Technologies for Promoting Clean Air
All over the world, we have a common enemy- Air pollution. When we introduce harmful particles into the atmosphere, we endanger our environment. These particles-pollutants could be smelly sewage, domestic and industrial wastes, or even substances such as Carbon monoxides, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, ammonia, free radicals, CFC, smoke, dust, and other volatile organic compounds.
The WHO says that over 90% of humans live in areas with unsafe air quality levels. More developed countries are trying to find their way out of air pollution, and many developing countries are fast joining the crew. Every year, over four million people die from air pollution. Contrary to what many believe, indoor air pollution may be of greater degrees than outdoor pollution. So, air pollution is not as trivial as you think, and so should be given the utmost priority.
Why Should We Promote Clean Air Technologies?
Polluted air harms us in many ways. People living in highly polluted cities are susceptible to asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, and other respiratory infections. Long-term exposure can cause pulmonary heart diseases, stroke, cancer, premature death, etc. Air pollution destroys our waters, crops, animals, and human lives. Climate change is significantly influenced by the emission and accumulation of harmful gases. Yet the reduction in health and productivity caused by the pollution hinders economic growth and development.
The average adult consumes about 3000 gallons of air daily, telling us the degree of exposure to polluted air. Children are more vulnerable to the impact of air pollution due to the higher concentration of pollutants in relation to their body size. Thus, we must come up with ways to make our environment clean and suitable for our survival.
How Can We Promote Clean Air?
On the brighter side, there are several modern technologies available to improve the quality of air in our environment. Here are a few:
House Design Technology
Since indoor air pollution is equally as effective as outdoor pollution, residential apartments must be designed with air pollution control in mind. These designs and equipment include:
● Strategic design of windows, walls, shading, and reflective roofs to reduce the need for heating during cold climates
● Proper ventilation to curtail accumulation of pollutants, which is most effective when used with low emission technologies
● Low emission stoves to improve combustion and lower emission. This reduces the use of raw coal and kerosene. Instead, solar lamps and rooftop panels are used to reduce reliance on kerosene lamps
● Less use of diesel generators and more dependence on solar and wind energy
Smog Free Towers
Smog consists of a mixture of pollutants; nitrogen and sulphur oxides, ozone, volatile hydrocarbons, and other particles. Daan Roosegaarde and his team created the Smog free towers. These towers operate using a positive ionization process that absorbs smog and releases clean air to the environment. The 7m tall tower can filter about 30,000m³ of air per hour. They also have smog-free bicycles that purify the air around riders and rings which perform the same function.
Air Purifiers/Filters
As the name implies, air filters are devices remove contaminants in the air by a filtration medium. Air filters can be used in homes, businesses, and industries. The filtration media used include fabric, fibre, filter bags, or cartridge filters. They remove smoke, pollen, dust, chemicals, microbes, and other impurities from the air.
Scrubbers
These air pollution control devices are used in the manufacturing and processing industries. Scrubbers remove particles and gases from emissions before they are released into the atmosphere. There are two types of scrubbers; dry scrubbers and wet scrubbers. The scrubbers use the wet or dry medium to neutralise or convert absorbed pollutants to harmless substances.
Vehicle Technologies
Vehicular emissions contribute significantly to the air pollution menace. The vehicles we drive and how we drive them determine the kind of emissions that occur, and their impacts on the environment. A system that allows for preventing vehicle maintenance and driving behavior especially the avoidance of excessive acceleration is important. Fuel quality improvement, as well as the introduction of alternative fuels such as biofuels, gases, and electricity, will also improve air quality.
Organic/Eco-Friendly Farming
Conventional farming methods have been hazardous to our environment and air pollution is one of its effects. Organic farming, on the other hand, does not require petrochemicals which translates to less consumption of non-renewable energy. Its ability to appropriate carbon in the soil helps to mitigate the greenhouse effect and global warming. Organic farming involves practices such as crop rotation which help to retain soil carbon and improve nitrogen fixation hence, cleaning the air.
Waste Management and Incineration Technology
Odours from wastes, sewage, and careless incineration pollute the environment. Waste Management technology involves the reduction in volume, toxicity of wastes, and the use of incinerators through various treatment options. Therefore, we must site incinerators in locations that offer the least potential risk to the environment.
Also, the design, construction, and operation of the incinerator must meet the safety specifications in terms of temperature, emissions, and other factors. Finally, to ensure compliance, we must implement regular maintenance and inspection.
Tree planting
Studies have shown that planting trees is much less cost-intensive than most of the above mentioned technologies. Tree planting may not sound like technology to many but it is an effective solution to air pollution. Plants act as natural filters absorbing harmful gases and releasing harmless gases to the environment. They keep the air clean, fresh, and safe for everyone. We all must embrace the invaluable technology of tree planting to make our environment conducive.
Final Words
Geographical boundaries, race, culture, or social class do not limit the impact of Air pollution. Emissions in one region may affect another by long-distance transport. Again I say, it is a common enemy. And not just the government, but we all must promote clean air technology as much as we can.
Clean air technologies have proven effective in air pollution control though cost-intensive on many levels. The possibility of transferring pollution from one medium to another equally hazardous medium in the environment is high. Therefore, our emphasis should not be on control alone but prevention, too.
How safe is your home, your vehicle, your organisation, farm practice, or lifestyle choice? Are your actions environmentally friendly? Let’s make our world clean again!!
