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TRANSCRIPT
Air Pollution
Air Composition
• 78% nitrogen
• 21% oxygen
• 1% argon, carbon dioxide, neon, helium, methane, etc.
Air Pollution
• Any harmful substance released into the atmosphere.
Natural Sources of Air Pollution– Pollen
– Volcanic eruptions
– Forest fires
– Sand/dust storms
– Gases from decaying organisms
– Methane- bacteria, decay, & flatulence of cows
Air Pollution History• Most began during
the Industrial Revolution in 1800’s.
• Large amounts of coal & wood burned
• No air pollution controls- many deaths resulted from air pollution/smog.
Air - Global Common
• Global Common- We all use the air
• Air is constantly moving.• Air pollution does not just
stay in one place, it travels with air currents.
• Many countries do not have strict air pollution standards like U.S.
REVIEW1. What gases make up air?___________________
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2. List 3 natural sources of air pollution._________
_________________________________________
3. When did most air pollution begin?__________
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4. Why is air considered a global common?_____
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Sources of Outdoor Air Pollution1. Particulates
• Tiny solids in air• From burning fossil
fuelsAsh, soot
• From other sourcesMining Asbestos from
brakesFertilizer, pesticide
dust
Sources of Outdoor Air Pollution2. Gases
• From burning fossil fuels Carbon dioxide
(CO2) Sulfur dioxide (SO2) Nitrogen Oxides
(NOx) Smog- brown haze
around cities • From other sources
Chlorofluorocarbons
Increases in Greenhouse Gases• Caused by global
carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels.
• Since 1970, CO2
emissions have increased by 90%.
• Global warming
– Increase in Earth’s temperature due to increased greenhouse gas levels.
Impacts of Climate Change• Earth’s temp. may rise by
2-4o by the year 2050• Polar ice caps may melt,
oceans expand, become less salty
• Sea levels rise- flooding of cities & farmland
• Weather patterns may change
• Most areas will become drier
• Decrease in crop yield
REVIEW1. List 3 sources of outdoor air pollution?_______
_________________________________________
2. What has caused increases in greenhouse gases?
_________________________________________
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3. List 4 impacts of climate change.____________
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Sources of Indoor Air Pollution1. Cigarette Smoke
– Deadliest indoor air pollutant
– Second hand smoke may be worse due to particulates that come from tip.
2. Mold
– Moisture in vents, carpets
Sources of Indoor Air Pollution3. Carbon Monoxide
– Poorly running furnace, gas appliances, cars
4. Radon
– Colorless, odorless, radioactive gas
– Comes from soil under basements
Sources of Indoor Air Pollution5. Asbestos
– Roofing, flooring, insulation, brakes
– OK… unless disturbed or deteriorates
6. Formaldehyde
– Pressed wood, paneling, particle board, glue, deodorizers
Plaque build up (scarring) in lung w/asbestosis
Sources of Indoor Air Pollution7. Lead
– Old homes, toys, lead crystal dishes, old paint
– Causes behavior & learning problems, slow growth, hearing problems, headaches
8. VOCs Volatile Organic Compounds
– Paradichlorobenzene- mothballs, insecticides
– PERC- dry cleaned clothes
– Benzene- paints, cigarettes
Sick Building Syndrome Sick building syndrome-
– Large buildings have closed circulation systems
– Effects of fumes intensified
– Symptoms: headache, eye or throat irritation, cough, itchy skin, dizziness, nausea, fatigue
– Feel better when you get fresh air outside.
Health Problems From Air Pollution• Chronic bronchitis- coughing,
trouble breathing
• Asthma- not caused by air pollution, but aggravated by it.
• Emphysema- lungs lose elasticity, hard to breathe
• Lung Cancer- caused by cigarettes, car exhaust, particulates, asbestos, arsenic, radon
REVIEW1. List 4 sources of indoor air pollution._________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
2. What is sick building syndrome?____________
_________________________________________
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3. What are 3 health problems associated with air pollution?_________________________________
_________________________________________
Primary & Secondary Pollution
• Primary Pollution = pollution put into the air as a result of human actions.
• Exp: car exhaust
• Secondary Pollution = primary pollution that reacts with anything already in the atmosphere and creates pollution.
• Exp: Acid Rain – (formed from car exhaust combining with rainwater)
Acid Rain• More acidic than normal precipitation.• Normal rain = pH of 5.6 Acid rain = pH below 5.6• Primary pollutant- (carbon, nitrogen, sulfur) becomes
secondary pollutant when combined with water-(carbonic acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid).
Effects of Acid Rain on Plants• Kills leaves, kills plant
• Prevents sprouting of seeds
• Destroys entire forest
Effects of Acid Rain on Animals• Mutates eggs & larvae
• Fewer eggs produced
• Acid rain “leaches”aluminum out of soil
• On fish gills it causes suffocation
• Kills immediately
Effects of Acid Rain
• Destroys monuments/ statues– Calcium carbonate &
marble statues dissolve
– Metal statues tarnish• Personal property
affected– Corrodes steel– Discolors paint– Corrodes tires
Soil Acidification
• Caused by acid rain-dissolves the nutrients and helpful minerals in the soil and then washes them away before the trees and other plants can use them to grow.
• Powdered lime added to neutralize it.
REVIEW1. What is the difference between a primary and
secondary pollutant?______________________
_________________________________________
2. What is acid rain and how is it caused?_______
_________________________________________
3. List 3 effects of acid rain?_________________
_________________________________________
4. Why is soil acidification a problem?_________
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Air Pollution Prevention
Clean Air Act (1970) -Strict emission controls: catalytic converters and unleaded fuel
• To limit sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, tropospheric ozone and lead.
Air Pollution Prevention
• Scrubbers- water, lime, & filters to neutralize smoke before it leaves a smokestack
Ways We Can Limit Air Pollution
• Carpool
• Take mass transit- bus, MARTA, etc.
• Don’t waste electricity
• Maintain cars
REVIEW1. What is the Clean Air Act?_________________
_________________________________________
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2. How can scrubbers help prevent air pollution? _
_________________________________________
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3. What can we do to limit air pollution?________
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