Air Pollution Control

Abstract

The course teaches the basics of air pollution control and deals with the emissions of air pollutants from technical/man-made processes, their dispersion and chemical transformation in the atmosphere, as well as their effects on humans and the environment.

Objective

The students gain general knowledge on the mechanisms of pollutant formation in technical processes and know the most important emission sources of air pollutants. The chemical and physical behaviour of air pollutants in the atmosphere is known to the students and they understand the effects of air pollutants on humans and the environment. The students know the legal basis and the concepts and methods of air pollution control and how air pollutants are measured and how information on the state of air quality is obtained through measurements and modelling.

Content

Release of pollutants, their dispersion and transformation in the atmosphere and resulting environmental pollution, in particular - Legal basis of air pollution control in Switzerland - Pollutant formation and emissions through physical and chemical processes - Emission measurement concepts and technologies - Quantification of emissions from man-made and natural sources - Extent and temporal development of emissions (Switzerland and worldwide) - Measures of ambient air pollutants - Dispersion and transformation of air pollutants - Influence of meteorology on the dispersion of air pollutants - Models for describing the dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere - State and temporal development of air quality - Effects of elevated air pollution on human health and the environment - Ambient air pollutant measurement concepts and technologies - Emission standards and ambient air quality standards

Resources