This is an overview of air pollution in Jamaica. This slideshow highlights the causes, effects and Jamaican agencies that address air pollution.

1. Group
Members:
Japhia Beckford
Sanya Morrison
Rashida
Harrison

2. What is air pollution?
According to Raven & Berg
(2001), “Air pollution refers to
gases, liquids, or solids present in
the atmosphere in high enough
levels to harm humans and other
organisms”.

3. Pollutant Source (Cause) Effects
Particulate matter Industries, motor
vehicles
Aggravates respiratory
illnesses, long-term
exposure may cause
increased incidence of
chronic conditions such
as bronchitis
Sulphur oxides Electric power plants
and other industries
Irritates respiratory
tract; same effects as
particulates
Nitrogen oxide Motor vehicles,
industries heavily
fertilized farmland
Irritate respiratory
tract; aggravates
respiratory conditions
such as asthma and
chronic bronchitis
Types, Sources, and
Effects of Air Pollution
Next Page

4. Pollutant Source Effects
Carbon monoxide Motor vehicles, industries Reduces blood’s ability to
transport oxygen;
headache and fatigue at
lower levels, mental
impairment or death at
high levels
Ozone Formed in atmosphere
(secondary air pollutant)
Irritates eyes, irritates
respiratory tract,
produces chest
discomfort, aggravates
respiratory conditions
such as asthma and
chronic bronchitisAdopted from Raven & Berg
(2004)

5. Jamaican Air Pollution
The main sources of air emissions in Jamaica are: ƒ
Industrial activities ƒ
Transportation industry ƒ
Environmental accidents ƒ
Domestic sources ƒ
Agriculture ƒ
Fires
Jermaine Barnaby
Kingston was blanketed by the smoke from
the fire at the Riverton City disposal site
that broke out on March 11, 2015

6. Jermaine Barnaby
Aerial view of Riverton City disposal site smoke
a day after the fire broke out on March 11,
2015.
A car over Portmore
releasing particulate
matter.

7. Jermaine Barnaby
Braving the smoke from the fire at Riverton
City disposal site that broke out on March 11,
2015
A picture from the Kingston
harbour.

8. Norman Grindley
The anguish is visible as Albert Braham rushes his daughter from the George
Headley Primary School in Kingston to a nearby clinic. The girl fainted after
suffering breathing problems because of the smoke coming from the fire at the
Riverton City disposal site that broke out on March 11.

10. The following are the effects of air pollution of the
environment:
Smog
Acid Rain
Ozone Depletion
Effects of Air Pollution

11. Smog
-Smog is caused by
chemical reactions
between pollutants
derived from
different sources.
-Cities are often
centers of these types
of activities.

12. Acid Rain
-It’s caused when a
pollutant combines
with droplets of
water in the air.
-The effects of acid
rain on the
environment can be
very serious.

13. Greenhouse effect
-It generally comes from the build up of carbon dioxide gas in the
atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is produced when fuels are burned.
-In this type of pollution sun rays go into the atmosphere and they
are trapped by greenhouse-gasses. So the temperature on the earth
raise.

14. • Hole in the Ozone Layer (Ozone Depletion)
This is when the Ozone starts to fade away because of
the pollution so then the Ozone doesn’t protect the earth
anymore from the UV rays
-Releases of CFC from heating, aerosol cans,
refridgerator equipment removes some of the ozone,
causing “holes”.
(Ozone Depletion, 1999)

15. It’s more dangerous
than the outdoor
pollution, because we do
everything in enclosed
environments where air
circulation may be
restricted.
There are many sources
of indoor air pollution:
tobacco smoke, cooking
and heating appliances,
and vapors from
building materials.

16. According to Conserve Energy
Future (2015), the following
are some solutions to air
pollution:
Conserve energy
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Emphasize on clean energy
resources

17. Guest Presenters:
o The Natural Resources Conservation Authority
(NRCA)
o The National Environmental Planning Agency
(NEPA)

18. The NRCA is the government agency responsible for
the management, conservation and protection of the
natural resources of Jamaica. It is the national focal
point for the environmental information and
management in Jamaica and is so recognized by the
United Nations system. The NRCA is equipped by law,
to serve notice on any person involved in any activity
which damages or poses a threat to our natural
resources or to public health.

19. • The NRCA (Air Quality Regulations, 2006) provides
the framework for regulating emissions from major
and significant point sources and are pursuant to
section 38 of the NRCAAct, 1991.
• The NRCA (Ambient Air Quality Standards
Regulations, 1996) underpin the responsibility of the
government to ensure that ambient air quality
protects human and environmental health.

20. Operation of Legislations
• The regulations outline the ambient air-quality limits for
specific parameters.
• Issue license for air pollutant discharge.
• Penalize persons for damaging or posing threat to the air-
quality of our environs.
• Overall, 39 industry facilities island wide are licensed
under the regulations
• All undertake self monitoring activities and report on
emission released.

21. • NEPA represents a merger between the
Natural Resources Conservation Authority
(NRCA), the Town Planning Department
(TPD) and Land Development and Utilization
Commission (LDUC). The aim of the merger is
to integrate environmental, planning and
sustainable development.

22. • NEPA operates under several acts including that of the
NRCA.
• The regulations and standards support the NRCA NEPA
air quality monitoring program.
• The air quality program covers both public and private
facilities.
• NEPA tabulates and assess air- pollutant loadings and air
quality levels across the country after industries have done

23. • Air Pollution. (2001, September 5).Types: Air Pollution [Air Pollution]. Coveney, E.
(n.d.). The effects of pollution on animals. In The effects of pollution on animals [How air
pollution effects animals].
• Conserve Energy Future.(2015). Solutions for Air Pollution. Retrieved from
http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-of-air-pollution.php
• Ozone Depletion. (1999). Ozone Depletion [Ozone Depletion]. Retrieved January
3, 2009, from
http://library.thinkquest.org/26026/Environmental_Problems/ozone_depletion.ht
ml
• Raven., H. Peter & Berg., R. Linda. (2001). Environment. Harcourt Publishers. 3rd
Edition.
• Raven., H. Peter & Berg., R. Linda. (2004). Environment: Study Guide with Elementary
Chemistry to Accompany Environment 4/E. John Wiley & Sons Inc.
• The National Environment and Planning Agency. (2010). THE JAMAICAAIR
QUALITY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME. Pdf.
• The National Environment and Planning Agency. (2010). Core Functions. Retrieved
from http://www.nepa.gov.jm/new/about/core-functions.php
• The National Resources Conservation Authority Act (Air Quality) Regulations, 2006.
• The Gleaner.(2015).Air Pollution and the body. Retrieved from
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/health/20150325/air-pollution-and-body