1. Air Pollution and Health
Energypath 2011
June 29, 2011
Thurman Brendlinger
Program Director-Clean Air Council

2. Objectives Identify major problem air pollutants from energy
generation and use
Discuss pollution health effects

3. Air Pollutants O3 (Ozone) VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)
PM (Particulate Matter) and Dust
NOx (Nitrogen Oxides)
SO2 (Sulfur Dioxide)
CO (Carbon monoxide)
GHG (Greenhouse gases)
CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)
CH4 (Methane)

4. The Smog Story: Ozone (O3)
Forms from UV radiation
VOCs or NOx O3
(heat + UV )
Ground level Ozone
Unhealthy and considered “summertime air pollutant”
Sources:
NOx: Fuel combustion in motor vehicles, electric utilities, etc
VOCs: Human-made (ex. gasoline vapors) and chemical solvents
Upper atmosphere
Ozone occurs naturally at 10 to 30 miles above earth’s
surface
Forms a protective layer around earth to protect from
sun’s harmful rays

5. Ozone: Health Effects Even low levels can trigger health problems
Short-term exposure (up to 8 hrs):
Reduction in lung function, coughing, painful breathing, and shortness of breath, nausea, headache, inflammation of airways
Children and people with respiratory problems (aggravates asthma) and anyone active outdoors is at risk
Long-term exposure:
May lead to induction of asthma, increased risk of respiratory related death

6. Particulate Matter (PM)
Mixture of acids (ex. nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil and dust particles.
PM2.5: Fine airborne particles that are < 2.5 micrometers in diameter
PM10: Airborne particles larger than 2.5 mm but smaller than 10 mm
Main sources:
Development of oil, gas, coal operations ( heavy construction and mining)
Incinerators, and wood burning
Emissions from petroleum coke
Highest PM levels are in summer
According to the Clean Air Task Force, fine particulate matter pollution from U.S. power plants leads to more than 24,000 deaths a year

7. Particulate Matter (PM): Health Effects
Size of particles is proportional to potential for causing health problems.
PM reduces visibility and forms smog when combined with other
chemicals.
PM10 poses the greatest risk because it can get deep into a person’s
lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing serious health problems.
Studies show correlation between PM levels and increased respiratory
morbidity and mortality, especially among those with heart/lung disease
and even cancer
Symptoms:
Irritates the airways, coughing, or difficulty breathing, decreased lung function, aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis, irregular heartbeat, and premature death in people with heart or lung disease.

8. Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Formed from the incomplete combustion of fuel (ex. Combustion Engines, Coal, Automobile exhaust)
Higher CO levels in areas with heavy traffic
Highest levels occur in winter
In the United States, 56% of CO (up to 95% in cities) is emitted by on-road vehicles.

9. Health Effects: Carbon Monoxide (CO)
People with heart disease are most at risk.
Low Level Exposure
Fatigue and chest pain with reduced ability to exercise in people with heart disease
High Level Exposure
CO can cause vision problems, reduced ability to work/learn along with impaired vision and coordination; headaches; dizziness; confusion; and nausea.
It can damage the central nervous system and become poisonous in the blood stream causing death.

10. Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) Health Effects
Created by fuel combustion in motor vehicles (especially) and industry, electric utilities, etc.
In the atmosphere NOx reacts with other compounds to form smog and acid rain
Health Effects
Forms nitrous acids and accumulates in upper respiratory tracts causing:
Lung tissue damage
Difficulty breathing
Aggravated heart disease
Premature death
Asthmatics, elderly, kids are most at risk

11. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Health Effects
Created when fuel containing sulfur (ex. coal, oil) is burned; gasoline is extracted from oil; metals extracted from ores
SO2 reacts in air to form sulfate (a form of PM) and acid rain
Health Effects
Elderly, children, heart and lung patients are most at risk
SO2 can cause temporary breathing problems for asthmatics who are active outdoors
Acute expose includes coughing, tightness in chest and bronchoconstriction
Long term exposure: can cause respiratory illness and aggravated heart disease

12. Acid Rain Caused by atmospheric pollution of SO2 and NOx
When reacted in air forms PM (dry deposition) and Rain (wet deposition)
The when inhaled these chemicals can exacerbate heart and lung illnesses

13. Acid Rain

14. Mercury (Hg) Health Effects
Coal fire power plants release the most amount of Hg in the air
Hg can also be released in crude oil processing
Health Effects
Detrimental Hg exposure from the atmosphere is mainly through ingestion.
Once in the water ways elemental mercury is converted into methylmercury a more toxic form in the body.
Methylmercury accumulates in the tissues of various organs disrupting normal cellular function.
It especially effects the Central Nervous System killing off nerve cells

15. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Sources Health Effects
Fossil fuel combustion, Engine Exhaust, Incineration Waste, Biomass Production, Natural gas systems
Health Effects
Higher concentrations can affect respiratory function
Combines with hydrogen to make a greenhouse gas
Oxygen deficiency in the body
Carbon dioxide itself can cause headache, dizziness and nausea after exposure for many hours
At high levels of CO2 can cause asphyxiation

16. Methane (CH4) Sources Health Effects
Greenhouse gas that remains in atmosphere for around a decade
20 times more effective in trapping heat in atmosphere than carbon dioxide
Sources
Fossil fuel production, Biomass burning, Waste Management, Landfills, Coal mining, Natural gas and Petrochemical systems
Health Effects
Extremely volatile and flammable and may form explosive when mixed in air
Oxygen deficiency / asphyxiation in the body
At high levels of methane can disrupt the central nervous system

17. Coal Energy
Almost half of the electricity generated in the US is from coal.
The coal is mined from the surface or underground, cleaned, processed and burned to make steam which is used to turn steam turbines that generate electricity.
By-products of coal burning (such as methanol and ethylene) are used in industry for making plastics, tar, fertilizers, medicines and steel.
Harmful emissions from coal include:
NOx
Mercury
SOx
CO2

18. Natural Gas Extraction
Hydraulic fracturing is the process of extracting natural gas from underground using highly pressurized fluid made of water/sand/solvent chemicals.
The pressurized fluid causes the rock formation to crack and release the natural gas which flows back up the well and is collected for processing.

19. Natural Gas Extraction
From start to finish natural gas extraction involves a number processes that emit pollutants in the air
Trucks (movement of materials and water): PM, NOx, CO, SOx
- Thousands of gallons of water are used for each frack completion
- Trucks are used to transport fracking fluid, water and waste to and from the site.
Compressor Engines: CO, NOx, HAPs, VOC, Methane
Heater and Boilers: NOx, VOC
Dehydrators: BTEX (Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene), VOC, CO
Fugitives: Methane, VOC, BTEX

20. Natural Gas Extraction
Health Effects
Chemical
Acute health effect
VOC
Irritant, neurological
Benzene
Neurological, anemia
Naphthalene
Anemia
Combustion Products
Respiratory, cardiovascular, irritants
Hydrochloric acid
Irritant
Glutaraldehyde
Irritant, allergic reactions
Example: Town of DISH, Texas

21. Natural Gas Extraction
Open Impoundments
Large pits are used to contain flow back fluid from the fracking process
Most are lined with thick reinforced plastic sheeting
The can emit odors and VOCs into the air
Health risks due to exposure include, cancer, breathing difficulties, intestinal or stomach disorders, burning of nose and throat
Gas Migration
Gas migration is a result of gas that seeps through fissures or holes in pipes and filling up spaces in the ground such as basements or water wells
Little is know about gas migration in western PA-being studied at present

22. Clean Air Alternatives
Energy Conservation and Efficiency
The electron not used is best for our environment
Act 129 – requires PA utilities like PPL to reduce the demand for electricity by consumers.

23. Clean Air Alternatives
Renewable Energy
Solar
Wind
Geothermal

24. Thank you ! Thurman Brendlinger Program Director
, Ext.