Introduction

With the world population increasing at an alarming rate, industries have also experienced growth. These industries have become one of the reasons for air pollution, with air pollution coming in various forms such as smoke, dust, and gas emissions, which are discharged from factories, vehicles, and power plants. One of the critical contributors to air pollution is the emission of toxic gases from factories.

Industrial Gas Emissions - a massive contributor to air pollution

Industrial gas discharge refers to the emission of toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and many other dangerous gases into the atmosphere during the production and manufacturing processes. These toxic gases not only harm the environment, but they also pose a significant health risk to humans, causing respiratory issues, cardiovascular diseases, and can even lead to death if they are inhaled in excessive amounts. However, it is important to acknowledge that not all factories discharge toxic gases; some have measures in place to reduce the emission of toxic gases.

An example of a Factory with High Toxic Gas Emissions

One of the examples of a factory known for releasing high levels of toxic gas emissions is the Tomco II site in Mooresboro NC. In the year 2016, residents and officials from the community raised their concerns about the health implications of the VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that the factory emitted into the environment. Following this, it was discovered that the factory had been emitting VOCs at an unprecedented level for over a decade. This resulted in a legal suit, which saw the company agree to pay $3.75 million for violating the Clean Air Act. Over time, the company has improved its gas management procedures and reduced its toxic gas emissions significantly.

Actions towards reducing gas emissions

Reducing the discharge of toxic gases is a global effort. Governments worldwide have established regulations and laws to set limits on the amount of emissions that factories can release into the environment. And as such, many industries have incorporated gas management protocols into their manufacturing processes to reduce their carbon footprint. Factories have been encouraged to switch to cleaner energy sources such as solar panels, wind turbines, and hydro-electric sources. Industries can install air pollution control systems such as scrubbers, catalytic converters, and electrostatic precipitators that trap and remove toxic gases from factory emissions. These have been proven to be effective in reducing the number of harmful gases discharged into the atmosphere. The use of cleaner sources of energy and the implementation of air pollution controls offer a way to curb the increase of toxic gas emissions in the environment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, air pollution resulting from the emission of toxic gases is one of the most significant health and environmental problems in the world today. The industrial sector has been identified as one of the major contributors to the issue. The Tomco II site case is an example of the implications of the uncontrolled emission of toxic gases. However, through the implementation of gas management protocols and the use of cleaner energy sources, industries can reduce the amount of toxic gases that they discharge into the environment. Reducing toxic gas emissions is a global effort that requires a collaborative approach from industries, regulators, and governments worldwide.