Air pollution Flashcards
What is the Federal clean air act?
First legislation regarding air pollution control; established in 1963; created US public health services and authorized research to monitor and control air pollution.
How does the US environmental Protection agency address air pollution?
The U.S. EPA sets National Ambient Air Quality Standards for certain (six) pollutants (1970s) considered harmful to public health and the environment. To reduce air pollution nationwide, U.S. EPA adopts and enforces emissions standards for certain stationary, mobile, and area sources.
California Air Resource Board contributed to the following historical air pollution control occurrences:
CARB was established in 1967.
Carb set various emission standards on the six major pollutants and greenhouse gases produced by vehicles and other products.
Carb lead to innovations of cleaner no lead gasoline, catalytic converter, on board diagnostics, Zero Emissions Vehicles.
Carb regulates on manufacture production of air pollutants.
Carb created California Advanced Clean Car programs.
What is State Implementation Plans (SIP)?
A State Implementation Plan (SIP) is a collection of documents and regulations that a local, state, or territory air district uses to enforce, maintain, and implement the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
SIPs also help fulfill other requirements of the Clean Air Act. SIPs are a blueprint and timeline that outlines how a state will ensure compliance with the NAAQS for criteria pollutants.
What is the role of local Air Pollution Control Districts ?
California’s 35 local Air Districts are responsible for regional air quality planning, monitoring, and stationary source and facility permitting. The districts administer air quality improvement grant programs and are CARB’s primary partners in efforts to ensure that all Californians breathe clean air.
What are the Primary air pollutants? Give characteristics.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is colorless & odorless; 95% derived from mooto vehicle exhaust.
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) colorless gas with a pungent odor; 65% produced from electrical utilities, other sources are petroleum refineries, locomotives, larger ships, cement manufacturing.
Nitrogen Dioxide (NOx) has a pungent smell, and is brownish red in color; Major ozone ingredient moto vehicles, electric utilities, industrial. commercial/ residential fuel barriers
Hydrocarbons are colorless & odor is usually faint, and may be similar to that of gasoline or lighter fluid; generally extracted from natural gas and crude oil. (Hydrophobic)
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) colorless & high concentrations have sharp, acidic odor; natural component of atmosphere & leading pollutant.
Toxic air contaminants: Lead, VOCs (volatile Organic Compounds) Outdoor air pollutant, CFCs (Chorofluorocarbons Compounds)
Particulate Matter: PM 10&PM2.5 AKA TSS; types include dust, pollen, and aerosols.
Identify the natural production form of the six major air pollutants?
Primary air pollutants are the six (6);
carbon monoxide (G), sulfur dioxide(G), Nitrogen dioxide(G), Lead (Solid metal & aerosol), Ozone (G), and Particulate Matter under 10 microns (S&L).
List the Secondary Pollutants
Ozone (ground level): NOx + VOCs + UV
Acid Rain: SO2 + NOx emissions transform in atmosphere & return with rain, fog or snow, or gas&particles. Damages/ harms lakes and forests, buildings, health
PAN (Peroxyacyl Nitrates) forms by hydrocarbons + O2 + NO2 + UV
Very potent respiratory & eye irritant @ low ppb levels; loss of chlorophyll in plants, glazing of leaves, Animals primarily affected by ingesting contaminated plants
What is the difference from primary and secondary pollutants?
Primary air pollutants are emitted directly from a source (factories, motors, forest fires)
Secondaries are formed in the lower atmosphere by chemical reactions. Primaries can turn into secondaries. (As, sulfur dioxide is released into the atmosphere it reacts with moisture and form acid rain.)
General Human Health issues caused by air pollutants
Respiratory diseases: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma
Cardiovascular disease
Increased Medical Interventions
What are some General Environmental issues caused by air pollutants?
Ecological Damage
Architectural deterioration
Reduced crop production
Name some general indoor air pollutant issues:
Asbestos
Biogenic pollutants (emissions from natural sources; radon in ground)
Combustion by-products (created by incompletely burned fuels such as oil etc.)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): emitted gases certain liquids/solids
Formaldehyde (pressed board, building products, make up, electronics)
Mold
Tobacco smoke
Name some fugitive pollutants? what makes them fugitive?
Uncontrolled Industrial releases, Street dust, Agriculture dust, and commercial dust.
Fugitive because they enter the home by improper ventilation.
Ways to Sampling and their test methods
Particulate sampling - use of filter to catch particulates
Gas sampling - use canister and pump sucks up particulates
Ringlemann Smoke chart - , giving shades of gray by which the density of columns of smoke rising from stacks may be compared. Developed by Professor Maximilian Ringelmann of Paris.
Tape Sampler - collected particles on tape, compared to beta atten
Stack sampling - Collecting various samples at place of origin
What are the Electrostatic particulate collectors and separators?
Cyclone
air scrubbers
carbon filtration
thermal and catalytic oxidizers
settling chambers
sonic collectors
