Air Pollution Management Strategies (Cambridge (CIE) AS Environmental Management)

Managing Air Pollution

• Air pollution, particularly urban smog, poses significant challenges that require effective management strategies

• Various approaches can be adopted to mitigate and reduce air pollution, inlcuding:

Reduced Use of Fossil Fuels

• Encouraging the adoption of renewable energy sources and energy-efficient technologies will decrease reliance on fossil fuels:

  • Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas, are major sources of air pollution due to the release of pollutants like carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides when burned

  • By transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar, wind and hydroelectric power, we can reduce emissions and mitigate air pollution

Reducing Emissions of Sulfur Dioxide

• Flue Gas Desulfurisation (FGD):

  • This is a process used to remove sulfur dioxide (SO₂) from exhaust gases produced by industrial facilities and power plants

  • FGD systems typically use limestone or lime to absorb sulfur dioxide and produce a solid waste product that can be safely disposed of

• Fuel Desulfurisation:

  • This refers to the removal of sulfur compounds from fuels such as coal, oil and diesel

  • By reducing the sulfur content in fuels, emissions of sulfur dioxide can be minimised, leading to improved air quality and reduced environmental impacts

Reducing Emissions of Oxides of Nitrogen

• Catalytic Converters:

  • These are devices installed in vehicles' exhaust systems to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons

  • Catalytic converters contain catalysts, such as platinum and palladium, that speed up chemical reactions to convert harmful pollutants into less harmful substances, like nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water vapour

Reducing Emissions of Particulates

• Electrostatic Precipitators:

  • These are pollution control devices used in industrial settings to remove particulate matter from flue gases (industrial exhaust gases)

  • These devices use electrostatic forces to charge particles suspended in the gas stream, causing them to adhere to collection plates or electrodes, where they can be removed and disposed of safely

Reducing Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic chemicals that evaporate into the air and can contribute to air pollution:

  • Strategies for reducing VOC emissions include using VOC-free products, properly storing chemicals in sealed containers, and disposing of hazardous materials according to regulations

Restricting Vehicle Use in Urban Areas

• Implementing measures such as vehicle emission standards, congestion charges and low-emission or ultra-low-emission zones to reduce traffic-related air pollution in cities:

  • Traffic congestion and vehicle emissions are major contributors to urban air pollution

  • Restricting vehicle use can help reduce pollution levels and improve air quality in urban areas

Legislation

• Enacting laws and regulations at various levels of government to control air pollution and enforce emission standards

• Polluter Pays Principle:

  • This is a principle of environmental law stating that those who pollute or cause environmental damage should bear the costs of remediation and cleanup

  • By holding polluters accountable for their actions, this principle encourages the adoption of cleaner technologies and practices to reduce pollution and protect the environment