2.13. Urban Air Quality

Question 1

What is smog?

Answer 1

A mixture of fog and smoke particles

Question 2

What causes smog?

Answer 2

The burning of coal mostly

Question 3

Effects of smog

Answer 3

Respiratory problems and some traffic accidents

Question 4

What causes photochemical smog?

Answer 4

The action of sunlight on nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons (vehicle exhaust) causes a chemical reaction which results in the production of ozone (this is low level ozone which isn’t the same as high level ozone)

Question 5

Effects of photochemical smog

Answer 5

Damage to plants, headaches, coughs, eye irritation, chest pains

Question 6

Ozone is…

Answer 6

Good high up and bad nearby

Question 7

Pollutants from vehicles

Answer 7

• Carbon monoxide is a colourless, tasteless, odourless, poisonous gas produced by incomplete combustion of fuel -> it’s estimated 90% of carbon monoxide emissions in the UK are from road transport
• Nitrogen dioxide reacts with hydrocarbons in presence of sunlight to create ozone and contributes to formation of particles -> 50% of total nitrogen oxide emissions from transport
• Particles or particulate matter are tiny bits of solids or liquids suspended in the air

Question 8

Social impacts of CO

Answer 8

Affects transport of O2 around the body by blood, breathing in low levels can result in headaches, nausea and fatigue

Question 9

Social impacts of nitrogen dioxide

Answer 9

Can inflame the lining of the lungs and impacts are more pronounced in people with asthma

Question 10

Social impacts of particulates

Answer 10

PM10 can settle in the airway and deep in the lungs, causing health problems

Question 11

Environmental impacts of nitrogen dioxide

Answer 11

Oxides of nitrogen can cause accelerated weatherings of buildings and acid rain.

Question 12

Economic impacts of vehicles and burning fossil fuels

Answer 12

• Loss of productive work days
• Cost on health services
• Cost to repair buildings

Question 13

Pollutants of burning fossil fuels

Answer 13

• Particulates or particulate matter
• Sulphur dioxide is a colourless gas with a strong odour produced when a material or fuel containing sulphur dioxide is burned -> coal and oil

Question 14

Burning fossil fuels: social impacts of particulate matter

Answer 14

PM10 can settle in the airway and deep in the lungs, causing health problems

Question 15

Burning fossil fuels: social impacts of sulphur dioxide

Answer 15

Short term exposure of SO2 may cause coughing, tightening or the chest and narrowing of the airways

Question 16

Burning fossil fuels: environmental impacts of SO2

Answer 16

Produces haze, acid rain, damage to lichens, plants and corrosion of buildings

Question 17

Legislation strategies

Answer 17

• In Scotland, local authorities can do roadside emission tests
• Clean Air Act 1956
• Road Vehicles Regulation

Question 18

Technical innovation strategies

Answer 18

• Electric cars
• Trams

Question 19

Vehicle restrictions and incentives strategies

Answer 19

• Car pool lanes
• Bus lanes
• In Mexico City, drivers are banned from using their cars one weekday per week, based on the last digit of their number plate

Question 20

Urban air quality causes:

Answer 20

• Air pollution varies with time of year and air pressure. Concentration of pollutants may increase five or six fold in winter because temp inversions trap them over a city
• Particulate pollution is caused by the release of particles and noxious gases into the atmosphere. They are largely caused by the contribution of fossil fuels. A combination of dust, soot and gases are produced from vehicles and industrial processes.
• Photochemical smog is a form of air pollution that occurs mainly in cities and can be dangerous to health. Exhaust fumes become trapped by temperature inversions and, in the presence of sunlight, low level ozone forms. It’s associated with high pressure systems.

Question 21

Impacts of urban air quality

Answer 21

Air quality in urban areas is poorer than in the surrounding countryside. This results in negative impacts on our health and environment.