Controlling Pm Pollution: Strategies For A Cleaner Tomorrow

Particulate matter (PM) pollution, also known as particle pollution, is a pressing issue that poses significant risks to human health and the environment. It refers to a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air, which can be inhaled and cause serious health issues, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing heart or lung conditions. With PM pollution contributing to millions of premature deaths worldwide annually, it is crucial to explore effective strategies to control and mitigate its harmful impacts. This involves implementing measures to reduce emissions, improve air quality, and protect vulnerable populations from exposure to PM pollution.

Electrically operated vehicles

EVs have no tailpipe emissions, which means they emit zero NOx, HC, and carbon monoxide (CO). This is significant because nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a harmful pollutant, is responsible for over 50,000 premature deaths per year in Europe. EVs also emit fewer particulates from brake wear due to regenerative braking, which restores braking energy back to the car's battery to power the car. This reduces the need to use the brakes and, therefore, reduces particle emissions.

However, EVs are typically heavier than internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, which can increase tyre wear and road dust pollution. Research on tyre wear is still ongoing, but it is generally accepted that tyre wear is a significant source of emissions. EVs also require electricity to charge, which may create carbon pollution depending on the energy source. For example, coal or natural gas emit carbon pollution, whereas renewable sources like wind or solar do not.

Despite these considerations, studies have shown that a switch to EVs would reduce PM2.5 emissions, even when electricity generation emissions are included. This has been demonstrated in various locations, including the US, Barcelona, Madrid, and India.

In summary, while electrically operated vehicles are not a perfect solution to PM pollution, they play a crucial role in reducing it. They eliminate tailpipe emissions, reduce brake wear, and tend to have lower particulate emissions overall. Further improvements in tyre technology and the transition to cleaner energy grids will further enhance the positive impact of EVs on air quality.

Sewage treatment

Water pollution is primarily caused by the drainage of contaminated wastewater into natural water bodies such as rivers, lakes, estuaries, and oceans. Sewage treatment, also known as wastewater treatment, aims to remove impurities from sewage or wastewater before it reaches these water bodies. This process is essential as more than 80% of the world's wastewater is discharged back into the environment without proper treatment.

Standards and Regulations

To ensure effective sewage treatment, governments and organizations have implemented standards and regulations. For example, the Central Pollution Control Board in India plays a crucial role in monitoring sewage treatment. Additionally, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates inhalable particles and sets national and regional rules to reduce emissions of pollutants that contribute to PM pollution.

Public-Private Partnerships

In some cases, public-private partnerships may be necessary to augment resources for sewage treatment plants. This collaborative approach can help improve sanitation coverage and public health while reducing child mortality rates. Standardized norms for sewage treatment plants and efficient collection and management of municipal solid waste are also essential.

Impact on Human Health and the Environment

Untreated sewage can have detrimental effects on human health and the environment. Sewage can lead to oxygen depletion in water bodies and cause visual pollution in coastal areas, affecting the tourism industry. Additionally, sewage discharge can introduce harmful chemicals and pathogens into water, posing risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health. Proper sewage treatment helps mitigate these issues and ensures that wastewater is purified before discharge.

Air quality alerts

The AQI provides a colour-coded system to indicate the level of air pollution and the recommended actions to take:

• Yellow (51-100): Air quality is acceptable, but people unusually sensitive to air pollution should consider reducing outdoor activities and intensity.
• Orange (101-150): Unhealthy for sensitive groups, including people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens, pregnant people, and those who exercise or work outdoors. Sensitive groups should shorten and reduce the intensity of outdoor activities and keep medicine close by.
• Red (151-200): Unhealthy. Sensitive groups should avoid long or intense outdoor activities and consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors. Everyone else should reduce long or intense outdoor activities and take more breaks.
• Purple (201-300): Very unhealthy. Everyone should issue a health alert and avoid all physical activity outdoors. Sensitive groups should keep activity levels low even indoors.
• Maroon (301-500): Hazardous. Everyone should avoid all outdoor physical activities and keep activity levels low at home.

When air quality is unhealthy, it is recommended to spend more time indoors, use air conditioning if possible, and use air cleaners or air purifiers. If you have to spend time outdoors, consider wearing a well-fitting face mask, such as an N95 or KN95, take frequent breaks, and adjust your work or exercise schedule for when air conditions improve.

It is important to follow air quality alerts and take appropriate actions to protect your health and the health of those around you.

Clean technologies

Electro-Catalytic Oxidation (ECO):

Powerspan Corporation has developed ECO technology, which significantly reduces emissions from coal-fired power plants. This integrated air pollution control technology treats flue gas in three steps, targeting the removal of NOx, SO2, fine particulate matter, and toxic compounds like mercury and acid gases. The ECO process is installed downstream of a power plant's existing equipment, ensuring efficient multipollutant removal.

Lower Emission Vehicles:

Transitioning to lower emission vehicles is a crucial strategy to reduce PM pollution. This includes the adoption of electric, hybrid, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vehicles. These alternatives offer separate fuel systems, reducing emissions compared to traditional diesel engines. For example, Shell's "gas to liquid" (GTL) fuel, derived from natural gas, can reduce Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions by 5-37% and Particulate Matter (PM) emissions by 10-38% in heavy-duty vehicles.

Hydrogen Fuel Additives:

Improving fuel combustion in existing vehicles through hydrogen fuel additives, such as the ezero1 technology, can enhance fuel efficiency while reducing emissions. This technology can be retrofitted to petrol or diesel cars and vans, offering a more efficient burn and lowering NOx, PM, hydrocarbon, and carbon monoxide emissions.

Autonomous Vehicles:

The shift towards autonomous or self-driving cars has the potential to revolutionize road usage, reducing the stop-start nature of traffic caused by human driving patterns. This can lead to improved fuel efficiency, with estimates suggesting a 15-40% reduction in emissions of local pollutants and greenhouse gases. Additionally, autonomous vehicles offer safety and congestion-reducing benefits.

Liquid Air Technology:

Addressing specific sources of pollution, such as refrigerated vans and trucks, liquid air technology by Dearman offers a zero-emissions alternative. This technology replaces the highly polluting auxiliary engines used in refrigeration units, providing a cleaner solution for transport refrigeration.

Photo-Catalytic Materials:

Photo-catalytic treatments offer an innovative approach to removing pollution from ambient air. These treatments can be applied to various surfaces, such as roofing tiles or roads, utilizing sunlight to break down pollutants. While further trials are needed, this technology shows promise in reducing PM and NOx pollution at a relatively low cost.

Air Purification Towers:

Studio Roosegarde, a Dutch design company, has developed the "Smog Free Tower," an air purification tower that expels clean air while converting extracted pollution into unique pieces of jewellery. This tower can clean up to 3.5 million cubic meters of air per day, offering a creative solution to combat urban air pollution.

Energy-efficient homes

Homes and buildings account for a significant proportion of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In Canada, for example, buildings, including homes, are responsible for about 13% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions. When considering space and water heating, as well as electricity use for cooling, lighting, and appliances, this figure rises to 18%. Therefore, improving the energy efficiency of homes can significantly reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Canadian government, for instance, has introduced the Canada Greener Homes Grant, which provides grants of up to $5,000 for energy-efficient retrofits to primary residences. Eligible improvements include replacing windows and doors, adding insulation, sealing air leaks, improving heating and cooling systems, and adopting renewable energy systems like solar panels. Such measures not only reduce energy bills and create jobs but also play a crucial role in fighting climate change and improving air quality.

Reducing PM Pollution

Particulate Matter (PM) pollution, a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets in the air, poses significant health risks, especially to children and older adults. PM2.5, fine inhalable particles with diameters of 2.5 micrometers or less, can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, causing serious health issues, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and cancers.

To reduce PM pollution, individual actions include reducing the usage of particulate-forming appliances, avoiding burning, quitting indoor smoking, walking or using public transportation instead of driving, and using renewable energy sources like solar power. Additionally, proper ventilation, the use of air purifiers, and regular cleaning can help minimize indoor particulate matter levels, creating healthier indoor environments.

On a broader scale, implementing strict emissions standards for industries and vehicles, promoting sustainable agricultural and urban planning practices, encouraging the use of cleaner fuels and energy sources, and investing in research and innovation for new technologies are all crucial steps in the fight against PM pollution.

Frequently asked questions