Air Pollution

“Be awAIR”

Definition and TypesAir pollution is harmful substances existing in the atmosphere.

Types:

Indoor and outdoor

Primary- harmful substance from a direct source

Secondary- mix of primary pollutants

Common air pollutants include

VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)

Carbon monoxide

Carbon dioxide

LocationsSome top countries with air pollution

China

Iran

Japan

India

Some top cities world wide with air pollution

Beijing, China

New Delhi, India

Mexico City, Mexico

Causes of Air Pollution

Cars, trucks, buses etc.

Industrial uses

Burning fossil fuel

Agriculture

Natural causes like fires and dust storms

Environmental ConsequencesIt can cause cancer and other health problems.

Smog

Acid rain

“Global Warming”

Harmful to wildlife

Conservation EffortsRecycling

Using public transportation

Creating more fuel efficient cars

Industrial pollution control devices

Environmentally friendly alternative energy resources

CostsHybrid cars: $20,000-$40,000

Home air purifier- around $100

New Bus Transit Route- about $6 million

Recycling- $147 per recycling ton

Wet scrubber- $50-$950 per pollutant ton

Rules Against Air Pollution“National Ambient Air Quality Standards”

“Clean Air Act”

“Air Pollution Control Act”

“Zero Emission Vehicles”

“National Environmental

Policy Act”

Extra FactsAbout 1/3 of air pollution in the US comes from gas burned by vehicles.

Air pollution is typically higher in cities of developing countries.

VOC contents can be up to 10 times higher indoors than out.

Air pollution changes depending on the time of year.

Asheville-Brevard, North Carolina is the cleanest city in the United States.

Work Citedhttp://www.epa.vic.gov.au/air/aq4kids/pollution.asp

http://www.epa.gov/air/urbanair/

http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dep/air/aq/health-and-env-effects-air-pollutions.pdf

http://www.nexuslearning.net/books/Holt_Env_Science/12-1.pdf

http://www.actionforourplanet.com/ - /top-10-polluting-countries/4541684868

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/29/10-cities-with-worlds-worst-air

http://www.epa.gov/ttncatc1/dir1/c_allchs.pdf

http://www.english.umd.edu/interpolations/2601

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJAbATJCugs