1. Air pollution
OSH 320

2. Pollutants Natural Pollutants Pollution caused by humans
Mount Helens-1980
Pollen, ragweed and gases
Pollution caused by humans
Primary Pollutants-CO, SO2, Particulates, VOC, etc.
Secondary Pollutants-come from primary
NO + water=Nitric Acid

3. Carbon monoxide Colorless gas
A product from incomplete combustion of organic material (wood, coal, oil, natural gas and gasoline)
7% comes from human activities (50X in major cities)
93% of the CO in the global atmosphere is from natural sources
Methane from wetlands

4. What are industrial risks?
Forklifts
Sewer gases
Confined space
OSHA PEL-50 ppm
STEL-400 ppm
NIOSH Recommends 35 ppm

5. Symptoms of CO Poisoning
Dull headache
Weakness
Dizziness
Nausea/Vomiting
Shortness of breath
Confusion

6. History Clean Air Act caused a big reduction in the 70’s
CO fell from 183 million metric tons in the 70’s to 96 million metric tons in 2005

7. Oxides of Sulfur Source is sulfur containing fuels (oil & coal)
Colorless gas
Sulfur oxides combine with water to create sulfuric acid
Produced by power plants & certain industrial sources

8. Symptoms of Sulfur Oxides
Respiratory irritant
Aggravates asthma
Other Lung & Heart Diseases

9. Particulate Matter Small liquid and solid particles suspended in air
Length of suspension depends on weight of the particulates
Coal burning operations (power plants, steel mills, foundries)
Heavy metals-leaded gas

10. Symptoms of lead poisoning
Damage to the liver, kidneys and blood
Impairs brain development in you children
Lead levels are 100 times the level of 2 centuries ago
Higher elevations especially

11. VOC’s Organic compound that evaporates quickly Hydrogen and carbon
Examples: benzene, methane and ethylene
Some react with Nitrous Oxides in the presence of light to cause “photochemical smog”
Evaporation from gas tanks is a problem

12. Symptoms of VOC’s Organ damage Serious chronic diseases
Various types of cancer

13. Ozone Brownish haze seen in urban areas Photochemical smog
Cloudy days, ozone production is reduced
Night time it stops

14. Ozone Symptoms Causes permanent lung damage
Chromosome damage in rodents
Stiffening of the lung wall
Runner’s in large cities are at high risk

16. Ozone concentrations

17. Hands on CO Activity
Field test CO meter on exhaust system of a car

18. Assignment for Next week
Complete “your” carbon foot print
Use free calculator located on
Enter fuel
Enter data for your home
Paper due with your results and plan to reduce next Friday