1. What Causes Air Pollution?
Chapter 12- AIR
What Causes Air Pollution?

2. What causes air pollution?
Clean air: Mostly N & O, small amounts of argon, CO2 and H2O.
Air pollution- harmful substances in the unhealthy levels.
Most from human activities
Natural sources: volcanoes, dust, pollen and spores

3. Primary and Secondary Pollutants
Primary pollutants are put directly into air by human activity
Secondary pollutants form when primary pollutants come in contact with each other naturally occurring substances.
Ex: Ground level ozone- Emissions from cars and natural sources mix with oxygen and react with UV rays.

4. Sources of Primary Pollutants

5. Primary Air Pollutants

6. Sources of Primary Air Pollutants
Particulate matter- Fine and coarse particles
From cement plants, mining, incinerators, wood-burning fireplaces, fields, and roads
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)- Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and chemicals
From household products, power plants, and motor vehicles

7. The History of Air Pollution
2000 years ago, Roman philosopher, Seneca, complained of foul air.
1273, King Edward I made burning sea-coal illegal
Worse today due to burning of fossil fuels

8. Motor Vehicle Emissions
1/3 of air pollution
Clean Air Act, 1970 & 1990, gives EPA authority to regulate vehicle emissions
Reduce lead in gasoline
Catalytic converters
35% more fuel efficient with 95% fewer emissions than 30 years ago

9. Motor Vehicle Emissions
California Zero-Emission Vehicle Program
1990, CA Air Resources Board est. ZEV prgm.
Vehicles w/ no tail pipe emissions and no emission control systems that deteriorate over time
By 2016, 16% of vehicles sold in CA will be ZEV
Electric
Advanced batteries
Hydrogen fueled
Low emission cars
Hybrid electric cars
Methanol fueled cars

10. Industrial Air Pollution
Clean Air Act requires many industries to use scrubbers or other pollution-control devices
Electrostatic precipitators- Remove dust particles from smoke stacks
Remove 20 million tons of ash from coal plants each year
Scrubbers- Remove harmful chemicals from gases by spraying them with water.
Ex: Removal of ammonia

11. Industrial Air Pollution
Temperature Inversions- The air above is warmer than the air below, trapping air pollution near the earth’s surface
Cities in valleys or surrounded by mountains (Ex: L.A.)
Smog- Air pollution that hangs over urban areas and reduces visibility
Main cause: pollutants released by vehicles and industry
L.A., Denver, and Phoenix

12. Air, Noise, and Light Pollution
Chapter 12-AIR
Air, Noise, and Light Pollution

13. Short-Term Effects of Air Pollution
Headache
Nausea
Irritation to eyes, nose, and throat
Tightness in chest
Coughing
Upper respiratory infection
Worsen emphysema and asthma

14. Long-Term Health Effects of Air Pollution
Emphysema
Lung cancer
Heart disease
Worsen various medical conditions

15. Indoor Air Pollution
Air quality in buildings can be worse than outside due to substances found in carpet, furniture, paint, etc.
Ventilation is key to controlling
Sick-building syndrome- Buildings that are securely sealed and harbor mold, fungi, etc.
Common in hot or cold areas

16. Indoor Air Pollution Radon gas- Colorless, tasteless, and odorless
Produced by decay of Uranium
Seeps up through cracks and holes where it adheres to dust
Destroys genetic material in lung cells
2nd-leading cause of lung cancer

17. Indoor Air Pollution
Asbestos- Long, thin fibers valued for their strength
Used as insulation and fire retardant
Banned in early 1970s
Cut and scar lungs- Asbestosis
Trouble breathing
Eventual heart failure

18. Noise Pollution Sound measured in decibels (dB)
Intensity-loudness
120 dB causes pain with continuous exposure causing permanent deafness
Unneeded noise can cause health problems
Loss of hearing
High blood pressure
Stress

19. Light Pollution No direct hazard to human health
Inefficient lighting diminishes view of night sky
Inefficient lighting is energy waste
Light directed upward is lost into space
Downward light is best
Energy efficient light includes:
Not using when not needed
Low pressure sodium sources

20. Section 3- Acid Precipitation
Chapter 12- Air
Section 3- Acid Precipitation

21. Acid Precipitation
Precipitation such as rain, sleet, or snow with a high concentration of acids
Sulfur and nitrogen oxides released when fossil fuels are burned
Sulfuric and nitric acid fall as acid rain
Pollutes water sources
Kills living things

22. pH Scale Power of hydrogen From 0 to 14
Acidic from 0 to 6 (lower more acidic)
Acid rain 5 and below; varies in different geographic areas
Normal rain contains carbonic acid at pH of ~ 6
Basic from 8 to 14 (higher more basic)
7 is neutral (pure water)

23. Affects Soils and Plants
Acidification- Increase in amount of acid in soil and water
Nutrients dissolved and washed away
Toxic metals are released
Aluminum causes root damage
Sulfur dioxide clogs surface openings of plants

24. Acid Rain and Trees

25. Affects Aquatic Ecosystems
pH changes kill aquatic plants, fish, and other aquatic animals
Aluminum from soil leaches into water;clogs gills of fish
Acidification worse in spring when snow melts
Acid Shock- Sudden increase in acid levels
Fish die in large amounts
Decreased egg production, hatches, and healthy offspring for amphibians and living fish
Powdered limestone (calcium carbonate) neutralizes acid in water sources and soil

26. Acid Shock

27. Acid Precipitation and Humans
Toxins enter human body through crops, water and fish
Respiratory problems in children
Commercial and sport fishing affected by decreasing number of fish
Calcium carbonate dissolves, destroying monuments, etc.

28. International Conflict and Cooperation
Pollution is put out in a different area from where the acid precipitation may fall
Ex: S. East Canada gets acid precipitation from OH, IN, IL, PA, MO, WV, and TN pollution
Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement- 1991
Reduce acidic emissions and acid precipitation