Air pollution and human health Flashcards
- On average, how much is the UK life expectancy estimated to be reduced by the presence of air pollution?
reduces by 8 months
The World health Organisation estimated that ambient air pollution caused ……….premature deaths worldwide in 2012
3.7 million
what is AQI
Air Quality Index
what is the air quality index
way of communicating to the public the level of air pollution and provides health advice
name 5 pollutants used to calculate the UK AQI
nitrogen diozide
sulphur dioxide
ozone
particulates < 2.5µm (PM2.5), Particles < 10µm (PM10)
At what sizes is particulate matter (aerosol) air pollution most harmful to health, and why?
large aerosol particles are effectively filtered through the body before reaching the lungs whereas smaller particles penetrate into the respiratory system therefore influence health more
why is there legistation focusion on the concentration of particulate matter <2.5 micro-meters
it has a big impact on health
- What air pollution event prompted the introduction of the UK Clean Air Act?
the great smog of 1952
how many people died in the great smog of 1952
4000
when was the clean air act introduced
1952
what were the aims of the clean air act
introduce smoke control areas
relocate power plants out of urban areas increase the hight of chimney stacks
Describe the difference between chronic and acute health effects.
acute - short term, high levels of exposre and symptoms experienced within hours
chronic - low level long term exposure with disease syndroms developing several decades later
What role do observational monitoring stations play in the UK Air Quality Strategy?
measure the levels of key air pollution in ambient air, check air quality and ensure targets are met
where are monitoring stations kept
polluted urban regions to capture the highest levels of air pollution
Ozone is a secondary pollutant. What does that mean?
not directly emitted but is formed in the atmosphere
