1. Air Pollution and Global Change
Module 13
Pay close attention to each slide.
Click on the speaker on each slide for additional information.

2. What is Air Pollution
Air is a mixture of many gases including: Nitrogen, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, Water Vapor and trace other gases.
Any change in the atmosphere that has harmful effects is called air pollution
Any substance that causes pollution is called a pollutant

3. Composition of the Air
From the pie chart you can see Nitrogen actually makes up the greatest percentage of gas in the air…most would think it would be oxygen because that is what we breathe.
Image:

4. How does pollution make it into the Air?
Solid particles and gases that are released into the air are called emissions
Main cause of emissions is by motor vehicles releasing carbon monoxide into the air
Image: Epa.gov

5. Smoke + Fog = Smog
When certain gases in the air react with sunlight it can create a think brownish haze called photochemical smog
When the smog level is high it can settle over a city creating a dirty haze
Potential threats to humans are breathing trouble, throat irritation and burning eyes
Major sources of smog are the gases emitted by vehicles

6. Smog continued…
Images of Beijing, China on a clear sunny day and then covered in Smog (August 2005
Smog over Los Angeles
Images:

7. Acid Rain Acid rain is another type of air pollution
It is caused by power plants and factories that burn coal and oil and release chemicals into the air
These gases react with water vapor in the atmosphere forming acids which return to Earth’s surface in the form of precipitation
Acid rain affects many things in the environment including: fish, plants, buildings, statues, etc…

8. Acid rain Continued…
Here you can see the effects of acid rain trees and limestone
Images: USGS.gov

9. Not all pollution is outside
The air inside buildings can be polluted too= indoor air pollution
Dust, pet hair, air fresheners, smoke and toxic fumes from cleaning supplies can all contribute to air pollution
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an indoor air pollutant that is a colorless and odorless gas that forms when wood, coal, oil or gas is not completely burned
Radon is another colorless and odorless gas formed naturally by certain rocks underground that is radioactive.

10. Common Types of Indoor Air Pollution
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11. Human Impact on Environment
Humans are the leading factor in creating air pollution and other hazardous wastes on earth
Humans contribute to deforestation (cutting down trees which produce oxygen)
Humans also effect the natural process on earth called The Greenhouse effect
Hazardous waste is any material that can be harmful to human health or the environment if not properly disposed of

12. Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouse gases trap heat in the air which aids in keep the earth a suitable temperature for us to survive
Humans add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere through everyday activities including driving and burning fossil fuels
The more greenhouse gases that are trapped in the atmosphere the more likely it is for our overall temperature of earth to increase (global warming)

13. The Greenhouse Effect
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14. 5 Categories of Hazardous Waste
Toxic waste= or poisonous wastes are wastes that can damage health of humans or other organisms
Explosive wastes= wastes that react very quickly when exposed to the air or water or that explode when they are dropped
Flammable wastes= catch fire easily and can begin burning at fairly low temperatures
Corrosive wastes= wastes that dissolve or eat through many materials
Radioactive wastes= contain unstable atoms that give off radiation that can cause cancer and other diseases

15. Health Effects of Hazardous Wastes
Short term exposure to hazardous wastes may cause irritation to certain body parts or more severe health problems
Long term exposure may cause diseases such as cancer and may damage body organs including: the brain, liver, kidneys and lungs

16. Getting Rid of Hazardous Wastes
Methods of hazardous waste disposal include burial in landfills, incineration and breakdown by living organisms
Liquid wastes can be stored in deep rock layers
Most often Hazardous wastes are disposed in carefully designed landfills
These landfills are lined with clay and plastic to keep chemicals from seeping into the soil and groundwater (which could cause serious contamination and health problems)
The best way to manage hazardous waste is to produce less of them and educate consumers on finding substitutes for common household chemicals

17. Disposing of Hazardous Materials Properly
Image: Epa.gov