Air Pollution
GROUP 2
Shane Elbert, Nathan Dahlhauser, Alexia Farrell, Matthew Dejong
5/30/12
2
ABSTRACT
Researchers and environmental scientists use particular methods for obtaining data on
air pollution that ultimately provide information on what changes are occurring and what those
changes mean for our planet and its inhabitants. These methods are Air Quality Monitoring,
source monitoring and ambient air monitoring. This is how we know air pollution has a serious
impact on us and the environment. Main sources of air pollution are automobiles, power
plants, pesticides, and industrial factories. Air pollution from these sources have been found to
be a part of the current major predicament of climate change that the world is facing as well as
some health problems that it causes. Studies have shown air pollution contributes to
greenhouse gas levels, rising seas, extreme weather, and health effects caused directly from
pollution. The results of data and research done have led to increased awareness that brought
about change in laws, regulations, technology, and societal standards that have lowered the
effects of air pollution such as the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, Clean Air
Act, introduction of fuel efficient and electric cars, and the development of a society with a “go
green” conservation attitude.
INTRODUCTION
It seems change is not made until damage has already been done. It takes an event or
several years of lack of knowledge of what our actions produce to create awareness. In the
past, there was little knowledge on what effects the environment and those who live in it would
endure. It became evident that damage was being done when the idea of global warming was
becoming a common conversation and when sea levels were noticeably rising and people had
to move closer inland. It became evident when the study of children in New York being
diagnosed with lead poisoning that led to hyperactivity, mental retardation, kidney disorders,
and even death was released. It perhaps becomes more real when people heard the statistics of
what fossil fuel-fired power plants produce, which is “67 percent of the nation’s sulfur dioxide
emissions, 23 percent of nitrogen oxide emissions and 40 percent of man-made carbon dioxide
emissions.” (EPA.gov, 2012) Once the world had come to an understanding and general
consciousness of the effects of air pollution, we could begin using preventative methods
directed at the causes and even more prevention needs to be assessed. Air pollution comes
from several sources but mainly automobiles, power plants, pesticides and indoor pollution,
and industrial factories. Given the severity of the current issues air pollution is contributing to,
much research has been done in recent years, prompting the implementation of various laws
and regulations aimed at controlling the use of pollutants and emissions.
It is important to study air pollution and what causes it as well as the effects it has on us
and the environment. We have already learned that our actions regarding automobiles, power
plants, indoor pollutants, and factories is harmful to our planet and is having several negative
effects on it and its inhabitants. Going at this careless and over-consuming pace will only create
bigger problems that have already grown large enough. If we can continue to educate ourselves
and others about these causes and our contribution to the overall problem, we can also learn
how to prevent. Prevention and education will likely never reverse the negative effects that our
world has put on itself, but will allow for sustainability of what we have left.
3
METHOD
Researchers use several methods for collecting data and measuring air pollution and its
influences that have led to increased awareness of the issues and eventually resulted in change.
Main ways that air pollution is measured is through the use of monitoring sites and computer
models by using passive, active, and automatic sampling. (swansea.airqualitydata.com, 2012)
“Ambient air monitoring data is used to determine air quality, establish the extent of air
pollution problems, assess whether established standards are being met, and characterize the
potential human health risk in an area”. (cleanairworld.org, 2012)
Source and ambient air monitoring are the main methods of obtaining air pollution data.
This is done by using continuous instrumental, manual, or remote measurements with optical
sensing systems. (cleanairworld.org, 2012) Air Quality Modeling is used as an alternative to
direct monitoring and show levels of air quality over time from various sources. They estimate
emissions from automobiles, for example, and predict meteorological factors and dispersion of
the air pollution and its contents. (cleanairworld.org, 2012) These methods also provide
information as to the chemicals that are released from various sources and what they mean for
human, plant, and animal health. This information provides insight to the increase in illnesses
due to air pollution, and it is vital that we protect ourselves not only for economical reasons but
to remain a healthy world. We are aware because of these methods of what air pollution does
to the environment as well as humans and can make changes based on the learned information
using prevention. Along with actions that have been taken by the collaboration of
environmental scientists, researchers, and the government, there are methods individuals can
follow to decrease the negative impact they have on the environment such as recycling,
conserving energy in homes, and driving less.
RESULTS & DISCUSSION
The results of researchers collecting data on air pollution and its effects have led
to several changes. The Environmental Protection Agency, Clean Air Act, and Kyoto Protocol are
some government-driven examples of decreasing air pollution. The EPA, established by the
federal government in 1970 due to environmental concern, is responsible for “…research,
monitoring, standard-setting and enforcement activities to ensure environmental protection”.
(EPA.gov, 2012) The EPA has allowed for laws and regulations to be put into place to reduce
pollution in all its facets including air pollution. Furthermore, the Clean Air Act was also
established in 1963 and was created as a result of shocking data that revealed control of air
pollution was necessary for environmental and human health. Many amendments have been
made that significantly decreased the emissions from industrial factories and automobiles as
well as created standards that protect public health and welfare and regulate emissions of
hazardous pollutants. As a result, the Clean Air Act prevented over 200,000 premature deaths,
20,000 heart disease cases and nearly 850,000 asthma attacks and will prevent over 230,000
premature deaths in 2020. (EPA.gov, 2012) The Kyoto Protocol is a binding agreement between
37 countries that will result in decreased greenhouse emissions. Developed and industrialized
countries are the main contributors to pollution, so they are considered more responsible for
taking care of their burden they put on the environment. The Kyoto Protocol will result in a
reduction of emissions by 5 percent over a period of five years. (UNFCCC.int, 2012)
4
On a societal level, “going green” has become somewhat of a standard for all forms of
conservation. For example, education has been directed at children on conserving their usage
because what they use in their homes is powered by fossil fuels that harm the earth’s
atmosphere. The general public has become familiar with the technology of hybrid and electric
cars, leading to people becoming more conservative with the gas they use and cars they buy,
with ultimately results in overall less gas emissions from automobiles.
Undoubtedly, governmental programs and increased awareness have had a positive
impact on slowing the effects of air pollution and advancement of climate change. However, we
need to do more to slow the effects. Looking at automobiles alone, there are many solutions
that have been made to decrease the amount of air pollution that is produced. Automobiles
from the U.S. and China make up more than half of the carbon dioxide that is produced in the
world. (EPA.gov, 2012) It is unrealistic to completely get rid of automobile pollution, but more
people have realized that reasonable alternatives are car pooling, riding the bus, riding nonmotorized objects, walking, and converting to hybrid or electric cars, although hybrid and
newer fuel efficient cars are expensive and have become luxury items. While we have more
fuel-conserving vehicles that emit fewer pollutants than ever before, high populations drive
these cars which result in the same, if not more, amounts of air pollution. Automobile pollution
is a difficult situation to handle because people are dependent on their cars with the current
economy and with the average commute to work being thirty minutes, a car is necessary. As a
result of needing a car for the commute, more pollutants are produced which in turn is harmful
in the long run. Some causes of pollution from automobiles are leaking of nitrogen, battery
spills, improper disposal of oil, and the chemicals in the soap you wash your car with. The
chemicals are washed off the car with water which then runs into the sewage gutters in the
street polluting our water systems. The most interesting means of automobile pollution is the
tires. When you drive on the road, your tires wear down leaving particles on the road which are
kicked up by oncoming traffic and thrown into the air waiting for us to breathe it in. Automobile
pollution has many effects on many different things. Environmental impacts are polluted
streams, rivers, oceans, and drinking water, the cutting down of trees and habitats for more
road systems, the depletion of the ozone layer, which depletes mainly because of the pollutions
that cars produce. Human impacts are respiratory problems, infant death, cancer-like illnesses,
weakened immune system, and even adult death. The Clean Air Act has greatly reduced the
amount of air pollution from mobiles, but it is still important to remember that more needs to
be done.
The burning of fossil fuels emitted by power plants have been large contributors to air
pollution, making it a target area for improvement. Air pollution can cause smog, meaning dark
and dirty clouds above cities, and regional haze, which is a hazy view similar to that of looking
at oncoming headlights through an old windshield. People often are oblivious to the effects
that are less perceivable such as acid rain and health effects caused by mercury poisoning,
carbon monoxide poisoning and the inhalation of nitrogen-oxide. Some of these health effects
include emphysema, lung cancer, collapsed lungs and others. Another major detriment to the
use of fossil fuel-fired power plants is that the dramatic emissions of greenhouse gases, most
prevalent of which is carbon dioxide, contribute greatly to climate change and global warming.
(EPA.gov, 2012) Governmental involvement has undoubtedly resulted in decreased emissions
by power plants, specifically by the Clean Air Act due to emissions standards, yet there are even
5
safer ways to continue using power plants without using fossil fuels. While there are
alternatives to using the current technology for energy, the alternatives are more expensive
and less potent, in that less energy is produced. Companies are still seeking loopholes to get the
most production at the lowest cost. (EPA.gov, 2012) To combat this problem in a practical
manner, there needs to be an increase in alternative fuel sources and alternative fuel research
and technology. This will take the full load off of the shoulders of the fossil fuel-fired power
plants and keep their emissions down as a result. In addition, this will allow for further trial and
error and the real-world testing of alternative fuels that fossil fuel was afforded during the early
stages of its life. This will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and ease the public into the
idea of a different source of power while letting the market equal out and prices of alternative
fuels come down with advanced technology. Once this is implemented, there needs to be
stricter government regulations on fossil fuel-fired power plants and more incentive, such as
tax breaks and rebates, for alternative energy consumers and providers.
Pesticides, which are used for managing household pests like mice and insects, have
become recognized in recent years as immediately very dangerous because of the health
problems they create. Common indoor pollutants such as insecticides, termiticides, and
disinfectants have become known to be hazardous to our health. Asbestos, lead, and mercury
are also common chemicals found in homes that can induce illness. The nervous system, skin
and eyes are affected by pesticides used in the home. EPA.gov suggests indoor pollution is
more harmful than outdoor pollution. (2012) Through methodological research, we have
learned how to prevent pesticides from harming human and environmental health through
ventilation, proper use, and proper disposal. When insecticides, termiticides and household
cleaners are used incorrectly, the effects become even more harmful. (EPA.gov, 2012)
Factory pollution, also known as industrial pollution, is the release of emissions,
effluents, and wastes that come out during the manufacturing of goods and services. As
chemicals, heat, and waste from the new products go through assembly, they all need to be
eventually removed from the site of the factory. Open air vents, smokestacks, and chimneys
release the pollution from the factory into the air. This pollution is very harmful to humans,
plants, and animals. (EPA.gov, 2012) Some of the pollution that we breathe in can be very
harmful and lead to illness. “ Since 1990, EPA’s implementation of the Clean Air Act has reduced
levels of the six most common air pollutants by 41 percent…”(EPA.gov, 2012) Air pollution has
become the enemy on a societal level and results in giving emitting factories a bad reputation,
which may force certain individuals to stop buying products from that company. Research has
shown that not only going green, but promoting going green and caring about the environment
and society pays off in dividends, and covers the marketing costs of promoting the “going
green” attitude. Along with the negative pollutants put into the air, factory pollution can also
increase the effects of climate change. Because of the methods used to obtain this information,
the world has realized the effects of air pollution caused by factories make it necessary to push
further change to reduce emissions even more.
Overall, the result of methods used by environmental scientists and individuals have
reduced air pollution and therefore assisted in the slowing of climate change. The issues are still
not at rest, due to the decrease not being enough. Growing populations increase demand that
the world cannot keep up with at low costs without damaging the environment. Although
government programs have and will reduce air pollution levels, the levels need to be
6
dramatically decreased even more. It will take more work on the government’s part to
implement the appropriate laws and regulations and more education on an individual level.
Prevention is the only way towards sustainability.
CONCLUSION
Studying, researching, and educating are the main ways to bring about change. Steps to
reduce air pollution have increased over the years due to increased knowledge, and if we can
increase the amount of knowledge even more, we may decrease the effects of air pollution
even more. It is important to be educated on the effects of air pollution by taking information
collected from scientists’ methods and analyzing what we are doing to our environment and
our health. The risk of harming human health should be enough to bring about change, but it is
unfortunately not. Although there was little knowledge in previous decades on the effects of air
pollution, there is enough information now to know that we are damaging our planet and
ourselves. To sustain what we have left, we must push for further laws and regulations and
promote conservation even further. Change has already been made through societal standards
which are strong methods that inflict a need to belong and do what everyone else is doing.
Governmental programs and monitoring methods are also responsible for positive outcomes in
the reduction of air pollution. Yet the causes are still not being handled at an appropriate pace
because the effects air pollutants cause are not lessened enough. Illnesses are still present and
climate change is still a probable outcome. Prevention and education will not reverse the
negative effects, but will allow for sustainability for the future.
7
Bibliography
EPA. Evironmental Protection Agency. 2012. 2012 <www.epa.gov>.
NRDC. Natural Resources Defense Council. 2012. 2012 <www.nrdc.org>.
Swansea. Swansea: City and County of Swansea. 2012. 2012 <Swansea.airqualitydata.com>.
UNFCCC. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 2012. 2012
<www.unfccc.int>.
National Association of Clean Air Agencies. Clean Air World. 2012. 2012
<www.cleanairworld.org>.