--- title: "Air pollutants: effects and remedies" subject: "Engineering Chemistry" chapter: 3 key: "semester_2/engineering_chemistry:air-pollutants-effects" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_2/engineering_chemistry/air-pollutants-effects site: BCT Engineering --- # Air pollutants: effects and remedies Engineering Chemistry · Chapter 3: Environmental Chemistry - Asked in: 2072 Asoj, 2+1.5+1.5 marks - Video: [Air Pollution | Classification of Air Pollutants | Effect of Air Pollution | Environmental Science](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jscG31gMKMI) — Gautam Varde - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_2/engineering_chemistry/air-pollutants-effects - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_2/engineering_chemistry/chapter-3 ## Question What are air pollutants? Give a brief account about the adverse effects of air pollutants on human beings and their possible remedies. ## Short answer Air pollutants like CO form carboxyhaemoglobin reducing oxygen; SO₂/NOx cause respiratory diseases; particulates cause lung cancer; lead damages the brain. Remedies: clean fuels, catalytic converters, industrial filters (electrostatic precipitators, scrubbers), afforestation, and public awareness. ## Answer **Air pollutants** are substances in the atmosphere (gases, vapours, particles) in amounts harmful to life and property. Examples: CO, SO₂, NOx, hydrocarbons, ozone and particulate matter. #### Adverse effects on human beings - **CO:** forms carboxyhaemoglobin, reducing oxygen supply; headache, dizziness, death. - **SO₂ and NOx:** irritate eyes and lungs, cause asthma, bronchitis; acid rain. - **Particulates:** lung diseases, silicosis, lung cancer, heart disease. - **Ozone and smog:** eye irritation, breathing problems. - **Lead:** damages brain and kidneys, especially of children. - **Hydrocarbons (benzene):** carcinogenic. #### Possible remedies - Use clean fuels (LPG, CNG, electricity, biogas), low-sulphur fuel, and lead-free petrol. - Fit catalytic converters and enforce vehicle emission standards; ban old polluting vehicles. - Install control devices in industries: electrostatic precipitators, cyclone separators, bag filters, scrubbers. - Convert to zigzag kilns in brick industry; avoid open burning of waste. - Plant trees and green belts; better town planning and public transport. - Strict pollution-control laws and public awareness. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. Why is CO poisonous? A. It reacts with lung tissue to form acid B. It makes blood too thick to flow C. It combines with haemoglobin to form carboxyhaemoglobin, reducing O2 transport D. It destroys ozone in the lungs Answer: C. CO binds haemoglobin, so less oxygen is carried. (Key point: CO effect) 2. Lead mainly damages A. The skin only B. Bones only C. Hair only D. The brain and kidneys, especially of children Answer: D. Lead affects brain and kidneys. (Key point: Lead) 3. SO2 and NOx cause A. Eye and lung irritation, asthma, bronchitis and acid rain B. Anaemia C. Rickets D. Blue-baby syndrome Answer: A. They are respiratory irritants. (Key point: SOx NOx effect) 4. Which are remedies for air pollution from vehicles? A. Leaded petrol and old vehicles B. Clean fuels (LPG, CNG), lead-free petrol, catalytic converters C. Burning waste openly D. Using high-sulphur coal Answer: B. Cleaner fuels and catalytic converters cut emissions. (Key point: Fuel and vehicles) 5. Which devices control particulate emission from industries? A. Catalytic converters only B. Trickling filters C. Electrostatic precipitators, cyclone separators, bag filters, scrubbers D. Activated sludge tanks Answer: C. These capture particulates and gases before release. 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