Unit 7 Maintaining Air Quality Determine major sources of air pollution and identify procedures for maintaining and improving air quality. Unit text is not visible.

Introduction Air: colorless, odorless, tasteless gas mixture (~78% N, 21% O, and 1% mixture of Ar, CO2, Ne, He, and other gases) Water: clear, colorless, tasteless, nearly odorless liquid (two parts hydrogen to one part oxygen) Soil: top layer of the Earth’s surface that is suitable for plant life

Air Quality Threats to air quality Sulfur Hydrocarbons Nitrous oxides and lead Carbon monoxide Radon

Science Connection Environmental success story: Elmhurst Park District Illinois agency: manages parks and other recreational facilities “Clean Air Counts” recognition “Green Team” 1. Assessed environmental needs 2. Developed strategies and policies Put Elmhurst Park District on separate line; changed parentheses to periods in numbered list

Science Connection Natural selection as a result of pollution Industrial revolution: early 1800s Coal pollution: darkened tree bark Dark-winged moths: developed better camouflage to hide from predators Soot pollution reduction: lighter color moths predominated Changed wording to “developed better camouflage to hide from predators” Changed wording to: “lighter color moths predominated”

Air Quality (cont’d.) Threats to air quality Radioactive dust and materials Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Particulates Pesticides Asbestos

Air Quality (cont’d.) Atmospheric effects Thinning ozone layer Scientists and governments: efforts to improve living conditions without negative impacts on air quality and other environmental factors Thinning ozone layer “Hole in the ozone layer”: area over Antarctica The greenhouse effect Heat buildup from sun rays passing through clear objects and trapping heat inside

Air Quality (cont’d.) The greenhouse effect Greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, water vapor, ozone, methane, halocarbons, and nitrous oxide Ultraviolet rays: damage skin extensively; cause other life-threatening effects Infrared: emitted from warm objects Global warming–a topic for scientific debate Human activities versus long-term climatic cycles Changed vs. to “versus”

Air Quality (cont’d.) Precautions against global warming: reducing emissions Carbon dioxide (CO2) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Methane (CH4) Nitrous oxide (N2O)

Science Connection Overcoming the effects of air pollution U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists Ozone impacts: lost crop yields Ethylenediura (EDU) treatment: protecting plants and shade trees Research focus: reducing the pollutants’ effects on living organisms

Air and Living Organisms

Air and Living Organisms (cont’d.)

Maintaining and Improving Air Quality Aerosol products containing CFCs: discontinue use Tightly built, heavily insulated buildings: provide adequate ventilation Buildings: radon gas checks Interior areas: exhaust fans to remove cooking oils, odors, solvents, and sprays Moved text down. Moved “Air” to second line of head. Deleted extra space preceding “and”

Maintaining and Improving Air Quality (cont’d.) Furnaces, air conditioners, and ventilation systems: regular cleaning and servicing Sawdust, wood chips, paint spray, welding fumes, and dust-removal systems: routine maintenance Moved text down. Moved Air to second line. Hyphenated dust-removal

Maintaining and Improving Air Quality (cont’d.) Gasoline and diesel engines: properly tuned and serviced Motor vehicle emissions systems: properly placed and serviced Outdoor burning: observe codes and laws Moved text down. Moved Air to second line.

Maintaining and Improving Air Quality (cont’d.) Suspicious toxic materials or conditions: report to authorities Pesticide sprays: reduce use; follow label directions Moved text down. Moved Air to second line. Changed “reduced” to “reduce”

Hot Topics in Agriscience Research to improve photosynthesis Stimulate plant growth through more efficient photosynthesis: interrupt respiration during hours of darkness

Maintaining and Improving Air Quality (cont’d.) Air quality standards Clean Air Act’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards Clean Air Act’s New Source Performance Standards Prevention of Significant Deterioration, Air Guidance Documents: EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation Updated air quality standards for smog (ozone) and particulate matter AU: Do you want to switch this with slide 17? This continues the Air Quality subject from slide 16. Moved text down. Moved Air to second line of head.