2. AIR POLLUTION

3. What is Pollution?
Pollution: an unwanted change in an environment caused by the introduction of harmful conditions
Point source pollution: comes from definite source ex-smokestack
Non-point source pollution: source of pollution difficult to pinpoint ex- runoff from land

4. Primary Vs. Secondary
Primary pollutant: enters the environment as-is; already a pollutant ex: particulates from a smokestack
Secondary pollutant: reacts with other chemicals and becomes a pollutant ex: smog

5. Air Pollution Can be visible or invisible
Anything that is in the air in quantities that are detrimental, whether from manmade or natural activities.
Air pollution can travel a long distance and often affects areas where it wasn’t produced
Ex- Alaska’s North Slope receives pollution from Europe and Asia due to air currents

6. Sulfur Oxides Sulfur Oxides ( SOx):
From burning fossil fuels: contributor to acid rain (combines with water to form sulfuric acid), generation of electricity (coal-fired plants), and industry
regulated by Clean Air Act; decreasing
respiratory irritant; also lowers pH of water and harms animal and plant life, structures

7. Acid Deposition Sometimes called Acid Rain Has a pH below 5.6
It is a regional air pollution problem because cities and towns down wind of coal-burning powerplants often feel the worst affects.
Calcium Carbonate or limestone is often used to help change the pH of soils.

8. Nitrogen Oxides Nitrogen Oxides (NOX):
fossil fuels; vehicle emissions, electricity plants, industry
acid rain contributor (forms nitric acid with water)
Clean Air Act, also decreasing
same health issues as SOx

9. Electrostatic Precipitation
SOx and NOx are controlled in industry by “scrubbers” : systems that inject a dry reagent or slurry into a dirty exhaust stream to "wash out" acid gases, and charged plates to attract particulate matter.

10. Carbon Monoxide Carbon Monoxide (CO):
vehicle emissions, construction and heavy equipment, fires, industry
poisonous, causes suffocation, aggravation of respiratory ailments
Regulated by the Clean Air Act

11. Lead
Lead (Pb)
since removed from fuels and other products like paint, levels in air have dropped dramatically
still an issue in older buildings
toxic; accumulates and damages nervous system
regulated under CAA

12. Ground-level Ozone Ground-level ozone:
created by chem. Rxns b/t oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in presence of sunlight
respiratory irritant; can reduce lung function and inflame the linings of the lungs
primary component of smog
reg. by CAA

13. Smog/Ozone
Formed when volatile organic compounds (like paint fumes) and nitrogen oxides (car exhaust) react in the presence of sunlight .
Children in high-ozone communities developed asthma at a rate three times higher than those in the low-ozone communities. (California study).
Can make those with heart and lung disease more at risk; held near ground by thermal inversions
Crop damage

14. Particulate Matter
Particulate Matter: also known as particle pollution or PM
mixture of small solid particles and liquid droplets
made up of acid, organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles
effects: respiratory irritant, decreased lung function, lung disease (ex-cancer)

15. Dust or Particulate Matter
Comes from smokestacks, farmers’ fields, construction sites, quarries, wind erosion
Reduces visibility
Small particles (< 10 μm) can be inhaled
Studies show that over a long period of time, this can cause lung damage

16. Pollution from fuel burning – factories, power plants, lawn mowers, BBQ grills, forest fires
CO reduces the ability of the blood to carry oxygen, effects central nervous system, causes sluggishness.
NOx contributes to ozone formation, adds nutrients to Chesapeake Bay, acid rain component.
SO2 causes acid rain, may irritate lining of lungs.

17. Hazardous Air Pollutants
Approximately 188 chemicals on list, including mercury ( from coal plants) lead, formaldehyde
Causes birth defects
Cancer
Burning eyes, lungs, skin
Damage to the environment

18. Indoor Air Pollution
Air quality in homes is also a concern- accumulations of dust, dander, mold spores, VOC’s released from furniture, carpets, paints, etc.,
as our houses become more energy efficient their air quality can decrease!

19. Indoor Air Pollutants Radon – 222 Asbestos Formaldahyde Tobacco Smoke
Carbon monoxide

20. Radon-222 Naturally occurring colorless and odorless radioactive gas.
Radon is found in soil and rock surrounding a house foundation.
Long term exposure can cause lung cancer.
If detected, should be vented to outside or source sealed off

21. Asbestos
A material often found in older house and buildings. Used to insulate pipes, ceiling tiles, and floor tiles.
When asbestos becomes old it is known as friable.
Friable asbestos is dangerous because it can be inhaled into ones lungs and scar the lung tissue causing lung cancer.

22. Formaldehyde A colorless, extremely irritating chemical.
Found in many building materials such as plywood, particleboard, paneling, furniture, drapes, adhesives in carpeting.

23. Tobacco Smoke and Carbon Monoxide
Cigarettes
Cause lung cancer, respiratory ailments, heart disease.
Carbon Monoxide is caused by faulty furnaces, unvented gas stoves and kerosene heaters and wood stoves that don’t burn efficiently.

24. Regional Haze

25. Regulations to Protect the Air
Industrial Revolution created soot, smoke and other pollutants which caused health problems and many deaths.
Local jurisdictions were responsible for regulating pollution.
1970 the newly formed Environmental Protection Agency was tasked with the Clean Air Act.

26. Clean Air Act Sets standards for air quality (NAAQS)
Based on health studies
Protects the most sensitive people
Requires new sources to use pollution controls
Older sources will eventually get phased out (in theory)
Major sources must show no impact or must reduce pollutants if modifying or expanding

27. What can you do to reduce air pollution?
Carpool or reduce trips
Do not let your car idle
Use water-based paints, low-VOC solvents
Consider hybrid cars
Conserve electricity
Recycle goods
No open burning
Maintain heaters/AC
Use hand tools for yard work
Buy low-energy appliances
Insulate your home