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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.
HRK/SK
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