Air Pollution and Energy Loss Due to Construction Activities - Assignment Example

Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) makes it mandatory for all state and local government agencies to follow the required standards of environmental parameters in proportion with social and economic factors during discretionary decision-making (SEQR, 2010). According to SEQR, if action is determined not to have significant adverse environmental impacts, a determination of nonsignificance (Negative Declaration) is required by the agencies to submit. Similarly, if action is determined to have potentially significant adverse environmental impacts, an "Environmental Impact Statement" is to be submitted.

The final aim of this is to ensure a good quality environment after the changes are brought by human activities like the construction of buildings etc. The present project is related to the construction of new buildings and hence the impact of the construction has to be studied in detail. The impact of new constructions like buildings, academic halls, and garages on energy consumption and air pollution has to be studied. The possible alternatives in construction activities may be prepared an environmental impact statement for all the suggested alternatives will be assessed.

According to SEQR, energy efficiency implies that using less energy to do similar work. Similarly, energy conservation implies using less energy by changing the way we do things. This can be done by using eco-friendly materials in building construction. SEQR law was implemented by regulations that were fully effective from 1st November 1978 and revised guidelines were effective from 1st June 1987 and 1st January 1996. The green building concept is coming in a bigger way to save energy and to reduce air pollution.

Experimental details:Alternative 1: Building materials with conventional nature like bricks, cement, etc.Alternative 2: It uses green living and energy-saving materials i.e. made from natural products or by amalgamating conventional with energy-saving materials.Other energy-saving measures include the design of the building in such a manner that a higher number of people will be accommodated and less energy will be consumed during the construction process. The car garage space also to be built keeping energy-saving practices in consideration.

The impact of the new constructions will be studied on the concentration of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and other pollutants as the construction materials emit several pollutants during the construction process. The positive impact of alternative 2 has to be confirmed and validated and it should match the standard specifications and minimum prescribed critical limits of SEQR.The practical utility of the proposed experiment:The ideal alternative green building technology with the highest positive impact on the control of air pollution and energy conservation would be identified from this study.