Want to reduce Air Pollution —Start From The Fugitive Emission sources

What is Fugitive emission? : Fugitive emissions are the unintended or uncontrolled releases of pollutants from industrial, commercial, and residential source that cannot reasonably pass through a vent, stack, or chimney system to reduce emissions. Fugitive emissions are a major source of air pollution in cities, and can have significant impacts on public health and the environment.

The Pollutants : The emissions include a wide range of pollutants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM).

The Activities that causes the emissions : Construction activities (highway and infrastructure), solid waste (emits methane), operation of hot mix plants and brick kilns, stone crushers, sawmills, ice making and cold storage plants(leakage of ammonia gas) are major sources of fugitive emissions.

Stone crushers, hot mix plants and Brick kilns are causing fugitive due to non-adoption of cleaner technology.

Photo by Brian Garrity on Unsplash

Steps to reduce the city’s fugitive emissions:

Reducing fugitive emissions in a city requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach that involves multiple stakeholders and agencies. This can include implementing regulations and standards that limit emissions from industrial, commercial, and residential sources, promoting the use of cleaner technologies and fuels, and engaging with the community to raise awareness and encourage action to reduce emissions.

1. One key strategy for reducing fugitive emissions in a city is to implement strict regulations and standards for air pollution control. This can include establishing emission limits for industrial facilities, stone crushers, brick-kilns and requiring the use of cleaner technologies and fuels. For example, regulations can require the use of low-emitting vehicles and equipment, such as electric vehicles, natural gas engines, and advanced combustion technologies (zig-zag stack).
2. Another important strategy is to promote the use of cleaner technologies and fuels in the city. This can include providing incentives and support for the adoption of cleaner technologies, such as subsidies for electric vehicles or renewable energy systems. It can also include promoting the use of alternative fuels, such as natural gas or bio-fuels, which can reduce emissions from vehicles and industrial facilities.
3. Stone crushers could construct metal roads within the premises to reduce the dust and wind-breaking walls to reduce the noise. Saw mills and wood dust industries should adopt wet scrubber technology to reduce the dust emissions.
4. Engaging with the community and other stakeholders is also critical for reducing fugitive emissions in a city. This can include public education campaigns, community engagement activities, and partnerships with businesses, schools, and other organizations. For example, city governments can work with schools to educate students about the impacts of air pollution and encourage them to take action to reduce emissions.
5. Collaboration with other local bodies, regional agencies, and national governments is also essential for reducing fugitive emissions in a city. This can include sharing data and information, coordinating efforts to reduce emissions, and advocating for stronger air quality regulations and policies at the regional and national levels. For example, city governments can work with regional agencies to develop strategies for reducing emissions from transportation and industry, and can advocate for national policies that support cleaner technologies and fuels.

Overall, reducing fugitive emissions in a city requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach that involves multiple stakeholders and agencies. This can include implementing regulations and standards for air pollution control, promoting the use of cleaner technologies and fuels, engaging with the community, and collaborating with other local bodies, regional agencies, and national governments.

By taking these steps, cities can reduce fugitive emissions and improve air quality, protecting public health and the environment.