Air PollutionChapter 18Chapter 18

18-4 Indoor Air Pollution Is a 18-4 Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious ProblemSerious Problem

Developing countries Indoor burning Poor suffer the greatest risk Few, if any, regulations Is the most serious air pollution problem

Developed countries Indoor air pollution poses a greater threat

than outdoor air pollution.

Indoor Air Pollution Is a Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious ProblemSerious Problem

Why? 11 of the common air pollutants

are at higher levels inside than outside

Greater inside vehicles than outside

Health risks magnified: people spend 70–98% of their time is indoors or inside cars

Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious

ProblemProblem

Who is at greatest risk from indoor air pollution? Children under 5 and the elderly Sick Pregnant women People with respiratory disorders or heart

problems Smokers Factory workers

Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious ProblemProblem

Four most dangerous indoor air pollutants Tobacco smoke Formaldehyde(CH2O) – found in plywood,

particle board, paneling, drapes, furniture, carpet and wallpaper adhesives)

Radioactive radon-222 gas- underground rock deposits

Very small particles

Sources of these pollutants-brought in on shoes, pesticides, paints, sprays, living organisms (bugs), mold

Human health risks-sore throat, headache, chronic breathing problems, rash (flu-like systems)

Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious ProblemProblem

Other possible indoor air pollutants Pesticide residue Pb particles Living organisms and their excrements

E.g., Dust mites and cockroach droppings Airborne spores of molds and mildews

Sick-building syndrome

Some Important Indoor Air Some Important Indoor Air PollutantsPollutants

Radioactive Radon Gas Colorless, odorless, radioactive gas

Sources: natural radioactive decay of Uranium-238 (rocks and soil)

Human health risks-damage to lung tissue-cancer

Testing for radon - detectors

Correcting a radon problem: Sealing cracks in walls and foundation, increase ventilation

Sources and Paths of Entry for Indoor Radon-222 Gas

It’s a fantastic house with the exception of

the radon gas.

Your Body’s Natural Defenses against Air Your Body’s Natural Defenses against Air Pollution Can Be OverwhelmedPollution Can Be Overwhelmed

Respiratory system protection from air pollutants Role of cilia, mucus, sneezing, and coughing

Effect of smoking and prolonged air pollution exposure Chronic bronchitis Emphysema 6% of people in US suffer from asthma

Major Components of the Major Components of the Human Respiratory SystemHuman Respiratory System

Lung Attack

Air Pollution Is a Big Killer 3 Million deaths per year world-wide

Mostly in Asia Main causes-indoor air pollution In US more than 150,000 die each day from air pollution

EPA: proposed stricter emission standards for diesel-powered vehicles Reduce emission by 90% Car makers hope they can delay

Link between international trade and air pollution Cargo ships and pollution

Premature Deaths from Air Premature Deaths from Air Pollution in the U.S.Pollution in the U.S.

Laws and Regulations Can Reduce Outdoor Air Pollution

United States Clean Air Acts: 1970, 1977, and 1990

EPA National ambient air quality standards

(NAAQs) for 6 outdoor criteria pollutants Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, lead, and suspended particulate matter

Primary Standard-Human health Secondary Standard-environmental and property damage

National emission standards for 188 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs)Mainly toxic metals, VOCs, and chlorinated hydrocarbons

Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)-for power plants, refineries

Good news in U.S. Decrease in emissions 49% from 1980-

2006 Use of low-sulfur diesel fuel

Cuts pollution

Developing countries More air pollution

Laws and Regulations Can Reduce Outdoor Air Pollution

We Can Use the Marketplace to Reduce Outdoor Air Pollution

Emission trading or cap-and-trade program

“Pollution Credits” Mixed reactions to program SO2 emissions down significantly NO2 will be tried in the future Mercury from coal plants-does not break

down-must set limits

There Are Many Ways to There Are Many Ways to Reduce Reduce

Outdoor Air PollutionOutdoor Air Pollution 1980 –2006

SO2 emissions from U.S. electric power plants decreased by 66%

NOx emissions by 41% Particulate emissions by 28%

Older plants not governed by the same regulations

New cars have better emissions

Reducing Indoor Air Pollution Should Be a

Priority Greater threat to human health than outdoor pollution

What can be done? Prevention Cleanup

We Need to Put More Emphasis on Pollution Prevention

Output approaches

New shift to preventing outdoor and indoor pollution Pressure from citizens

http://esa21.kennesaw.edu/http://esa21.kennesaw.edu/activities/smog-city/epa-smog-activities/smog-city/epa-smog-hurts.pdfhurts.pdf

Air Pollution…Air Pollution…

Global climate change, ozone Global climate change, ozone depletion, acid rain, photochemical depletion, acid rain, photochemical smog, and indoor air pollution are smog, and indoor air pollution are some of the most significant some of the most significant environmental problems faced by environmental problems faced by humanity. All of these humanity. All of these problems/issues emphasize how problems/issues emphasize how important a healthy atmosphere is.important a healthy atmosphere is.

ON THE AP EXAM…ON THE AP EXAM… Don’t just state something

“causes pollution”. At least state that the activity causes “air pollution” or “water pollution”. Most likely, though, graders will want more specific information such as “this activity releases sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere”.