Air Pollution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1M894GH4q4

What is air pollution? contamination of the air by noxious gases and minute particles of solid and liquid matter (particulates) in concentrations that endanger health Air pollution only occurs outdoors

Sources of Outside Air Pollution Combustion of gasoline and other hydrocarbon fuels in cars, trucks, and airplanes Burning of fossil fuels (oil, coal) Insecticides Herbicides Everyday radioactive fallouts Dust from fertilizers Mining operations Livestock feedlots

18-1 What Is the Nature of the Atmosphere? Concept 18-1 The atmosphere is structured in layers, including the troposphere, which supports life, and the stratosphere, which contains the protective ozone layer.

Atmospheric pressure (millibars) 200 400 600 800 1,000 120 75 200 400 600 800 1,000 120 75 110 Temperature Thermosphere 65 100 90 Mesopause 55 80 Mesosphere 45 70 Altitude (kilometers) Altitude (miles) 60 Stratopause 35 50 Stratosphere 40 25 30 Figure 18.3 Natural capital: The earth’s atmosphere is a dynamic system that includes four layers. The average temperature of the atmosphere varies with altitude (red line). Most UV radiation from the sun is absorbed by ozone (O3), found primarily in the stratosphere in the ozone layer 17–26 kilometers (10–16 miles) above sea level. Question: Why do you think the temperature falls and rises twice, going from lower to higher altitudes? Tropopause 15 20 Ozone layer 10 Pressure Troposphere 5 (Sea level) Pressure = 1,000 millibars at ground level –80 –40 40 80 120 Temperature (˚C) Fig. 18-3, p. 470

What’s in smog particulates (especially lead) nitrous oxides potassium Carbon monoxide Other toxic chemicals

AQI: Air Quality Index Indicates whether pollutant levels in air may cause health concerns. Ranges from 0 (least concern) to 500 (greatest concern)

No health impacts are expected when air quality is in this range. Air Quality Index Protect Your Health Good 0-50 No health impacts are expected when air quality is in this range. Moderate 51-100 Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion. Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups 101-150 Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Unhealthy 151-200 Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion, everyone else, especially children should limit prolonged outdoor excertion. Very Unhealthy (Alert) 201-300 Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion everyone else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion.

Effects on the environment Acid rain Ozone depletion Global warming In human population- respiratory problems, allergies, strengthens lugs, and a risk for cancer

Air Pollutants that affect Health Common outdoor air pollutants Fuel combustion is the primary source particulate matter carbon monoxide sulfur dioxide nitrogen oxides Common indoor air pollutants Furniture, flooring, paint and plastics are the primary source volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Health Effects Air pollution has both acute and chronic effects on human health. minor irritation of eyes upper respiratory problems Chronic bronchitis Asthma is aggravated chronic respiratory disease heart disease lung cancer Reduced life expectancy Death

Strategies Air Quality Management Plan Development of new technology- electric cars, cleaner fuels, low nitrogen oxide boilers and water healers, zero polluting paints, less polluting BBQ lighter fluids Use of natural gas Carpooling Follow the laws enacted

Indoor Air Pollution

What Are the Major Indoor Air Pollution Problems? The most threatening indoor air pollutants are smoke and soot from wood and coal cooking fires (a hazard found mostly in developing countries) and chemicals used in building materials and products.

Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious Problem Developing countries Indoor burning Poor suffer the greatest risk Developed countries Indoor air pollution is greater than outdoor air pollution

Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious Problem Why? 11 of the common air pollutants have higher concentrations inside than outside Greater in vehicles than outside Health risks magnified: people spend 70–98% of their time is indoors

Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious Problem Who are at greatest risk from indoor air pollution? Children under 5 and the elderly Sick Pregnant women People with respiratory disorders or heart problems Smokers Factory workers

Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious Problem Four most dangerous indoor air pollutants Tobacco smoke Formaldehyde Radioactive radon-222 gas Very small particles

Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious Problem Other possible indoor air pollutants Pesticide residue Pb particles Living organisms and their excrements E.g., Dust mites and cockroach droppings Airborne spores of molds and mildews

Some Important Indoor Air Pollutants

SOLUTIONS Indoor Air Pollution Prevention Cleanup or Dilution Clean ceiling tiles and line AC ducts to prevent release of mineral fibers Use adjustable fresh air vents for work spaces Ban smoking or limit it to well-ventilated areas Increase intake of outside air Set stricter formaldehyde emissions standards for carpet, furniture, and building materials Change air more frequently Circulate a building’s air through rooftop greenhouses Prevent radon infiltration Figure 18.24 Ways to prevent and reduce indoor air pollution (Concept 18-6). Question: Which two of these solutions do you think are the most important? Why? Use office machines in well-ventilated areas Use efficient venting systems for wood-burning stoves Use less polluting substitutes for harmful cleaning agents, paints, and other products Use exhaust hoods for stoves and appliances burning natural gas Fig. 18-24, p. 492

SOLUTIONS Air Pollution Outdoor Indoor Improve energy efficiency to reduce fossil fuel use Reduce poverty Distribute cheap and efficient cookstoves or solar cookers to poor families in developing countries Rely more on lower-polluting natural gas Rely more on renewable energy (especially solar cells, wind, and solar-produced hydrogen) Reduce or ban indoor smoking Figure 18.26 Ways to prevent outdoor and indoor air pollution over the next 30–40 years (Concept 18-6). Question: Which two of these solutions do you think are the most important? Why? Transfer energy efficiency, renewable energy, and pollution prevention technologies to developing countries Develop simple and cheap tests for indoor pollutants such as particulates, radon, and formaldehyde Fig. 18-26, p. 493

Acid rain contains high levels of sulfuric or nitric acids contaminate drinking water and vegetation damage aquatic life erode buildings Alters the chemical equilibrium of some soils

Figure 18.13 Regions where acid deposition is now a problem and regions with the potential to develop this problem (Concept 18-3). Such regions have large inputs of air pollution (mostly from power plants, industrial plants, and ore smelters) or are sensitive areas with soils and bedrock that cannot neutralize (buffer) inputs of acidic compounds. Question: Do you live in or near an area that is affected by acid deposition or any area that is likely to be affected by acid deposition in the future? (Data from World Resources Institute and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) Potential problem areas because of sensitive soils Potential problem areas because of air pollution: emissions leading to acid deposition Current problem areas (including lakes and rivers) Fig. 18-13, p. 480