Chapter 20 Air Pollution Part 2 Indoor Air Pollution

Chapter Overview Questions  What are the harmful effects of indoor air pollutants?  How can we prevent and control air pollution?  What laws and protocols are in place to control air pollution?

INDOOR AIR POLLUTION  Indoor air pollution usually is a greater threat to human health than outdoor air pollution.  According to the EPA, the four most dangerous indoor air pollutants in developed countries are: Tobacco smoke. Tobacco smoke. Formaldehyde. Formaldehyde. Radioactive radon-222 gas. Radioactive radon-222 gas. Very small fine and ultrafine particles (PM 10 ’s). Very small fine and ultrafine particles (PM 10 ’s).

Case Study: Radioactive Radon  Radon-222, a radioactive gas found in some soils and rocks, can seep into some houses and increase the risk of lung cancer. Sources and paths of entry for indoor radon-222 gas Sources and paths of entry for indoor radon-222 gas. Figure 19-13

Fig , p. 454 Outlet vents for furnaces and dryers Open window Openings around pipes Cracks in wall Slab joints Wood stove Cracks in floor Clothes dryer Sump pump Furnace Slab Radon-222 gas Uranium-238 Soil

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)  Sick Building Syndrome is the term used to describe a combination of ailments associated with places of work or residence.  Building paints, adhesives, solvents, molds and carpets have caused dizziness, headaches, coughing, and other flu like symptoms.  Even new buildings with reduced air flow can be “sick” buildings.  Need for building material code standards, proper ventilation and air exchange systems.

Buildings in Developing Countries  Indoor burning of wood, charcoal, dung, crop residues, and coal in open pits or stoves exposes dwellers to high levels of polluted particulates.

Home Health – what’s in your closet?  Often home furnaces, piping and cleaning products or paints can cause home health issues.  Prolonged or acute exposure to indoor air pollutants can cause:  Asthma  Lung cancer  Chronic bronchitis  Emphysema  Death

Chloroform Benzo-  -pyrene Styrene Radon-222 Methylene Chloride Tobacco Smoke Carbon Monoxide Asbestos Nitrogen Oxides 1, 1, 1- Trichloroethane Particulates FormaldehydeTetrachloroethylene Para-dichlorobenzene Fig , p. 453

THIS INDOOR AIR POLLUTION “Mite” CREEP YOU OUT  Household dust mites that feed on human skin and dust, live in materials such as bedding and furniture fabrics. Can cause asthma attacks and allergic reactions in some people. Can cause asthma attacks and allergic reactions in some people. Making me itch people- Making me itch people- Moving along quickly Moving along quickly Figure 19-12

HEALTH EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION  Your respiratory system can help protect you from air pollution, but some air pollutants can overcome these defenses. Figure 19-14

Fig , p. 455 Epithelial cell Cilia Nasal cavity Oral cavity Goblet cell (secreting mucus) Pharynx (throat) Mucus Trachea (windpipe) Bronchus Bronchioles Right lung Bronchioles Alveolar sac (sectioned) Alveoli Alveolar duct

HEALTH EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION Normal human lungs (left) and the lungs of a person who died of emphysema (right). Figure 19-15

Air Pollution is a Big Killer  Each year, air pollution prematurely kills about 3 million people, mostly from indoor air pollution (PM 10 ’s) in developing countries.  In the U.S., the EPA estimates that annual deaths related to indoor and outdoor air pollution range from 150,000 to 350,000. According to the EPA, each year more than 125,000 Americans get cancer from breathing soot-laden diesel fumes from buses, trucks, tractors and bulldozers. According to the EPA, each year more than 125,000 Americans get cancer from breathing soot-laden diesel fumes from buses, trucks, tractors and bulldozers. 1 bulldozer fumes = 26 car fumes 1 bulldozer fumes = 26 car fumes

Air Pollution is a Big Killer  Spatial distribution of premature deaths from air pollution in the United States. Figure 19-16

HAP (Hazardous Air Pollutants)  EPA’s national emission standards for 188 Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP’s) that may cause health and ecological effects.  HAPS include:  Carcinogens  Mutagens  Neurotoxins  Teratogens  And other chemical toxins

Hazardous (Indoor) Air Pollutants

OCHO…..PM 10 ’s  Suspended Particulate Matter (PM 10 ) which include smoke, dust, diesel soot, lead and asbestos cause irritation to the lungs and nasal passage. (PM 10 ’s are Diameter 1/7 th the width of hair)  Many PM 10 ’s are mutagens, teratogens and carcinogens.  Wearing masks and using air filters which reduce PM 10 ’s in homes and businesses improve health !

Clean up your ACT ! Preventing and Reducing Pollution  The Clean Air Acts (1970, 1977, and 1990) in the United States have greatly reduced outdoor air pollution from six major pollutants: Carbon monoxide Carbon monoxide Nitrogen oxides Nitrogen oxides Sulfur dioxides Sulfur dioxides Suspended particulate matter (less than PM-10) Suspended particulate matter (less than PM-10)

PREVENTING AND REDUCING AIR POLLUTION  Environmental scientists point out several deficiencies in the Clean Air Act: The U.S. continues to rely on cleanup rather than prevention. The U.S. continues to rely on cleanup rather than prevention. The U.S. Congress has failed to increase fuel- efficiency standards for automobiles. The U.S. Congress has failed to increase fuel- efficiency standards for automobiles. Regulation of emissions from motorcycles and two-cycle engines remains inadequate. Regulation of emissions from motorcycles and two-cycle engines remains inadequate. There is little or no regulation of air pollution from oceangoing ships in American ports. There is little or no regulation of air pollution from oceangoing ships in American ports.

PREVENTING AND REDUCING AIR POLLUTION Airports are exempt from many air pollution regulations. Airports are exempt from many air pollution regulations. The Act does not regulate the greenhouse gas CO 2. The Act does not regulate the greenhouse gas CO 2. The Act has failed to deal seriously with indoor air pollution. The Act has failed to deal seriously with indoor air pollution. There is a need for better There is a need for better enforcement of the enforcement of the Clean Air Act. Clean Air Act.

The Clean Air Act has failed !  The law has also failed to deal seriously with indoor air pollution even though it is a very serious threat to human health.  Enforcement is needed !  The Clean Air Act has not reduced the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse Gases  Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere  Many gases exhibit these “greenhouse” properties. Some of them occur in nature (water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide), while others are exclusively human-made (like gases used for aerosols).

PREVENTING AND REDUCING AIR POLLUTION  Executives of companies claim that correcting these deficiencies would cost too much, harm economic growth, and cost jobs.  However- studies have shown the cost has actually increased economic growth and caused the companies to create jobs primarily dealing with cleanup.

Cap and Trade – Buying and Selling pollution rights.  To help reduce SO 2 emissions from coal burning factories- the Clean Air Act authorized an emission trading (cap-and- trade) program. Enables the 110 most polluting power plants to buy and sell SO 2 pollution rights. Enables the 110 most polluting power plants to buy and sell SO 2 pollution rights. These credits are rights to emit air pollution from their smokestacks. They can use them or save the credits for use later if they plan on expanding or building. If they do not burn SO 2 they can trade the credits. These credits are rights to emit air pollution from their smokestacks. They can use them or save the credits for use later if they plan on expanding or building. If they do not burn SO 2 they can trade the credits.

Solutions: Reducing Outdoor Air Pollution  There are a of ways to prevent and control air pollution from coal-burning facilities. Electrostatic precipitator: are used to attract negatively charged particles in a smokestack into a collector. Electrostatic precipitator: are used to attract negatively charged particles in a smokestack into a collector. Wet scrubber: fine mists of water vapor trap particulates and convert them to a sludge that is collected and disposed of usually in a landfill. Wet scrubber: fine mists of water vapor trap particulates and convert them to a sludge that is collected and disposed of usually in a landfill.

Electrostatic Precipitator  Can remove 99% of particulate matter  Does not remove hazardous ultrafine particles.  Produces toxic dust that must be safely disposed of.  Uses large amounts of electricity Figure 19-18

Fig a, p. 460 Clean gas out Negatively charged electrode Positively charged precipitator wall Dirty gas (smoke) in Dust falls off into collector Taken to landfill

Wet Scrubber  Can remove 98% of SO 2 and particulate matter.  Not very effective in removing hazardous fine and ultrafine particles. Figure 19-18

Fig b, p. 460 Clean gas out Separator Liquid water in Dirty gas (smoke) in Polluted liquid (sludge) out

Fig , p. 459 Solutions Stationary Source Air Pollution Prevention Burn low-sulfur coal Disperse emissions above thermal inversion layer with tall smokestacks Remove sulfur from coal Convert coal to a liquid or gaseous fuel Remove pollutants after combustion Shift to less polluting fuels Tax each unit of pollution produced Dispersion or Cleanup

Solutions: Reducing Outdoor Air Pollution  In 2003, fourteen states and a number of U.S. cities sued the EPA to block new rules that would allow older coal-burning power plants to modernize without having to install the most advanced air pollution controls.

Cool it! - Heat Islands and Pollution  Urban heat islands are be significantly warmer than their surroundings causing air temperatures to be 10 degrees higher.  Buildings, bricks, concrete and asphalt hold in heat- heat rises and blankets toxins in.  These conditions along with thermal inversions cause major greenhouse problems.  Solution: Spread the buildings out – disperse greenways and natural surfaces.

Solutions to Reducing Air Pollution  There are ways to prevent and control air pollution from motor vehicles. Because of the Clean Air Act, a new car today in the U.S. emits 75% less pollution than did pre cars. Because of the Clean Air Act, a new car today in the U.S. emits 75% less pollution than did pre cars. However- There is and increase in motor vehicle use in developing countries and many have no pollution control devices However- There is and increase in motor vehicle use in developing countries and many have no pollution control devices and burn leaded gasoline. and burn leaded gasoline.

Fig , p. 460 Solutions Motor Vehicle Air Pollution PreventionCleanup Emission control devices Mass transit Bicycles and walking Less polluting engines Less polluting fuels Improve fuel efficiency Car exhaust inspections twice a year Get older, polluting cars off the road Give buyers large tax write-offs or rebates for buying low-polluting, energy efficient vehicles Stricter emission standards

Indoor Air Pollution  Little effort has been devoted to reducing indoor air pollution even though it poses a much greater threat to human health than outdoor air pollution.  Measures in some countries have been made to: ban indoor smoking, distribute cook stoves to poor families in developing countries and to develop cheap tests for radon gases and formaldehyde.

Fig , p. 461 Solutions Indoor Air Pollution Prevention Cover ceiling tiles & lining of AC ducts to prevent release of mineral fibers Use adjustable fresh air vents for work spaces Increase intake of outside air Ban smoking or limit it to well ventilated areas Change air more frequently Set stricter formaldehyde emissions standards for carpet, furniture, and building materials Circulate a building’s air through rooftop green houses Prevent radon infiltration Use exhaust hoods for stoves and appliances burning natural gas Use office machines in well ventilated areas Use less polluting substitutes for harmful cleaning agents, paints, and other products Install efficient chimneys for wood-burning stoves Cleanup or Dilution

Fig , p. 461 What Can You Do? Indoor Air Pollution Test for radon and formaldehyde inside your home and take corrective measures as needed. Do not buy furniture and other products containing formaldehyde. Remove your shoes before entering your house to reduce inputs of dust, lead, and pesticides. Test your house or workplace for asbestos fiber levels and for any crumbling asbestos materials if it was built before Don't live in a pre-1980 house without having its indoor air tested for asbestos and lead. Do not store gasoline, solvents, or other volatile hazardous chemicals inside a home or attached garage. If you smoke, do it outside or in a closed room vented to the outside. Make sure that wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, and kerosene- and gas-burning heaters are properly installed, vented, and maintained. Install carbon monoxide detectors in all sleeping areas.

Fig , p. 462 Solutions Air Pollution OutdoorIndoor Improve energy efficiency to reduce fossil fuel use Reduce poverty Rely more on lower-polluting natural gas Distribute cheap & efficient cookstoves or solar cookers to poor families in developing countries Rely more on renewable energy (especially solar cells, wind, & solar-produced hydrogen) Reduce or ban indoor smoking Transfer technologies for latest energy efficiency, renewable energy, & pollution prevention to developing countries Develop simple and cheap tests for indoor pollutants such as particulates, radon, and formaldehyde

RELEVANT LAWS and PROTOCOLS  Air Pollution Control Act (1955)- first federal legislation to address air pollution. It identified air pollution as a problem and announced that steps were needed to improve the situation.  Clean Air Act (1963)- reducing air pollution by setting emissions standards for stationary sources.  National Environmental Policy Act (1969)- Required analysis of all long and short term impacts Required analysis of all long and short term impacts

Additional Laws and Protocols  Clean Air Act (1970) – established new primary and secondary standards for air quality, set new limits on emission for both stationary and mobile sources.  Montreal Protocol (1989)- agreement among nations to phase out chemicals that damage the ozone layer.  Clean Air Act (1990) Addresses air quality standards, vehicle emissions, alternative fuel, toxic air pollutants, acid rain, and good ozone depletion.

AND More Laws and Protocols  Pollution Prevention Act (1990)- Required industries to reduce pollution at its source. Reduction can be in terms of volume and/or toxicity.  Kyoto Protocol (1997 and 2001) – agreement among 150 nations requiring greenhouse gas reductions.