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Understanding Air Pollution and Its Impact on the Environment

Learn about major air pollutants, effects on human health, acid deposition, indoor pollution risks, solutions, and regulatory deficiencies. Explore ways to prevent and reduce air pollution globally.

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Understanding Air Pollution and Its Impact on the Environment

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  1. Environmental Pollution Air Pollution

  2. The Atmosphere Atmospheric pressure (millibars) 0 200 400 600 800 1,000 120 75 Temperature 110 Pressure 65 100 Thermosphere 90 55 Mesopause 80 Heating via ozone 45 70 Mesosphere Altitude (kilometers) Altitude (miles) 60 35 Stratopause 50 Stratosphere 25 40 30 Tropopause 15 20 Ozone “layer” Heating from the earth 10 5 Troposphere 0 –80 –40 0 40 80 120 (Sea Level) Pressure = 1,000 millibars at ground level Temperature (˚C) Fig. 1 • 78% N, 21% O • Ozone layer • Greenhouse effect

  3. AIR POLLUTION Some primary air pollutants may react with one another or with other chemicals in the air to form secondary air pollutants. Figure 2

  4. Major Air Pollutants Suspended particulate matter (SPM): Consists of a variety of solid particles and liquid droplets small and light enough to remain suspended in the air. The most harmful forms of SPM are fine particles (PM-10, with an average diameter < 10 micrometers) and ultrafine particles (PM-2.5). According to the EPA, SPM is responsible for about 60,000 premature deaths a year in the U.S.

  5. Major Components of the Human Respiratory System

  6. Major Air Pollutants Ozone (O3): Is a highly reactive gas that is a major component of photochemical smog. It can Cause and aggravate respiratory illness. Can aggravate heart disease. Damage plants, rubber in tires, fabrics, and paints.

  7. Its effects.....

  8. The Greenhouse Effect

  9. Global Warming

  10. Thinning of Upper OZone Layer

  11. Acid Rain

  12. Temperature Inversions Cold, cloudy weather in a valley surrounded by mountains can trap air pollutants (left). Areas with sunny climate, light winds, mountains on three sides and an ocean on the other (right) are susceptible to inversions. Figure 3

  13. Acid Deposition and Humans • Respiratory diseases • Toxic metal leaching • Decreased visibility • Damage to structures, especially containing limestone • Decreased productivity of fisheries, forests, and farms Need to alter

  14. ACID DEPOSITION Acid deposition consists of rain, snow, dust, or gas with a pH lower than 5.6. Figure 4

  15. Acid Deposition and Aquatic Systems Water boatman Whirligig Yellow perch Lake trout Brown trout Salamander (embryonic) Mayfly Smallmouth bass Mussel 6.5 6.0 5.5 5.0 4.5 4.0 3.5 pH • Fish declines • Undesirable species • Acid shock Aquatic organisms

  16. Air Pollution Damage to Trees

  17. Acid Deposition, Plants, and Soil • Nutrient leaching • Heavy metal release • Weakens trees Fig. 18-14

  18. Some Important Indoor Air Pollutants

  19. INDOOR AIR POLLUTION Indoor air pollution usually is a greater threat to human health than outdoor air pollution. According to the EPA, the four most dangerous indoor air pollutants in developed countries are: Tobacco smoke. Formaldehyde. Radioactive radon-222 gas. Very small fine and ultrafine particles.

  20. Air Pollution is a Big Killer Each year, air pollution prematurely kills about 3 million people, mostly from indoor air pollution in developing countries. In the U.S., the EPA estimates that annual deaths related to indoor and outdoor air pollution range from 150,000 to 350,000. According to the EPA, each year more than 125,000 Americans get cancer from breathing diesel fumes.

  21. Air Pollution is a Big Killer Spatial distribution of premature deaths from air pollution in the United States. Figure 5

  22. Case Study: Radioactive Radon Radon-222, a radioactive gas found in some soils and rocks, can seep into some houses and increase the risk of lung cancer. Sources and paths of entry for indoor radon-222 gas. Figure 6

  23. Solutions: Preventing and Reducing Air Pollution • Clean Air Act • National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) • Primary and secondary standards • Emission Trading Policy

  24. Using the Marketplace to Reduce Outdoor Air Pollution To help reduce SO2 emissions, the Clean Air Act authorized and emission trading (cap-and-trade) program. Enables the 110 most polluting power plants to buy and sell SO2 pollution rights. Between 1990-2002, the emission trading system reduced emissions. In 2002, the EPA reported the cap-and-trade system produced less emission reductions than were projected.

  25. PREVENTING AND REDUCING AIR POLLUTION Environmental scientists point out several deficiencies in the Clean Air Act: The U.S. Congress has failed to increase fuel-efficiency standards for automobiles. Regulation of emissions from motorcycles and two-cycle engines remains inadequate. There is little or no regulation of air pollution from oceangoing ships in American ports.

  26. Solutions: Reducing Outdoor Air Pollution There are a of number of ways to prevent and control air pollution from motor vehicles. Because of the Clean Air Act, a new car today in the U.S. emits 75% less pollution than did pre-1970 cars. There is and increase in motor vehicle use in developing countries and many have no pollution control devices and burn leaded gasoline.

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