42: Air Pollution Flashcards
In which layer of the atmosphere do we live?
we live in the troposphere
In which layer of the atmosphere is ozone a normal and beneficial component of air?
the stratosphere
How many of the world’s children breathe toxic air every day?
more than 90% of the world’s children breathe toxic air every day (under the age of 16 (1.8 billion children))
What is air pollution?
presence of chemicals in the air in quantities and duration that are harmful to human health and the environment
What are natural air pollutants?
- natural fires
- terpenes (from forests)
- pollen (causes allergies)
- dust (from volcanos)
What are primary pollutants?
harmful substances emitted directly in that form
What are secondary pollutants?
they are formed when primary pollutants react with each other or with a basic air component
What are the 6 major pollutants?
- particulate matter (PM)
- ozone (ground level)
- nitrogen oxides (NOx) like NO, NO2
- sulfur oxides (SOx) like SO2, SO3
- carbon monoxide (CO)
- lead
What does the EPA do to the 6 major pollutants?
they set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) which limits them
What is particulate matter?
soot or dust; they are classified based on their diameter
What is PM10?
particulate matter that is 10 micrometers and smaller
(dust, pollen, mold, etc.)
What is PM 2.5?
particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometers and smaller
(combustion particles, organic compounds, metals, etc.)
Where does particulate matter come from?
wildfires, industrial activities, motor vehicles, cooking and fuel burning
What is the effect of particulate matter on your health?
- can get into your lungs
- smallest can get into your bloodstream causing heart attacks and strokes and children’s nervous systems
PM is associated with how many deaths in the US?
80,000 deaths
