Tag: not for breathing not for drinking

Air Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1981 is an Act of the Parliament of India to control and prevent air pollution in India. It is different from the Environment (Protection) act, 1986 and not a part of it.

Pollution is the addition of contaminants in the environment which degrades its quality. The air pollution is the major threat which needs to be regulated. A catalytic converter is a device used to reduce the emissions from an internal combustion engine (automobiles and vehicles). Enough oxygen is not available to oxidize the carbon fuel in these engines completely into carbon dioxide and water; thus toxic by-products are produced. Catalytic converters are used in exhaust systems to provide a site for the oxidation and reduction of toxic by-products (like nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons) of fuel into less hazardous substances, such as carbon dioxide, water vapour, and nitrogen gas.

The combustion of the fuel in the automobiles result in the production of emissions which contains toxic gases. The use of barium salts help in the reduction in the emissions from the burning of the fuels like petrol and diesel. However, the emissions which are released along with the barium salts have toxic effects on ingestion. The use of alkali metal salts like sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc which do not cause any effect are been used nowadays. 

During Photosynthesis plants i.e. leaves take in carbon dioxide (CO2CO2) to make glucose. This reduces the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This is why trees, grasses, and algae all are solutions to global warming caused by excessive carbon dioxide (CO2CO2). All three of the other processes involve taking in oxygen (O2O2) and releasing carbon dioxide (CO2CO2), thus increasing the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The method abatement of the pollution is generally adopted to reduce the sources of pollution and the impact and its consequences on the environment and health. There are techniques like the scrubbers, filters, etc., which reduce the emission of the harmful and toxic gases. The catalytic converters in automobiles are used to minimize the release of oxides of nitrogen and sulphur and unburnt hydrocarbons. This helps to reduce the air pollution. 

The Supreme Court, under its directives, asked the government of India to switch over the entire fleet of public transport, i.e., buses, from diesel to compressed natural gas (CNG). Compressed natural gas (CNG) (methane stored at high pressure) can be used in place of gasoline (petrol), diesel fuel and propane/LPG. CNG combustion produces fewer undesirable gases than the fuels mentioned above. It is safer than other fuels in the event of a spill because natural gas is lighter than air and disperses quickly when released. CNG may be found above oil deposits or may be collected from landfills or wastewater treatment plants where it is known as biogas.

Adsorption is the phenomena where the atoms, ions or molecules from the gases, liquid and solids to a surface. It is a surface-based phenomenon and it easily absorbs the gas molecules and can reduce gaseous pollutants.

In modern times major types of pollution in urban areas are atmosphere, water and noise. Atmospheric pollution can be controlled to a large extent by location of factories and industries away from cities. Widening of roads will lead to less congestion, reduce idling time of engines of vehicles and ultimately be helpful in controlling atmospheric pollution due to vehicles. Sewage treatment plants and control on use of pesticides will reduce pollution of water bodies and prevent eutrophication of natural ponds and lakes. Clean city surroundings and proper waste disposal will reduce or eliminate breeding grounds of stray animals and disease spreading insect and non insect vectors.