HUMAN IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
THE EFFECT OF AIR POLLUTION ON HUMAN HEALTH
1. PRACTICAL INVESTIGATION: AIR QUALITY IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT
You will need:
 2 Microscope slides
 Sticky tape
 Petroleum jelly
Method:
 Select suitable sites for your investigation: an area where there is a lot of traffic e.g. a main
road or busy street in your neighbourhood, and another area closer to your own home e.g.
your garden or backyard.
 Prepare the slides by smearing petroleum jelly smoothly on one side of each microscope
slide.
 Stick the slides to an object in your selected area e.g. tree trunk or lamp post, using the
sticky tape.
 The petroleum sides of the slides should be open and exposed to the air.
 Leave the slides in position for about three days (72 hours).
 Remove the slides and study under a magnifying glass or stereoscope.
Observations:
Record your observations by drawing the slides as seen under the stereoscope in the blocks below.
Conclusions:
1. Explain the differences between the two slides (if any) and give possible reasons for the
differences.
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2. Mention at least two possible sources of pollution in your area.
3. Suggest two ways in which pollution in your area can be decreased.
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CRITERIA

Two diagrams

Headings

Details shown
Conclusions, Q 1, 2
and 3 completed

At least two
sources of pollution

At least two viable
solutions

Neatness

Handed in on time;
followed
instructions
TOTAL
/10
1
LEVELS OF ACHIEVEMENT
2
3
4
2. READING PASSAGE AND COMPREHENSION: EMPHYSEMA
Emphysema is a chronic, progressive condition characterised by shortness of breath and an inability to
perform normal activities.
The underlying problem is the destruction of the gaseous exchange surface. The bronchi and alveoli
are in effect eliminated. The alveoli lose their structure and expand, capillary vessels disappear and
gaseous exchange in the effective area is decreased or even totally shut down.
Emphysema is caused by the inhalation of particulate pollutants such as can be found in cigarette
smoke and other sources of air pollution. Damage progresses over a long time and when the sufferer
first becomes aware of the problem, it is already too late.
An enzyme, alpha-antitrypsin, is normally found in the in the lung tissue. It helps to prevent
degenerative damage to the lungs. Most people who suffer from emphysema are smokers; this group
includes people with a deficiency of the enzyme, as well as those with normal enzyme concentrations.
About 0,1% of all people are homozygous for the inactive form of the enzyme. Apparently a single
amino acid change is responsible for the problem. About 80% of non-smokers with the abnormal,
inactive gene will get emphysema, usually from the age of 40-50. All smokers will contract a form of
emphysema, even if they have the normal, active enzyme, usually from age 35-40.
The loss of alveoli and bronchi are irreversible, but in an early stage it will help if the patient stops
smoking. The condition cannot be reversed; the progress can only be stopped. The only effective
treatment for a patient with severe emphysema is the application of oxygen. Lung transplants can be
successful for some sufferers. People with an alpha-antitrypsin deficiency can, if diagnosed early, get
doses of the enzyme; these procedures are still experimental, though, and results have not been
confirmed.
Emphysema patients can belong to one of two groups. In the first group exhalation is forced and
breathing faster. They are able to maintain a constant oxygen level in the blood, but use enormous
amounts of energy just to breathe. They are extremely thin. They have a normal skin colour because
oxygenation is relatively normal.
The second group has symptoms aggravated by chronic bronchitis and chronic airway obstruction. This
combination is known as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). COPD is a very dangerous
condition. The ribcage of sufferers is permanently enlarged resulting in a typical barrel-shaped body.
They have symptoms of heart failure e.g. oedema. Blood oxygenation is poor, resulting in a bluish skin
tone.
Adapted from: Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology; Applications Manual: FD Martini & EF Bartholomew; 2009.
Questions:
1. Joe goes to the doctor with breathing problems. He is always tired and has difficulty climbing stairs.
He can no longer work in his garden. The doctor suspects emphysema. What is the first question he
is going to ask Joe?
(1)
2. What change of lifestyle can the doctor recommend?
(1)
3. Mention three ways in which emphysema sufferers can be treated.
(3)
4. What are Joe’s chances of recovery?
(1)
5. Write down Joe’s genotype (use letters A or a) if he suffers from alpha-antitrypsin deficiency.
(2)
6. What are the chances of a smoker to get emphysema?
(1)
7. Describe a day in the life of Joe, emphysema patient.
(6)
8. What are the causes of emphysema?
(2)
9. What are the effects of emphysema on the lungs?
(3)
[20]
3.
CARBON EMISSIONS BY VARIOUS COUNTRIES
Study the following table representing the levels of pollutants released into the air by various
countries. Quantities are in arbitrary units.
COUNTRY
USA
Japan
Netherlands
Australia
Mexico
Taiwan
Canada
Germany
Thailand
CO2
10
22,8
6
11,4
15
3
6
8
10,3
SO2
Released every 24 hours
0,37
0,11
0,23
0,16
Unknown
0,76
0,82
0,1
0,78
NO2
0,1
0,08
0,1
0,12
0,4
0,1
0,4
0,2
0,32
1. Present the data referring to carbon dioxide as a bar graph.
(10)
2. Explain, referring to the table, why the USA, Taiwan and Canada are highly industrialised
countries.
(4)
3. Can you think of reasons why the CO2 count of Japan is so high in comparison with other countries?
(4)
4. Mention 4 countries that depend heavily on coal as fuel and give a reason for your answer from
the table.
(6)
5. Why would the data for Mexico be so low and in some cases, unknown?
(2)
6. Which two highly industrialised countries do not depend as heavily on coal as others do?
(2)
7. Which country has possibly reached its targets for pollution reduction?
(2)
8. How, do you think, would South Africa compare to the countries in the table? Give reasons for
your answer.
(6)
9. Suggest two possible ways in which South Africa can decrease air pollution.
(4)
[40]
4.
DISCUSSIONS ON AIR POLLUTION, GLOBAL WARMING AND HUMAN HEALTH
Comment on the following graphs (they do not have any direct relationship):
5.
POOR AIR QUALITY AND HUMAN HEALTH
Study the following BIOSET slides (series 89) and answer the questions that follow:
1. Slide 1: Pollen is responsible for (a) and (b) in summer.
(2)
2. Slide 2: Calculate the size of the volcanic ash particle in mm.
(2)
3. Slide 2: What is the relationship between volcanic ash and red sunsets?
(4)
4. Slide 5: Particle B is a soot particle from an ineffective oil burner.
Slide 6: The White House in America suffers from severe pollution with a type of black dust on its
roofs. Which type of particle polluted the White House?
(2)
5. Slide 7: The slide shows a section of lung tissue. Which long-term breathing disease is caused by
soot in lungs?
(2)
6. Slide 8: This slide shows part of a substance mined in great quantities in the Northern Cape in the
past. Asbestos is not mined or used anymore because of the health risk associated with it.
What is the name of the condition where the lung tissue hardens as a result of asbestos fibres
in the lungs?
Mention one town in SA where asbestos used to be mined.
(2)
(1)
[15]
6.
RESEARCH PROJECT: RECYCLABLE HOUSEHOLD WASTE
Aim: To investigate the amount of recyclable waste produced in a single household.
The idea is to get the cooperation of your family to collect all recyclable waste in your household if you are
not part of a recycling project yet. If your family is part of such a project the only extra effort will be in sorting
the items.
What to do:
 Discuss the project with your family and get their cooperation.
 Plan your method of collection and data recording.
 Collect, sort and record recyclable waste for one week.
 Answer the questions that follow:
What to collect:
 Glass bottles and jars (rinsed)
 Polystyrene plastic (foamolite e.g. take-away containers)
 Plastic containers, bottles and bags (clean)
 Paper and cardboard (clean and dry, no food stains), e.g. newspapers, toilet roll cartons, magazines
 Metal cans and cool drink tins (rinsed)
 Rectangular TetraPak milk and juice cartons (rinsed)
You MAY NOT collect the following:
 Old clothes and shoes
 Wet, stained or contaminated paper and carton
 Cling wrap
 Motor oil containers, acids, solvents or paints
 Batteries
 Any soiled or contaminated item
 No bathroom waste
 No used serviettes or tissues
 No sharp items e.g. blades or broken glass
Suggestions:
 Give the lists above to your family.
 Have a plastic shopping bag for each type of item e.g. glass, metal, paper, plastic.
 Use a full plastic bag as unit of measurement or weigh each bag.
 Record data daily/ when bag is full.
 Squash items such as plastic bottles and TetraPaks.
 Put all the plastic bags in a bin bag/ municipal recycling bag at the end of each day/ when bags are
full.
 Remind your family that all items must be rinsed and cleaned before being put in the shopping
bags.
Now do the following:
1. Monitor the amount of recyclable household waste produced for one week.
2. Record your results in the table that follows:
3. Draw a pie chart to illustrate the contribution of each type of waste to the total produced by your
household.
4. Answer the questions that follow.
GLASS
PAPER
METAL
PLASTIC
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
TOTAL
[4]
[6]
Questions:
1. Formulate a hypothesis based on the amount of recyclable household waste produced weekly by
your family.
(3)
2. Was there any difference in the waste collected during weekdays and during weekends? Explain
your answer.
(5)
3. How would the waste composition change if your mother should have another baby (disposable
nappies excluded)? Explain your answer.
(5)
4. Which of the four types of recyclable material made the biggest contribution to the total waste? (2)
5. Is your household part of any recyclable effort/ project? If so, explain. If not, why not?
(3)
6. Did this project improve your family’s awareness of recycling?
(2)
7. Did you experience any problems during the project? Explain.
(2)
8. What was the effect of your effort on the total amount of household waste put into bin bags for the
refuse truck?
(2)
9. Explain the advantages to the community and environment of being part of an organised recycling
effort.
(6)
[30]
TOTAL = /40/