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Shem Snow
English 1010
Final Project
Annotated Bibliography
Ramos, Claudia. “Environmental education as a tool for raising awareness about the damage
caused by air pollution.” EBSCOhost., 12 Feb. 2012. Web. 23 Oct 2012.
The creators of the research paper “Environmental education as a tool for raising
awareness about the damage caused by air pollution” analyzed how students understand the
effects of atmospheric air pollution. They worked with elementary school children and adults as
well, giving the younger children stories and telling them to make posters of the problem. The
aim of this study was to raise awareness of students in Avanade Brazil of harm caused to
human health and the environment by air pollution. Lectures were given to the people, on the
harm caused by atmospheric pollution, emphasizing the diseases and mutations that can be
induced by exposures to them. In populated areas, problems with air pollution are from mainly
gases from vehicle exhausts, which contain pollutants of sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide,
nitrogen oxide and different hydrocarbons.
Claudia Ramos’s goal to raise awareness was likely achieved because the children
enjoyed the activities given to them. Because the children were given information on the
serious matter of pollution in a fun and desiring way, the children will remember what was
taught to them about pollution. The children that participated in the study seemed to learn a
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lot about the importance of pollution because they were tested on the information that they
were given and remembered the facts taught by the posters and activities they were in.
The goal of Claudia Ramos was to teach the children of air pollution by implying her
lessons to them into art related activities that the children would enjoy. With her friendly and
fun attitude towards the children, she hoped to gain their alliance in her perspective against air
pollution.
Davis, Mary. “Recessions and Health: The Impact of Economic Trends on Air Pollution in
California.” EBSCOhost. Web. 23 Oct. 2012.
Mary E. Davis, the author of “The Impact of Economic Trends on Air Pollution in
California”, is with the department of urban and environmental policy and planning. Davis
claims, “Economic activity may play an important exposure role in the relationship between air
pollution and human health” (Recessions). She identifies that the largest amount of pollution is
from nearby polluting factories and vehicle traffic on roadways. The pollution in community is
mostly from the coefficient of haze (COH), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
(Recessions). Davis gathered data from the California Air Resource Board to generate a monthly
median air concentration values in San Joaquin Valley and San Francisco Bay. San Joaquin Valley
had the highest levels of haze and nitrogen dioxide while the San Francisco Bay area had the
highest levels of carbon monoxide (Recessions). Davis used her hypothesis to find the amount
of pollution in areas of California.
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The information found by Davis’s research likely benefits the state of California because
she figured how to determine the amount of pollution in a certain area. Also, by being able to
keep track of the amount of pollution in the areas, it is possible to avoid reaching the limit for
pollution. The research discovered will likely be used in future tests for the sake of the
environment’s well being, and the economy may even recommend this method for measuring
air quality. Davis is obviously educated on the subject, noticed by her work shown; therefore,
she has all knowledge required to express the issue. By her knowledge and proof of her claims,
Davis shows how the issue affects society and proves to be very reliable.
Davis researched information on air pollution in order to validate how harmful it
is to cities and environments. The methods Davis used prove exactly how destructive air
pollution is. Davis intended to bring about her research to senators and state legislators with
hopes of them realizing the threats of air pollution and taking action against it.
Etzel, Ruth. “How Environmental Exposures Influence the Development and Exacerbation of
Asthma.” 1 Jul. 2003. EBSCOhost. Web. 13 Nov. 2012.
Ruth A. Etzel, author of “How Environmental Exposures Influence the Development and
Exacerbation of Asthma.”, declares that “Environmental exposures increase a Childs risk of
developing asthma and also the risk of asthma exacerbations” (How). She also states that
outdoor air exposures and violence are not likely to cause increase in asthma prevalence, but
rather, they lead to increased exacerbations, sometimes manifested as asthma clusters (How).
According to Etzel, the rate of asthma morbidity and mortality has increased 1-7 from 1980 to
1994, and is more likely in children who suffer poverty (How). Air pollution is suspected to be
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the reason of increased asthma diagnosed to children, and increased asthma attacks in children
who have already been diagnosed (How).
By explaining how children with asthma are endangered by pollution in the air, Etzel will
likely gain followers of the community that agree with her opinions. With followers, she will be
noticed by the authorities and (as she hopes) make a difference on air pollution.
Etzel’s purpose is to inform people of asthma issues caused by air pollution and also
control pollution violence among families of poverty. This is because she explores the issue
more towards the contamination of air polluted chemicals among families with poverty, instead
of expressing more on pollution in the air. Although Etzel offers solutions to air pollution, her
goal is more toward solutions to stop asthma contamination among those vulnerable.
Cone, Marla. “Farm air pollution targeted.” Los Angeles Times. 18 May 2007. Los Angeles Times.
Web. 15 Nov. 2012.
Rick Tomlinson, director of public policy for the California Strawberry commission,
claims that “Farmers of strawberries, carrots, tomatoes and peppers in California may have to
pull thousands of acres out of production to meet the smog targets” (Farm). He is concerned
about the cost of the regulation. One third of the acreage production in Ventura could be
driven out because of Mary Ann Warmerdam, director of the state Department of Pesticide
Regulation (Farm). Warmerdam declares that her agency “will do everything they can to keep
California farms producing while they take these necessary steps to clean up the air” (Farm).
According to Warmerdam, rules expected to go into effect within a year will supposedly
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fundamentally change the way agriculture uses this class of materials (Farm). She also claims
that no legislation is necessary and the agency has authority to set regulation (Farm).
Farms in California will likely loose profit in what they would have gained from
production. Tomlinson’s worries of the cost of regulation will likely become worries to all
farmers in California because of the Fumigants that are injected into fields before planting to
sterilize the soil, killing insects, weeds and diseases.
Tomlinson is announcing that farms need to be aware and prepared because cost of
regulations are increasing. He intends to assist farms in staying prosperous so their production
will not decrease. He is indeed concerned for farms and would desire of them to withstand the
pressures of financial issues.
Paul A. Solomon. “Air Pollution and Health: Bridging the Gap from Sources to Health
Outcomes.” Apr. 2011. EBSCOhost. Web. 13 Nov. 2012.
According to Solomon A. Paul, of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, ozone, and sulfur dioxide have
been identified to cause adverse health effects (Air). In the third conference Paul and Maria
Costantini, of the American Association for Aerosol Research (AAAR), extended the findings
presented at the AAAR’s first specialty conference held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 2003
(Air). Paul also announces that “Results from the 2010 AAAR Air Pollution and Health
conference are being published in Environmental Health perspectives, Air Quality, Atmosphere
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and Health Environment and Inhalation Toxicology” and also that health outcomes, such as,
respiratory and cardiovascular diseases are results from air pollution (Air).
Paul’s research of pollutants from factories and vehicles combined into the air shows
that he makes an effort to inform the community of air pollution. However Paul’s efforts are in
vain because the knowledge he gives is already known and only remind people of the dangers
of air pollution. Paul will likely be ignored because of the little amount of information he gives.
Making no effect on the community, Paul will have tried in vain.
Paul may have been attempting to remind society of air pollution because he believes
they already know, but don’t give a care. He may have believe that society did not know that air
pollution is harmful, attempting to present his knowledge to them. Paul’s overall attempt was
to give his community knowledge of air pollution so they would take a stand against it.
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What is the importance of high quality air?
Air pollution is a global issue that is dealt with in every country; it affects not only cities,
but also farms and wildlife environments from mountains to sea shores. Air pollution is not only
created by burning coal, oil, other fossil fuels, and manufacturing chemicals; but also
contributed by each person living through everyday activities, such as: using a vehicle, dry
cleaning their cloths, and smoking substances. As time continues, pollutants in the air are
produced until the amounts of poisonous chemicals in the air are able to damage the health of
public people and also the environment. Inhaling polluted air will likely cause human health
problems, such as: damage to the “immune, neurological, respiratory, and reproductive
systems, and even cause cancer or death with long-term exposure” (What’s).
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an Agency that “monitors criteria and
toxic air pollutants across the country through the Clean Air Act” (What’s). They have
established air quality standards for the six criteria air pollutants: carbon monoxide, lead,
nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide. According to the EHP,
“Particulate matter (PM), is a criteria air pollutant that comprises particles found in the air,
including dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets.” It “can be large, dark enough to be seen,
or they can be so extremely tiny that they can be seen only through an electron microscope”
(What’s). PM is emitted by a direct and various extents of sources them being “cars, trucks,
construction sites, and burning of wood, as well as forms in the atmosphere when emissions of
nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, ammonia, organic compounds, and other gases react in the air”(
What’s). Studies of PM prove that superior exposure of these particles in the air will have
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punishing health effects (What’s). PMs are smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter and are
extremely small particles that may eventually become “the greatest threat to humans because
they can reach deep into the lungs” (What’s).
“The EPA monitors the release of 188 toxic air pollutants, which are known as hazardous
air pollutants” (What’s). According to studies, these pollutants are known to cause cancer or
other serious health effects in human reproductive systems, birth defects, and/or adverse
environmental effects (What’s). Benzene, another toxic air pollutant studied by the EPA, “is
clear, colorless, and a highly flammable liquid that has a distinctive smell” (What’s) is used in
the manufacture of detergents and pharmaceuticals, it is also found in gasoline and tobacco
smoke. “Benzene released from cigarettes accounts for almost half the national exposure to
benzene” (What’s). Short-term exposure might cause nervous system disorders, immune
system depression, and anemia; while long-term exposure will cause all these effects with
cancer.
Farms are also a main victim of air pollution, mainly through soil contamination; farms
suffer from pollution in either liquid or solid particles mixed with soil (Effects). Contaminants
may be physically attached to the soil particles or possibly in the spaces between the soil
particles (Effects). Contamination results when hazardous substances are spilled or buried in
the soil or can occur when pollutants settle on the soil like a chemicals or waste from an
industrial smokestack (Effects). A plant grown in contaminated soil takes up the hazardous
substances through its roots, causing humans and animals that ingest these plants to become ill
(Effects). Soil contaminants can also be inhaled by humans and animals through dust that is
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present in the air or absorb these hazardous chemicals through their skin (Effects). High
concentrations of air pollutants: Damage agricultural crops which range from visible markings
on the foliage to reduced growth, and can yield death. Damage done by soil contamination
seriously interrupts the development and health of plants.
The main major causes for crops to suffer air pollution are: ozone, sulfur dioxide,
fluoride, ammonia, and particulate matter (Effects). High levels of ozone cause damage to
leaves and vines, thus forcing them to crisp and dry. Sulfur dioxide, produced mainly from
burning coal, enters the leaves through the microscopic openings, disrupting maturation and
ability to grow, causing the plant to lose its nutritional value (Effects). Fluoride, being less
destructive than other pollutants, is absorbed into leaves and reduces the crop’s ability to
hydrate itself (Effects). Ammonia is usually produced in massive quantities and immediately
damages the victim crops (Effects). Taking only days to develop, ammonia fades the leaves,
forcing them to become dull in color and intensely decrease their growth speed (Effects). The
last major cause, particulate matter, induces chlorosis and death of leaf tissue by a thick crust
of dust from cement (Effects).
The seriousness of air pollution and the damage it beholds is widely known, however
most people unaffected by it don’t take much action toward it. Environmental health is a
necessity for all humans, especially those who have health problems, gain anything from crops,
or enjoy outdoor hobbies. If action is taken, there will be a tremendous difference in the quality
of care society is giving because each person makes a difference: Smog levels will remarkably
decrease because laws will have factories monitoring their production, farms in contaminated
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areas will be able to once again produce massive numbers of crops every year, lakes, streams,
and other sources of water will be purified, allowing fish and other plants to produce and
reproduce throughout the years (Effects). Pollution in the air is ongoing and continues everyday
nonstop. Factories and use of vehicles are also great requirements for the world today;
nevertheless, damage caused by soil contamination can be astoundingly decreased with just a
bit of action taken by local citizens (Effects).
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Work Cited
Griffiths, Heather. “Effects of Air Pollution on Agricultural Crops.” Ministry of Agriculture, Food
and Rural Affairs 09 Aug. 2009: 01-015. Web. 29 Nov. 2012.
“What’s Your Hypothesis?” EHP online May 2005: 1-19. Web. 29 Nov. 2012.