Air Chapter 12
What Causes Air Pollution 1273- King Edward I banned burning lignite (a form of dirty coal) because of air pollution. Air pollution- the contamination of the atmosphere by waste from sources such as industrial pollution and car exhaust. Can be in the form of solid, liquids, or gases Some pollution is natural- dust, pollen, spores, and sulfur dioxide.
What Causes Air Pollution Primary pollutants- pollutants put directly into the atmosphere by human or natural activity. (ex. Smoke) Secondary pollutants- a pollutant that forms from a chemical reaction with primary pollutants, natural components in the atmosphere, or both
What Causes Air Pollution
What Causes Air Pollution Sources of primary pollutants- Vehicles and Coal burning power plants Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide (NOx), particulates Power plants- Sulfur oxide (Sox) Vehicles and gas stations- Volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) Course particulates Cement plants, mining, incinerators, wood-burning fireplaces, fields, and roads
What Causes Air Pollution
What Causes Air Pollution Controlling vehicle emissions 2.6 million miles driven in 1996 (90% by passenger vehicles) Clean Air Act (1970 & 1990)- gave the EPA the authority to control vehicle emissions. Declined lead in fuel= decrease in lead emissions Catalytic converter- decreased the emissions coming out of the tail pipe of the car
What Causes Air Pollution
What Causes Air Pollution Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) Electric cars Hydrogen fuel cells
What Causes Air Pollution Industrial pollution Power plants produce 2/3rd of the SOx and 1/3rd of the NOx Scrubbers are used to remove pollutant gases from industrial emissions
What Causes Air Pollution
What Causes Air Pollution Smog results from a chemical reaction between sunlight, air, automobile exhaust, and ozone.
What Causes Air Pollution Temperature Inversion- Air normally cools with altitude, but when a temperature inversion occurs warm air rides on top of cooler air.
Air, Light, and Noise Pollution Short term effects of air pollution Headache Nausea Irritation to eyes, nose, throat Tightness in chest Coughing Upper respiratory infections
Air, Light, and Noise Pollution Long-term health effects of air pollution Emphysema Lung cancer Heart disease
Air, Light, and Noise Pollution Indoor air quality is frequently much worse than outdoor air quality because air movement is decreased indoors. Sick-building syndrome= buildings with very poor air quality Methods of improving indoor air quality Ventilation Mixing indoor air with outdoor air Removing the pollutants
Air, Light, and Noise Pollution
Air, Light, and Noise Pollution Indoor Air Pollution Radon Gas- colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas. Asbestos- a chemical compound that is used for insulation and as a fire retardant. It can be classified as a carcinogen (cancer causing agent)
Air, Light, and Noise Pollution Light Pollution No human health hazards Negative affect on the environment Wasted energy with lights projecting up in to the atmosphere
Air, Light, and Noise Pollution Can affect human health and the quality of light As sound over 120dB can cause permanent hearing loss.
Acid Precipitation Acid precipitation is any rain sleet or snow with high levels of acid dissolved into it. pH is a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is. (1-6.9 is acid-7 is neutral-7.1-12 is base)
Acid Precipitation
Acid Precipitation Acidification- the lowering of the pH of the soil Kills plants Washes away nutrients Acid is aquatic ecosystems Acid Shock- rapid change in the pH of water Kills large #’s of fish and amphibians Limestone is spread on some lakes to counteract the effects of decrease in pH.
Acid Precipitation Acid precipitations affects on humans Can cause health problems Increase in respiratory problems Destroy buildings made of concrete and limestone To control acid precipitation international cooperation is needed. Canada- U.S. Air Quality Agreement 1991
Acid Precipitation