Chapter 12- AIR

What Causes Air Pollution?

What causes air pollution?

Clean air: Mostly N & O, small amounts of argon, CO2 and H2O.

Air pollution- harmful substances in the air @ unhealthy levels. Most from human activities Natural sources: volcanoes, dust,

pollen and spores

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.

Sources of Primary Pollutants

Primary Air Pollutants

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chapter 12-AIR

Air, Noise, and Light Pollution

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

Long-Term Health Effects of Air Pollution

Emphysema Lung cancer Heart disease Worsen various medical conditions

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

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

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

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

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

Chapter 12- Air

Section 3- Acid Precipitation

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

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)

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

Acid Rain and Trees

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

Acid Shock

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.

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