JAWAHARLAL NEHRU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY HYDERABAD B.Tech IV Year AIR POLLUTION Previous Question Paper (September - 2022 - R18)

Air pollution sources are broadly categorized into natural and anthropogenic origins. Natural sources include volcanic eruptions, which release sulfur dioxide and ash; forest fires, which emit carbon monoxide and particulate matter; and wind-blown dust from arid regions. Anthropogenic sources are primarily categorized as follows:

• Stationary Sources: These include point sources like industrial chimneys, power plants, and refineries that emit sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and heavy metals. Area sources include residential heating, waste incineration, and agricultural burning.
• Mobile Sources: These consist of internal combustion engines in automobiles, trucks, aircraft, and ships, which are major contributors to carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds.
• Fugitive Sources: These are non-point emissions such as dust from construction sites, mining operations, and agriculture, as well as leaks from industrial storage tanks and pipelines.

Air pollutants exert significant adverse effects on human health, impacting multiple physiological systems depending on the pollutant type and duration of exposure:

• Respiratory System: Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing inflammation, reduced lung function, and exacerbating conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Cardiovascular System: Fine particles and carbon monoxide enter the bloodstream. Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, reducing oxygen-carrying capacity, which strains the heart and can lead to myocardial infarction or arrhythmias.
• Carcinogenic Effects: Long-term exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene, and asbestos fibers is strongly linked to the development of lung cancer and other malignancies.
• Neurological and Developmental Impacts: Heavy metals like lead, often found in airborne dust, are neurotoxic, particularly in children, leading to cognitive impairment and developmental delays.
• Systemic Effects: Ground-level ozone causes oxidative stress, leading to eye irritation, throat dryness, and lowered immune response, making individuals more susceptible to respiratory infections.