Wednesday - 11/30/16 Question of the Day Agenda 1. Why is poverty the biggest risk factor a person can face? 2. Which diseases are increasing in part due to long dormant/incubation periods? Finish LD50 handouts Fill in chemical hazards handout (PCBs 453, Mercury 442, BPA 456) Air pollution notes/chart

Air Pollution Chapter 18

The Asian Brown Cloud

The Atmosphere Consists of Several Layers Atmosphere varies in Density Atmospheric pressure

Air Movements in the Troposphere Play a Key Role in Earth’s Weather and Climate Rising and falling air currents make the troposphere key to Earth’s weather and climate 75–80% of the earth’s air mass Closet to the earth's surface Chemical composition of air Mostly Nitrogen (78%) and Oxygen (21%) The other 1%: H20, argon, CO2, CH4, O3, & N2O

The Stratosphere Is Our Global Sunscreen Similar composition to the troposphere, with 2 exceptions Much less water O3, ozone layer, filters UV

Natural Capital: The Earth’s Atmosphere Is a Dynamic System with Four Layers You need to know all 4 main layers!!

Air Pollution Comes from Natural and Human Sources (1) Air pollution: the presence of chemicals in the atmosphere in concentrations high enough to harm organisms, ecosystems, or human-made materials Natural sources Dust blown by wind Pollutants from wildfires and volcanoes Volatile organics released by plants Withdrawing groundwater

Air Pollution Comes from Natural and Human Sources (2) Human sources: mostly in industrialized and/or urban areas Stationary sources (power plants, industrial sources) Mobile sources (cars)

Case Study: Air Pollution in the Past: The Bad Old Days London 1880: 2,200 dead 1905: Physician calls the smoke & fog “Smog” 1911: 1,100 dead 1952: lasted 5 days & killed 4,000 – 12,000 1956 – Parliament passes Clean Air Act United States 1948: Donora, PA; first U.S. air pollution disaster Lasted 5 days, killed 20 – 6,000 became ill 1963: New York City – 300 dead 1970 – U.S.’s first Clean Air Act passed

Some Pollutants in the Atmosphere Combine to Form Other Pollutants Primary pollutants: harmful chemicals emitted directly into the air from natural processes & human activities Examples on next slide Secondary pollutants: new harmful chemicals that are formed once IN the atmosphere when primary pollutants react with one another and with the basic components of air

Sources and Types of Air Pollutants

Good News & Bad News Air quality improving in developed countries Much more needs to be done in developing countries Indoor pollution: big threat to the poor

Indoor Air Pollution

What Are the Major Outdoor Air Pollutants? Carbon oxides Nitrogen oxides (NO) and nitric acid (HNO3) Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) Particulates Ozone (O3) (The BAD ozone) Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Pollutant “Name” Specific Examples Natural Sources Human Sources Human Health Impact Environmental Impact Carbon Oxides CO CO2 Nitrogen Compounds Sulfur Compounds Particulates Ozone VOCs

Statue Corroded by Acid Deposition and Other Forms of Air Pollution, RI, U.S.

Case Study: Lead Is a Highly Toxic Pollutant Does not break down in the environment Human health and environmental impact Most vulnerable: young children Lead harms the nervous system (neurotoxin) Can cause death Among survivors: 30% suffer from paralysis, blindness & mental retardation

Case Study: Lead Is a Highly Toxic Pollutant Reduction of lead (Pb) Unleaded gasoline & paint Still problems 2007: toys with Pb paint recalled Study of US “long lasting” red lipsticks revealed 2/3 contained lead Need a global ban on lead in gasoline and paint

SOLUTIONS Lead Poisoning Prevention Control Phase out leaded gasoline worldwide Replace lead pipes and plumbing fixtures containing lead solder Phase out waste incineration Remove leaded paint and lead dust from older houses and apartments Ban use of lead solder Sharply reduce lead emissions from incinerators Ban use of lead in computer and TV monitors Remove lead from TV sets and computer monitors before incineration or land disposal Ban lead glazing for ceramicware used to serve food Figure 18.7 Ways to help protect children from lead poisoning. Question: Which two of these solutions do you think are the most important? Why? Test for lead in existing ceramicware used to serve food Ban candles with lead cores Test existing candles for lead Test blood for lead by age 1 Wash fresh fruits and vegetables Fig. 18-7, p. 476

Burning Coal Produces Industrial Smog Chemical composition of industrial smog Mostly sulfur & particulates “Gray Smog” Reduction of this smog in urban cities of the United States Factories use tall smokestacks to transfer pollutants downwind to rural areas China and smog Human deaths – 981 per day

How Pollutants Are Formed from Burning Coal and Oil, Leading to Industrial Smog

Sunlight Plus Cars Equals Photochemical Smog “Brown Air Smog” (yellow) Chemical composition VOCs + NO2 + Heat + Sunlight yields Ground level O3 and other photochemical oxidants Aldehydes Other secondary pollutants Human health and environmental impact Irritating to eyes & respiratory systems

A Model of How Pollutants That Make Up Photochemicals Are Formed

Global Outlook: Photochemical Smog in Santiago, Chile

Several Factors Can Decrease Outdoor Air Pollution Outdoor air pollution may be decreased by Settling of particles due to gravity Rain and snow Salty sea spray from the ocean Winds Chemical reactions

Several Factors Can Increase Outdoor Air Pollution Outdoor air pollution may be increased by Urban buildings Hills and mountains High temperatures Emissions of VOCs from certain trees and plants Grasshopper effect Temperature inversions

A Temperature Inversion

Acid Disposition Is a Serious Regional Air Pollution Problem Acid deposition, acid rain Formation Local versus regional problems Effects of prevailing winds Buffers Where is the worst acid deposition?

Natural Capital Degradation: Acid Deposition, Acid Rain

Current and Possible Future Acid Rain Problem Areas

Acid Deposition Has a Number of Harmful Effects Human respiratory disorders Aquatic ecosystems affected Release of toxic metals Leaching of soil nutrients Loss of crops and trees Damage to buildings, statues, and monuments

Natural Capital Degradation: Air Pollution Damage to Trees in North Carolina, U.S.

Science Focus: Revisiting Hubbard Brook to Study Effects of Acid Rain White Mountains, NH, U.S. Experimentation supports: Trees do not suffer from direct contact with acid rain Nutrients are leached out of the soil Effect of Ca2+ on regrowth of the forest

We Know How to Reduce Acid Deposition Prevention approaches Clean up Add lime to neutralize acidified lakes and soil Add phosphate fertilizer to neutralize acidified lakes

Solutions: Acid Deposition, Prevention and Cleanup

Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious Problem Developing countries Indoor burning (wood, dung, charcoal, crop residues, coal, fuels) = high levels of particulates Poor suffer the greatest risk Developed countries Indoor air pollution > outdoor air pollution Why? 11 of the common air pollutants higher inside than outside Greater in vehicles than outside Health risks magnified: people spend 70–98% of their time is indoors

Indoor Air Pollution – Who is At Risk? Who is at greatest risk from indoor air pollution? Children under 5 The elderly Sick Pregnant women People with respiratory disorders or heart problems Smokers Factory workers

Most Dangerous Indoor Air Pollutants Sources Human Health Risks Tobacco Smoke Smoking Lung cancer, respiratory ailments, heart disease Formaldehyde Furniture stuffing, paneling, particleboard, foam insulation Irritation of eyes, throat, skin & lungs; nausea; dizziness Radioactive Radon-222 gas Underground rock deposits Lung cancer Very Small Particles Pollen, pet dander, dust mites, cooking particles Irritated lungs, asthma, itchy eyes, runny nose, lung disease

Case Study: Radioactive Radon Gas Source: Decay of uranium-238 in rocks and soils Most common in granite & shale Human health risks Decays into large particles of polonium, which inhaled expose lungs to radiation = CANCER Testing for radon Costs $20 to $100 Most homes not tested Correcting a radon problem ($800 - $2500) Seal cracks in foundation & walls Increase ventilation

Science: Sources and Paths of Entry for Indoor Radon-222 Gas

Formaldehyde According to American Lung Association, 20-40 million Americans suffer from low-level exposure Dizziness, rash, sore throat, nausea, eye irritation, breathing problems After 15 year exposure 34% greater risk of Lou Gehrig’s disease Especially bad in manufactured homes (mobile homes & trailers) Will kill 1 in 5,000 after 10 years exposure

Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious Problem Other possible indoor air pollutants Pesticide residue (take off your shoes!) Pb particles Living organisms and their excrements E.g., Dust mites and cockroach droppings Responsible for three-fold increase in asthma in the US from 1972 to 2002 Airborne spores of molds and mildews

Science: Magnified View of a Household Dust Mite in a Dust Ball

Sick-building Syndrome Symptoms: dizziness, headaches, coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath, nausea, burning eyes, sore throats, chronic fatigue, irritability, skin dryness & irritation, respiratory infections, flu-like symptoms & depression According to the EPA 1 in 5 commercial buildings in the US is “sick” Leads to loss of labor

Chloroform Para-dichlorobenzene Tetrachloroethylene Source: Chlorine-treated water in hot showers Possible threat: Cancer Source: Air fresheners, mothball crystals Threat: Cancer Source: Dry-cleaning fluid fumes on clothes Threat: Nerve disorders, damage to liver and kidneys, possible cancer Formaldehyde Source: Furniture stuffing, paneling, particleboard, foam insulation Threat: Irritation of eyes, throat, skin, and lungs; nausea; dizziness 1,1,1-Trichloroethane Source: Aerosol sprays Threat: Dizziness, irregular breathing Styrene Nitrogen oxides Source: Carpets, plastic products Threat: Kidney and liver damage Source: Unvented gas stoves and kerosene heaters, woodstoves Threat: Irritated lungs, children's colds, headaches Benzo- α -pyrene Source: Tobacco smoke, woodstoves Threat: Lung cancer Particulates Source: Pollen, pet dander, dust mites, cooking smoke particles Threat: Irritated lungs, asthma attacks, itchy eyes, runny nose, lung disease Radon-222 Tobacco smoke Source: Radioactive soil and rock surrounding foundation, water supply Threat: Lung cancer Figure 18.16 Some important indoor air pollutants (Concept 18-4). Question: Which of these pollutants are you exposed to? (Data from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) Source: Cigarettes Threat: Lung cancer, respiratory ailments, heart disease Asbestos Carbon monoxide Methylene chloride Source: Pipe insulation, vinyl ceiling and floor tiles Threat: Lung disease, lung cancer Source: Faulty furnaces, unvented gas stoves and kerosene heaters, woodstoves Threat: Headaches, drowsiness, irregular heartbeat, death Source: Paint strippers and thinners Threat: Nerve disorders, diabetes Fig. 18-16, p. 484

Your Body’s Natural Defenses against Air Pollution Can Be Overwhelmed Respiratory system protection from air pollutants Role of cilia, mucus, sneezing, and coughing Effect of smoking and prolonged air pollution exposure Chronic bronchitis Emphysema

Major Components of the Human Respiratory System

Normal Human Lungs and the Lungs of a Person Who Died of Emphysema

Premature Deaths from Air Pollution in the U.S.

Laws and Regulations Can Reduce Outdoor Air Pollution (1) United States Clean Air Acts: 1970, 1977, and 1990 EPA National Ambient Air Quality standards (NAAQs) for 6 outdoor criteria pollutants CO, NOX, SO2, SPM, O3, Pb National emission standards for 188 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) Mostly chlorinated hydrocarbons, VOCs & toxic metals Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Industries must tell how much they released and how they deal with waste management SPLONC

Problems with US Pollution Policy We rely on cleanup more than prevention of pollution We have not raised fuel-efficiency for cars, SUVs, and light trucks Inadequate regulation of emissions of motorcycles and two-cycle gasoline engines 16 times more hydrocarbon & 3 times more CO than cars Regulate air pollution for oceangoing ships in American ports

Problems with US Pollution Policy Airports are exempt from many regulations No regulation of greenhouse gas emissions No regulation of ultrafine particles Urban O3 levels too high Laws don’t deal with indoor air pollution Need better enforcement of the Clean Air Act

We Can Use the Marketplace to Reduce Outdoor Air Pollution Emission trading or cap-and-trade program Gives power plants & industries a certain number of pollution credits If you emit less, you can use them or sell them Uses: another plant that is not in compliance, use it to expand your factory Buyers: other polluting factories, private citizens & environmental groups Mixed reactions to program SO2 emissions down significantly NO2 will be tried in the future Should we try Mercury? Is it Okay to “buy” the right to make a toxic emission?

Solutions: Stationary Source Air Pollution

Solutions: Motor Vehicle Air Pollution, Prevention and Cleanup

Solutions: Indoor Pollution

What Can You Do? Indoor Pollution: Ways to Reduce Your Exposure

Solutions: Air Pollution, Ways to Prevent It Over the Next 30–40 Years