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Explora: Environment
and Resource Air pollution mitigation technologies

4.2. Government policy and regulation Recent studies emphasize the critical importance

Governments can implement regulatory frameworks that of integrated approaches that combine PM control
set emission limits, monitor air quality, enforce pollution technologies—such as ESPs, baghouse filters, and cyclone
control standards, and promote cleaner technologies. separators—with advanced gaseous pollutant treatment
systems such as SCR, wet scrubbers, and chemical
Examples include establishing ambient air quality 28-32
standards, incentivizing the installation of pollution absorbers. Evidence supports that no single technology,
control equipment, phasing out high-emission vehicles, regardless of sophistication, can adequately address the
and promoting renewable energy adoption. Successful complex and multifaceted nature of air pollution. Instead,
policy implementation typically requires a combination hybrid strategies that merge end-of-pipe control (targeting
of legal enforcement, financial incentives, and regular pollutants after formation) with preventive measures
(minimizing pollutant formation at the source) have
monitoring. Selected case studies are outlined below.
proven more effective in achieving significant reductions
In a study by Jin et al., implementation of the 2013 Air in air pollutant concentrations across urban, industrial,
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Pollution Action Plan led to a 33–47% reduction in PM and rural settings.
2.5
concentrations in key Chinese cities, resulting in an average
Furthermore, sustainable and low-cost alternatives
life expectancy gain of 0.4 years in urban areas. Industrial such as biofiltration systems and activated carbon
regulations and vehicle emissions control policies achieved adsorption show significant promise. These methods are
30–60% reductions in SO and NO emissions over 5 years. not only effective in pollutant removal but also align with
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x
Amann et al. reported that integrating air pollution environmental sustainability goals, owing to their low
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and climate policies (e.g., EURO vehicle standards, energy consumption and minimal secondary pollution.
low-emission zones) reduced premature deaths by
approximately 500,000 annually across European nations. For example, biofilters, which use microorganisms
to degrade VOCs and odorous substances, have been
Nasir et al. demonstrated that regulatory enforcement in successfully deployed in multiple industrial zones across
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the cement and textile sectors reduced PM emissions by Southeast Asia. Previous studies have demonstrated
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15–25% in pilot cities, with industries receiving incentives that biofilters can significantly reduce VOC levels and
for pollution control equipment demonstrating 50% higher odor emissions, making them particularly appealing for
compliance than non-incentivized facilities. According application in regions with limited financial and technical
to Mir et al., integrated strategies combining cleaner resources.
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transportation and renewable energy promotion could
yield a 16% reduction in CO emissions, an 18% decrease In addition to technological interventions, non-
2
in PM , and annual health cost savings of approximately technical strategies play a crucial role in comprehensive air
2.5
USD 800 million. Meanwhile, Li et al. reported that quality management. This review reinforces the findings
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upgrading fuel standards (2010–2015) reduced PM levels of past research, who argue that public awareness
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in urban centers by an average of 12.5 µg/m . campaigns, community education programs, and
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behavioral change initiatives can meaningfully contribute
5. Discussion to emission reductions at the community level. These
The increasing threat of air pollution, as outlined in efforts foster a sense of environmental responsibility
earlier sections, underscores the urgent and growing among citizens, which in turn supports broader pollution
need for integrated, multidimensional control strategies. control objectives. However, the long-term effectiveness
The comprehensive analysis of existing technologies and of such initiatives hinges on several key factors, including
non-technical approaches reveals a wide spectrum of consistent enforcement of environmental regulations, the
methods that are currently applied worldwide to mitigate availability of institutional support, and public perceptions
the impacts of air pollutants—ranging from traditional of both the seriousness of air pollution and the benefits of
engineering-based solutions to innovative, sustainable, mitigation.
and community-driven practices. The effectiveness of Moreover, the regulatory and policy frameworks
these strategies, however, is not uniform. Success depends discussed earlier in this review align with key international
largely on a region’s geographical, climatic, socioeconomic, environmental governance instruments, such as the
and regulatory context. For instance, countries with robust World Health Organization’s Air Quality Guidelines,
regulatory frameworks and strong economies can often the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and
deploy high-cost, technologically advanced solutions, various regional climate action plans. These frameworks
while developing regions may need to rely on cost-effective, advocate the use of adaptive policy tools, market-based
scalable alternatives. economic incentives, and the integration of technological

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2025) 8 doi: 10.36922/EER025210041