Air Pollutions

Question 1

Adverse Effects

Answer 1

• Human Health: acute and chronic
  
  • asthma, bronchitis, CV disease, emphysema
• Vegetation & Agriculture: damage to plants and forest
• Property: house/car paint, rubber
• Aesthetics: malodorous, visual effects
• Economy: increased absenteeism
• Weather: cloud seeding, warming

Question 2

Pollutants

Answer 2

• O3 (Photochemical Oxidants)
  
  • Respiratory irritant
• CO (Carbon monoxide): incomplete combustion
  
  • Asphyxiant
• SO2 (Sulfur dioxide) & TSP: combustion of fossil fuel
  
  • Exacerbates existing pulmonary disease
• NO (Nitrogen oxide)/NO2: high tempurature combustion
  
  • Bronchoconstriction increase in respiratory infection
• HC’s (Hydrocarbon, Ozone): incomplete combustion, evaporation.
• Pb (lead):

Question 3

Effect of weather

Answer 3

• Movement of air and accumulation of pollutants
• Heated air rises- heat exchange via radiation, convection, and conduction
• Inversion- surface air is cooler than that above- it traps contaminants
  
  • Most persistance in fall and winter
  • Fog forms in cool areas (valleys)
  • Concrete surfaces of buildings create microclimate

Question 4

Air Pollution Case Studies

Answer 4

• Industrialized areas prone to fog and pollutants
• Muse River Valley in 1930- 63 dead
• Donora, PA in 1948- 20 dead/400 ill
• London soft coal and industrial emissions
• NYC mid 50’s-60’s- death during inversions

Question 5

Air Pollution and Diseases

Answer 5

• COPD: exacerbation
  
  • Cigarette smoking is leading cause
• Bronchial asthma: related to allergy, can precipitate attacks
• Acute respiratory infections: shown for both adults
• Cardiovascular disease: from carbon monoxide
• Lung: incidence of CA in urban vs. rural
• Others: heavy metals, asbestos, radionuclides

Question 6

Acid Rain

Answer 6

• Sulfur monoxide+ nitrogen oxide+H2O vapor+sunlight
• Sulfuric acid and nitric acid
• Causes
  
  • crop and forest damage
  • Lakes unhabitable for fish
  • building damage

Question 7

Indoor Air Pollution

Answer 7

• Caused by
  
  • Inadequate ventilation
  • Infectious agents- viruses, bacteria
  • Allergens- mold spores, dander and dust
  • Combution Products- CO, NO2, and cigarette smoke
  • Household Products- cleaning fluids, paint thinners, pesticides, glue
  • Building materials- asbestos, formaldehyde, urethane foam, and radon

Question 8

Prevention

Answer 8

• Est. EPA standards- National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
• Monitoring pollution levels
• Reduce pollution- cleaner fuels
• Limit pollution emissions- catalytic converters, electronic fuel injection, lead free gas
• Use public transport