Chapter 20 Air Pollution

The Atmosphere as a Resource Atmospheric composition: Nitrogen = 78% Oxygen = 21% Argon = 0.93% Carbon dioxide = 0.04% Layers: troposphere stratosphere

Types and Sources of Air Pollution Major Classes of Air Pollutants Particulate matter (PM) Nitrogen oxides (NOx) Sulfur oxides (SOx) Carbon oxides (COx) Hydrocarbons(VOCs) Ozone Ozone damage

Types and Sources of Air Pollution Major Air Pollutants

Types and Sources of Air Pollution Primary and Secondary Air Pollutants

Types and Sources of Air Pollution Primary Air Pollutants

Types and Sources of Air Pollution Sources of Outdoor Air Pollution

Types and Sources of Air Pollution Hydrocarbon emissions in Atlanta, Georgia

Types and Sources of Air Pollution Urban Air Pollution

Types and Sources of Air Pollution Case-in-Point: Air Pollution in Los Angeles and Mexico City Sources of smog in Los Angeles

Types and Sources of Air Pollution Case-in-Point: Air Pollution in Los Angeles and Mexico City Smog in Mexico City

Effects of Air Pollution Air Pollution and Human Health

Effects of Air Pollution Health Effects of Specific Air Pollutants Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, & particulate matter – airway irritation and constriction Carbon monoxide – headache, fatigue, drowsiness, death Ozone – burning eyes, coughing, and chest discomfort

Controlling Air Pollution in the United States Turned OFF Controlling Air Pollutants Turned ON Electrostatic precipitator

Controlling Air Pollution in the United States Scrubber: Controlling Air Pollutants Mainly controls particulates Expensive

Controlling Air Pollution in the United States Clean Air Act (1970, 1977, 1990, 1997) Emissions in the US, 1970 vs. 2000 Catalytic converter What it doesn’t do

Controlling Air Pollution in the United States US Urban Areas with Worst Air Quality, 2002

Controlling Air Pollution in the United States Other Ways to Improve Air Quality Reducing the sulfur content in gasoline Require federal emissions standards to apply to ALL passenger vehicles Require emission testing for ALL vehicles

Air Pollution Around the World Many nations do not have most current pollution scrubbing technologies Air pollution in China

Indoor Air Pollution Radon – from Uranium containing Rocks Some in our area (Reading prong) Has your home been tested?

Indoor Air Pollution (sick building syndrome)

Indoor Air Pollution Indoor Air Pollution and the Asthma Epidemic # of asthma sufferers has doubled since 1970 Exactly why is unknown, but thought to be linked to increased indoor air pollution

Air Pollution Around the World Long-Distance Transport of Air Pollution: Global distillation of persistent chemicals PCBs, DDT