the global pollution of the air every
single day.

1. Burning of Fossil Fuels

Sulfur dioxide emitted from the combustion of fossils like coal, petroleum and other
factory combustibles is one the major cause of air pollution. Pollution emitting from
vehicles including trucks, jeeps, cars, trains, airplanes cause immense amount of
pollution. We rely on them to fulfill our daily basic needs of transportation. But, there
overuse is killing our environment as dangerous gases are polluting the environment.
Carbon Monoxide caused by improper or incomplete combustion and generally emitted
from vehicles is another major pollutant along with Nitrogen Oxides, that is produced
from both natural and man made processes.
2. Agricultural activities

Ammonia is a very common by product from agriculture related activities and is one of
the most hazardous gases in the atmosphere. Use of insecticides, pesticides and
fertilizers in agricultural activities has grown quite a lot. They emit harmful chemicals
into the air and can also cause water pollution.

3. Exhaust from factories and industries:

Manufacturing industries release large amount of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons,

organic compounds, and chemicals into the air thereby depleting the quality of air.
Manufacturing industries can be found at every corner of the earth and there is no area
that has not been affected by it. Petroleum refineries also release hydrocarbons and
various other chemicals that pollute the air and also cause land pollution.

4. Mining operations

Mining is a process wherein minerals below the earth are extracted using large
equipments. During the process dust and chemicals are released in the air causing
massive air pollution. This is one of the reason which is responsible for the deteriorating
health conditions of workers and nearby residents.

5. Indoor air pollution

Household cleaning products, painting supplies emit toxic chemicals in the air and
cause air pollution. Have you ever noticed that once you paint walls of your house, it
creates some sort of smell which makes it literally impossible for you to breathe.

EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION

1. Respiratory and heart problems

The effects of Air pollution are alarming. They are known to create several respiratory
and heart conditions along with Cancer, among other threats to the body. Several
millions are known to have died due to direct or indirect effects of Air pollution. Children
in areas exposed to air pollutants are said to commonly suffer from pneumonia and
asthma.

2. Global warming

Another direct effect is the immediate alterations that the world is witnessing due
to Global warming. With increased temperatures world wide, increase in sea levels and
melting of ice from colder regions and icebergs, displacement and loss of habitat have
already signaled an impending disaster if actions for preservation and normalization
aren’t undertaken soon.
3. Acid Rain

Harmful gases like nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides are released into the atmosphere
during the burning of fossil fuels. When it rains, the water droplets combines with these
air pollutants, becomes acidic and then falls on the ground in the form of acid rain. Acid
rain can cause great damage to human, animals and crops.

4. Effect on Wildlife

Just like humans, animals also face some devastating affects of air pollution. Toxic
chemicals present in the air can force wildlife species to move to new place and change
their habitat. The toxic pollutants deposit over the surface of the water and can also
affect sea animals.

5. Depletion of Ozone layer

Ozone exists in earth’s stratosphere and is responsible for protecting humans from
harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Earth’s ozone layer is depleting due to the presence of
chlorofluorocarbons, hydro chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere. As ozone layer will
go thin, it will emit harmful rays back on earth and can cause skin and eye related
problems. UV rays also have the capability to affect crops.

Other Effects

Human and Animals Effects:

-Cystic Fibrosis -Coughing

-Lung Disease -Asthma

-Cancer -Worsening of existing respiratory and

cardiac conditions
-Difficulty in breathing
Animals:

Environmental Effects:

Acid Rain -Ozone Depletion

-Haze -Crop and forest damage

-Wildfire - Climate change

TYPES OF AIR POLLUTION

Outdoor Air Pollution

Outdoor air is often referred to as ambient air. The common sources of outdoor air
pollution are emissions caused by combustion processes from motor vehicles, solid fuel
burning and industry. Other pollution sources include smoke from bushfires, windblown
dust, and biogenic emissions from vegetation (pollen and mould spores).

Indoor Air Pollution

Around 3 billion people cook and heat their homes using solid fuels (i.e. wood, charcoal,
coal, dung, crop wastes) on open fires or traditional stoves. Such inefficient cooking and
heating practices produce high levels of household (indoor) air pollution which includes
a range of health damaging pollutants such as fine particles and carbon monoxide.

In poorly ventilated dwellings, smoke in and around the home can exceed acceptable
levels for fine particles 100-fold. Exposure is particularly high among women and young
children, who spend the most time near the domestic hearth.

According to WHO, 4.3 million people a year die from the exposure to household air
pollution.

OTHER COMMON AIR POLLUTANTS

Carbon monoxide

is produced by the incomplete burning of fossil fuels in vehicles, home heating

equipment, and industrial plants, among many other sources, and is a colorless and
odorless gas, poisonous to humans and animals when inhaled, states CDC. It can
cause poisoning, whose symptoms "are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset
stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion", and lead to death when inhaled by
sleeping or drunk people.

Sulfur dioxide

is produced by the burning of sulfur containing fuels like oil and coal, and can cause
health issues, especially in those with existing heart or lung conditions. The WHO
Factsheet states that when it mixes with water it produces sulfuric acid, that is present
in acid rain, that has destroyed vast areas of forests. It affects tree growth and makes
them prone to "winter injury, insect infestation, and droughts," and reduces survival of
aquatic life.
Nitrogen oxides

are gases that contribute to smog and also produce acid rain and its associated effects.
This pollutant is produced from "combustion processes" in land vehicles and ships
related to power, heat, and running engines. combustion processes. The EPA Clean Act
Overview reports that this gases also produces respiratory problems and are associated
with increased emergency hospital visits. Nitrous oxide production could double by 2050
claims.

Lead

is emitted into the air by vehicles and industrial sites and by waste burning facilities.
Manufacture and recycling of lead-acid batteries, processing of metals, iron and steel,
copper, glass, cement, and industrial and institutional boilers are other sources of lead.
People can inhale lead directly or be affected by it when it settles on soil. It is a
neurotoxin when present in the body in high concentrations, and causes immune
issues, reproductive problems, kidney disease, and cardiovascular problems. Infants
and young children are especially susceptible to having issues with lead exposure.

Dioxin

is present in plastics, and is released during its manufacture and if plastic waste is
incinerated. Its emissions have been reduced by 90% since 1987 through strict rules. It
causes skin lesions, and affects the liver as well as immune, nervous, endocrine and
reproductive systems.

Benzene pollution

occurs during some industrial processes and use of products containing petroleum, like
plastics. Tobacco smoke exposure is another source. It can cause cancer and anemia.

MAIN IMPACTS OF AIR POLLUTION IN

-Climate System -Ecosystem

-Health -Forestry

-Economy -Agriculture

-Environment
MITIGATION

GOVERNMENT INIATIATIVE SOLUTIONS TO AIR POLLUTION

PHILIPPINE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1999.

http://www.chanrobles.com/philippinecleanairact.htm#.WlQeE1WWbIU

Republic Act No. 8749, PHILIPPINE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1999.

Republic Act No. 8749, otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999,
provides the policy framework for the country’s air quality management program. It
seeks to uphold the right of every Filipino to breathe clean air by addressing air pollution
from mobile and stationary sources.

The law adheres to the Constitutional right of people to “a balanced and healthful
ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.” It also believes in the
principle that “polluters must pay,” because a clean and healthy environment is for the
good of all and should, therefore be the concern of all.

RA 8749 focuses primarily on pollution prevention rather than control by encouraging

cooperation and self-regulation among citizens and industries. It also enforces a system
of accountability for adverse environmental impacts to heighten compliance to
government environmental regulations.
Some of the programs or activities implemented to achieve this objective are:
Linis/Ligtas Hangin Program with the Bantay Tambutso, Bantay Tsimnea and Bantay
Sunog; industrial enforcement program for stationary sources; designation of attainment
and non-attainment area sources; promotion of clean fuel; and strong collaboration
between government and stakeholders on measures to address pollution.

Some of the programs or activities implemented to achieve this objective are:

Linis/Ligtas Hangin Program with the Bantay Tambutso, Bantay Tsimnea and Bantay
Sunog; industrial enforcement program for stationary sources; designation of attainment
and non-attainment area sources; promotion of clean fuel; and strong collaboration
between government and stakeholders on measures to address pollution.

RA8749 assigns the DENR, through its Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), as
the lead agency in the overall implementation of the law’s provisions, but mandates the
following government agencies to support the Act:
 Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC)
 Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
 Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
 Department of Energy (DOE)
 Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
 Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Local Government
Units (LGUs)
 Philippine Information Agency (PIA)
 Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
(PAG-ASA)
 Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI)