Air PollutionAir Pollution

PollutionPollution

Hill Science 6Hill Science 6

Air PollutionAir Pollution

What is it?What is it? Causes?Causes? Indoor Indoor

– Examples?Examples?

OutdoorOutdoor– Examples?Examples?

Outdoor Air PollutionOutdoor Air Pollution

There are two types of outdoor air pollution:There are two types of outdoor air pollution:

– Particulate pollution (Black Carbon and other)Particulate pollution (Black Carbon and other)– Noxious GasesNoxious Gases

Pollution - ParticulatesPollution - Particulates

Coal, wood, and fossil Coal, wood, and fossil fuels release gases and fuels release gases and tiny particles into the air tiny particles into the air when burned.when burned.

Mining and some Mining and some agricultural practices also agricultural practices also emit particles.emit particles.

The exhaust from burning The exhaust from burning fuels in automobiles, fuels in automobiles, homes, and industries homes, and industries release particles.release particles.

Air PollutionAir Pollution

Noxious gasesNoxious gases sulfur dioxidesulfur dioxide carbon monoxidecarbon monoxide nitrogen oxidesnitrogen oxides other chemical vapors other chemical vapors

is pollution.is pollution. Form smog and acid Form smog and acid

rain. rain.

SmogSmog

Exhaust of fossil fuel-burning engines in cars, trucks, coal power Exhaust of fossil fuel-burning engines in cars, trucks, coal power plants, and industrial manufacturing factories. plants, and industrial manufacturing factories.

VOCs - man-made sourcesVOCs - man-made sources– gasoline, paints, solvents, pesticidesgasoline, paints, solvents, pesticides

SmogSmog

Smog surrounds the Angel Smog surrounds the Angel Monument in Mexico City, Monument in Mexico City, Mexico.Mexico.

The absence of wind The absence of wind circulation prevents circulation prevents pollution near the earth’s pollution near the earth’s surface from escaping. surface from escaping.

SmogSmog

In high enough In high enough concentrations, these concentrations, these particles can reduce particles can reduce visibility and cause many visibility and cause many physical ailments in physical ailments in humans:humans:– CoughingCoughing– HeadachesHeadaches– SneezingSneezing– Eye irritationEye irritation– Chest painChest pain– Respiratory failureRespiratory failure

Air PassagesAir Passages

Infants, elderly, and Infants, elderly, and those with chronic lung those with chronic lung ailments may ailments may experience:experience:– AsthmaAsthma– EmphysemaEmphysema

Air PollutionAir Pollution

Air Pollution is one of Air Pollution is one of the easier types of the easier types of pollution to control.pollution to control.

For example:For example:– Smokestacks fitted with Smokestacks fitted with

filters to catch particlesfilters to catch particles– Autos designed to meet Autos designed to meet

tougher emission tougher emission standardsstandards

Air PollutionAir Pollution

Not all air pollution is Not all air pollution is caused by humans.caused by humans.

Examples:Examples:– Volcanic ashVolcanic ash– Smoke from naturally Smoke from naturally

occurring forest firesoccurring forest fires– Salt spray from oceansSalt spray from oceans

How to Decrease Air PollutionHow to Decrease Air Pollution

TransportationTransportation Drive a car that gets at least 35 Drive a car that gets at least 35

miles a gallon,miles a gallon, Walk, bicycle, use mass transitWalk, bicycle, use mass transit

EnergyEnergy Replace incandescent light bulbs Replace incandescent light bulbs

with compact fluorescent bulbs,with compact fluorescent bulbs, Make your home more energy Make your home more energy

efficient efficient Buy only energy efficient Buy only energy efficient

appliances. appliances.

WasteWaste Recycle newspapers, aluminum, Recycle newspapers, aluminum,

and other materials.and other materials.

Plant trees and avoid purchasing Plant trees and avoid purchasing products such as Styrofoam that products such as Styrofoam that contain CFCs. contain CFCs.

Support much stricter clean air laws Support much stricter clean air laws and enforcement of international and enforcement of international treaties to reduce ozone depletion treaties to reduce ozone depletion and slow global warming.and slow global warming.

Earth is everybody's home and Earth is everybody's home and nobody likes living in a dirty home. nobody likes living in a dirty home. Together, we can make the earth a Together, we can make the earth a cleaner, healthier and more cleaner, healthier and more pleasant place to live.pleasant place to live.

EPA.gov