Air Quality Management : Considerations for Developing Countries Book

The burning of fossil fuels leads to the productin of pollutants such as carbon monoxide; sulfur oxides; nitrogen oxides; hydrocarbons; lead; and inhalable particulates such as dust, smoke, and fumes. In sufficient quantities these pollutants can injure people, forests, and crops. Moreover, consumption of fossil fuels and production of certain industrial chemicals also appear to be damaging the layer of stratospheric ozone, which helps protect the earth from the harmful effects of the sun ' s rays. Pollution also appears to be driving the greenhouse effect, which may threaten the overall stability of the global ecosystem. Although air pollution is most often associated with the industrialized countries, it has become a significant and increasing problems in many developing countries, as economic growth stimulates consumption of fossil fuels for use in industry and transport; pollution levels in some developing-country cities are already worse than those of some industrial countries. The inhabitants of developing countries are also more likely to suffer the detrimental health effects that can result from breathing polluted air, in part because they generally spend more time outdoors and are more likely to travel in open motor vehicles. This study seeks to provide a basis for developing countries to develop effective air quality management programs. The paper does the following: 1) it outlines the nature and extent of the problem as well as some basic concepts that are of relevance to developing countries (such as toxicity weighting factors); 2) it introduces the air pollutants of concern and detail their detrimental effects on the physical environment and on the health of children andadults; 3) it provides information on the ambient air quality and emission standards of various countries, including the United States, as well as those established by the World Health Organization; 4) it shows how to evaluate the benefits of reduction of various air pollutants; 5) it looks at some options for mitigating air pollution from stationary and mobile sources; and 6) it presents conclusions and recommendations about air quality management strategies that may be helpful to developing countries. Both economic and environmental logic argue for vigorous action to control air pollution in the early stages of development, when it is both cheaper and more effective to deploy anti-pollution measures. Conversely, failure to develop effective air quality management systems will mean worsening air pollution at the local and global levels.