Where Does Air Pollution Come From Where Does Air Pollution Come From? + What Kinds of Health Effects Does It Cause?

What is Air Pollution? Particles or gases in the air that are not part of the normal composition of air “Smog” is visible air pollution Many pollutants, including some of the most dangerous, are invisible So what is air pollution? Things that aren’t natually in the air Visible – we can see it Invisible – we cannot see it Have you looked at the sky and seen pollution? Do you think we can see all the types of pollution in the air?

Where Does Air Pollution Come From? Human-made pollution Burning fuel Such as coal, oil, wood, and other fuels to power vehicles (ships, trains, trucks, cars) Industrial activity Power plants, factories

Two Major Sources of Air Pollution Stationary sources Mobile sources Air Pollution comes from two major sources…. Stationary means they stay in one place Mobile sources are ones that move around ?? Re ports and airports…. Area sources? Different government agencies are in charge of stationary and mobile sources.

Important Air Pollutants Ozone (O3) Particulate Matter (PM) Carbon Monoxide (CO) Nitrogen Oxides (NO) Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Lead (Pb) These pollutants are regulated by government agencies. They are required to be monitored all over the U.S. We’re going to talk more about the first two – ozone and particulate matter, because they are some of the most common air pollutants. Then we will tell you a little about diesel pollution (which comes from burning diesel fuel), which is made up of both particles and gases.

Ozone (O3) (Smog) + = Emissions Sunlight Ozone (smog) Ozone is not emitted directly into the air, it is formed by emissions (like NOx) reacting in the presence of sunlight. This is called a photochemical reaction. Ozone in the air is often called smog. Ozone in the atmosphere is good because it protects our planet from strong UV rays from the sun. Ozone is bad for us at the ground level, it is an air pollutant that irritates the lungs. (Photochemical reaction) Ozone - good up high, bad nearby

It’s like getting a sunburn in your lungs Lungs & OZONE It’s like getting a sunburn in your lungs

Particulate matter Now we’re going to talk about particles. Who has ever wiped off black dust from their windowsill or car or somewhere in the house? That is PM. Pass around the balls. We are going to say these are PM under a microscope. What’s different about these? What do you notice?

Particulate Matter Particles that float in the air Created by burning fuel also dust and pollen Darryl pass out balls – remember to give someone the sprinkles

Cross Section of a Human Hair PM Particulate Matter Cross Section of a Human Hair 10 to 100 times smaller than the width of a human hair! PM 10 PM 2.5 Ultrafine PM This stuff is the most dangerous!

Particles in the Body Particles travel with the air people breathe into the respiratory system The larger a particle is, the more likely it is to get stuck in the body’s first defenses The smaller a particle is, the more likely it is to travel on to the lungs Ultrafine particles (the tiniest) can get into the bloodstream and move to other organs Along the way, the particles can stick to the sides of the airways or travel deeper into the lungs. The larger a particle is, the more likely it is to get stuck in the mucous of your noise or caught by nose hairs. The smaller the particle, the more likely it is to travel on to the lungs. Which type of particle do you think is most harmful to the lungs? The tiniest of particles can get into the bloodstream, where they can even get into your cells. Studies found tiny particles in the mitochondria of cells, and even in the brain.

Lungs & particulate matter

Routes of entry into the body Breathing in, eating, absorb through the skin In the lungs, pollution can directly damage the lung tissue causing illness or disease From the lungs, they can get into the bloodstream and be transported to organs throughout the body How do air pollutants get into your body? Breathing them in through the lungs, ingestion by swallowing them, absorbing them through the skin.

Air Pollution Health Effects Acute and chronic effects Acute effects like itchy eyes Premature babies (born earlier than they should be) Heart disease Cancer Define acute versus chronic Studies have linked air pollution to… (slide) Studies show that pregnant women who live near freeways are more likely to have premature babies. Other studies show that when the particle pollution in the air is at high levels, more residents die from heart disease And there is a link between air pollution and cancer. STOP HERE IF OUT OF TIME

USC Children’s Health Study Children are more vulnerable to air pollution In the more polluted communities, children have: More doctors’ visits More missed school days Reduced lung growth and function Makes asthma worse More new cases of asthma near freeways

What can we do about it? It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3… Protect ourselves Try to pollute less Take action to stop air pollution

Air Quality Index www.AirNow.gov Lets you know when it is a high pollution day Stay inside to reduce risk when AQI is at 100 or higher AQI can be found in newspapers, TV, radio, internet www.AirNow.gov Point out AQI on poster It is important to exercise, but there are things you can do to reduce your risk from air pollution. Summer often has the most days with bad air. Pollution levels are normally highest between 3pm and 6pm. Try to have activities and play sports in an area that is not close to a freeway.

Air Quality Index (AQI) Values Levels of Health Concern When the AQI is in this range: ...air quality conditions are: 0 to 50 Good 51 to 100 Moderate 101 to 150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups 151 to 200 Unhealthy 201 to 300 Very Unhealthy 301 to 500 Hazardous

Polluting less Carpool Ride your bike or walk Take the bus Use vehicles and equipment that is well maintained or electric

Take Action Teach others about what you have learned Tell government agencies that you want clean air

Credits Presentation created by Carla Truax, through the Southern California Environmental Health Sciences Center and the Trade, Health, and Environment Impact Project Selected graphics (including lung animation): Carolina Simunovic & Fresno Metro Ministries Photos: Andrea Hricko, Carolina Simunovic, and Communities for a Better Environment