1. Indoor Air Pollution Indoor air pollution can be an even greater health threat than outdoor air pollution. Common pollutants often 2-5 times higher, up to 70 times.

3. 4 Most Hazardous Indoor Pollutants Smoke Formaldehyde:  offgassed from building materials  causes headaches, sore throat and eye irritation Asbestos:  fibrous silicate materials that was used as fireproofing and thermal insulation prior to 1984  breathing difficulties, lung cancer  removal can release fibers Radon -222  From decay of Uranium-238 in the soil/bedrock

4. Sick Building Syndrome If 20% or more of a building’s occupants suffer health effects that improve when they leave the building, a building is considered to have “sick building syndrome”.

5. Indoor Air Pollution Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adzMcfHr1q8

6. Indoor Air Pollution

7. Discuss with your table partner : What are methods that can be used to reduce the amount of indoor air pollutant?. One strategy that could lessen certain indoor air pollutants is phytoremediation (a type of bioremediation). Discuss what this term means. Phyto = plant Remediation = to solve a problem Phytoremediation: using plants to solve an environmental problem such as air pollution..

8. Certain plants can take in and/or break down air pollutants.

10. Radon -222 Radon–222 gas is a colorless, odorless, naturally occurring gas that is a breakdown product of uranium–238. Found in small amounts in most soil. Radon gas causes lung cancer & other health problems. Ventilation & proper construction can prevent accumulation of this dangerous gas.

11. Formaldehyde ( CH 2 O ) Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound (VOC) - Used in building materials - Also produced in combustion reactions (such as intermediatry in the combustion of methane – CH4)

12. Respiratory System Body defenses against particulate matter: Nose hairs Mucus that traps particulate matter Cilia (thin hairs lining) in trachea that push mucus upwards Not very effective against fine particulate matter.

13. Video on Indoor Air Pollutants http://abcnews.go.com/Health/video?id=8069 834 Formaldehyde Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xtoHw0 VGVU

14. Common Health Effects of Air Pollutants Lung Cancer Asthma: typically an allergic reaction causing muscle spasms in bronchial walls and leading to shortness of breath Chronic Bronchitis: persistent swelling of bronchi and bronchioles, causing mucus build-up, coughing and shortness of breath Emphysema: irreversible damage to alveoli (air sacs) causing shortness of breathe Recent studies show that air pollution exposure linked to greater risk of heart attacks, stroke and cognitive deterioration including dementia.

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

16. Health Effects of Air Pollutants carbon monoxide (CO): 200 x greater affinity to hemoglobin in red blood cells than O 2 or CO 2, therefore reduces ability of blood to carry oxygen; particulates: long–term exposure contributes to lung disease & cancer, aggravates bronchitis & asthma; sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ): causes constriction of airways & can cause bronchitis; nitrogen oxides (especially NO 2 ): irritate lungs, cause conditions similar to bronchitis & emphysema; volatile organics (& toxic particulates): cause mutations, reproductive problems, & cancer; ozone: causes coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, & eye, nose, & throat irritation.

18. Preventing & Reducing Air Pollution A combination of laws, technologies, & responsible practices can be used to prevent & clean up air pollution.

19. Air Pollution Legislation The Clean Air Acts of 1970, 1977, & 1990 require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). NAAQS apply to: suspended particulate matter sulfur oxides carbon monoxide nitrogen oxides (NOx) ozone lead Prevention of significant deterioration is a policy of the Clean Air Act, regions with air quality cleaner than that required by NAAQS are not allowed to deteriorate;

20. Sulfur Dioxide Cap and Trade In 1990, the Clean Air Act created a cap and trade program for sulfur dioxide. This mainly affects coal power plants. A cap is set on emissions of sulfur dioxide. Companies that do not utilize their full allowance can trade the surplus as a commodity to companies that exceed the cap.

21. Effectiveness of Clean Air Laws Between 1970 & 1997 levels of six major air pollutants decreased by 31%; A 1996 study by the EPA shows that benefits of the Clean Air Act greatly exceed costs: 1970–90 $436 billion spent, health benefits of $2.7 to $14.6 trillion; However, EPA estimates that 107 million Americans live in areas that exceed at least one outdoor air pollution standard. Nitrogen dioxide levels have increased slightly, primarily from automobiles;

22. Premature Deaths from Air Pollution in the U.S.

23. Video: Air Pollution in US cities Down but Not Out http://abcnews.go.com/Health/video/pollution --10502526

24. Four commonly used methods for removing particulates from the exhaust gases of power & industrial plants. All produce hazardous waste that must be disposed. Technologies for Preventing & Reducing Air Pollution

25. Reducing Air Pollution from Vehicles Catalytic Converters reduce CO and hydrocarbon emissions: O 2 from air is passed over a catalyst, which converts CO to CO 2 and hydrocarbons to CO 2 and H 2 O Mandatory testing for older vehicles which may be more polluting.

26. Preventing & Reducing Air Pollution How can we protect the atmosphere? Put more emphasis on pollution prevention Improve energy efficiency Reduce use of fossil fuels (especially coal & oil) Increase use of renewable energy Slow population growth Integrate air pollution prevention with other policies Regulate air quality for entire regions Tax the production of air pollution Transfer appropriate technologies to developing countries.

27. SOLUTIONS Indoor Air Pollution Prevention Cleanup or Dilution Clean ceiling tiles and line AC ducts to prevent release of mineral fibers Use adjustable fresh air vents for work spaces Ban smoking or limit it to well-ventilated areas Increase intake of outside air Change air more frequently Set stricter formaldehyde emissions standards for carpet, furniture, and building materials Circulate a building’s air through rooftop greenhouses Prevent radon infiltration Use efficient venting systems for wood- burning stoves Use office machines in well-ventilated areas Use less polluting substitutes for harmful cleaning agents, paints, and other products Use exhaust hoods for stoves and appliances burning natural gas