Air Pollution Solutions

Legislation- Clean air Act (70, 77, 90) National ambient air standards for particulates, sulfur oxides, CO, NO, O3, hydrocarbons, and lead. Set the maximum allowable levels for these pollutants.

Industrial emission technologies Electrostatic precipitators-electrodes remove particulates. Baghouse filters- capture particulates.

Electrostatic Precipitator

Baghouse filter

Cyclone seperators- spin gases to remove particulates. Wet scrubbers- water mist captures particulates.

Cyclone seperator

Wet scrubber

Reducing vehicle emissions Prevention- walking, bicycling, mass transit, car pooling, less polluting fuels and engines, retiring old cars, tax incentives, restricted driving.

Auto emmision cleanup- catalytic converters change pollutants into water, car exhaust inspections, tougher standards.

Hybrid cars Use an electric and gasoline engine to cut down on emissions.

Reducing indoor air pollution Modify building codes to reduce radon infiltration. Install exhaust hoods for gas appliances. Periodic cleaning and maintenance of air duct systems.

Formaldehyde standards. Find safe substitutes for polluting building materials. Ban and remove asbestos containing materials from all buildings.

General solutions Integrate pollution regulations between local, state, federal and global law makers. Educate.

Recycling and reuse. Develop regional strategies involving major polluters. Pollution credits can be sold and traded between polluting industries. Slow population growth.