AIR POLLUTION AND ITS CONTROL MEASURES IN CONSTRUCTION SECTOR

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN:2395-0056

Volume: 09 Issue: 09 | Sep 2022 www.irjet.net p-ISSN:2395-0072

AIR POLLUTION AND ITS CONTROL MEASURES IN CONSTRUCTION SECTOR

ABSTRACT -

We should always measure, monitor and take required implementable steps to keep our SPM levels and other foreign pollutantspresentintheatmospherewithinthestandardpermissiblerangethenandthenonlywecanhavethesustainable, safeandhealthyenvironmentforallofusandforthefuturegenerationsaswell.

To achieve the desired SPM levels and other pollutants within the standard permissible limits we can use different technologies, different fuels to a great extent in construction sites which will help us in meeting the required air pollution controlnormssothatwecandotheconstructionactivitieswithoutanylegalhurdles

1. INTRODUCTION –

Air pollution is basically the foreign material present in the air like Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), CO2, CarbonMonoxide(CO),ParticulateMatters(PM10andPM2.5),VolatileOrganicCompounds(VOCs).

Thisoccursduetohumanactivitiesornaturally.

Thesourcesofairpollutantsincludevehicles, varioustypesofindustries,Constructionsector,DomesticandNaturalsources. VehiclePollutionhasasignificanteffectontheenvironmentandonthehumanhealthalso

Further emission reductions from automobiles and transportation vehicles is difficult to achieve, but we have received the taskandthreatbeforeallofustocontrolit,otherwiseweareandwewillfacetheconsequencesarisingfromtheairpollution.

This is not possible without the involvement of every citizen of our country, which will help in taking adequate steps to mitigatethisprobleminordertohavethecleanAirforallofusandforthefuturegenerationsaswell.

Governmentbodies,variousauthoritiesandindustryshouldalsogetinvolvedproperlytotackleairpollutionwiththehelpof policy reformation, along with the technological innovation and timely strict implementation of the Air pollution mitigation measures

Difference between the Primary and Secondary Pollutants in the Air.

Primary pollutants arethosepollutantsthatgetaddeddirectlyintotheairwhile secondary pollutants areformedasresult ofchemicalandphysicalreactionsbetweenprimarypollutantsandotheratmosphericcomponents.

1.1 Major Primary Pollutants generated by Human Activity

:-

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) - especially nitrogen dioxide emerges from high temperature combustion. Nitrogen dioxide is the chemicalcompoundwiththeformulaNO2.Itisoneoftheseveralnitrogenoxides.



Carbon Monoxide (CO) - It is a product resulting from incomplete combustion of fuels such as natural gas, coal or wood. Vehicularexhaustisamajorsourceofcarbonmonoxide.



VolatileOrganicCompounds-VOCsareanimportantoutdoorairpollutant.Theyaredividedintotwoseparatecategories namelymethane(CH4)andnon-methane(NMVOCs).



International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN:2395-0056

Volume: 09 Issue: 09 | Sep 2022 www.irjet.net p-ISSN:2395-0072

Particulates, alternatively referred to as particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) - Atmospheric particulate matter or fine particlesaretinyparticlesofsolidorliquidsuspendedinagas. 

Persistentfreeradicalsconnectedtoairbornefineparticlescancausecardiopulmonarydiseases 

Chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs)-harmfultotheozonelayeremittedfromproductscurrentlybannedfromuse.

1.2 Secondary Pollutants include:-

Ozone(O3);SulfuricacidandNitricacid(componentofacidrain);ParticulateMatter;NitrogenDioxide(NO2);PeroxyAcetyl Nitrates(PANs). 

GroundlevelOzone(O3)formedfromNOxandVOCs.Ozone(O3)isakeyconstituentofthetroposphere.Itisalsoan importantconstituentofcertainregionsofthestratospherecommonlyknown astheOzonelayer. 

PeroxyAcetylNitrate(PAN)-similarlyformedfromNOxandVOCs.

1.3 Objective for the present study:–

To minimize the effect of urban air pollution on the surrounding Environment and the human beings, which motivates us to take various air pollution control measures from time to time by every individuals, Government bodies, various authorities, institutions,industries,Constructionsectoraswell.

1.4

Air Pollution in Construction Sector:-

Theback-boneofeconomicdevelopmentisinfrastructure.Allconstructionsitesgeneratehighlevelsofpollutionand thiscancarryforlargedistancesoveralongperiodoftime.AspertheDelhiPollutionControlCommittee(DPCC)officials,30 percentofairpollutioniscausedduetodustwhichgeneratesfromtheconstructionsites.

1.5

Sources of pollution at Construction Sites:-

ExcavationcausesmajorparticulatepollutionintheentirelifecycleofconstructingabuildingoraProject Drillingand miningactivitiesgenerateairparticulates(dust)thatremaininsuspensionforalongerduration.

TheConstructionIndustryinvolvesvariousactivitieslikeExcavationwhichspreadsfinedustparticlesintheair, BatchingPlantusedforRMCproductionalsospreadsfinecementparticlesintheair,FabricationWorks,Constructionworks, DumpTrucks,Tractorsusedforshiftingsand,spreadssandparticlesintheairandvariousStructuralsteelmaterials,finishing activitiesneedtobespraypaintedwhichhasVOCsinthemalsocausesVOCrelatedairpollution.

Inconstructionworksfordoingtheconcrete,manyequipmentsareusednamelyTransitMixers,BoomPlacers,Concrete PumpsallusesDieselandthepollutantslikeCO,CO2,SOx,NOxetc.areemittedintotheenvironmentduetotheseVehicles andEquipments.

Finishingactivitiesincludefixingofdrysandboardswhichismadeupoffinegypsummaterials.Toovercomepower shortagesDGSetsareusedwhichemitsairpollutantslikeCO,CO2,SOx,NOxetc.Alsopneumaticcompressorsareusedwhich causesmajorAirandNoisepollution.

Forbreakinghardconcrete,whiledoingchippingactivities,smallbreakersalongwiththepockleinmachinesareused whichcreatesdustpollutionalongwithvibrationinthatparticulararea.

FordoingvariousmechanicalworksHydras,CrawlermountedCranes,Excavators,Dodgers,DumpTrucksareusedin whichdieselisconsumedwhichemitsAirpollutantslikeCO,CO2,SOx,NOxetc.

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN:2395-0056

Volume: 09 Issue: 09 | Sep 2022 www.irjet.net p-ISSN:2395-0072

ThemainconstructioncontaminantsthatspreadaroundbywindincludePM10(particulatematterwithadiameterless than10micronsgeneratingpolluteddust),VOCs(volatileorganiccompounds),asbestos,gasessuchascarbonmonoxide, carbondioxide,andnitrogenoxides,etc.

1.6 Construction Dust:-

Construction and demolition operations contribute to windblown dust problems - sometimes called fugitive dust onto nearbyroadwayswhichcanremainintheairfordaysorevenweeks.

BigsourceofPM2.5onconstructionsitescomefromthedieselengineexhaustsofdieselgenerators,heavyvehiclesand equipments.

Noxious vaporsfrom oils, glues, thinners, paints, treated woods, plastics, cleaners and other hazardous chemicals that arewidelyusedinconstructionsites,alsocontributetoairpollution.

1.7 C&D Waste:-

TheC&DWastecomprisesofbuildingmaterials,debrisandrubbleresultingfromconstruction,re-modeling,repairand demolitionofanycivilstructure.

Also considerable waste is generated due to operation of the Batching Plants used for producing the RCC and different gradesofconcreteused for thevariousconstructionactivities whichovera period oftimeresultsintheaccumulationofthe C&Dwasteinthesite.

ConstructionindustryinIndiageneratesabout10-12milliontonsofC&DWasteannually.

Rules and clearances for Construction Projects:-

TheMinistryofEnvironment,ForestandClimateChangehasmadeitmandatorytoobtain environmentalclearancesfor constructionprojectshavingcoveredbuilt-upareagreaterthan 20,000Sq.Mtr.

IndianGovernmenthasalsosetforthguidelinesandmadeitmandatory forconstructionsiteownerstoimplementdust preventive/mitigationmeasuresinordertominimizetheimpactonenvironment.

Pollution Control Measures in the Construction Sector:-

1. Dust/windbreakingwallsof6Metersheightareprovidedallaroundtheperipheryofconstructionsite. Thishelpsin keepingtheSPM withintheconstructionsiteonlyandas thesiteisvastitwill notgoontothepublic roadsorinourneighborhoodareas,bythiswaywearecontributinginkeepingtheSPMwithinthesafezone.

2. Anti-smog guns are provided in the site premises which sprinkles the water in the mist like form i.e. fine water dropletsintheairwhichhelpsinbringingtheairbornparticlesdowntothesurfaceandkeepstheenvironmentfree fromSPM.

3. By providing green colour garden net in all the stair cases where the workmen movement is more to keep them healthy as the Delhi weather is such that at any time wind blows and affects the health of the workmen. This also helpsinreducingtheSPMintheatmosphere.

4. Wheneveranyvehiclestransportstheconstructionmaterialtotherequiredlocationitiscoveredwiththegreencolour gardennettostoptheflowofpollutantsintotheatmosphere.

5. C&DWasteisbrokenandreusedintheareaswherethereisthefillingrequirementandtheremainingquantityisgiven totheauthorizedrecyclerbackforfurtheruse.

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN:2395-0056

Volume: 09 Issue: 09 | Sep 2022 www.irjet.net p-ISSN:2395-0072

6. Any leftover C&D Waste in the site is stored properly at a designated place and covered with the green cloth to preventtheflowofanySPMintotheatmosphere.

7. In our construction site we have mostly covered the usable areas with bitumen roads as well as we are planting adequatequantityoftreestopreventtheflowofSPMintotheatmosphere.

8. TheunpavedroadsarelaidwithGSMmaterials,rolledproperlywiththerollersandtimetotimewatersprinklingis doneusingwatersprinklingtankersusingtheDJBSTPwatertopreventthesuspensionofairborneparticlesintothe environment,bythiswaywearemaintainingthehealthandhygieneofourconstructionsiteworkforce.

9. Weareusingthewheelwashfacilitywhichisprovidedatthemaingatewheretheoutsidevehiclesentersandleaves the construction to prevent the carryover of the dust particles on to the public roads and in this way we help in maintaintheenvironment.

10. We are providing the workmen working in the Batching plant with the Dust Masks to prevent health hazards to the constructionworkmen.

11. Heavy vehicles used in the site are required to strictly follow the fitness and PUC certificates to control the air pollution.

12. We are using different types of Granite stones in our project which also contributes to the stone dust and to take controlofthesameweareusingwetjetspraytechniquestocontrolthestonedustpollution.

13. Timetotimehealthcheckupaswellasfirstaidcentersareestablishedinoursitetotacklehealthrelatedproblemif anybutwearemaintainingtheenvironmentinaverycleanandgreenzonesothereisaverylessneedtousethese facilitiesatall.

14. Regularly we are submitting the environmental data of our construction site in the online DPCC Portal which is an Environmental monitoring body for the Delhi-NCR Region and they are supporting and appreciating our efforts by wayofgivingpositiveremarksthroughtheportal

2. CONCLUSION:-

With this I would like to conclude that by measuring, monitoring and by taking various implementable steps wecan control SPM levels and other foreign pollutants present in the atmosphere within the standard permissible range which will help in sustainable,safeandhealthyenvironmentforallofusandforthefuturegenerationsaswell.

3. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT –

I am very much thankful to the Al Falah University Civil Dept. HOD – Dr. Syed Khurseed Ahmed who guided me in completingtheM Tech projectaswellashelpedinpublishingthispaperwithagoodqualitywork I am also very much thankful to the Al-Falah-University Management in helping me whatever assistance needed to completetherequiredwork.

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN:2395-0056

Volume: 09 Issue: 09 | Sep 2022 www.irjet.net p-ISSN:2395-0072

[3] Rati Sindhwani, Pramila Goyal (2014), Assessment of traffic-generated gaseous and particulate matter emissions andtrendsoverDelhi

[4]DhanashriAjayKonnur,Dr.LKRagha(2016),ReviewPaperonSmartSensorNetworkforAirQualityMonitoring

[5] Anikender Kumar, Pramila Goyal (2011), Forecasting of air quality in Delhi using principal component regression technique

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[7]nptel.iitm.ac.in/.../Environmental

[8]www.ilo.org/oshenc/...pollution-control/.../507-air-pollution-management

[9]SchoolofEconomicsandManagement,NorthChinaElectricPowerUniversity,Beijing,China.

[10]highspeedtraining.co.uk

5. BIOGRAPHIES –

First Author – Bhadresh Modi.

BE - Chemical Engineering, PostGraduateDiploma inBusinessManagement,Post DiplomainIndustrial Safety,PostDiploma in Environment Technology & Management, NEBOSH Certified EHS Professional having experience of 24 Years in various industries.

HasworkedinvariousindustrieswhichincludesChemical,PharmaceuticalIndustry,PipedNaturalGasDistributionCompany, ThermalPowerPlants,andtheConstructionSectoramongall.

Second Author – Dr. Syed Khurseed Ahmed.

AlFalahUniversityCivilHODisarenownedpersonalityinthefieldofCivilandEnvironment Engineering.Heishavingavery vastexperienceintheacademicfield.