What is air pollution?

Air Pollution 1

What is air pollution? Air pollution is a mixture of natural and man-made substances in the air we breathe. It is typically separated into two categories: outdoor air pollution and indoor air pollution. 2

Outdoor air pollution Examples include: Fine particles produced by the burning of fossil fuels (i.e. the coal and petroleum used in traffic and energy production) Noxious gases (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, chemical vapors, etc.) Ground-level ozone (a reactive form of oxygen and a primary component of urban smog) Tobacco smoke 3

Indoor air pollution Involves exposures to particulates, carbon oxides, and other pollutants carried by indoor air or dust. Examples include: Gases (carbon monoxide, radon, etc.) Household products and chemicals Building materials (asbestos, formaldehyde, lead, etc.) Outdoor-indoor allergens (cockroach and mouse dropping, etc.) Tobacco smoke Mold and pollen 4

Key terms for understanding air pollution Emissions is the term used to describe the gases and particles which are put into the air or emitted by various sources. Two main sources of emissions Point sources include things like factories and electric power plants. Mobile sources include cars and trucks, lawn mowers, airplanes and anything else that moves and puts pollution into the air. 5

Human Impact on Air Pollution Human activities, such as large scale development, farming, burning fossil fuels, and other industrial activities can alter the concentrations of the atmospheric gases. These activities release gases such as 1. CO2- Carbon Dioxide 2. CH4- Methane 3. CO- Carbon Monoxide 4. Pb Lead 5. N2O- Nitrous Oxide and NO2- Nitrogen Dioxide 6. SO2- Sulfur Dioxide 7. O3- Ground-Level Ozone (Tropospheric Ozone) Too much consumption of these gases can lead to negative effects on human health and the environment 6

CO2= Carbon Dioxide Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary greenhouse gas emitted through human activities The main human activity that emits CO2 is the burning of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil) for energy and transportation 7

CO2= Carbon Dioxide In high amounts, CO2 gas can harm the respiratory system and nervous system. Answer this question in your notes: What is the main source of CO2 emissions? 8

Methane = CH4 Methane (CH4) is the second most prevalent greenhouse gas emitted in the USA from human activities Globally, over 60% of total CH4 emissions come from human activities. Methane sources include: industrial activity, agriculture, and waste management activities. Answer this question in your notes: What is the leading source of CH4? 9

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CO= Carbon Monoxide This pollutant causes tiredness, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and other flu-like symptoms. Exposure in high amounts can be deadly. All homes should have CO detectors. Answer this question in your notes: What is the leading source of CO emissions? 11

Pb= Lead Major sources of lead in the air are the processing of ore and metals and some aircrafts that operate on lead fuel. Other sources are waste incinerators, utilities, and lead-acid battery manufacturers. When the EPA enforced the removal of lead from motor vehicle gasoline, levels of lead in the air decreased by 98 percent between 1980 and 2014. Problems: Lead consumption by infants and young children (even low levels) may contribute to behavioral problems, learning deficits and lowered IQ. 12

Pb = Lead Answer these questions in your notes: 1) What is the leading source of Pb? 2) Look at the Lead Mobile Breakdown chart- Which mobile machine is most responsible for Pb emissions? 13

N2O = Nitrous Oxide Human activities such as agriculture, fossil fuel combustion, wastewater management, and industrial processes are increasing the amount of N2O in the atmosphere. Answer this question in your notes: What is the leading source of Nitrous Oxide pollution? 14

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NO2= Nitrogen Dioxide This pollutant irritates the respiratory tract and can cause damage to the lungs Answer this question in your notes: What is the leading source of Nitrogen Oxide emissions? 16

SO2= Sulfur Dioxide Respiratory effects include increased asthma symptoms, respiratory disease, such as emphysema and bronchitis, and can aggravate existing heart disease, leading to increased hospital admissions and premature death. Answer this question in your notes: What is the leading source of Sulfur Dioxide emissions? 17

Ground Level Ozone= O3 (Tropospheric Ozone) Ground level or "bad" ozone is not emitted directly into the air, but is created by chemical reactions in the presence of sunlight. Sources include: urban smog industrial and electric facilities motor vehicle exhaust and gasoline vapors chemical solvents Human Impact= Breathing ozone can trigger a variety of health problems, particularly for children, the elderly, and anyone with lung diseases such as asthma. Environmental Impact= Ground level ozone can also have harmful effects on sensitive vegetation and ecosystems. 18

RESULTS OF LARGE SCALE DEVELOPMENT Question: How is air pollution linked to climate change? 19

Global Surface Temperature Change 20

Heat Island The term "heat island" describes urban/developed areas that are hotter than nearby rural areas. Example: A city with 1 million people or more can be up to 5.4 F warmer than its surroundings. In the evening, the difference can be as high as 22 F Real world examples: New York City, Beijing, Chicago 21

Heat islands impact communities by increasing: air conditioning costs, Energy demands, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, heat-related illness and death water pollution 22

DRW1 Heat Island Mitigation Strategies There are five strategies to reduce the heat island effect: 1. trees and vegetation 2. green roofs 3. cools roofs 4. cool pavements 5. smart growth 23