Air Pollution and Air Pollution and Global ChangeGlobal Change

Module 13Module 13Pay close attention to each slide.Pay close attention to each slide.Click on the speaker on each slide for additional information.Click on the speaker on each slide for additional information.

What is Air PollutionWhat is Air Pollution

Air is a Air is a mixturemixture of many gases including: of many gases including: Nitrogen, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, Water Nitrogen, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, Water Vapor and trace other gases.Vapor and trace other gases.

Any change in the atmosphere that has Any change in the atmosphere that has harmful effects is called air pollutionharmful effects is called air pollution

Any substance that causes pollution is called Any substance that causes pollution is called a pollutanta pollutant

Composition of the AirComposition of the Air

From the pie chart you can see Nitrogen actually makes up the greatest percentage of gas in the air…most would think it would be oxygen because that is what we breathe.

Image: http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkas:Air_composition_pie_chart.JPG

How does pollution How does pollution make it into the Air?make it into the Air?

Solid particles and Solid particles and gases that are gases that are released into the air released into the air are called emissionsare called emissions

Main cause of Main cause of emissions is by motor emissions is by motor vehicles releasing vehicles releasing carbon monoxide into carbon monoxide into the airthe air

Image: Epa.govImage: Epa.gov

Smoke + Fog = SmogSmoke + Fog = Smog

When certain gases in the air react with When certain gases in the air react with sunlight it can create a think brownish haze sunlight it can create a think brownish haze called photochemical smogcalled photochemical smog

When the smog level is high it can settle over When the smog level is high it can settle over a city creating a dirty hazea city creating a dirty haze

Potential threats to humans are breathing Potential threats to humans are breathing trouble, throat irritation and burning eyestrouble, throat irritation and burning eyes

Major sources of smog are the gases emitted Major sources of smog are the gases emitted by vehiclesby vehicles

Smog continued…Smog continued…

Images of Beijing, China on a clear sunny day and then covered in Smog (August 2005

Smog over Los Angeles

Images: http://www.earthlyissues.com

Acid RainAcid Rain

Acid rain is another type of air pollutionAcid rain is another type of air pollution

It is caused by power plants and factories that It is caused by power plants and factories that burn coal and oil and release chemicals into the burn coal and oil and release chemicals into the airair

These gases react with water vapor in the These gases react with water vapor in the atmosphere forming acids which return to atmosphere forming acids which return to Earth’s surface in the form of precipitationEarth’s surface in the form of precipitation

Acid rain affects many things in the Acid rain affects many things in the environment including: fish, plants, buildings, environment including: fish, plants, buildings, statues, etc…statues, etc…

Acid rain Continued…Acid rain Continued…

Here you can see the effects of acid rain trees and limestone

Images: USGS.gov

Not all pollution is Not all pollution is outsideoutside

The air inside buildings can be polluted too= indoor The air inside buildings can be polluted too= indoor air pollutionair pollution

Dust, pet hair, air fresheners, smoke and toxic Dust, pet hair, air fresheners, smoke and toxic fumes from cleaning supplies can all contribute to fumes from cleaning supplies can all contribute to air pollutionair pollution

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an indoor air pollutant that Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an indoor air pollutant that is a colorless and odorless gas that forms when is a colorless and odorless gas that forms when wood, coal, oil or gas is not completely burnedwood, coal, oil or gas is not completely burned

Radon is another colorless and odorless gas formed Radon is another colorless and odorless gas formed naturally by certain rocks underground that is naturally by certain rocks underground that is radioactive.radioactive.

Common Types of Common Types of Indoor Air PollutionIndoor Air Pollution

Image: http://www.epa.gov/eogapti1/course422/ap4.html

Human Impact on Human Impact on EnvironmentEnvironment

Humans are the leading factor in creating air Humans are the leading factor in creating air pollution and other hazardous wastes on earthpollution and other hazardous wastes on earth

Humans contribute to deforestation (cutting Humans contribute to deforestation (cutting down trees which produce oxygen)down trees which produce oxygen)

Humans also effect the natural process on Humans also effect the natural process on earth called The Greenhouse effectearth called The Greenhouse effect

Hazardous waste is any material that can be Hazardous waste is any material that can be harmful to human health or the environment if harmful to human health or the environment if not properly disposed ofnot properly disposed of

Greenhouse EffectGreenhouse Effect

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the air which Greenhouse gases trap heat in the air which aids in keep the earth a suitable temperature aids in keep the earth a suitable temperature for us to survivefor us to survive

Humans add greenhouse gases to the Humans add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere through everyday activities atmosphere through everyday activities including driving and burning fossil fuelsincluding driving and burning fossil fuels

The more greenhouse gases that are trapped The more greenhouse gases that are trapped in the atmosphere the more likely it is for our in the atmosphere the more likely it is for our overall temperature of earth to increase overall temperature of earth to increase (global warming)(global warming)

The Greenhouse EffectThe Greenhouse Effect

Image: http://www.nps.gov/goga/naturescience/climate-change-causes.htmImage: http://www.nps.gov/goga/naturescience/climate-change-causes.htm

5 Categories of 5 Categories of Hazardous WasteHazardous Waste

1.1. Toxic waste= or poisonous wastes are wastes that Toxic waste= or poisonous wastes are wastes that can damage health of humans or other organismscan damage health of humans or other organisms

2.2. Explosive wastes= wastes that react very quickly Explosive wastes= wastes that react very quickly when exposed to the air or water or that explode when exposed to the air or water or that explode when they are droppedwhen they are dropped

3.3. Flammable wastes= catch fire easily and can begin Flammable wastes= catch fire easily and can begin burning at fairly low temperaturesburning at fairly low temperatures

4.4. Corrosive wastes= wastes that dissolve or eat Corrosive wastes= wastes that dissolve or eat through many materialsthrough many materials

5.5. Radioactive wastes= contain unstable atoms that Radioactive wastes= contain unstable atoms that give off radiation that can cause cancer and other give off radiation that can cause cancer and other diseasesdiseases

Health Effects of Health Effects of Hazardous WastesHazardous Wastes

Short term exposure to hazardous wastes Short term exposure to hazardous wastes may cause irritation to certain body parts or may cause irritation to certain body parts or more severe health problemsmore severe health problems

Long term exposure may cause diseases such Long term exposure may cause diseases such as cancer and may damage body organs as cancer and may damage body organs including: the brain, liver, kidneys and lungsincluding: the brain, liver, kidneys and lungs

Getting Rid of Getting Rid of Hazardous WastesHazardous Wastes

Methods of hazardous waste disposal include burial in Methods of hazardous waste disposal include burial in landfills, incineration and breakdown by living organismslandfills, incineration and breakdown by living organisms

Liquid wastes can be stored in deep rock layersLiquid wastes can be stored in deep rock layers

Most often Hazardous wastes are disposed in carefully Most often Hazardous wastes are disposed in carefully designed landfillsdesigned landfills

These landfills are lined with clay and plastic to keep These landfills are lined with clay and plastic to keep chemicals from seeping into the soil and groundwater chemicals from seeping into the soil and groundwater (which could cause serious contamination and health (which could cause serious contamination and health problems)problems)

The best way to manage hazardous waste is to produce The best way to manage hazardous waste is to produce less of them and educate consumers on finding less of them and educate consumers on finding substitutes for common household chemicalssubstitutes for common household chemicals

Disposing of Hazardous Disposing of Hazardous Materials ProperlyMaterials Properly

Image: Epa.gov