1. Wednesday - 11/30/16
Question of the Day
Agenda
1. Why is poverty the biggest risk factor a person can face?
2. Which diseases are increasing in part due to long dormant/incubation periods?
Finish LD50 handouts
Fill in chemical hazards handout (PCBs 453, Mercury 442, BPA 456)
Air pollution notes/chart

2. Air Pollution
Chapter 18

3. The Asian Brown Cloud

4. The Atmosphere Consists of Several Layers
Atmosphere varies in
Density
Atmospheric pressure

5. Air Movements in the Troposphere Play a Key Role in Earth’s Weather and Climate
Rising and falling air currents make the troposphere key to Earth’s weather and climate
75–80% of the earth’s air mass
Closet to the earth's surface
Chemical composition of air
Mostly Nitrogen (78%) and Oxygen (21%)
The other 1%: H20, argon, CO2, CH4, O3, & N2O

6. The Stratosphere Is Our Global Sunscreen
Similar composition to the troposphere, with 2 exceptions
Much less water
O3, ozone layer, filters UV

7. Natural Capital: The Earth’s Atmosphere Is a Dynamic System with Four Layers
You need to know all 4 main layers!!

8. Air Pollution Comes from Natural and Human Sources (1)
Air pollution: the presence of chemicals in the atmosphere in concentrations high enough to harm organisms, ecosystems, or human-made materials
Natural sources
Dust blown by wind
Pollutants from wildfires and volcanoes
Volatile organics released by plants
Withdrawing groundwater

9. Air Pollution Comes from Natural and Human Sources (2)
Human sources: mostly in industrialized and/or urban areas
Stationary sources (power plants, industrial sources)
Mobile sources (cars)

10. Case Study: Air Pollution in the Past: The Bad Old Days
London
1880: 2,200 dead
1905: Physician calls the smoke & fog “Smog”
1911: 1,100 dead
1952: lasted 5 days & killed 4,000 – 12,000
1956 – Parliament passes Clean Air Act
United States
1948: Donora, PA; first U.S. air pollution disaster
Lasted 5 days, killed 20 – 6,000 became ill
1963: New York City – 300 dead
1970 – U.S.’s first Clean Air Act passed

11. Some Pollutants in the Atmosphere Combine to Form Other Pollutants
Primary pollutants: harmful chemicals emitted directly into the air from natural processes & human activities
Examples on next slide
Secondary pollutants: new harmful chemicals that are formed once IN the atmosphere when primary pollutants react with one another and with the basic components of air

12. Sources and Types of Air Pollutants

13. Good News & Bad News Air quality improving in developed countries
Much more needs to be done in developing countries
Indoor pollution: big threat to the poor

14. Indoor Air Pollution

15. What Are the Major Outdoor Air Pollutants?
Carbon oxides
Nitrogen oxides (NO) and nitric acid (HNO3)
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
Particulates
Ozone (O3) (The BAD ozone)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

16. Pollutant
“Name”
Specific Examples
Natural Sources
Human Sources
Human Health Impact
Environmental Impact
Carbon Oxides CO
CO2
Nitrogen Compounds
Sulfur Compounds
Particulates
Ozone
VOCs

17. Statue Corroded by Acid Deposition and Other Forms of Air Pollution, RI, U.S.

18. Case Study: Lead Is a Highly Toxic Pollutant
Does not break down in the environment
Human health and environmental impact
Most vulnerable: young children
Lead harms the nervous system (neurotoxin)
Can cause death
Among survivors: 30% suffer from paralysis, blindness & mental retardation

19. Case Study: Lead Is a Highly Toxic Pollutant
Reduction of lead (Pb)
Unleaded gasoline & paint
Still problems
2007: toys with Pb paint recalled
Study of US “long lasting” red lipsticks revealed 2/3 contained lead
Need a global ban on lead in gasoline and paint

20. SOLUTIONS Lead Poisoning Prevention Control
Phase out leaded gasoline worldwide
Replace lead pipes and plumbing fixtures containing lead solder
Phase out waste incineration
Remove leaded paint and lead dust from older houses and apartments
Ban use of lead solder
Sharply reduce lead emissions from incinerators
Ban use of lead in computer and TV monitors
Remove lead from TV sets and computer monitors before incineration or land disposal
Ban lead glazing for ceramicware used to serve food
Figure 18.7
Ways to help protect children from lead poisoning. Question: Which two of these solutions do you think are the most important? Why?
Test for lead in existing ceramicware used to serve food
Ban candles with lead cores
Test existing candles for lead
Test blood for lead by age 1
Wash fresh fruits and vegetables
Fig. 18-7, p. 476

21. Burning Coal Produces Industrial Smog
Chemical composition of industrial smog
Mostly sulfur & particulates
“Gray Smog”
Reduction of this smog in urban cities of the United States
Factories use tall smokestacks to transfer pollutants downwind to rural areas
China and smog
Human deaths – 981 per day

22. How Pollutants Are Formed from Burning Coal and Oil, Leading to Industrial Smog

23. Sunlight Plus Cars Equals Photochemical Smog
“Brown Air Smog” (yellow)
Chemical composition
VOCs + NO2 + Heat + Sunlight yields
Ground level O3 and other photochemical oxidants
Aldehydes
Other secondary pollutants
Human health and environmental impact
Irritating to eyes & respiratory systems

24. A Model of How Pollutants That Make Up Photochemicals Are Formed

25. Global Outlook: Photochemical Smog in Santiago, Chile

26. Several Factors Can Decrease Outdoor Air Pollution
Outdoor air pollution may be decreased by
Settling of particles due to gravity
Rain and snow
Salty sea spray from the ocean
Winds
Chemical reactions

27. Several Factors Can Increase Outdoor Air Pollution
Outdoor air pollution may be increased by
Urban buildings
Hills and mountains
High temperatures
Emissions of VOCs from certain trees and plants
Grasshopper effect
Temperature inversions

28. A Temperature Inversion

29. Acid Disposition Is a Serious Regional Air Pollution Problem
Acid deposition, acid rain
Formation
Local versus regional problems
Effects of prevailing winds
Buffers
Where is the worst acid deposition?

30. Natural Capital Degradation: Acid Deposition, Acid Rain

31. Current and Possible Future Acid Rain Problem Areas

32. Acid Deposition Has a Number of Harmful Effects
Human respiratory disorders
Aquatic ecosystems affected
Release of toxic metals
Leaching of soil nutrients
Loss of crops and trees
Damage to buildings, statues, and monuments

33. Natural Capital Degradation: Air Pollution Damage to Trees in North Carolina, U.S.

34. Science Focus: Revisiting Hubbard Brook to Study Effects of Acid Rain
White Mountains, NH, U.S.
Experimentation supports:
Trees do not suffer from direct contact with acid rain
Nutrients are leached out of the soil
Effect of Ca2+ on regrowth of the forest

35. We Know How to Reduce Acid Deposition
Prevention approaches
Clean up
Add lime to neutralize acidified lakes and soil
Add phosphate fertilizer to neutralize acidified lakes

36. Solutions: Acid Deposition, Prevention and Cleanup

38. Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious Problem
Developing countries
Indoor burning (wood, dung, charcoal, crop residues, coal, fuels) = high levels of particulates
Poor suffer the greatest risk
Developed countries
Indoor air pollution > outdoor air pollution
Why?
11 of the common air pollutants higher inside than outside
Greater in vehicles than outside
Health risks magnified: people spend 70–98% of their time is indoors

39. Indoor Air Pollution – Who is At Risk?
Who is at greatest risk from indoor air pollution?
Children under 5
The elderly
Sick
Pregnant women
People with respiratory disorders or heart problems
Smokers
Factory workers

40. Most Dangerous Indoor Air Pollutants
Sources
Human Health Risks
Tobacco Smoke
Smoking
Lung cancer, respiratory ailments, heart disease
Formaldehyde
Furniture stuffing, paneling, particleboard, foam insulation
Irritation of eyes, throat, skin & lungs; nausea; dizziness
Radioactive Radon-222 gas
Underground rock deposits
Lung cancer
Very Small Particles
Pollen, pet dander, dust mites, cooking particles
Irritated lungs, asthma, itchy eyes, runny nose, lung disease

41. Case Study: Radioactive Radon Gas
Source: Decay of uranium-238 in rocks and soils
Most common in granite & shale
Human health risks
Decays into large particles of polonium, which inhaled expose lungs to radiation = CANCER
Testing for radon
Costs $20 to $100
Most homes not tested
Correcting a radon problem ($800 - $2500)
Seal cracks in foundation & walls
Increase ventilation

42. Science: Sources and Paths of Entry for Indoor Radon-222 Gas

43. Formaldehyde
According to American Lung Association, million Americans suffer from low-level exposure
Dizziness, rash, sore throat, nausea, eye irritation, breathing problems
After 15 year exposure
34% greater risk of Lou Gehrig’s disease
Especially bad in manufactured homes (mobile homes & trailers)
Will kill 1 in 5,000 after 10 years exposure

44. Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious Problem
Other possible indoor air pollutants
Pesticide residue (take off your shoes!)
Pb particles
Living organisms and their excrements
E.g., Dust mites and cockroach droppings
Responsible for three-fold increase in asthma in the US from 1972 to 2002
Airborne spores of molds and mildews

45. Science: Magnified View of a Household Dust Mite in a Dust Ball

46. Sick-building Syndrome
Symptoms: dizziness, headaches, coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath, nausea, burning eyes, sore throats, chronic fatigue, irritability, skin dryness & irritation, respiratory infections, flu-like symptoms & depression
According to the EPA 1 in 5 commercial buildings in the US is “sick”
Leads to loss of labor

47. 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
Tobacco smoke
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)
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

48. 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

49. Major Components of the Human Respiratory System

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

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

52. Laws and Regulations Can Reduce Outdoor Air Pollution (1)
United States
Clean Air Acts: 1970, 1977, and 1990
EPA
National Ambient Air Quality standards (NAAQs) for 6 outdoor criteria pollutants
CO, NOX, SO2, SPM, O3, Pb
National emission standards for 188 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs)
Mostly chlorinated hydrocarbons, VOCs & toxic metals
Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)
Industries must tell how much they released and how they deal with waste management
SPLONC

53. Problems with US Pollution Policy
We rely on cleanup more than prevention of pollution
We have not raised fuel-efficiency for cars, SUVs, and light trucks
Inadequate regulation of emissions of motorcycles and two-cycle gasoline engines
16 times more hydrocarbon & 3 times more CO than cars
Regulate air pollution for oceangoing ships in American ports

54. Problems with US Pollution Policy
Airports are exempt from many regulations
No regulation of greenhouse gas emissions
No regulation of ultrafine particles
Urban O3 levels too high
Laws don’t deal with indoor air pollution
Need better enforcement of the Clean Air Act

55. We Can Use the Marketplace to Reduce Outdoor Air Pollution
Emission trading or cap-and-trade program
Gives power plants & industries a certain number of pollution credits
If you emit less, you can use them or sell them
Uses: another plant that is not in compliance, use it to expand your factory
Buyers: other polluting factories, private citizens & environmental groups
Mixed reactions to program
SO2 emissions down significantly
NO2 will be tried in the future
Should we try Mercury? Is it Okay to “buy” the right to make a toxic emission?

56. Solutions: Stationary Source Air Pollution

57. Solutions: Motor Vehicle Air Pollution, Prevention and Cleanup

58. Solutions: Indoor Pollution

59. What Can You Do? Indoor Pollution: Ways to Reduce Your Exposure

60. Solutions: Air Pollution, Ways to Prevent It Over the Next 30–40 Years