1. Chapter 20
Air Pollution

2. The Atmosphere as a Resource
Atmospheric composition:
Nitrogen = 78%
Oxygen = 21%
Argon = 0.93%
Carbon dioxide = 0.04%
Layers:
troposphere
stratosphere

3. Types and Sources of Air Pollution
Major Classes of Air Pollutants
Particulate matter (PM)
Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
Sulfur oxides (SOx)
Carbon oxides (COx)
Hydrocarbons(VOCs)
Ozone
Ozone damage

4. Types and Sources of Air Pollution
Major Air Pollutants

5. Types and Sources of Air Pollution
Primary and Secondary Air Pollutants

6. Types and Sources of Air Pollution
Primary Air Pollutants

7. Types and Sources of Air Pollution
Sources of Outdoor Air Pollution

8. Types and Sources of Air Pollution
Hydrocarbon emissions in Atlanta, Georgia

9. Types and Sources of Air Pollution
Urban Air Pollution

10. Types and Sources of Air Pollution
Case-in-Point: Air Pollution in Los Angeles and Mexico City
Sources of smog in Los Angeles

11. Types and Sources of Air Pollution
Case-in-Point: Air Pollution in Los Angeles and Mexico City
Smog in Mexico City

12. Effects of Air Pollution
Air Pollution and Human Health

13. Effects of Air Pollution
Health Effects of Specific Air Pollutants
Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, & particulate matter – airway irritation and constriction
Carbon monoxide – headache, fatigue, drowsiness, death
Ozone – burning eyes, coughing, and chest discomfort

14. Controlling Air Pollution in the United States
Turned OFF
Controlling Air Pollutants
Turned ON
Electrostatic precipitator

15. Controlling Air Pollution in the United States
Scrubber:
Controlling Air Pollutants
Mainly controls
particulates
Expensive

16. Controlling Air Pollution in the United States
Clean Air Act (1970, 1977, 1990, 1997)
Emissions in the US, 1970 vs. 2000
Catalytic converter
What it doesn’t do

17. Controlling Air Pollution in the United States
US Urban Areas with Worst Air Quality, 2002

18. Controlling Air Pollution in the United States
Other Ways to Improve Air Quality
Reducing the sulfur content in gasoline
Require federal emissions standards to apply to ALL passenger vehicles
Require emission testing for ALL vehicles

19. Air Pollution Around the World
Many nations do not have most current pollution scrubbing technologies
Air pollution in China

20. Indoor Air Pollution Radon – from Uranium containing Rocks
Some in our area
(Reading prong)
Has your home
been tested?

21. Indoor Air Pollution (sick building syndrome)

22. Indoor Air Pollution Indoor Air Pollution and the Asthma Epidemic
# of asthma sufferers has doubled since 1970
Exactly why is unknown, but thought to be linked to increased indoor air pollution

23. Air Pollution Around the World
Long-Distance Transport of Air Pollution:
Global distillation of persistent chemicals
PCBs, DDT