The major sources of air
pollution are considered to be industries, vehicles and domestic. Among them, the specific sources of air pollutants
in ambient air are as given below:
|
S. No.
|
Air Pollutants
|
Major Sources
|
|
1.
|
Sulphur Dioxide
(SO2)
|
Fuel combustion,
power station, industrial processes, chemical processes, diesel vehicles, solid
waste disposal, smelters.
|
|
2.
|
Nitrogen Oxide
(NOx)
|
Transport (road,
rail, passenger and commercial), fuel combustion, power station, industrial
boilers, chemical processes, waste incinerators, smelters.
|
|
3.
|
Particulate Matter
(SPM, RSPM-PM10,)
|
Fuel combustion,
power station, construction activities, industrial processes, diesel vehicle
exhaust, resuspended road dust, domestic refuse burning, domestic wood.
|
|
4.
|
Carbon Monoxide
(CO)
|
Transport, combustion,
industrial processes, solid waste disposal, refuse burning.
|
|
5.
|
Ozone (O3)
|
Secondary pollutants
formed during photochemical reaction.
|
|
6.
|
Organic Compounds)
|
Transport, oil
based fuel combustion sources, chemical processes, solvent use, waste incinerator,
vaporization of fuel.
|
|
|
Benzene
|
Petrol combustion
products, petrol filling station, chemical process.
|
|
|
Polynuclear aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAH)
|
Fuel combustion,
industrial emission.
|
|
|
Volatile organic
compounds (VOC)
|
Transport, solvents
(especially used in industrial and domestic sector).
|
|
7.
|
Trace metals
|
Fuel combustion,
chemical process, transport, metal production and finishing operation, product
manufacture.
|
|
|
Lead (Pb)
|
Lead additives
in gasoline, soil originated particles.
|
|
|
Cadmium (Cd)
|
Fuel combustion,
metal production process, transport.
|
Steps taken to control Air Pollution
· Emission standards for industries have been notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to check pollution.
· A network of ambient air (295) Quality Monitoring Stations covering 90 towns/cities distributed all over the country has been set up. Central Pollution Control Board in co-ordination with the state Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees is carrying out regular monitoring.
· Highly polluting industries have been identified. Defaulting industries have been directed to install necessary pollution control equipment in a time bound basis and legal action is taken against the defaulting units.
· Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 1994 is in force governing environmental appraisal of 30 specified categories of developmental projects.
· 24 critically polluted areas have been identified. Action plans have been drawn up for restoration of environmental quality in these areas.
· Environmental epidemiological studies have been initiated in different parts of the country to assess the impact of pollution.
· Promotion of environmental education and awareness has been launched.
· Benzene concentration in petrol has been reduced.