This document discusses different types of pollution in the natural environment, focusing on air pollution. It defines air pollution as the presence of substances in the atmosphere that exceed natural levels and negatively impact living beings. Air pollutants come from natural sources like volcanoes and fires, as well as man-made sources such as factories, power plants, and automobiles. The document also outlines different approaches to reducing pollution, comparing cleaner production which prevents pollution at the source through efficient material use, to end-of-pipe treatment which focuses on treating existing waste and emissions.
2. TYPES OF ENVIRONMENT
• BUILT ENVIRONMENT – Man-made surroundings
• NATURAL ENVIRONMENT – Living and non living things that occur naturally (Lithosphere,
Hydrosphere, Atmosphere)
• SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT – Culture, Language, health, social condition, profession etc
3. TYPES OF POLLUTION IN THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
• AIR POLLUTION
• LAND POLLUTION
• WATER POLLUTION
• LIGHT POLLUTION
• NOISE POLLUTION
• THERMAL POLLUTION
• RADIOACTIVE POLLUTION
• VISUAL POLLUTION
4. AIR POLLUTION
Air Pollution Control Technology Manual, Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center, 1998
• DEFINITION – “When the substances which have been emitted into the atmosphere exist
throughout the atmosphere, over and above the natural physical diffusion and deposition
functions, chemical elimination functions, and biological purification functions, is dispersed
throughout the atmosphere and their volume exceeds natural conditions, they have a direct or
indirect influence on living beings, including human beings. This is called air pollution, air
pollutants are generally defined as those substances which alter the composition of natural
atmosphere.”
• SOURCES – Natural (volcanic eruptions, forest fires etc) and Anthropogenic (Manmade-factories,
thermal power stations, automobiles, etc)
Source - International Centre for Science and Technology, United Nations Industrial Development Organization
5. AIR POLLUTION
Source - International Centre for Science and Technology, United Nations Industrial Development Organization
• AIR POLLUTION CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES
• The number of options available for reducing environmental impact are highest early on in the life
cycle and then decrease drastically.
• Costs increase exponentially as the process of production matures and the scale of equipment
gets larger
• Choice of control technology depends on the regulatory framework and the cheapest option
available to meet the standard.
6. ASSIGNMENT
• KYOTO PROTOCOL
• RIO EARTH SUMMIT
• AIR POLLUTION ACT
• MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS
• CARRYING CAPACITY
• FREE RIDER SYNDROME
• CRADLE TO CRADLE
• COMMON POOL RESOURCE
• ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION
• ECOLOGICAL PYRAMID
8. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
TWO APPROACHES TO REDUCE/CONTROL POLLUTION
• CLEANER PRODUCTION
• END OF PIPE TREATMENT
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE CHOICE OF TECHNOLOGY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
1. Nature of pollutant
2. Concentration by pollutant type
3. Flow rate of the exhaust
4. Compliance/standards
5. Cost
9. CLEANER PRODUCTION
• Increase productivity by ensuring a more efficient use of raw materials, energy and water.
• Promote better environmental performance through reduction at point of origin of waste and
emissions.
• Reduce the environmental impact of products throughout their life cycle by the design of
environmentally friendly but cost-effective products.
• What is embodied energy?
10. CLEANER PRODUCTION
Methods
• Alternative Material
• Combination of technology and technology changes
• Process modifications
• Industrial management
• Reuse and recovery of waste
• Useful by products
• Product modification
Benefits:
• Savings – less energy and raw materials, increases efficiency
• Good product quality, savings on end treatments, safe working environments, demands due to good
practices, compliance with environment regulations, good image
11. SIMILAR CONCEPTS
• Waste Minimization (at the source + reuse after reclamation) by EPA 1988
• Pollution prevention (at the source) under NEP of US
• Green productivity (by APO in 1994)(Productivity+ Environmental Performance)
• Eco-efficiency (World business council 1992)(less inputs more production; human- satisfy+ quality
of life; reduce impacts;)
• Industrial ecology (share of materials)
• Industrial eco parks (compatible industries at a common place)
• Life cycle Analysis (extraction to disposal)
• Design for Environment (environmental consideration into design)
• Sustainable Enterprises (Eco + environmental + social)
12. CLEANER
PRODUCTION
VS END OF PIPE
TREATMENT
End of pipe technology Cleaner production
•how can we treat existing waste and emissions? •where do waste and emissions come from?
•stands for re-action •stands for action
•generally leads to additional costs •can help to reduce costs
•waste and emissions are limited through filters and treatment units
•end-of-pipe solutions
•repair technology
•storage of emissions
•waste and emission prevention at the source
•avoids potentially toxic processes and materials
•environmental protection comes in after products and processes have
been developed
•environmental protection comes in as an integral part of product design
and process engineering
•environmental problems are solved from a technological point of view •environmental problems are tackled at all levels / in all fields
•environmental protection is a matter for competent experts •environmental protection is everybody´s business
•is bought from outside •is an innovation developed within the company
•increases material and energy consumption •reduces material and energy consumption
•increased complexity and risks •reduced risks and increased transparency
•environmental protection comes down to fulfilling legal prescriptions •environmental protection as a permanent challenge
•is the result of a production paradigm dating from a time when
environmental problems were not as yet known
•is an approach intending to create production techniques for a more
sustained development
