APES: Chapter 17
Air Pollution
Intro to Air Pollution:
17-1 The Atmosphere
Most of the atmosphere (75% by mass) is
located in the troposphere. Although
relatively thin it is sometimes referred to
as the weather breeder.
Just above it is the stratosphere; the
source of “good” ozone which screens us
from 95% of the sun’s harmful UV
radiation.
1
There is now a large body of evidence
suggesting human activity is responsible
for an increase in unwanted ozone in the
troposphere and its decrease in the
stratosphere.
2
CARBON
Burning Coal: C + O2 --- CO2
Natural Gas: CH4+2O2--CO2+2H2O
Gasoline: 2C8H18 + 25 O2 --
16CO2 + 18 H2O
17-2 Outdoor Air Pollution
Air pollution is the presence of chemicals
in the atmosphere which cause harm or
alter climate. Air pollution can be of both
natural causes (volcanic dust, forest fires)
or of human origin (anthropogenic).
3
Pollutants emitted directly into the
troposphere are called Primary
Pollutants. When these react with other
pollutants or gases in the atmosphere they
may form secondary pollutants.
Although most air pollution is formed in
urban areas, wind can spread long-lived
pollutants into rural areas.
sulfate/nitrate 1990-2000
The World Health Organization (WHO)
estimates more than 1.1 billion people live
in urban areas where the air is unhealthy
to breathe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOk5G5vd2lw (02/2013)
Many developed countries have
government-mandated standards for
4
maximum levels of several categories of air
pollution.
Mini HW #1: Review Questions page 444: #2, 4, 6.
17-3 Photochemical and Industrial Smog
Any chemical reaction activated by light is
called a photochemical reaction.
Photochemical smog is a combination of
over 100 chemicals activated by sunlight.
N2 + O2 + Energy ---- 2NO
2NO + O2 --- 2NO2
sunlight
5
NO2 ----------NO + O
(photochemical smog)
O+ O2 ----- O3 (Ozone: Troposphere = Bad)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVcFps_gWpk
Several of the chemicals in photochemical
smog are oxidants which irritate the
respiratory system and damage vegetation.
Warmer weather and increased
automobile traffic can cause increases in
levels of photochemical smog.
Industrial smog is the result of the
burning of coal and oil. It consists of
several sulfur compounds, carbon dioxide
and carbon monoxide and particulate
matter (soot).
6
Industrial smog is not much of a problem
today in most industrial societies because
of pollution control. Most of the cities
with the world’s worst air pollution are in
China (10 out of 15).
7
Outdoor air pollution tends to be reduced
by precipitation (rain/snow) and wind
(removal or dilution). Urban buildings,
hills and mountains, and high
temperatures tend to increase local levels
of air pollution.
Air near the ground is usually heated
faster and rises above cooler, dense air.
Temperature Inversions occur when air
near the ground cannot be heated and
remains in place allowing pollutants to
build. Temperature inversions tend to
occur in cities located in basins (Los
Angeles, Donora, Pa.).
8
Top 10 most polluted Cities
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VPXCoj4OFU&safe=active
17-4 Acid Deposition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE6Y0iEuXMQ
Many power plants and smelters in
developed countries use smokestacks to
emit pollutants above inversion layers.
This helps to dilute and remove pollution
locally (wind) but increases regional air
pollution downwind.
9
These pollutants frequently form
secondary pollutants and are deposited
hundreds of miles away from their source
as acid rain.
Acid rain is typically 10X as acidic as
natural precipitation but can be as high as
1,000 times greater.
(How many pH points?)
Acid rain frequently crosses international
borders causing political conflict.
10
(NC Mountains!)
Acid deposition causes respiratory
disease, damage statues and buildings,
and can impact on fisheries, forests, and
farms.
11
In aquatic systems damage to fish
populations begins to occur when the pH
falls below 6 (acid shock). Plants are
damaged in soils with pH below about 5.
12
Most of the world’s lakes and forests are
not being destroyed by acid rain because
it tends to be a regional problem.
Acid Deposition can be reduced by reduce
coal usage, burn low-sulfur coal, reduce
nitrogen oxide emissions from cars, and
increase the use of renewable resources.
***
MINI HW #2: Review Questions page 444: 10, 12,
17-5 Indoor Air Pollution
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gciSp5X40t0&safe=active
Levels of indoor pollution are typically far
worse than levels found outside. The effects
of exposure to indoor pollution are further
13
magnified because people tend to spend far
more time inside than out.
The three most dangerous indoor
pollutants are: cigarette smoke,
formaldehyde (common in the manufacture
of many house hold materials), and Carbon
Monoxide (here) radioactive radon gas (other
parts of U.S.).
Radon gas is found in most soils and can
seep into homes and damage lung tissue
over long periods of exposure (the second
leading cause of lung cancer.
Asbestos was commonly used as a building
material and has been shown to be
responsible for several lung disorders. It
14
continues to be used in many countries as
an inexpensive building material.
17-6 Air Pollution on Living Organisms
Years of exposure to air pollutants can
severely weaken the body’s natural defenses
causing:
1. lung cancer
2. asthma (allergic reaction that leads to
shortness of breath)
3. bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchi)
4. emphysema (damage to the air spaces of
the lung)
15
Risk analysis is difficult to do on respiratory
problems caused by air pollutants because
of the variety of pollutants a person is
exposed during the course of a lifetime.
Estimates range 150,000 to 350,000 annual
deaths in the United States from air
pollution (including outdoor related deaths).
Millions more become sick and
approximately $150 billion dollars are lost
due to lost productivity and health care
costs.
Plants are affected either directly (loss of
leaves i.e.) or indirectly (increased
susceptibility to pests, disease, drought).
Plants at high altitudes (typically conifers)
suffer the most harm. Many crops are
damaged by ozone reducing food production
in the United States by 5-10%.
17-7 Preventing and Reducing Air Pollution
Several Clean Air Acts have been passed
that establish air pollution regulations
enforced by both each state.
16
National Air Ambient Air Quality (NAAQS)
standards have been established by the
FDA. Primary standards are used to
protect human health while secondary
standards were established to protect the
environment and prevent property damage.
As a result the level of many air pollutants
has dropped substantially while detrimental
health effects have been reduced.
Unfortunately ozone and nitrogen oxide
pollution continue to rise and approximately
142 million Americans still live in areas that
have not met the primary standards set by
the FDA.
Many environmentalists believe the following
steps should be taken to reduce the impact
of air pollution:
1. switch from pollution clean-up to
prevention
2. increase fuel efficiency for cars
3. increase regulation on inefficient two-cycle
engines
4. reduce emissions of green house gases.
17
Market-place controls (emissions trading
policy) have been enacted that have worked
to reduce SO2 emissions and may soon be
enacted for other pollutants.
Reducing poverty in developing countries
would also greatly reduce air pollution
because these individuals make use of the
most pollution-generating means of cooking
and heating their homes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbU-cDLQ0Yw
Explanation of Cap and Trade
MINI HW #3: Review Questions page 444 #’s 14, 16, 21.
18
APES: Chapter 17
Air Pollution
17-1 The Atmosphere
What percentage of the atmosphere is located in the troposphere?
Although relatively thin it is sometimes referred to as the______________ __________.
Why is the stratosphere important?
There is now a large body of evidence suggesting __________ ____________ is
responsible for an _____________ in unwanted ozone in the troposphere and its
_______________in the stratosphere.
17-2 Outdoor Air Pollution
Define air pollution:
19
Give two examples of air pollution that results from natural sources:
12What does it mean to say some pollutants come from anthropogenic sources?
Define Primary
Pollutants:
Define secondary pollutants:
Although most air pollution is formed in urban areas, wind can spread long-lived
pollutants into rural areas.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates more than ________ billion people live in
urban areas where the air is unhealthy to breathe.
Why has air pollution in many developed countries dropped?
17-3 Photochemical and Industrial Smog
20
What is a photochemical reaction?
So what is Photochemical smog?
Why is it important to realize that several of the chemicals in photochemical smog are
oxidants?
List two common things that can increase levels of photochemical smog.
12What is the main source of industrial smog?
What are the major components of industrial smog?
1234-
21
Industrial smog is not much of a problem today in most industrial societies because
of pollution control.
What country has the world’s worst air pollution?
Name two things that tend to reduce levels of air pollution?
12Name three conditions that tend to increase air pollution.
123Air near the ground is usually heated faster and rises above cooler, dense air.
What are temperature inversions?
What is it about the geographic location of Los Angeles that contributes to the high
number of temperature inversions that occur there?
22
17-4 Acid Deposition
Why do power plants and smelters in developed countries use smokestacks to emit
pollutants above inversion layers?
What problem is associated with their use?
23
These pollutants frequently form _______________ pollutants and are deposited
____________ of miles away from their source as acid rain.
How does acid rain compare to natural precipitation in terms of pH?
Why is acid rain frequently an area of political conflict?
Name several harmful effects of Acid deposition:
123-
At what pH level do fish begin be harmed?
At what soil pH do plants begin to suffer?
24
Is it true that most of the world’s lakes and forests are being destroyed by acid rain?
Explain.
List four ways to reduce acid deposition:
1234-
17-5 Indoor Air Pollution
How do levels of indoor pollution compare to outdoor levels?
What fact tends to magnify the effects of indoor pollutants?
What are the three most dangerous indoor pollutants
1.
2.
3.
Where is Radon gas found?
25
What damage does it casue to humans?
What is Asbestos commonly used for?
Why is it dangerous?
Where does it continue to be used?
17-6 Air Pollution on Living Organisms
Years of exposure to air pollutants can severely weaken the body’s natural
defenses causing:
1.
2.
(allergic reaction that leads to shortness of breath)
3.
(inflammation of the bronchi)
4.
(damage to the air spaces of the lung)
Why is risk analysis is difficult to do on respiratory problems caused by air
pollutants?
What are the social, health, and economic effects of air pollution?
What are directs effects or air pollution? Give an example.
What are indirectly effects? Provide examples.
Plants at high altitudes (typically conifers) suffer the most harm. Many crops are
damaged by ozone reducing food production in the United States by 5-10%.
17-7 Preventing and Reducing Air Pollution
Several Clean Air Acts have been passed that establish air pollution regulations
enforced by both each state.
National Air Ambient Air Quality (NAAQS) standards have been established by the
FDA.
What are primary standard?
Secondary standards?
26
As a result the level of many air pollutants has dropped substantially while
detrimental health effects have dropped. Unfortunately ________ and _________
__________pollution continue to rise and approximately 142 million Americans still
live in areas that have not met the primary standards set by the FDA.
Many environmentalists believe the following steps should be taken to reduce the
impact of air pollution:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Market-place controls (__________ ___________ _____________) have been enacted
that have worked to reduce SO2 emissions and may soon be enacted for other
pollutants.
Why should reducing poverty in developing countries be part of any plan to
reduce air pollution?
APES: Chapter 17
Air Pollution
17-1 The Atmosphere
Most of the atmosphere (75% by mass) is located in the troposphere. Although
relatively thin it is sometimes referred to as the weather breeder.
27
Just above it is the stratosphere; the source of “good” ozone which screens us from
95% of the sun’s harmful UV radiation.
There is now a large body of evidence suggesting human activity is responsible for
an increase in unwanted ozone in the troposphere and its decrease in the
stratosphere.
17-2 Outdoor Air Pollution
Air pollution is the presence of chemicals in the atmosphere which cause harm or
alter climate. Air pollution can be of both natural causes (volcanic dust, forest fires)
or of human origin (anthropogenic).
Pollutants emitted directly into the troposphere are called Primary Pollutants.
When these react with other pollutants or gasses in the atmosphere they may form
secondary pollutants.
Although most air pollution is formed in urban areas, wind can spread long-lived
pollutants into rural areas.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates more than 1.1 billion people live in
urban areas where the air is unhealthy to breathe. Many developed countries have
government-mandated standards for maximum levels of several categories of air
pollution.
17-3 Photochemical and Industrial Smog
Any chemical reaction activated by light is called a photochemical reaction.
Photochemical smog is a combination of over 100 chemicals activated by sunlight.
Several of the chemicals in photochemical smog are oxidants which irritate the
respiratory system and damage vegetation.
Warmer weather and increased automobile traffic can cause increases in levels of
photochemical smog.
Industrial smog is the result of the burning of coal and oil. It consists of several
sulfur compounds, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide and particulate matter
(soot).
Industrial smog is not much of a problem today in most industrial societies because
of pollution control. Most of the cities with the world’s worst air pollution are in
China (10 out of 15).
Outdoor air pollution tends to be reduced by precipitation (rain/snow) and wind
(removal or dilution). Urban buildings, hills and mountains, and high temperatures
tend to increase local levels of air pollution.
28
Air near the ground is usually heated faster and rises above cooler, dense air.
Temperature Inversions occur when air near the ground cannot be heated and
remains in place allowing pollutants to build. Temperature inversions tend to occur
in cities located in basins (Los Angeles).
17-4 Acid Deposition
Many power plants and smelters in developed countries use smokestacks to emit
pollutants above inversion layers. This helps to dilute and remove pollution locally
(wind) but increases regional air pollution downwind.
These pollutants frequently form secondary pollutants and are deposited hundreds of
miles away from their source as acid rain.
Acid rain is typically 10 as acidic as natural precipitation but can be as high as 1,000
times greater.
Acid rain frequently crosses international borders causing political conflict.
Acid deposition causes respiratory disease, damage statues and buildings, and can
impact on fisheries, forests, and farms.
In aquatic systems damage to fish populations begins to occur when the pH falls
below 6 (acid shock). Plants are damaged in soils with pH below about 5.
Most of the world’s lakes and forests are not being destroyed by acid rain because it
tends to be a regional problem.
Acid Deposition can be reduced by reduce coal usage, burn low-sulfur coal, reduce
nitrogen oxide emissions from cars, and increase the use of renewable resources.
17-5 Indoor Air Pollution
Levels of indoor pollution are typically far worse than levels found outside. The
effects of exposure to indoor pollution are further magnified because people tend
to spend far more time inside than out.
The three most dangerous indoor pollutants are: cigarette smoke, formaldehyde
(common in the manufacture of many house hold materials), and radioactive
radon gas.
29
Radon gas is found in most soils and can seep into homes and damage lung
tissue over long periods of exposure (the second leading cause of lung cancer.
Asbestos was commonly used as a building material and has been shown to be
responsible for several lung disorders. It continues to be used in many countries
as an inexpensive building material.
17-6 Air Pollution on Living Organisms
Years of exposure to air pollutants can severely weaken the body’s natural
defenses causing:
1. lung cancer
2. asthma (allergic reaction that leads to shortness of breath)
3. bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchi)
4. emphysema (damage to the air spaces of the lung)
Risk analysis is difficult to do on respiratory problems caused by air pollutants
because of the variety of pollutants a person is exposed during the course of a
lifetime.
Estimates range 150,000 to 350,000 annual deaths in the United States from air
pollution (including outdoor related deaths). Millions more become sick and
approximately $150 billion dollars are lost due to lost productivity and health
care costs.
Plants are affected either directly (loss of leaves i.e.) or indirectly (increased
susceptibility to pests, disease, drought). Plants at high altitudes (typically
conifers) suffer the most harm. Many crops are damaged by ozone reducing food
production in the United States by 5-10%.
17-7 Preventing and Reducing Air Pollution
Several Clean Air Acts have been passed that establish air pollution regulations
enforced by both each state.
National Air Ambient Air Quality (NAAQS) standards have been established by the
FDA. Primary standards are used to protect human health while secondary
standards were established to protect the environment and prevent property
damage.
As a result the level of many air pollutants has dropped substantially while
detrimental health effects have dropped. Unfortunately ozone and nitrogen oxide
pollution continues to rise and approximately 142 million Americans still live in
areas that have not meet the primary standards set by the FDA.
30
Many environmentalists believe the following steps should be taken to reduce the
impact of air pollution:
1. switch from pollution clean-up to prevention
2. increase fuel efficiency for cars
3. increase regulation on inefficient two-cycle engines
4. reduce emissions of green house gases.
Market-place controls (emissions trading policy) have been enacted that have
worked to reduce SO2 emissions and may soon be enacted for other pollutants.
Reducing poverty in developing countries would also greatly reduce air pollution
because these individuals make use of the most pollution-generating means of
cooking and heating their homes.
31