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1.2 Pollutants and Emission Sources 23

• olatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and organosilicon compounds V
olatile or
Description : Vganic compounds are released from burning fuels (gasoline, oil,
ents,
wood coal, natural gas) and volatile liquid chemicals, such as solv paints, and glues.
Automotive vehicles are also an important source of VThe list of VOCs is lengthy OCs.
and includes chemicals such as benzene, toluene, and methylene chloride. Depending on
the specific compound, they can take part in ozone formation or may cause serious health
problems such as cancer and other undesirable ef fects.
Source : Road transport is the main source, whereas mineral oil and gas refineries are
responsible for 0.2 10 6 t/yr released into the air reaching 39.2% of the total industrial
,
emissions.
Impact: Depends on the exact compound; from health effects (cancer) to photochemi-
cal smog formation.
• Particulate Matter (such as dust, soot, alkali, and heavy metals)
ood,
y:
Description : The sources of particulate matter are man burning of w diesel, and
other fuels, industrial plants, and agriculture. It leads to decrease in visibility in urban areas
and poses a threat to health, since it enters the organism through the respiratory system. It
has to be noted that compounds of low volatility that are formed secondarily in the atmos-
phere may be condensed on particulates, and as a result, the inhaled particles constitute a
complex mixture of hazardous chemical compounds. The highest concentrations of air-
borne metal particles occur near mines, smelters, and metal processing/hea vy engineering
works. These particles are so small that they can be carried enormous distances by the
,
wind. Mercury in particular which largely occurs in gaseous form in the atmosphere, can
be dispersed a very long way indeed.
Source : Road transport and the energy sectorustion installations are responsible . Comb
for 77 10 3 t/yr in the atmosphere, this being 47.9% of the total emissions from industry
in Europe.
Impact: Respiratory diseases, winter-type smog.

It is easily concluded from the aboe that road transport and combustion installations
v
are the main sources of air pollutants. In Table 1.11, the releases of the main air pollu-
tants in connection to the main activities as coered in EPER are presented (transport is
v
v not coered).

1.2.2 Water

The sources of water pollution are di vided into

• point sources, such as chemical industries and human communities
• nonpoint sources, such as agricultural activities and landfill leachates.

Point sources are mainly responsible for the pollution of surface waters (ri lak ers, v es,
seas), whereas nonpoint sources mainly contribute to the pollution of groundw ater
v er resources. Moreo, releases from point sources can be treated by water treatment w aste
plants, whereas nonpoint source releases can only be minimized.