In last 2 decades, the study of the phenomena related to the environment has gained enormous importance. Environmental pollution has becomes one of the most important issue of global concern. The branch of chemistry which deals with the study of various chemical phenomena occurring in the environment is called environmental chemistry. It is a must disciplinary science which, refer to the study of sources transport, reactions, effect & fate of certain chemical species on air, water & solid.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

Environmental pollution may be described as the contamination of the environment with harmful wastes arising mainly from human activities. These activities release certain materials which produce pollution in the atmosphere, water & soil. The environmental pollution can be caused by Chemical agents (gases, pesticides, particulates) Physical agents (heat, noise, radiation) or Biological agents (micro – organisms) Pollution produces adverse effect on living as well as on non living materials. The effect of pollution are increasing at an alarming rate & if the same are not checked & controlled, they will pose a serious threat to human existence & habitat common terms to understand Problems of pollution are

Pollutant

Any substance or species produced either by a natural source or by human activity, which produces adverse effect on the environment is called pollutant.

CONTROL OF AIR POLLUTION

Air pollution can be checked either at source or at the dispersal stage of various pollutants. Although the Prob. of controlling air pollution at source is not easy, yet it can be reduced to some extent by taking steps such as, Use of appropriate raw materials, selection of proper sites for industrial units & use of modern techniques for efficient reduction of emission & effluents.

Different methods for the control of various air pollutants are as follows:

Control of CO

Some of the measures which can be adopted for control of CO pollution are:

(a) Use of anti pollution exhaust catalyst.

(b) Modification & improvement in internal combustion engine.

(c) Use of other fuels such as CNG, LPG & LHG.