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An air pollutant is a substance in the air that can have adverse effects on humans and the ecosystem. It is familiar to us that having smog hanging around the cities is a form of air pollution, however, air pollution can also exist in different forms.They can either be visible or invisible, they could be in solid particles, liquid droplets and lastly gas. Air pollutants can either be natural or man-made, but generally, any man-made substance that is introduced to the atmosphere which is harmful for the environment is considered air pollution.
A short song giving you some facts about what air pollution does and what it is.
Three Major Pollutants
See if you can spot any that are in both the video and this wiki!
Ground-level Ozone
Ozone is found in two regions of the Earth's atmosphere – at ground level and in the upper regions of the atmosphere. The ozone in the upper regions of the atmosphere protect us from the harmful rays from the sun, whereas the ozone at ground level, the ground-level ozone is one of the main component of smog. Ground-level 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. The main emitters of Nitrogen & volatile organic compounds are usually industrial facilities & motor vehicles exhaust.
Effects of Ground-level Ozone
Ground- level ozone that we breathe in can trigger a variety of health problem. It tends to have a greater effect on those with lung disease, children, older adults and people who are actively outdoors. Children are at greatest risk from exposure to ozone because their lungs are still developing and they are more likely to be active outdoors when ozone levels are high, which increases their exposure.
What was done?
In order to reduce the Ground-level Ozone pollution, there were a few acts and campaigns that were carried out in USA in hope to reduce it further. Ozone Advance, a collaborative effort between EPA, states, tribes, and local governments that encourages expeditious emission reductions in ozone attainment areas to help these areas continue to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone was carried out in hope to reduce the pollution. Also, the National Clean Diesel Campaign was carried out. The aim of this campaign was to reduce Ground-level Ozone pollutions through programs like Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Programmes and the Smart way Transport Partnership
Methane
Methane is a colourless gas. At mixtures more than about 5-15% in air, it is explosive. It has a lifetime of around ten years because it is only very gradually destroyed by other chemicals in air. Methane is one of a group of chemicals known as the volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It is produced both naturally and from man's activities.
Effects of Methane
In a large scale, the build up of methane poses as an explosive hazard which can cause the evacuation of areas over old landfills or mines. In comparison to other VOCs, methane does not add much to the formation of ground level ozone .The largest effect methane has on the world is as a greenhouse gas. Although levels of methane in the environment are relatively low, its high "global warming potential" places it among the worst of greenhouse gases.
What was done?
In the UK , emissions of methane are restrained through the regulation of VOCs under the National Air Quality Strategy. Internationally, the main control over methane as a VOC is through International Convention on Long-Range Trans-boundary Air Pollution and the Basel Convention regarding the trans-boundary movement and the clearance of hazardous wastes. Also, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Kyoto Protocol, 1997) popularized measures designed to accomplish the reduction of greenhouse gas releases.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas that is produced when fossil fuels are being burnt, mostly in the burning of petrol in automobiles. It is made up of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom, hence, having its chemical formula to be CO. Due to its physical properties (being colorless, odorless and tasteless), it cannot be detected without a carbon monoxide detector.
Where does it come from?
Carbon monoxide gas is released most commonly when engines of automobiles burn fossil fuels e.g. car petrol. The emission of carbon monoxide would be higher when the engines are not tuned properly or when the fuel is not burnt completely. Automobiles are mostly responsible for the carbon monoxide gas that is found outdoors, or in the well-developed countries or cities. However, indoors, furnaces, heaters, and other fuel-burning appliances can also emit high concentrations of carbon monoxide if they are not properly maintained. Tobacco smoke also produces carbon monoxide gas to the surroundings.
Effects of Carbon Monoxide
Inhalation of carbon monoxide can reduce the human body’s ability to carry oxygen in blood.
When a person is exposed to low levels of carbon monoxide, he may experience headaches, fatigues, shortness of breath, flu-like symptoms (e.g. coughing, sore throats, runny nose, stuffy nose, fever, etc.) and impaired motor functions (e.g. difficulty walking, difficulty in balancing).
When a person is exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide, he may experience dizziness, chest pains, poor vision and difficulties in thinking.
When a person is exposed to extremely high levels of carbon monoxide, he may experience convulsions, comas or even death.
What was done?
Since most of the emission of the carbon monoxide gas comes from the automobiles around us, we can reduce it by simply taking public transport, or by simply sharing a ride with someone. Little efforts do count. We can also reduce the harmful effects of carbon monoxide gas by changing our house appliances, those that are powered by fuel, to those that are powered by electricity. It is safer, and it saves the environment too.
Air Pollutant Index (API)
Air Pollutant Index is a way to describe the quality of air in respective countries, so that citizens may have an idea of how the air is like. Different countries use different APIs.
Singapore
Singapore uses the Pollutant Standard Index, a type of API. It is easy to understand thus the public will be informed of the air quality in Singapore. There will be updates every 3hrs and every 24hrs.
PSI
Descriptor
General Health Effects
0–50
Good
None
51–100
Moderate
Few or none for the general population
101–150
Unhealthy for sensitive groups
Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.
151–200
Unhealthy
Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. To stay indoors.
201-300
Very unhealthy
Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.
301+
Hazardous
Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects
Malaysia's API is quite similar to Singapore's. A main difference is that Malaysia is computed of four pollutants, unlike Singapore who has five. It it also not as frequently updated as Singapore's. The data is taken from many sets of data.
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