Air Pollution Chapter 18

18-4 Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious Problem Developing countries Indoor burning Poor suffer the greatest risk Few, if any, regulations Is the most serious air pollution problem Developed countries Indoor air pollution poses a greater threat than outdoor air pollution.

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

Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious Problem Who is 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(CH2O) – found in plywood, particle board, paneling, drapes, furniture, carpet and wallpaper adhesives) Radioactive radon-222 gas- underground rock deposits Very small particles

Sources of these pollutants-brought in on shoes, pesticides, paints, sprays, living organisms (bugs), mold Human health risks-sore throat, headache, chronic breathing problems, rash (flu-like systems)

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 Sick-building syndrome

Some Important Indoor Air Pollutants

Radioactive Radon Gas Colorless, odorless, radioactive gas Sources: natural radioactive decay of Uranium-238 (rocks and soil) Human health risks-damage to lung tissue-cancer Testing for radon - detectors Correcting a radon problem: Sealing cracks in walls and foundation, increase ventilation

Sources and Paths of Entry for Indoor Radon-222 Gas It’s a fantastic house with the exception of the radon gas.

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 6% of people in US suffer from asthma

Major Components of the Human Respiratory System Lung Attack

Air Pollution Is a Big Killer 3 Million deaths per year world-wide Mostly in Asia Main causes-indoor air pollution In US more than 150,000 die each day from air pollution EPA: proposed stricter emission standards for diesel-powered vehicles Reduce emission by 90% Car makers hope they can delay Link between international trade and air pollution Cargo ships and pollution

Premature Deaths from Air Pollution in the U.S.

Laws and Regulations Can Reduce Outdoor Air Pollution United States Clean Air Acts: 1970, 1977, and 1990 EPA National ambient air quality standards (NAAQs) for 6 outdoor criteria pollutants Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, lead, and suspended particulate matter Primary Standard-Human health Secondary Standard-environmental and property damage

National emission standards for 188 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) Mainly toxic metals, VOCs, and chlorinated hydrocarbons Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)-for power plants, refineries

Laws and Regulations Can Reduce Outdoor Air Pollution Good news in U.S. Decrease in emissions 49% from 1980-2006 Use of low-sulfur diesel fuel Cuts pollution Developing countries More air pollution

We Can Use the Marketplace to Reduce Outdoor Air Pollution Emission trading or cap-and-trade program “Pollution Credits” Mixed reactions to program SO2 emissions down significantly NO2 will be tried in the future Mercury from coal plants-does not break down-must set limits

There Are Many Ways to Reduce Outdoor Air Pollution 1980 –2006 SO2 emissions from U.S. electric power plants decreased by 66% NOx emissions by 41% Particulate emissions by 28% Older plants not governed by the same regulations New cars have better emissions

Reducing Indoor Air Pollution Should Be a Priority Greater threat to human health than outdoor pollution What can be done? Prevention Cleanup

We Need to Put More Emphasis on Pollution Prevention Output approaches New shift to preventing outdoor and indoor pollution Pressure from citizens

http://esa21.kennesaw.edu/activities/smog-city/epa-smog-hurts.pdf

Air Pollution… Global climate change, ozone depletion, acid rain, photochemical smog, and indoor air pollution are some of the most significant environmental problems faced by humanity. All of these problems/issues emphasize how important a healthy atmosphere is.

ON THE AP EXAM… Don’t just state something “causes pollution”. At least state that the activity causes “air pollution” or “water pollution”. Most likely, though, graders will want more specific information such as “this activity releases sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere”.