2.13. Urban Air Quality Flashcards
What is smog?
A mixture of fog and smoke particles
What causes smog?
The burning of coal mostly
Effects of smog
Respiratory problems and some traffic accidents
What causes photochemical smog?
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)
Effects of photochemical smog
Damage to plants, headaches, coughs, eye irritation, chest pains
Ozone is…
Good high up and bad nearby
Pollutants from vehicles
- 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
Social impacts of CO
Affects transport of O2 around the body by blood, breathing in low levels can result in headaches, nausea and fatigue
Social impacts of nitrogen dioxide
Can inflame the lining of the lungs and impacts are more pronounced in people with asthma
Social impacts of particulates
PM10 can settle in the airway and deep in the lungs, causing health problems
Environmental impacts of nitrogen dioxide
Oxides of nitrogen can cause accelerated weatherings of buildings and acid rain.
Economic impacts of vehicles and burning fossil fuels
- Loss of productive work days
- Cost on health services
- Cost to repair buildings
Pollutants of burning fossil fuels
- 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
Burning fossil fuels: social impacts of particulate matter
PM10 can settle in the airway and deep in the lungs, causing health problems
Burning fossil fuels: social impacts of sulphur dioxide
Short term exposure of SO2 may cause coughing, tightening or the chest and narrowing of the airways