Chapter12

Objectives

1.Name five primary air pollutants, and give sources for each.

2.Name the two major sources of air pollution in urban areas.

3.Describe the way in which smog forms.

4.Explain the way in which a thermal inversion traps air pollution.

When harmful substances build up in the air to unhealthy levels Most comes from human activities but some can come from natural events

Primary PollutantsDirectly put into the air (soot)

CO, NO, SO2, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), particulate matter

Secondary PollutantsWhen primary pollutants comes into contact with other primary pollutants or natural substancesGround level ozone

History of Pollution1000’s of years Worse today because of the

burning of fossil fuels

Motor vehicle emissions 1/3 of all air pollution comes

from emissions from cars

Control of vehicle pollutionClean Air Act of 1970

Clean up lead from gasoline

95% of fewer emissions then 30 years ago

California Zero Emission Vehicle ProgramBy 2016 requires 16% of all vehicles made to put out zero emissions

Industrial Air PollutionMost burn fossil fuels

Releases SO2, NO into the air

Power plants produce 2/3 of all SO2 released

Clean Air Act Requires use of scrubbers or pollution control devices

SmogAir pollution over urban areas causes by sunlight, air, auto exhaust, and ozone

Temperature InversionsNormally cool layer of warm air allow pollutants to blow away

Inversion is caused when there is a cool area near the ground, a warm layer, then another cool a layer

Traps pollutantsMountains ranges near cities can aggravate this problem

Objectives1.Describe three possible short-term effects

and long-term effects of air pollution on human health.

2.Explain what causes indoor air pollution and how it can be prevented.

3.Describe three human health problems caused by noise pollution.

4.Describe solutions to energy waste caused by light pollution.

Short term Effects of Air Pollution on HealthHeadaches, nausea, irritation to the nose and throat, tight chest, respiratory infections

Long Term EffectsEmphysemaLung cancerHeart disease

In Door Air PollutionPlastics, industrial chemicals, CO, fungi, bacteria, tobacco smoke, formaldehyde

Sick building syndrome – caused when buildings have poor air supply

Radon gasColorless, odorless, tasteless gas

Produced by the decay of Uranium

Seeps up through cracks in rocks through houses

Causes cancer (2nd lead cause0

AsbestosThin fibers that can get into your lungs and cause cuts and scaring which can lead to infections

Found in insulation and other building materials

Banned since 1970

Noise PollutionFrom airplanes, construction, traffic

Causes loss of hearing, high blood pressure, stress

Measured in decibels (dB)Over 120 decibels continuously can cause permanent hearing loss

Rocket engine 180Jet Engine 140Rock & Roll Concert 120Car horn 110Lawn mower 90Door bell 80Conversation 60

Light pollutionNot a direct hazard to human health

Negative affect on environments and animals

Energy loss/waste

Objectives

1.Explain the causes of acid precipitation.

2.Explain how acid precipitation affects plants, soils, and aquatic ecosystems.

3.Describe three ways that acid precipitation affects humans.

4.Describe ways that countries are working together to solve the problem of acid precipitation.

CausesPrecipitation that contains high concentration of acid

From burning of fossil fuels

SO + NO + water =

acid rain

Flows to into water ways and kills wildlife and plants

pHMeasure of how acidic or

basic a substance is

0______________7________________14

Acidic Neutral Basic

Acidic rain has a pH of less than 5

Most acidic place in the US in Lake Erie and Lake Ontario

Affects on Soil and PlantsAcidification changes the soil chemistryAcid levels goes up, and nutrient levels go down

Causes Al and other toxic metals to be releasedRoot damageSO clogs stomata (holes) on plants

Affects on Aquatic EcosystemspH goes up so plants die then everything that eats the plants including animals

Al accumulates in fish and they suffocatesInterferes with oxygen intake

Worse in spring (snow melt)

Acid Shock- sudden influx of acid water into aquatic ecosystems

Acid Precipitation and HumansRain gets into the soil, then the crops, animals eat the crops (or we do), then we eat those animals

Has been linked to respiratory problems

Affects quality of life by affecting the ecosystems we enjoy for recreation

Dissolves limestone in buildings and monuments

InternationalAreas that produce the rain affect areas many miles away

Has lead to treaties between countries to reduce pollution (Canada and US)