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Smog in Seattle, date unknown, but prior to Kingdome destruction in 2000. Source unknown. Chapter 14: Air Pollution and Environment . Big Question: Why Is Air Pollution In Cities Still Such A Big Problem?. A Brief History of Air Pollution. General Effects of Air Pollution.
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Smog in Seattle, date unknown, but prior to Kingdome destruction in 2000. Source unknown. Chapter 14: Air Pollution and Environment Big Question: Why Is Air Pollution In Cities Still Such A Big Problem?
General Effects of Air Pollution Air pollution affects much of the environment. It is a significant factor in the death rate of many cities.
Primary and SecondaryPollutants, Natural and Human Air pollutants occur either as gases or particulate matter. • Primary air pollutants: emitted directly into the air. • Secondary pollutants: reactions between primary pollutants and atmospheric compounds.
Major Air Pollutants: Source and Effects Point source pollution in Beijing, China Fugitive source forest fire in eastern Washington, Unknown source
Reducing Urban Air Pollution at Its Source • Keep pollutants from entering the atmosphere. • Reduce, collect, capture, or retain pollutants.
Acid Rain Acid rain (precipitation with a pH below 5.6) is a global problem.
Control of Acid Rain A struggle to find solutions for this problem. The real solution: decrease emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. • Switching from high-sulfur coal to low-sulfur coal • Cleaning up high-sulfur coal by washing it • Coal gasification: converting high-sulfur coal into a gas to remove the sulfur
Reducing Ozone Depletion:An Environmental Success Story The Montreal Protocol, September 1987 aimed at reducing global emissions of CFCs. Already, the increase in CFC emissions has slowed.
Indoor Air Pollution “Coal miners’ disease” is a major health hazard for underground miners.
Controlling Indoor Air Pollution • Offering financial incentives. • Air-conditioning isn’t a cure-all. • Using a combination of strategies. • Radon problems are often easy to fix. • Education is important.
The Cost of Reducing Air Pollution • Varies widely among industries • The law of diminishing returns
Air Pollution in the Future From: Keller&Law. 2007. Arctic Air Pollution: Origins and Impacts. Science 315:1537-1540.
Smog in Seattle, date unknown, but prior to Kingdome destruction in 2000. Source unknown. Chapter 14: Air Pollution and Environment Questions? E-mail your TA. eschelp@uw.edu