Air pollution Flashcards
How is air pollution similar to climate change
both are caused by human activities (e.g., burning fossil fuels, deforestation).
release harmful gases (e.g., carbon dioxide, methane).
harm the environment (e.g., damage to ecosystems, melting ice).
affect human health (e.g., respiratory issues, heat stress).
require global action to reduce emissions and protect the planet.
can lead to extreme weather events (e.g., heatwaves, storms).
linked to industrial and transportation pollution.
How is air pollution different to climate change
Air pollution refers to the contamination of the air by harmful substances,
while climate change refers to long-term shifts in average weather patterns.
While climate change is primarily driven by greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels,
air pollution encompasses a broader range of pollutants like particulate matter, ozone, and other gases, some of which are also climate change-related.
What is the difference between a primary and a secondary air pollutant?
Primary - A pollutant that is directly emitted into the air from a source.
CO - car exhaust
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) from factories and vehicles.
Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) from power plants.
Secondary
A pollutant that forms in the air when primary pollutants react with other substances, often with sunlight or atmospheric chemicals.
Ozone (O₃), which forms when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in sunlight. particulate matter, acid rain
Why are particulate matter air pollutants particularly important?
they can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, causing serious health issues like respiratory and cardiovascular problems, and even premature death, especially in vulnerable populations.
widespread impact - affects a lot of people
contributes to smog and haze
particles can settle on surfaces like water bodies, plants, and soil, harming ecosystems and reducing the quality of water and soil.
can remain in the atmosphere for a long time
can travel long distances - transboundary
What is the recipe for Smog?
Sunlight hits nitrogen oxides and VOCs in the atmosphere.
Chemical reactions occur, and ozone (O₃) is produced near the ground.
The ozone combines with other chemicals and pollutants to form smog, which can include harmful particles, ground-level ozone, and other toxic compounds.
Particulate Matter environmental impacts
can settle on the ground (water, soil, vegetation) thus hurting the environment, gets in water and reduces o2 levels and introduces toxic stuff, when it gets into soil it can alter the soil’s chemistry, articulates on plant leaves can reduce photosynthesis by blocking sunlight, stunting plant growth, and reducing crop yields.
Ozone environmental impacts
Ozone is toxic to plants and crops, reducing their growth and photosynthesis. It can cause leaf damage, stunted growth, and lower agricultural yields.
Ozone can harm forests by affecting tree health, reducing growth, and weakening their resistance to diseases and harsh weather. The negative effects on plants and trees can disrupt entire ecosystems, impacting wildlife that depend on these plants for food and shelter.
Lead environmental impacts
Lead can accumulate in soil, particularly near industrial sites, old paint, or areas with high vehicle emissions. This contamination affects plant life and can enter the food chain.
carbon monoxide environmental impacts
Air Quality Degradation:
High concentrations of CO contribute to poor air quality, especially in urban areas with high traffic or industrial emissions.
sulfur dioxide environmental impacts
Acid Rain:
SO₂ reacts with water vapor in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid, leading to acid rain. Acid rain harms soil quality, water bodies, and vegetation, damaging crops and forests.
nitrous oxides environmental impacts
human, plant, animal health, acid raid
Ozone - why is it both good and bad for the environment and where is it good, where is it bad
“good” in the stratosphere where it shields Earth from harmful UV radiation, but “bad” in the troposphere where it’s a pollutant, damaging to human health and the environment.
Explain two ways air pollution can negatively affect human health.
Respiratory Problems:
Air pollution, especially from pollutants like particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂), can irritate the respiratory system
Cardiovascular Diseases:
Long-term exposure to air pollution can contribute to heart disease by causing inflammation and oxidative stress in the cardiovascular system
Explain two ways that air pollution can negatively affect the environment
Damage to Vegetation and Ecosystems:
Air pollution, particularly ground-level ozone, can harm plant life by disrupting photosynthesis, leading to stunted growth, leaf damage, and reduced agricultural yields
Acid Rain:
Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) released from industrial processes, power plants, and vehicles can combine with water vapor in the atmosphere to form acid rain. Acid rain lowers the pH of soils and water bodies, damaging plant life, forest ecosystems, and aquatic organisms. It can harm trees by leaching essential nutrients from the soil and can make water bodies too acidic for many fish and other aquatic organisms to survive.
Air pollution can be an environmental justice issue. What does that mean?
these communities are unfairly burdened with the negative impacts of pollution while lacking meaningful involvement in environmental decisions. (lower income)
what is a “gap” in primary literature and why does it matter?
refers to an area or topic that existing research has not fully explored or addressed.
an area within a field of study where existing literature or knowledge is incomplete or insufficient
Identifying these gaps is important because it helps researchers find opportunities to contribute new knowledge, avoid repeating studies, and guide future investigations.
ozone indoor causes
Indoor -
Electronics (like copiers and printers, which can emit small amounts of ozone)
Air purifiers that generate ozone
Cleaning products (some produce VOCs that contribute to ozone formation)
ozone outdoor causes
outdoor - Vehicle emissions (cars, trucks)
Industrial activities (factories, power plants)
Fossil fuel combustion (electricity generation)
Solvents and chemical products (paint, cleaning supplies)
Biological emissions (from trees and vegetation, which release VOCs)
ozone human health impact
Ozone irritates the airways, leading to coughing, throat irritation, and shortness of breath. It worsens asthma, causing more frequent attacks and making it harder for individuals to breathe.
pm indoor causes
cars, cooking, factories, heating, cigarettes,
pm outdoor causes
wildfires, agricultural activities
pm human health impact
lung irritation due to inhaling
Heart disease due to inhaling and the particles cause inflammation on heart and blood vessels
carbon monoxide indoor causes
Indoor - gas appliances, heating services, fireplaces, tobacco smoke
carbon monoxide outdoor causes
Outdoor - vehicle emissions, Industrial & power plant emissions, wildfires
