Air pollution from industrial emissions

Atmospheric pollution is one of the key problems of our time, which can lead to a large-scale environmental catastrophe. However, any business can minimise its contribution to air pollution from industrial emissions. Understanding how the air is polluted and what measures can be taken to improve its quality is critical to the sustainable development of any industry.

Common causes of atmospheric pollution

According to UNEP statistics, emission air pollution, as well as the understanding of what pollutes the air, is mainly related to the following human activities:

1. Industrial enterprises - oil and coal mining, metallurgy, and the energy sector are the most polluting sectors. In addition, huge amounts of industrial emissions are observed in ore processing, traditional gold mining, and lead smelting. In many states, the main cause of air pollution is the operation of coal-fired power plants, while diesel generators are of concern in places not connected to the general power grid.
2. Transport - various means of transport(air pollutants) are a source of air pollution from exhaust fumes, particulate matter, petroleum products and other harmful substances. The growing number of car owners contributes to the increase of toxic particles in the atmosphere. Their maximum accumulation is observed at forks and roads with high traffic.
3. Households - in households, the main source of pollution is the burning of various biomass-based fuels. In addition, cheap building materials and furniture, household chemicals, and tobacco smoking have a negative impact on air quality.
4. Utilisation processes - significant emissions of hazardous products (into the air) and, as a consequence, air pollution occur during open burning of rubbish, including by industrial facilities. This problem is especially relevant for regions with rapid urbanisation, as well as for developing countries.

Contaminants

Air pollution from industrial emissions can be dust and gas. In total, due to the activities of enterprises, including various substations, generating and transmitting electricity, more than 150 types of harmful substances end up in the atmosphere. Industrial emissions of the following compounds and products are recognised as the most dangerous:

• nitrogen oxides;
• sulphur dioxide;
• coal dust (pulverised coal);
• ammonia;
• hydrogen fluoride;
• carbon monoxide;
• carbon dioxide;
• tropospheric ozone;
• heavy metals;
• volatile organic compounds;
• suspended dust.

Consequences of air pollution

By the term air pollution, the International Labour Organization means the presence of substances in the air that are harmful to health or the environment. In high concentrations, polluted air enters the body during breathing, damaging it in the long run. The sensitivity of nature to industrial emissions is manifested in soil deterioration and water pollution, climate warming and landscape changes.

Impact on human health

Air pollution has tangible health consequences - very many deaths from stroke, lung cancer and heart disease are caused by environmental conditions. Air pollution contributes to bronchial diseases, allergies and can also lead to reproductive disorders.

Negative impact of air pollution on the environment

Among the best-studied environmental effects of air pollution from industrial emissions are:

1. Acid rain is precipitation containing sulphuric acid. Most scientists believe that they increase the risk of asthma attacks and bronchial diseases, as well as lead to acidification of water bodies, destruction of plants and animals, and infectious contamination of soils.
2. Greenhouse effect - heating of the lower atmosphere caused by the absorption of greenhouse gases. On the one hand, greenhouse gases, like the glass of a greenhouse, keep the planet's temperature comfortable, but on the other hand, their increase as a result of industrial activity has an extremely negative effect on the climate. The anthropogenic greenhouse effect contributes to rising global sea levels and ozone depletion.
3. Smog is a thick suffocating veil, typical for large cities and industrial centres, where the maximum amount of emissions occurs. This artificial atmospheric phenomenon threatens health and the environment.

 Measures to reduce air pollution from industrial emissions

Every enterprise can minimise air pollution from industrial emissions. This requires:

1. Introduction of production technologies that ensure minimal or no waste.
2. Introduction of highly efficient systems for cleaning industrial emissions into the air.
3. Use of modern dust and gas cleaning equipment.
4. Application of an automated system for controlling sources of industrial emissions.

Special monitoring stations, gas analysers, dust meters allow tracking the amount of industrial emissions into the atmosphere in real time. Promanalit sells such devices in Kazakhstan. Thanks to many years of experience in implementing automated devices for monitoring industrial emissions and controlling air pollution, the company's specialists can quickly assemble equipment that will be relevant for a particular enterprise. At the same time, all realised devices comply with strict international standards and environmental norms.

Professionals are of the consensus opinion that modern monitoring devices are mandatory at every industrial enterprise where there is a risk of emission of harmful substances. With the help of such equipment you can not only measure the qualitative composition (of air), but also identify potential sources of air pollution, as well as take appropriate decisions on environmental quality management in time. For any industrial facility, this is a necessary safety measure.