1. Chapter Twelve: Air

2. Section One: What Causes Air Pollution
When harmful substances build up in the air to unhealthy levels
Primary and Secondary Pollutants
Primary: pollutant put in the air directly from human activities
Ex: Household products, vehicles, power plants
Secondary: when primary pollutants react with each other or natural substances such as water vapor
Ex: ground level ozone

3. Section One: What Causes Air Pollution
Motor Vehicle Emissions
1/3 of air pollution comes from vehicles
The Clean Air Act
Gives the EPA authority to regulate vehicle emissions
California Zero Emission Vehicle Program
Created in 1990
Hybrid and Electric Cars

4. Section One: What Causes Air Pollution
Industrial Air Pollution
Burn fossil fuels
Release sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and VOCs
VOCs: chemical compounds that release toxic fumes
Regulating Air Pollution from Industry
Clean Air Act requires industries regulate air pollution

5. Section One: What Causes Air Pollution
Smog and Temperature Inversions
Smog: when air pollution hangs over urban areas and reduces visibility
Temperature Inversions: happens when warm air does not rise and traps pollutants near the surface of the Earth

6. Section Two: Air, Noise, and Light Pollution
Short-term Effects of Air Pollution on Health
Headache, nausea, irritation to eyes, nose, and throat
Long-term Effects of Air Pollution on Health
Emphysema, lung cancer, heart disease
May damage the lungs of children

7. Section Two: Air, Noise, and Light Pollution
Indoor Air Pollution
Chemical are used in paints, carpets, building material
Radon gas: second leading cause of lung cancer
Asbestos: was used in building materials but banned by U.S. in 1970s
Fibers cut and scar the lungs and cause difficulty breathing
Noise Pollution
Unwanted noise and noise that causes hearing loss
Light Pollution
Diminishes view of the night sky and wastes energy

8. Section Three: Acid Precipitation
What causes Acid Precipitation?
Acid precipitation: precipitation that contains a high concentration of acids
Comes from burning fossil fuels
Can kill living things because of low pH
pH: a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is
Your blood has a pH of 7.2

9. Section Three: Acid Precipitation
How Acid Precipitation Affects Soils and Plants
Drops the pH and causes an increase in the acid concentration
Causes some nutrients to dissolve or be washed away with rain water
Causes toxic metals to be absorbed by plant roots and damages roots

10. Section Three: Acid Precipitation
Aquatic Ecosystems
Kills fish and other aquatic organisms
Acid Shock: the influx of acidic water from melted snow that flows into bodies of water and causes a rapid change in pH
Acid Precipitation and Humans
Toxic metals in fish, crops, and water
Damages forestry and fishing industry
Can dissolve concrete, marble, and limestone
Leads to destruction of building and monuments

11. Section Three: Acid Precipitation
International Conflict and Cooperation
Pollutants may be released in one area and carried away as precipitation in another area
Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement
Reduce emissions that flow across the Canada-U.S. border
Europe has made similar efforts
China does not participate