Atmospheric Systems Review
Name: __________________________
Completion Marks: ______________________
Glossary:
Contaminant
Pollutant
Sick Building Syndrome
Anthropogenic
Primary Air Pollutants
Secondary Air Pollutants
Air Quality Health Index
1. Complete the table below of the different primary air pollutants:
Air Pollutant
Description
Sources
Carbon monoxide
- colourless and odourless
gas formed when wood,
gasoline, and other fuels are
burned
- burning fossil fuels for
transportation and
generating electricity
- burning wood for heat
and clearing land
Nitrogen oxides
- reddish/brown gas that
readily reacts with other
compounds
- responsible for
photochemical smog
- solid particles or liquid
droplets (collectively called
aerosols) suspended in air
- range in size from what
can be seen with the eye to
those requiring powerful
microscopes
- motor vehicle exhaust
- burning fossil fuels and
biomass
- forest fires
- colourless gas with a sharp
odour
- reacts with water vapour
in the atmosphere to form
sulfur-containing acids
- wide range of very
reactive, toxic compounds
that vaporize readily and
exist as gases in air
- many undergo reactions in
the presence of sunlight to
form ground level ozone
- burning sulfur-rich coal
in power plants
- burning biomass
- industrial gases
- volcanic activity
- burning fossil fuels and
wood
- refineries and other
industrial plants
- burning tobacco
- paints, glues, fabrics,
building materials, copy
machines/printers,
personal care products
Particulate matter
Sulfur dioxide
VOCs
- burning plant material
- agriculture
- travel on roads
- industrial processes
- construction
- mining
- volcanoes
- sea spray
Effects of Human
Health
- reduces amount of oxygen
that blood can carry to cells
- high levels in urban areas
can cause headaches, fatigue,
and blurred vision
- prolonged and/or high
exposures is deadly
- irritates eyes and lungs
- increases chance of
respiratory infections
- causes chronic bronchitis
- small particles can enter the
nose and mouth and damage
tissue of lungs and tubes
leading to them
- worsens asthma, bronchitis,
and other respiratory
conditions
- some increase change of
cancer
- sulfur-containing acids can
burn lung tissue if inhaled
- inhalation symptoms include
chest pain, sore throat,
headache, nausea
- irritate eyes, nose, and
throat
- can cause headaches,
nausea, dizziness
- higher concentrations can
damage internal organs such
as the lungs, liver, and brain
- some increase chance of
cancer
2. Explain why all pollutants are contaminants, but not all contaminants are pollutants.
Because a contaminant is a substance in an environment that occurs in concentrations that are higher
than what would be expected. And a pollutant, is a substance in an environment that is harmful or could
become harmful to people or other living things. Example: you can have more compost in your soil, it
would be considered a contaminant because of the increased amount, but NOT a pollutant because it is
not harmful.
3. What is photochemical smog? Why is it called a secondary air pollutant?
It forms when pollutants from the exhaust pipes of cars and trucks and the smokestacks
of industrial plants react chemically in the presence of sunlight. Secondary air pollutants
are the result of interactions between primary air pollutants and other primary air pollutants and
other gases and particles that are naturally present in the atmosphere.
4. What is the Air Quality Health Index? Why is reporting it for a given region important
for the people who live there?
To help people understand and make decisions related to the health effects of air quality,
Environment Canada, with the provinces and territories, has devised the Air Quality
Health Index (AQHI).
The AQHI is based on the health risks linked to common air pollutants, including ozone
and particulate matter.
The AQHI uses the scale below to indicate the air quality and its associated high risks.
5. Describe the roles that provincial and federal governments play in managing air quality.
Federal: There is a federal environmental law (the Canadian Environmental Protection Act) that
addresses national environmental standards. It commits governments to meet defined pollution
reduction targets.
Provincial: The Clean Air Act - Protects Saskatchewan's air quality by regulating emissions that
originate in the province.
6. Describe how a catalytic converter helps to reduce emissions of air pollutants from motor
vehicles.
Catalytic converters help reduce emissions. These devices use materials called catalysts that
convert potential pollutants into harmless substances before they enter the air.
7. Name and describe two devices that industry uses to help reduce the amount of
particulate matter that is released into the air.
The first is: industrial filters, which trap fine particles. The filters act like the bags
found in vacuum cleaners, allowing air to pass but stopping particles.
2. The second is: electrostatic precipitators, which are more expensive, but are extremely
effective! Particulates pick up an electrostatic charge as they rise in a smokestack. The charged
particulates are attracted to a plate that carries an opposite charge.
8. How would an urban forest contribute to improving air quality?
Plants help to improve air quality by removing dust and air pollution such as carbon
dioxide from the air. They also reduce energy consumption, which can release air
pollutants, by providing natural shade and windbreaks.
9. Complete the table below on indoor air pollutants.
Indoor Air Pollutant
Description of Pollutant
Effects on Human Health
Second-Hand Smoke
Cigarettes
VOCs
Radon
Synthetic household items,
such as furniture, carpets,
adhesive and cleaning
products, etc.
Uranium in the ground
Asbestos
Mineral used in insulation
Lung cancer
Moulds
Damp, dark areas in
buildings
Found everywhere
Allergic reactions, and
respiratory damage
Fever, cough, chills, etc.
Bacteria
Cause cancer, headaches,
sore throat, nausea
Headaches, dizziness, and
eye and respiratory
irritation.
Lung cancer
10. It is recommended that people have carbon monoxide detectors, such as the one below, in
their homes. Why do you think they are important to have?
Carbon monoxide detectors are important to have
because carbon monoxide is a clear, odourless,
colourless gas that is very toxic to people. While
it is undetectable by human senses, it can be
deadly if inhaled in high amounts
11. The Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia get their name from the blue-coloured gases given
off by plants that grow there. In the Northwest Territories, the Smoking Hills are rich
in rock made up of carbon and sulfur compounds that can spontaneously ignite, releasing
the smoke that gives their name.
a)
What other natural sources of air
pollution are there?
Answers may include one of the following:
volcanoes give off particulate matter and
gases; lightning causes forest fires that
produce particulate matter and gases; wind
storms stir up dust and dirt into the air;
plants can release large amounts of
pollen into the air.
b) Sound people be concerned about these natural sources as they are about
anthropogenic sources? Give reasons to justify your opinion.
Answers should clearly state an opinion about natural sources of air pollution that is supported
by at least one statement. Sample answer: No, people should not be as concerned about natural
sources of air pollution, because they are at much lower concentrations and are released less
frequently than the products or processes that produce anthropogenic (humanmade) sources. or
Yes, if people are highly sensitive to the type of pollution in the area, they should take
precautions or move out of the area.
12. List three ways YOU can improve air quality.