1. Air, Noise, and Light Pollution
Chapter 12-2
Air, Noise, and Light Pollution

2. WARM-UP

3. Air Pollution Air pollution can cause serious health problems
very young, very old, or who have heart or lung problems.
Air pollution adds to the effects of existing diseases such as
Emphysema
Heart disease
Lung cancer
Americans pay tens of billions of dollars a year in health costs to treat respiratory diseases caused by air pollution.

4. Short-Term Effects of Air Pollution on Health
Many of the effects of air pollution on people’s health are short-term and reversible if their exposure to air pollution decreases.
The short-term effects of air pollution on people’s health include:
Headache
Nausea
Irritation to the eyes, nose and throat
Coughing/tightness in the chest;
Upper respiratory infections

5. Long-Term Health Effects of Air Pollution
Long-term effects on health that have been linked to air pollution include:
Emphysema
Lung cancer
Heart disease.

6. Indoor Air Pollution is a serious problem
Developing countries
Indoor burning  fuel wood, charcoal, manure
Poor suffer the greatest risk
Developed countries
Indoor air pollution is greater than outdoor air pollution

7. Indoor Air Pollution is a serious problem

8. These compounds can be found in:
Indoor Air Pollution
Plastics and other industrial chemicals are major sources of pollution.
These compounds can be found in:
Carpets
Building materials
Paints
Furniture

9. Indoor Air Pollution

10. Chloroform
Para-dichlorobenzene
Tetrachloroethylene
Source: Chlorine-treated water in hot showers Possible threat: Cancer
Source: Air fresheners, mothball crystals
Threat: Cancer
Source: Dry-cleaning fluid fumes on clothes
Threat: Nerve disorders, damage to liver and kidneys, possible cancer
Formaldehyde
Source: Furniture stuffing, paneling, particleboard, foam insulation
Threat: Irritation of eyes, throat, skin, and lungs; nausea; dizziness
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
Source: Aerosol sprays
Threat: Dizziness, irregular breathing
Styrene
Nitrogen oxides
Source: Carpets, plastic products
Threat: Kidney and liver damage
Source: Unvented gas stoves and kerosene heaters, woodstoves
Threat: Irritated lungs, children's colds, headaches
Benzo- α -pyrene
Source: Tobacco smoke, woodstoves
Threat: Lung cancer
Particulates
Source: Pollen, pet dander, dust mites, cooking smoke particles
Threat: Irritated lungs, asthma attacks, itchy eyes, runny nose, lung disease
Radon-222
Source: Radioactive soil and rock surrounding foundation, water supply
Threat: Lung cancer
Figure 18.16
Some important indoor air pollutants (Concept 18-4). Question: Which of these pollutants are you exposed to? (Data from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
Tobacco smoke
Source: Cigarettes
Threat: Lung cancer, respiratory ailments, heart disease
Asbestos
Carbon monoxide
Methylene chloride
Source: Pipe insulation, vinyl ceiling and floor tiles Threat: Lung disease, lung cancer
Source: Faulty furnaces, unvented gas stoves and kerosene heaters, woodstoves
Threat: Headaches, drowsiness, irregular heartbeat, death
Source: Paint strippers and thinners Threat: Nerve disorders, diabetes
Fig , p. 484

11. Indoor Air Pollution
Sick-building syndrome: a set of symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, eye irritation, and dizziness, that may affect workers in modern, airtight office buildings.
Believed to be caused by indoor air pollutants.
Most common in buildings that are tightly insulated

12. Indoor Air Pollution
Ventilation, or mixing outdoor air with indoor air, is also necessary for good air quality.

13. Asbestos

14. Asbestos
Asbestos: any of six silicate minerals that form bundles of minute fibers that are heat resistant, flexible, and durable.
Asbestos is primarily uses as an insulator and a fire retardant
Extensively in building materials.
Banned in early 1970s

15. Asbestos

16. Radon gas is colorless, tasteless, odorless, and radioactive.
Radon gas (Radon 222)
Radon gas is colorless, tasteless, odorless, and radioactive.
Radon is one of the elements produced by the decay of uranium (a radioactive element)
Occurs naturally in the Earth’s crust.
Radon can seep through cracks and holes in building foundations

17. Radon gas
Sources
Human health risks
Testing for radon
Correcting a radon problem

18. Outlet vents for furnaces and dryers
Open
window
Cracks in wall
Openings around pipes
Slab joints
Wood stove
Cracks in floor
Sump pump
Clothes dryer
Furnace
Slab
Radon-222 gas
Figure 18.18
Science: sources and paths of entry for indoor radon-222 gas. Question: Have you tested the indoor air where you live for radon-222? (Data from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
Uranium-238
Soil
Fig , p. 485

19. Some noises are unnecessary and can cause noise pollution.
Health problems include:
Loss of hearing
High blood pressure
Stress  Can weaken immune system
Loss of sleep decreased productivity

20. Decibel: is the most common unit used to measure loudness (dB)
Noise Pollution
Decibel: is the most common unit used to measure loudness (dB)
The quietest sound that a human ear can hear is represented by 0 dB.
For each increase in decibel intensity, the decibel level is 10 x higher than the previous level.
A sound of 120 dB is at the threshold of pain
Permanent deafness may come as a result of continuous exposure to sounds over 120 dB.

21. Noise Pollution

22. Light Pollution
Light pollution does not present a direct hazard to human health, but it does negatively affect our environment.
Diminishes view of the night sky  especially in urban areas

23. Light Pollution Energy waste: Shield light so it is directed downward
Use time controls so that light is used only when needed

24. Light Pollution

25. Light Pollution

26. Review Questions Page 343 #20-26
Complete in your notes or on a separate sheet of paper (to be checked by me at the beginning o f next class)