1. Air, Noise, and Light Pollution
Chapter 12 Section 2
Air, Noise, and Light Pollution
Environmental Science
Spring 2011

2. Objectives
Describe three short-term effects and three long-term effects of air pollution on human health
Explain what causes indoor air pollution and how it can be prevented
Describe three human health problems caused by noise pollution
Describe solutions to energy waste caused by light pollution

3. Short-Term Effects of Air Pollution on Health
Head-aches
Nausea
Irritation to eyes, nose, throat
Tightness in chest
Coughing
Upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia
Can make conditions of asthma and emphysema worse

4. Long-Term Effects of Air Pollution on Health
Emphysema
Lung cancer
Heart disease
May worsen medical conditions suffered by older people and may damage the lungs of children

5. Health Effects of Pollution

6. Indoor Air Pollution
Chemicals that are used to make carpets, building materials, paints and furniture are major sources of pollutants in buildings
Sick building syndrome: buildings that have very poor air quality
Most common in hot places where buildings are tightly sealed to keep out heat

7. Indoor Air Pollution
Identifying and removing sources of indoor air pollution is most effective way to maintain good indoor air quality
Ventilation or mixing outdoor air with indoor air, necessary for good air quality

8. Radon Gas
Radon: colourless, tasteless, odorless gas that is radioactive
One of elements produced by decay of uranium, radioactive element that occurs naturally in Earth’s crust
If leaks in to buildings adheres to dust particles, if enters lungs can destroy genetic material in cells
Can lead to cancer, especially in those who smoke

9. Asbestos
Asbestos: several minerals that form in long, thin fibers and are valued for their strength and resistance to heat
Used as an insulator and as a fire retardant, and it was used extensively in building materials
Banned most asbestos products in 1970’s
Exposure to asbestos in air is dangerous
Can cut and scar lungs and cause disease asbestosis, victims of disease have more and more difficulty breathing and may eventually die of heart failure

10. Noise Pollution Noise pollution: unwanted sound
Irritating, damages our hearing by destroying cells in our ears
One study found that people living in a quiet environment in Africa had better hearing at the age of 80 than most Americans do at 30

11. Noise Pollution Decibels: units to measure intensity of sound
For each 10-fold increase in decibel intensity, decibel level is 10 times higher than previous level
20 dB is 10 times the intensity of 10dB
120 dB is at threshold of pain

12. Noise Pollution
Noise pollution can be controlled by devices such as mufflers on vehicles and lawn mowers, and by insulation
Personal listening devices are not regulated
Most MP3 players produce no more than 100dB of noise
Safe threshold for personal listening devices is 85dB for 8 hours

13. Light Pollution
Light pollution does not present direct hazard to human health
Light pollution does negatively affect our environment
Can diminish views of night sky
More important concern of lighting is energy waste
Can shield light so it is directed downward
Can use time controls so light is only used when needed
Can use energy efficient sources such as low pressure sodium sources