Air Pollution TSWBAT: Define air pollution. Identify the six pollutants that harm human health and the environment. Identify the risks of indoor and outdoor air pollution. Identify ways to reduce air pollution.

What is air pollution? The contamination of the earth’s atmosphere by harmful substances Numerous studies have linked it to a wide variety of health problems, including lung disease, cardiovascular disease, and cancer In the US, the EPA (under the Clean Air Act) sets air quality standards to prevent and correct problems related to environmental air pollution

The EPA has identified Six Pollutants that harm human health and the environment: Ozone – highly reactive gas composed of three oxygen atoms. It is both a natural and a man-made product that occurs in the Earth’s upper atmosphere and the lower atmosphere. Upper atmosphere – 6-30 miles above the Earth’s surface; reduces the amount of harmful UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface Lower atmosphere (ground level) – is what we breathe; smog or haze (irritates lungs)

Six Pollutants that harm human health and the environment: 2. Particulate matter (PM) – small particles found in the air, such as dust, soil, soot, smoke, mold, and droplets of liquid 3. Carbon monoxide – colorless, odorless gas that forms when carbon in fuel is not burned completely; outdoor sources include automobile exhaust and industrial processes; can cause sudden illness or death 4. Sulfur dioxide – comes chiefly from power plants, especially those that burn coal; can combine with water to form acid rain

Six Pollutants that harm human health and the environment: 5. Nitrogen oxides – highly reactive gases that form when fuel is burned at high temperatures, as in motor vehicles and power plants 6. Lead – metal found naturally in the environment (air, soil, water, and even inside homes); lead exposure can cause health problems

Air Quality Index (AQI) An index for reporting daily air quality Created by the EPA You can use the AQI to help you avoid unhealthy exposure to air pollution

Temperature Inversion Occurs when a layer of warm air forms above a layer of cool air Air cannot circulate and pollutants are trapped in cooler layer Respiratory illnesses, such as Emphysema is most aggravated by temperature inversion

Greenhouse Effect Trapping of heat by gases in the earth’s atmosphere The gases allow sunlight to enter our atmosphere but block heat from escaping Without the greenhouse effect the planet would be too cold to support life The main greenhouse gas we produce is carbon dioxide (burning of fossil fuels in power plants & motor vehicles)

Greenhouse Effect Human activities have released large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere Greenhouse gases come from burning fossil fuels to produce energy Greenhouse gases act like a blanket around Earth, trapping energy in the atmosphere and causing it to warm = global warming

What can I do at home to reduce greenhouse gases? Replace light fixtures or light bulbs in them with ENERGY STAR qualified products (save approx. $70 a year on energy bills) Look for ENERGY STAR products Heat and cool smartly (change air filters, use programmable thermostats) Seal and insulate homes Reduce, reuse, recycle

What can I do at home to reduce greenhouse gases? Use water efficiently (turn off water while brushing teeth, fix leaky faucets) Be green in your yard Purchase green power Spread the word!

Climate Change Earth’s average temperature has risen 1.4 degree F over the past century Small changes in the average temperature of the planet can cause large and potentially dangerous shifts in climate and weather What are examples of major weather events?

Indoor Air Pollution Research has found that in many cases, the air inside buildings contains more pollutants than the outdoor air, even in the biggest cities Common sources of indoor pollution; Household chemicals Cleaning fluids Pesticides Chemicals used in building and furnishing materials

Sources that cause problems with indoor air quality Carbon monoxide – produced by fuel-burning equipment, such as stoves, furnaces, and fireplaces Asbestos – mineral fiber that was used in the past as insulation (can lead to lung cancer) Radon – an odorless, radioactive gas produced during the natural breakdown of the element uranium in soil and rocks (can cause lung cancer) Fluorocarbons – found in aerosol sprays that cause damage to the ozone layer

Managing Indoor Pollution Identify sources of pollution Home test kits and detectors can help you measure levels of radon and carbon monoxide Increase the ventilation in your home