Air Pollution Prevention Technologies

Abstract

Air pollution levels have been increasing in recent years. Air emissions have many adverse environmental effects such as global warming, ozone depletion, acidification, or eutrophication of natural ecosystems and biodiversity of freshwater bodies. On the other hand, long-term exposure to air pollution has serious impact on human health affecting the lungs and the respiratory system. The principal pollutants of air pollution are NO_X, SO_X, CO₂, CO, HC, other organic and inorganic gases, as well as particulate matters. Air pollutants can be reduced by using a wide range of air pollution control devices in order to prevent their adverse effects of to the environment and human health. Many technological applications serve this purpose. Incinerators, gravitational settling chambers, electrostatic precipitators, cyclone separators, selective catalytic reduction systems, fabric filters, biofilters, and scrubbers are the main air pollution prevention technologies. The decision of the suitable control devices depends on the type of air pollutants and condition at the sources. If the amount of pollutants emitted to the atmosphere is decreased, the atmospheric concentrations of the pollutants will also decrease. As a result, exposure to air pollution declines and adverse effects of air pollution on the environment and human health are taken under control.