Air Pollution

Air Composition

• 78% nitrogen

• 21% oxygen

• 1% argon, carbon dioxide, neon, helium, methane, etc.

Air Pollution

• Any harmful substance released into the atmosphere.

Natural Sources of Air Pollution– Pollen

– Volcanic eruptions

– Forest fires

– Sand/dust storms

– Gases from decaying organisms

– Methane- bacteria, decay, & flatulence of cows

Air Pollution History• Most began during

the Industrial Revolution in 1800’s.

• Large amounts of coal & wood burned

• No air pollution controls- many deaths resulted from air pollution/smog.

Air - Global Common

• Global Common- We all use the air

• Air is constantly moving.• Air pollution does not just

stay in one place, it travels with air currents.

• Many countries do not have strict air pollution standards like U.S.

REVIEW1. What gases make up air?___________________

_________________________________________

2. List 3 natural sources of air pollution._________

_________________________________________

3. When did most air pollution begin?__________

_________________________________________

4. Why is air considered a global common?_____

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

Sources of Outdoor Air Pollution1. Particulates

• Tiny solids in air• From burning fossil

fuelsAsh, soot

• From other sourcesMining Asbestos from

brakesFertilizer, pesticide

dust

Sources of Outdoor Air Pollution2. Gases

• From burning fossil fuels Carbon dioxide

(CO2) Sulfur dioxide (SO2) Nitrogen Oxides

(NOx) Smog- brown haze

around cities • From other sources

Chlorofluorocarbons

Increases in Greenhouse Gases• Caused by global

carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels.

• Since 1970, CO2

emissions have increased by 90%.

• Global warming

– Increase in Earth’s temperature due to increased greenhouse gas levels.

Impacts of Climate Change• Earth’s temp. may rise by

2-4o by the year 2050• Polar ice caps may melt,

oceans expand, become less salty

• Sea levels rise- flooding of cities & farmland

• Weather patterns may change

• Most areas will become drier

• Decrease in crop yield

REVIEW1. List 3 sources of outdoor air pollution?_______

_________________________________________

2. What has caused increases in greenhouse gases?

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

3. List 4 impacts of climate change.____________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

Sources of Indoor Air Pollution1. Cigarette Smoke

– Deadliest indoor air pollutant

– Second hand smoke may be worse due to particulates that come from tip.

2. Mold

– Moisture in vents, carpets

Sources of Indoor Air Pollution3. Carbon Monoxide

– Poorly running furnace, gas appliances, cars

4. Radon

– Colorless, odorless, radioactive gas

– Comes from soil under basements

Sources of Indoor Air Pollution5. Asbestos

– Roofing, flooring, insulation, brakes

– OK… unless disturbed or deteriorates

6. Formaldehyde

– Pressed wood, paneling, particle board, glue, deodorizers

Plaque build up (scarring) in lung w/asbestosis

Sources of Indoor Air Pollution7. Lead

– Old homes, toys, lead crystal dishes, old paint

– Causes behavior & learning problems, slow growth, hearing problems, headaches

8. VOCs Volatile Organic Compounds

– Paradichlorobenzene- mothballs, insecticides

– PERC- dry cleaned clothes

– Benzene- paints, cigarettes

Sick Building Syndrome Sick building syndrome-

– Large buildings have closed circulation systems

– Effects of fumes intensified

– Symptoms: headache, eye or throat irritation, cough, itchy skin, dizziness, nausea, fatigue

– Feel better when you get fresh air outside.

Health Problems From Air Pollution• Chronic bronchitis- coughing,

trouble breathing

• Asthma- not caused by air pollution, but aggravated by it.

• Emphysema- lungs lose elasticity, hard to breathe

• Lung Cancer- caused by cigarettes, car exhaust, particulates, asbestos, arsenic, radon

REVIEW1. List 4 sources of indoor air pollution._________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

2. What is sick building syndrome?____________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

3. What are 3 health problems associated with air pollution?_________________________________

_________________________________________

Primary & Secondary Pollution

• Primary Pollution = pollution put into the air as a result of human actions.

• Exp: car exhaust

• Secondary Pollution = primary pollution that reacts with anything already in the atmosphere and creates pollution.

• Exp: Acid Rain – (formed from car exhaust combining with rainwater)

Acid Rain• More acidic than normal precipitation.• Normal rain = pH of 5.6 Acid rain = pH below 5.6• Primary pollutant- (carbon, nitrogen, sulfur) becomes

secondary pollutant when combined with water-(carbonic acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid).

Effects of Acid Rain on Plants• Kills leaves, kills plant

• Prevents sprouting of seeds

• Destroys entire forest

Effects of Acid Rain on Animals• Mutates eggs & larvae

• Fewer eggs produced

• Acid rain “leaches”aluminum out of soil

• On fish gills it causes suffocation

• Kills immediately

Effects of Acid Rain

• Destroys monuments/ statues– Calcium carbonate &

marble statues dissolve

– Metal statues tarnish• Personal property

affected– Corrodes steel– Discolors paint– Corrodes tires

Soil Acidification

• Caused by acid rain-dissolves the nutrients and helpful minerals in the soil and then washes them away before the trees and other plants can use them to grow.

• Powdered lime added to neutralize it.

REVIEW1. What is the difference between a primary and

secondary pollutant?______________________

_________________________________________

2. What is acid rain and how is it caused?_______

_________________________________________

3. List 3 effects of acid rain?_________________

_________________________________________

4. Why is soil acidification a problem?_________

_________________________________________

Air Pollution Prevention

Clean Air Act (1970) -Strict emission controls: catalytic converters and unleaded fuel

• To limit sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, tropospheric ozone and lead.

Air Pollution Prevention

• Scrubbers- water, lime, & filters to neutralize smoke before it leaves a smokestack

Ways We Can Limit Air Pollution

• Carpool

• Take mass transit- bus, MARTA, etc.

• Don’t waste electricity

• Maintain cars

REVIEW1. What is the Clean Air Act?_________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

2. How can scrubbers help prevent air pollution? _

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

3. What can we do to limit air pollution?________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________