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Air PollutionAir Pollution
Environmental Engineering
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The AtmosphereThe Atmosphere
78% N, 21% O 78% N, 21% O
Ozone layerOzone layer
Greenhouse effectGreenhouse effect
Pressure = 1,000millibars atground level
Atmospheric pressure (millibars)
0 200 400 600 800 1,000120
110
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
(SeaLevel)
80 40 0 40 80 120
Temperature (C)
Altitude(kilomete
rs)
Altitude(miles)
75
65
55
45
35
25
15
5
Thermosphere
Heating via ozone
Mesosphere
Stratosphere
Ozone layer
Heating from the earthTroposphere
Temperature
Pressure
Mesopause
Stratopause
Tropopause
Fig. 18.3
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AIR POLLUTIONAIR POLLUTION
Some primary air pollutants may react with one anotheror with
other chemicals in the air to form secondary air
pollutants. Figure 18-4
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Major Air PollutantsMajor Air Pollutants
Suspended particulate matter (SPM):
Consists of a variety of solid particles and liquid
droplets small and light enough to remain
suspended in the air.
The most harmful forms of SPM are fine particles
(PM-10, with an average diameter < 10
micrometers) and ultrafine particles (PM-2.5). According to the
EPA, SPM is responsible for
about 60,000 premature deaths a year in the U.S.
t tt t
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a or omponents o t eHuman Respiratory System
a or omponents o t eHuman Respiratory System
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Major Air PollutantsMajor Air Pollutants
Ozone (O3):
Is a highly reactive gas that is a major component
of photochemical smog.
It can
Cause and aggravate respiratory illness.
Can aggravate heart disease.
Damage plants, rubber in tires, fabrics, and paints.
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Temperature InversionsTemperature Inversions
Cold, cloudy weather in a valley surrounded by
mountains can trap air pollutants (left). Areas with sunny
climate, light winds, mountains
on three sides and an ocean on the other (right)
are susceptible to inversions. Figure 18-11
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Acid Deposition and HumansAcid Deposition and Humans
Respiratory diseasesRespiratory diseases
Toxic metal leachingToxic metal leaching
Decreased visibilityDecreased visibility
Damage to structures, especially
containing limestone
Damage to structures, especially
containing limestone
Decreased productivity of fisheries,
forests, and farms
Decreased productivity of fisheries,
forests, and farms
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ACID DEPOSITIONACID DEPOSITION
Acid deposition consists of rain, snow, dust, or
gas with a pH lower than 5.6.
Figure 18-12
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Acid Deposition and Aquatic SystemsAcid Deposition and Aquatic
Systems
Fish declines Fish declines
Undesirable
species
Undesirable
species
Acid shockAcid shock
Water
boatman
Whirligig
Yellow perch
Lake trout
Brown trout
Salamander(embryonic)
Mayfly
Smallmouthbass
Mussel
6.5 6.0 5.5 5.0 4.5 4.0 3.5
pH
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Air Pollution Damage to TreesAir Pollution Damage to Trees
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Acid Deposition, Plants, and SoilAcid Deposition, Plants, and
Soil
Nutrientleaching
Nutrientleaching
Heavy metal
release
Heavy metal
release
Weakens treesWeakens trees
Fig. 18-14
ome mportant n oor rome mportant n oor r
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ome mportant n oor rPollutants
ome mportant n oor rPollutants
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INDOOR AIR POLLUTIONINDOOR AIR POLLUTION
Indoor air pollution usually is a greater threat tohuman health
than outdoor air pollution.
According to the EPA, the four most dangerous
indoor air pollutants in developed countries are: Tobacco
smoke.
Formaldehyde.
Radioactive radon-222 gas.
Very small fine and ultrafine particles.
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Air Pollution is a Big KillerAir Pollution is a Big Killer
Each year, air pollution prematurely kills about
3 million people, mostly from indoor air
pollution in developing countries.
In the U.S., the EPA estimates that annual deaths
related to indoor and outdoor air pollution range
from 150,000 to 350,000.
According to the EPA, each year more than125,000 Americans get
cancer from breathing
diesel fumes.
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Air Pollution is a Big KillerAir Pollution is a Big Killer
Spatial distribution of premature deaths from air
pollution in the United States.
Figure 18-21
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Radioactive RadonRadioactive Radon
Radon-222, aradioactive gas
found in some soils
and rocks, can seepinto some houses
and increase the risk
of lung cancer.
Sources and paths of entry
for indoor radon-222 gas.
S l ti P ti d R d iS l ti P ti d R d i
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Solutions: Preventing and Reducing
Air Pollution
Solutions: Preventing and Reducing
Air Pollution
Clean Air ActClean Air Act
National Ambient Air QualityStandards (NAAQS)
National Ambient Air QualityStandards (NAAQS)
Primary and secondary standards
Emission Trading Policy
Primary and secondary standards
Emission Trading Policy
U i h M k lU i h M k l
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Using the Marketplace to
Reduce Outdoor Air Pollution
Using the Marketplace to
Reduce Outdoor Air Pollution To help reduce SO2 emissions, the
Clean Air Act
authorized and emission trading (cap-and-trade)
program.
Enables the 110 most polluting power plants to buy
and sell SO2pollution rights.
Between 1990-2002, the emission trading system
reduced emissions. In 2002, the EPA reported the cap-and-trade
system
produced less emission reductions than were
projected.
PREVENTING ANDPREVENTING AND
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PREVENTING AND
REDUCING AIR POLLUTION
PREVENTING AND
REDUCING AIR POLLUTION Environmental scientists point out
several
deficiencies in the Clean Air Act:
The U.S. Congress has failed to increase fuel-
efficiency standards for automobiles.
Regulation of emissions from motorcycles and two-
cycle engines remains inadequate.
There is little or no regulation of air pollution fromoceangoing
ships in American ports.
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Solutions:
Reducing Outdoor Air Pollution
Solutions:
Reducing Outdoor Air Pollution
There are a of number of ways to prevent and
control air pollution from motor vehicles.
Because of the Clean Air Act, a new car today in the
U.S. emits 75% less pollution than did pre-1970 cars.
There is and increase in motor vehicle use in
developing countries and many have no pollution
control devices and burn leaded gasoline.
What Can You Do?
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Indoor Air Pollution
Test for radon and formaldehyde inside your home and take
corrective
measures as needed.
Do not buy furniture and other products containing
formaldehyde.
Remove your shoes before entering your house to reduce inputs of
dust,
lead, and pesticides.
Test your house or workplace for asbestos fiber levels and for
any
crumbling asbestos materials if it was built before 1980. Don't
live in a pre-1980 house without having its indoor air tested
for
asbestos and lead.
Do not store gasoline, solvents, or other volatile hazardous
chemicals inside
a home or attached garage.
If you smoke, do it outside or in a closed room vented to the
outside.
Make sure that wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, and kerosene-
and gas-
burning heaters are properly installed, vented, and
maintained.
Install carbon monoxide detectors in all sleeping areas.
