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Air Pollution. The most dangerous city in the world for children due to polluted air…. Mexico City. The Atmosphere contains several gases that make up the majority of Clean Air. Nitrogen gas (78%) and Oxygen gas (21%) Argon Carbon Dioxide Water Vapor. Polluted Air =.
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The most dangerous city in the world for children due to polluted air… Mexico City
The Atmosphere contains several gases that make up the majority of Clean Air • Nitrogen gas (78%) and Oxygen gas (21%) • Argon • Carbon Dioxide • Water Vapor
Polluted Air = • Harmful substances that build up in air • These substances include: solids, liquids, gases
Air Pollution is due to: • Human Activities like burning fossil fuels
Some air pollution is considered natural due to its source. Sources include: • Volcanoes (ash and sulfur dioxide) • Dust • Pollen • Spores
There are two types of pollutants that can affect the environment: Primary Pollutants: • Put directly into the air by humans: Ex: TRANSPORTATION DEMOLITION INDUSTRY EXHAUST BURNING
Carbon Monoxide (CO) • Odorless, colorless, poisonous gas • Burning…cars, furnace • Drowsiness and death
Nitrogen Oxide • Gas with brownish haze • Vehicle emissions, power plants, boilers • Lung cancer, acid rain, respiratory problems
Secondary Pollutants: • Chemical reactions between primary pollutants, water vapor, and oxygen. Examples: SMOG ACID RAIN
Sulfur Dioxide 1. Gas (smells like rotten eggs) 2. Burning coal, power plants 3. Acid Rain/Harms plants, fish 4. Respiratory problems 5. Corrosive
World Air Quality Problems • As countries become more developed they are more likely to use fossil fuels. • Most air pollution comes from vehicles and industry. • Motor Vehicle Emissions: About 1/3 of all air pollution comes from burning gasoline. • The Clean Air Act (1970) required: catalytic converters, unleaded gas, improved mpg
Industrial Air Pollution • Industries and power plants: burn fossil fuel for energy • Huge quantities of sulfur dioxide (coal) and nitrogen oxide (oil/gas) are released into the air • Other industries produce Volatile Organic Compound’s (VOC’s)that form toxic fumes • Dry cleaning, oil refineries, manufacturing, furniture refinisher, auto repair shop, aerosols
SMOG • In many urban areas, air pollution gets trapped in cities and appears as a gray haze that reduces visibility. • It is made of sun, air, NO or SO, and ozone • Worst places for SMOG in US: • LA • Denver • Phoenix
Temperature Inversion • Diagram:
Temperature Inversion • Occur during winter more frequently • Little or no wind present • Pollution can’t escape due to warm air lid over area • Cloudy conditions • Usually requires a weather front to blow warm air lid out of area