Ch.7.6 Flashcards
What do human activities cause?
- The disruption of the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in Nature.
- The release of harmful substances to the air, leading to poor air quality.
Burning fossil fuels in ______________________, _________________ and __________________ release a ____________________________________, such as ______________________, ________________________, _________________ and _________________________.
power stations, factories, vehicles, large amount of air pollutants, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, suspended particulates.
What are the harmful effects of carbon monoxide to our health?
- reduces oxygen content in blood
- causes headaches, fainting and even death
What are the harmful effects of sulphur dioxide to our health?
-causes irritation to our breathing system and eyes
Where does sulphur dioxide come from?
Low quality coal and power stations.
What are the harmful effects of nitrogen oxides to our health?
-cause irritation to our breathing system and eyes
What are the harmful effects of suspended particulates to our health?
- causes respiratory diseases (eg bronchitis and asthma)
- causes lung diseases
- causes respiratory problems (eg coughing and wheezing)
- visibility decreases
What is the full name of the AQHI?
The Air Quality Health Index
The AQHI is a way to:
—inform
—help
the public of the short-term health risks of air pollution
the public take measures to protect their health
What is the AQHI based on?
the measurement of certain air pollutants at air quality monitoring stations.
Which department is responsible for setting up air quality monitoring stations in different districts?
The environmental protection department (EPD).
The AQHI is reported on a scale of ____ to ____ and _______, and grouped into ________________________________________________.
1-10, 10+, five health risk categories
What are the actions required for the first health risk category of the AQHI? What levels does this category include?
No action is needed, 1-3
What are the actions required for the second health risk category of the AQHI? What levels does this category include?
No action is needed, 4-6
What are the actions required for the third health risk category of the AQHI? What levels does this category include?
People sensitive to air pollution: Should reduce outdoor activities and the time of staying outdoors.
Outdoor workers/ general pubic: No action is needed
7
What are the actions required for the fourth health risk category of the AQHI? What levels does this category include?
People sensitive to air pollution: should reduce outdoor activities and the time of staying outdoors to the minimum
Outdoor workers/ general public: Should reduce outdoor activities and the time of staying outdoors
8-10
What are the actions required for the five health risk category of the AQHI? What levels does this category include?
People sensitive to air pollution: Should avoid outdoor activities
Outdoor workers: Should reduce outdoor activities and the time of staying outdoors
General public: should reduce outdoor activities and the time of staying outdoors to the minimum
10+
List out the four different types of people categorised in the health advice given by EPD.
People with existing heart or respiratory diseases, children and elderly, outdoor workers, general public
The EPD:
—reports the ________________________ in different districts every _____________
—also provides _______________________ for the __________ day
real-time AQHI, hour
AQHI forecasts, next
Why does the EPD report the AQHI?
This alerts the public, especially children, the elderly and those with heart or respiratory diseases, to take the corresponding health advices.
The ___________ the index of the AQHI, the ____________ the air quality.
higher, poorer
where does carbon monoxide come from?
vehicles.
where do nitrogen oxides come from?
vehicles.
where do suspended particulates come from?
vehicles and factories.
sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides can ___________________________________________.
dissolve in water to form acid rain.
