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OUTDOOR & INDOOR AIR POLLUTION

OUTDOOR & INDOOR AIR POLLUTION. What is air made up of?. 78% nitrogen 21% oxygen 1% argon, carbon dioxide, neon, helium, methane, etc. What is air pollution?. Any harmful substance released into the atmosphere. Is air pollution only caused by humans?. NO! Some natural sources...

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OUTDOOR & INDOOR AIR POLLUTION

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  1. OUTDOOR & INDOOR AIR POLLUTION

  2. What is air made up of? • 78% nitrogen • 21% oxygen • 1% argon, carbon dioxide, neon, helium, methane, etc.

  3. What is air pollution? • Any harmful substance released into the atmosphere

  4. Is air pollution only caused by humans? • NO! • Some natural sources... • Pollen • Volcanic eruptions • Forest fires • Sand/dust storms • Gases from decaying organisms

  5. Has air pollution always been a problem? • Most air pollution problems came about during IndustrialRevolution in 1800’s. • Large amounts of coal & wood burned to keep up with industrial growth. • No air pollution controls- many death’s resulted from air pollution/smog.

  6. Why is air pollution considered a global problem, not just a local problem? • Air is constantly moving. • Air pollution does not just stay in one place, it travelswith air currents. • Many countries do not have strict air pollution standardslike U.S.

  7. What are sources of outdoor air pollution? • Particulates • Tiny solids in air • Easily inhaled & trapped in lungs • From burning fossil fuels • Ash, soot • From natural sources • dust, pollen • From other sources • Mining of lead, iron, etc • Asbestos from brakes • Fertilizer, pesticide dust

  8. What are sources of outdoor air pollution? • Gases • From burning fossil fuels • Carbon dioxide (CO2) • Sulfur dioxide (SO2) • Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) • Smog- brown haze around cities • From natural sources • Methane- bacteria, decay, flatulence of cows • From other sources • Chlorofluorocarbons- freon, making of styrofoam

  9. What are some sources of indoor air pollution? • Cigarette smoke • Deadliest indoor air pollutant • Contain formaldehyde, carbon monoxide • Causes lung cancer, emphysema • Second hand smoke may be worse due to particulates that come from tip.

  10. What are some sources of indoor air pollution? • Mold • Moisture in vents, carpets • Allergysymptoms, breathing problems, headache, fatigue

  11. What are some sources of indoor air pollution? • Carbon monoxide • Malfunctioning furnace, gas appliances, cars • Blood cannot carry oxygen • Feel sleepy, nausea, dizzy, cause death.

  12. What are some sources of indoor air pollution? • Radon • Colorless, odorless, radioactive gas • Comes from soil under basements • Long term exposure can cause lung cancer Zone 1 (purple) high levels of radon Zone 3 (yellow) low levels of radon

  13. What are some sources of indoor air pollution? • Asbestos • Roofing, flooring, insulation, brakes • OK… unless disturbed or deteriorates • Can cause asbestosis (scarring of lungs) and mesothelioma(type of lung cancer) Plaque build up (scarring) in lung w/asbestosis

  14. What are some sources of indoor air pollution? • Lead • Old homes, toys, lead crystal dishes • Causes behavior & learning problems, slow growth, hearing problems, headaches

  15. What are some sources of indoor air pollution? • Formaldehyde • Pressed wood, paneling, particle board, glue, deodorizers • Respiratory irritation, fatigue, skin rash, known to cause cancer

  16. What are some sources of indoor air pollution? 8. VOC’s • Paradichlorobenzene- mothballs, insecticides • PERC- dry cleaned clothes • Benzene- paints, cigarettes • Causes respiratory problems, headaches, loss of coordination, nausea, organ damage, cancer

  17. How does air pollution affect people? • 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

  18. How does air pollution affect people? • Sick building syndrome- • Buildings closed up to save energy- no circulation • Effects of fumes intensified • Symptoms: headache, eye or throat irritation, cough, itchy skin, dizziness, nausea, fatigue • Feel better when you get fresh air outside.

  19. 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)

  20. What is acid rain? • Rain or snow that is more acidic than normal precipitation. • Normal rain = pH of 5.6 • Acid rain = pH below 5.6 • Comes from a primary pollutant- carbon, nitrogen, sulfur • Creates secondary pollutant when combined with water- carbonic acid, sulfuric acid.

  21. How does acid rain affect plants? • Kills leaves, kills plant • Prevents sprouting of seeds • Destroysentire forest

  22. How does acid rain affect animals/ecosystems? • Mutate eggs/larvae • Fewer eggs produced • Acid rain “leaches” aluminum out of soil, if gets on fish gills, causes suffocation • Killsimmediately

  23. How does acid rain affect humans? • Destroys monuments/ statues • Calcium carbonate & marble statues dissolve • Metal statues tarnish • Personal property affected • Corrodes steel • Discolors paint • Corrodes tires

  24. What can be added to acidic soil or water to neutralize acidity? • Powdered lime

  25. What is the greenhouse effect? • Trapping of heat by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. • Without the greenhouse effect, our planet would be too cold.

  26. What are greenhouse gases? • Carbon dioxide • Methane • Sulfur and nitrogen oxides • Ozone • CFC’s

  27. How is the greenhouse effect altered? • Greenhouse gas (especially CO2) levels increase because of • Increase in use of fossil fuels • Decrease in plant life

  28. What happens when greenhouse gas amounts increase? • Global warming • Increase in Earth’s temperature due to increased greenhouse gas levels

  29. What are possible effects of global warming? • 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

  30. What are some ways to prevent air pollution problems? Clean Air Act (1970) established: • Strict emission controls • Catalytic converters • Unleaded fuel • Scrubbers- water, lime, & filters neutralize smoke before it leaves a smokestack

  31. How can YOU help stop air pollution? • Carpool • Take mass transit- bus, MARTA, etc. • Don’t wasteelectricity • Maintain your cars

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