AIR POLLUTION

Air pollution
Air pollution occurs when the air contains gases, dust, fumes or odor in harmful amounts. It could be harmful to the health or comfort of humans and animals or which could cause damage to plants and materials.

Pollutants
The substances that cause air pollution are called pollutants. Pollutants that are pumped into our atmosphere and directly pollute the air are called primary pollutants.

Primary and Secondary pollutants

Primary pollutant examples include carbon monoxide from car exhausts and sulfur dioxide from the combustion of coal. Pollution can arise if primary pollutants in the atmosphere undergo chemical reactions. The resulting compounds are called secondary pollutants. Photochemical smog is an example of this. Examples are gaseous discharges from industry and motor vehicles and wind-blown dust and smoke from fires.

Historical explanation of air pollution

In the days before the proliferation of large cities and industry, nature's own systems kept the air fairly clean. Wind mixed and dispersed the gases, rain washed the dust and other easily dissolved substances to the ground and plants absorbed carbon dioxide and replaced it with oxygen.

Historical explanation of air pollution

With increasing urbanisation and industrialisation, humans started to release more wastes into the atmosphere than nature could cope with. Since then, more pollution has been added to the air by industrial, commercial and domestic sources.

Main Pollutants in the Philippines

Motor vehicles comprises 80% of the pollution
jeepneys, buses, and tricycles-inefficient emission systems

Generally any substance that people introduce into the atmosphere that has damaging effects on living things and the environment is considered air

pollution.

The largest amounts of air pollution come from human activity

Air Pollution Causes:

Industries
Sector Biofuel Combustion Industry & Refineries Power Generation Air Pollutants Emitted Mostly CO; also SO2 and NOx Mostly SO2 and NOx; also CO Mostly SO2 and NOx; also CO

Residential and Commercial Sector

Road, Rail, Air & Other Transport

Mostly SO2 and CO; also NOx

Mostly NOx and CO; also SO2

Air pollutants are basically the waste products generated by the above mentioned economic sectors.

Carbon dioxide
the main pollutant that is warming Earth

Widely considered to be a pollutant when associated with: cars planes power plants human activities that involve the burning of fossil fuels such as gasoline and natural gas.

Methane
comes from such sources as:

-swamps -gas emitted by livestock

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in refrigerants and aerosol propellants

they were banned because of their deteriorating effect on Earth's ozone layer.

Sulfur dioxide
a component of smog.
Sulfur dioxide and closely related chemicals are known primarily as a cause of acid rain

Volcanic eruptions can spew massive amounts of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere

Power generation (public electricity & heat production) is by far the largest industry for global SO2 emissions.

Power plants Coal Burning Industry (manufacturing industries & construction) is the second biggest source of sulfur dioxide emissions globally.

Non-ferrous metals production is the third largest source of SO2 emissions.

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) are produced by combustion of all fossil fuels including coal- and gasfired power stations and motor vehicles.

Two main nitrogen oxides:

nitric oxide (NO) -colorless gas nitrogen dioxide (NO2)-gas of reddishbrown color with a distinct sharp, biting odor.

Road transport is the biggest global contributor of nitrogen emissions produced by motor fuel combustion.

Others: Power generation

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Deforestation by means of fires (plus other wildfires) - biggest source of carbon monoxide emissions.

Others: road transport

Other Air Pollutants

Airborne Particles- are tiny fragments of solid or liquid nature suspended in the air (aerosols).

Inhalation of airborne particles may lead to asthma, lung cancer and other problems.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

may include a wide range of organic air pollutants, from pure hydrocarbons to partially oxidized hydrocarbons to organic compounds containing chlorine, sulfur, or nitrogen.

may affect human health directly (ex., leukemia)

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) - compounds which are resistant to degradation and persistent in the environment, and may include dioxins, furans, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides such as DDT.

Natural Air Pollution Causes

-are mostly forest fires and volcano eruptions but may also include vegetation (ex., forests), oceans and decay processes in soil.

Air Pollution Effects

Sulfur Dioxide
Irritation of eyes, nose, throat; damage to lungs when inhaled Acute and chronic asthma Bronchitis and emphysema (as a result of synergy between SO2 and suspended particulate matter) Lung cancer

Nitrogen Dioxide
Increased incidence of respiratory illness Increased airway resistance (due to inflammation) Damage to lung tissue Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD (narrowing of the airways) Emphysema (as part of COPD) Pulmonary edema (accumulation of excessive fluid in the lungs) Infant and cardiovascular death

Carbon Monoxide
Toxicity of the central nervous system and heart Headaches, dizziness, nausea and unconsciousness Loss of vision Decreased muscular coordination Abdominal pain

Severe effects on the baby of a pregnant woman Impaired performance on simple psychological tests and arithmetic; loss of judgment of time In cases of prolonged exposure to high CO concentrations, unconsciousness, convulsions and death would occur

Ozone Effects Burning nose and watering eyes Tightening of the chest Coughing, wheezing and throat irritation Rapid, shallow, painful breathing Susceptibility to respiratory infections Inflammation and damage to the lining of the lungs Aggravation of asthma Fatigue Cancer

Ammonia Effects

Livestock farming, animal waste and fertilizer application are the biggest sources of atmospheric ammonia emissions

On the respiratory system: Nose & throat irritation and burns (their severity increasing with the increased ammonia concentrations) Swelling of the throat and airways; airways destruction Pulmonary edema Chronic lung disease Cough Asthma Lung fibrosis Inhaling large amounts of ammonia can be fatal

On the skin & eyes:

Skin burns Skin conditions, ex. dermatitis Burning sensation in the eyes Ulceration & perforation of the cornea (can occur months after exposure); blindness Cataracts & glaucoma

Volatile Organic Compounds

Tiredness, vertigo, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, confusion, unconsciousness Tiredness

Anemia Bone marrow damage Liver damage

Dysfunction of the central nervous system: Behavioral problems Memory loss Disturbance of the circadian rhythm Cardiovascular diseases Cancer; specifically leukemia Abnormal changes in fetus development, birth defects VOCs also contribute to sick building syndrome indoors As facilitators in ozone formation, VOCs may indirectly contribute to respiratory problems

Airborne Particles
Increased respiratory symptoms (ex. irritation of the airways, coughing, difficulty breathing) Decreased lung function Aggravated asthma Chronic bronchitis Irregular heartbeat Nonfatal heart attacks Premature death in people with heart or lung disease

The greenhouse effect

- is a life-threatening global phenomenon that is the creation of air pollutants. This phenomenon is the result of the trapped greenhouse gases in the upper atmosphere. Accumulation of carbon dioxide gas, methane, nitrogen oxides, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons have brought on a major climate change, increased acidity of ocean waters and major modifications in marine ecosystems.

Global Warming
The main cause of global warming is the burning of fossil fuels, especially petroleum, in automobile and plane engines, and coal, in the manufacturing of electricity and as an industrial fuel source.

The resulting gases, called greenhouse gases, rise into the atmosphere, where they trap the sun's heat.

Acid Rain
Acid rain is any precipitation that contains high levels of nitric and sulfuric acid. Volcanoes and rotting vegetation can cause acid rain, but the main culprits, by far, are fossil fuels, especially coal and petroleum. When these are burned, they release sulfur dioxide, nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide into the atmosphere. Winds can spread these acids hundreds of miles. When they fall as precipitation, they increase the acidity of lakes, rivers, streams

Many marine animals cannot live in acidic conditions, which affects the entire food chain.

On land, soils are affected, in turn affecting trees and plants, making it harder for them to take up water and withstand cold, disease and insects.

Smog-comes from mixing the words smoke and fog.

It is that darkish, lingering cloud that can be seen in big cities, especially in summer. It is a mixture of ozone from burnt fossil fuels, water vapor and airborne particles.

Smog forms when these chemicals mix with heat and sunlight.
In winter, the smog is thicker, as the cooler winter air holds the particles and gases lower to the ground. This type of smog killed 4,000 people in a five-day period in London in 1952.

PHILIPPINE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1999

The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature The State shall promote and protect the global environment to attain sustainable development while recognizing the primary responsibility of local government units to deal with environmental problems. The State recognizes that the responsibility of cleaning the habitat and environment is primarily area-based. The State also recognizes the principle that polluters must pay.

PHILIPPINE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1999

SEC. 19. Pollution From Stationary Sources.- The Department shall, within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act, and every two (2) years thereafter, review, or as the need therefore arises, revise and publish emission standards, to further improve the emission standards for stationary sources of air pollution.

PHILIPPINE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1999

SEC. 20. Ban on Incineration.- Incineration, hereby defined as the burning of municipal, biomedical and hazardous waste, which process emits poisonous and toxic fumes is hereby prohibited

PHILIPPINE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1999

SEC. 21. Pollution from Motor Vehicles.- a) The DOTC shall implement the emission standards for motor vehicles set pursuant to and as provided in this Act. To further improve the emission standards, the Department shall review, revise and publish the standards every two (2) years, or as the need arises. It shall consider the maximum limits for all major pollutants to ensure substantial improvement in air quality for the health, safety and welfare of the general public

PHILIPPINE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1999

Type of Vehicle Light Light Commercial (<1250) Light Commercial (>1250 but <1700) Light Commercial (>1700)) Heavy

CO (g/km) 2.72 2.72 5.17 6.9 4.5

HC+Nox (g/km) Pma (g/km) 0.97 0.97 1.4 1.7 9.1 0.14 0.14 0.19 0.25 0.36

PHILIPPINE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1999

SEC. 24. Pollution from smoking.- Smoking inside a public building or an enclosed public place including public vehicles and other means of transport or in any enclosed area outside of ones private residence, private place of work or any duly designated smoking area is hereby prohibited under this Act. This provision shall be implemented by the LGUs.

WATER POLLUTION

 Environmental pollution is the contamination of the physical and biological components of the earth/atmosphere system to such an extent that normal environmental processes are adversely affected.

 Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the environment that cause harm or discomfort to living organisms, or that damage the environment which can come in the form of chemical substances, or energy such as noise, heat or light. Pollutants can be naturally occurring substances or energies, but are considered contaminants when in excess of natural levels.

History
Throughout history, the quality of drinking water has been a factor in determining human welfare. Fecal pollution of drinking water has frequently caused waterborne diseases that have decimated the populations of whole cities

 Currently, waterborne toxic chemicals pose the greatest threat to the safety of water supplies in industrialized nations. In some areas, the quality of groundwater is subject to a number of chemical threats. Since World War II, there has been a tremendous growth in the manufacture and use of synthetic chemicals. Many of the chemicals have contaminated water supplies.

CAUSES OF WATER POLLUTION

ELEMENTAL POLLUTANTS
Trace element is a term that refers to those elements that occur at very low levels of a few parts per million or less in a given system. heavy metals are among the most harmful of the elemental pollutants and are of particular concern because of their toxicities to humans. These elements are, the transition metals, and some of the representative elements, such as lead and tin, in the lower right-hand corner of the periodic table

 Metalloids, elements on the borderline between metals and nonmetals, are significant water pollutants. Arsenic, selenium, and antimony are of particular interest. Inorganic chemicals manufacture has the potential to contaminate water with trace elements.

HEAVY METALS
Cadmium
cadmium in water may arise from industrial discharges and mining wastes.

The effects of acute cadmium poisoning in humans are very serious. Among them are high blood pressure, kidney damage, destruction of testicular tissue, and destruction of red blood cells.

 Lead
Inorganic lead arises from a number of industrial and mining sources. In addition to pollutant sources, lead-bearing limestone contribute lead to natural waters in some locations.

Acute lead poisoning in humans may cause severe dysfunction of the kidney, reproductive system, liver, brain, and central nervous system leading to sickness or death. Mild lead poisoning causes anemia. The victim may have headaches and sore muscles, and may feel generally fatigued and irritable.

 Mercury
Mercury enters the environment from the human use of the element. These include discarded laboratory chemicals, batteries, broken thermometers, amalgam tooth fillings.

The toxicological effects of mercury are neurological damage, including irritability, paralysis, blindness, or insanity; chromosome breakage; and birth defects. The milder symptoms of mercury poisoning such as depression and irritability have a psychopathological character.

INORGANIC POLLUTANTS
Cyanide
Cyanide is widely used in industry. It is also one of the main gas and coke scrubber effluent pollutants from gas works and coke ovens. Cyanide is widely used in certain mineral-processing operations.

 Ammonia
Excessive levels of ammoniacal nitrogen cause water-quality problems. It is the initial product of the decay of nitrogenous organic wastes, and its presence indicates the presence of such wastes.

 Hydrogen sulfide
a product of the anaerobic decay of organic matter containing sulfur. produced in the anaerobic reduction of sulfate by microorganisms and is evolved as a gaseous pollutant from geothermal waters. Wastes from chemical plants, paper mills, textile mills, and tanneries may also contain H2S

 carbon dioxide
is frequently present in water at high levels due to decay of organic matter. It is also added to softened water during water treatment as part of a recarbonation proces. Excessive carbon dioxide levels may make water more corrosive, therefore, damaging to water distribution systems, and may be harmful to aquatic life.

ORGANIC POLLUTANTS
Sewage
From domestic, commercial, food-processing, and industrial sources contains a wide variety of pollutants, including organic pollutants. Some of these pollutants, particularly oxygen-demanding substances oil, grease, and solidsare removed by primary and secondary sewagetreatment processes. Salts, heavy metals, and refractory (degradation-resistant) organics, are not efficiently removed.

Environmental Pollution Effects on Humans

Waterborne diseases caused by polluted drinking water:
Typhoid Amoebiasis Giardiasis

Waterborne diseases caused by polluted water

Rashes, ear ache, pink eye Respiratory infections Hepatitis, encephalitis, gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, vomiting, and stomach aches

Conditions related to water polluted by chemicals

Cancer, incl. prostate cancer and non-Hodgkins lymphoma Hormonal problems that can disrupt reproductive and developmental processes Damage to the nervous system Liver and kidney damage Damage to the DNA Exposure to mercury (heavy metal):

 Water pollution may also result from interactions between water and contaminated soil, as well as from deposition of air contaminants (such as acid rain) Damage to people may be caused by fish foods coming from polluted water (a well known example is high mercury levels in fish) Damage to people may be caused by vegetable crops grown / washed with polluted water.

DOH Policies
Republic Act 9275: The Philippine Clean Water Act
Enacted in 2004 The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 aims to protect the countrys water bodies from pollution from land-based sources (industries and commercial establishments, agriculture and community/household activities). It provides for a comprehensive and integrated strategy to prevent and minimize pollution through a multi-sectoral and participatory approach involving all the stakeholders

Other policies
AO 18A s. 1993 Standards of quality and Requirements for the Provision, Packaging and Labeling of Bottled Water AO 2007 0012 Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water

DOH Programs and Projects

Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig Para sa Lahat (Salintubig) Project In December 2010, the DILG entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with DOH and NAPC for the implementation of the Provision for Water Supply, also known as the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig Sa Lahat Program. The Program is designed to provide water supply systems for the 455 waterless municipalities, waterless barangays, waterless health centers, and waterless resettlement sites; and enhance the capacity of the LGUs/water service providers in the planning, implementation, and operation of water supply facilities

Other Programs and Projects

Water and Sanitation Programs
Water Safety Plan Project Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage