Chapter 18Air Pollution Elyse Andrews and Katie Reilly

Case Study- Brown cloud in South Asia

The Asian Brown CloudMade up of dust, smoke, soot, and other pollutants Damages human healthWarms the atmosphereAffects all parts of the world

Layers of the AtmosphereTroposphere

Closest to earth’s surface Its winds are responsible for weather and climate

Stratosphere2nd layerOzone layer

Sources of Outdoor Air Pollution

Natural sourcesDust, volcanic eruption, wildfires

Human inputsBurning of fossil fuels

Industrial Revolution

Outdoor Air PollutantsPrimary pollutants

Emitted directly into air Secondary pollutants

Formed when primary pollutants react with one another to form new harmful chemicals

Types of Outdoor Air Pollutants

Carbon oxidesNitrogen oxides and nitric acidSulfur dioxide and sulfuric acidOzoneVolatile organic compounds

SmogIndustrial smog

Caused by burning coalPhotochemical smog

Mixture of primary and secondary pollutantsFormed from UV radiation

Factors that Decrease Air Pollution

Heavy particles settle outRain and snowSalty sea spray WindsChemical reactions

Factors that Increase Air Pollution

Urban buildingsHills and mountainsHigh temperaturesEmissions of volatile organic compoundsGrasshopper effectTemperature inversions

Acid DepositionCaused by coal-burning power plants and motor

vehicle emissionsAcidic substances remain in atmosphere

Wet and dry deposition

Harmful effects

Indoor Air Pollution Burning of materials expose people to air

pollutionEx. Coal, dung, charcoal

EPA studies revealed alarming facts about indoor air pollution in developed countries

Top of 18 sources of cancer risk list

Sources of Indoor Air Pollution

PesticidesLiving organisms and their excrementToxic airborne spores of molds and mildew Sick building syndrome

4 most dangerous indoor pollutants

Tobacco smokeFormaldehyde Radioactive radon-222 gasSmall particles

Health Effects of Air Pollution

Respiratory system Disease emphysema

EPA statistics wef

Laws and Regulation to Reduce

EPANational ambient air quality standards (NAAQS)Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs)

Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Can be improved

Use the Market Place to Reduce Outdoor Air

Pollutiongovernment air pollution allotments Clean Air Act of 1990 Pros and Cons