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Ambient air

When speaking of ambient air, we first and foremost mean the layer of air close to the ground. It has been internationally agreed that all ambient air samples shall be collected at 2 meters above ground level. This enables receiving comparable results. However, the thickness of the ozone layer is determined in a column of air, the height of which is measured in tens of kilometres.

• Various chemical compounds, some of which are damaging to health while others are neutral in respect to people but not the environment (for example, carbon dioxide CO₂);
• Noise;
• Dust;
• Vibration;
• Ionizing radiation, i.e. radiation having an impact on living tissues;
• Non-ionizing radiation, such as ultraviolet radiation;
• Electromagnetic fields.

The impact of these physical and chemical factors is reflected in the deterioration in human health, decrease in the production of plants, thinning of ozone layer and climate change.

• Local sources of pollution, by which we mean energy and technological devices which are the source for a large part of global problems;
• Transport, especially car transport as one of the main reasons of urban air pollution;
• Radars, radio stations and solariums as sources of electromagnetic fields and ultraviolet radiation;
• X-ray and radiation therapy equipment, various radioactive substances used in the industry and science as sources of ionizing radiation.

International conventions seek to regulate all of these processes as well as limit and decrease the impact of human activities. Since the 1970s, attempts have been made to decrease the amount of pollutant emissions into ambient air. The most successful results have been achieved in decreasing the emission of sulphur dioxide (SO₂). However, there is an increasing number of new pollutants on the agenda. Attempts are made to regulate the emission of substances by strict control of production technology and a system of permits. Compulsory measures also include imposing taxes on the amount of pollutants emitted.

Removing substances that destroy the ozone layer from use is complicated as the modern consumer society is unable to cope without them. Use of these substances concerns all of us, for example, through a refrigerator or air conditioner at home. According to international agreements, the use of such substances is to be terminated by the year 2035. Substitutes are sought for substances that are removed from use; however, these often create problems of their own. It has namely become evident that many of the new substances will be included under gases influencing the environment, i.e. greenhouse gases, and their emission needs to be limited again.

The most important gas influencing the environment is carbon dioxide. The emission of carbon dioxide amounts to billions of tons and presently, attempts are made to reach an agreement on reducing the emissions of this gas. However, these possibilities are very problematic, especially in large developed countries where consumption of heat and electrical energy is very high. Estonia has undertaken to decrease the amount of CO₂ by 8% compared to the level of 1990 no sooner than by the year 2012. To do this, the main solution would be using alternative types of fuel and, naturally, economic consumption.

Decreasing heat loss and a purposeful use of energy also have a significant effect. Construction of different air treatment devices is very expensive. So far, significant results have only been achieved in the field of dust separation. Use of alternative energy, such as wind and water power as well as renewable fuels, such as wood and peat, is gaining impetus.

Good quality fuels and more economic cars should be used to decrease the impact of car exhaust gases. All cars should be equipped with a catalyst for reducing the amount of pollutants in exhaust gases.