How to Control Air Pollution?

Control Air Pollution:

1. At Source Industries:

  • Raw material substitution such as replacing high sulfur-containing fuel with low sulfur fuels. It substitutes toluene for benzene, titanium for lead, and calcium phosphate for beryllium.
  • Process Modification: Pollution reduction can be achieved by new or modified processes. For example, the use of exhaust hoods and ducts over several types of industrial ovens has allowed the recovery of valuable solvents that could have otherwise become air pollutants. A dipping process instead of spraying can be implemented.
  • Equipment Alteration: Newer types of equipment that are less pollution-prone, can cut down air pollution.
  • Removal of pollutants at source: Using air pollution control devices such as cyclones, scrubbers, electrostatic precipitators, and bag house fabric filters play a vital role in controlling air pollutants at the source.

2. In Vehicles:

  • Discarding of old vehicles: The car companies should sell or dispose of technologically obsolete vehicles. For example, the United States consumes 100 times more petrol than India. The vehicles in the two countries pump the same amount of benzene, a potent carcinogenic into the air. Therefore, the vehicles in India should meet the latest Euro standards like the MPFi system.
  • Catalytic Converters: These converters are fitted between the engine and the tailpipe, and convert most of the exhaust into less damaging gases via a chemical reaction.

3. Green Vegetation:

  • To reduce the spreading of air pollutants emanating from industrial sources, growing green vegetation around the industry has been recommended by scientists.
  • The neem tree is reported to be helpful in checking atmosphere pollution caused by vehicular and industrial emissions. Therefore, neem trees should be planted in cities that face acute pollution problems.