Chapter 14: Environment Flashcards
air pollution
ontamination of the air that interferes w/ comfort, safety, & health of living organisms
What are teh 3 major sources of air pollution?
transportation, electric power plants, & industry
What is the difference between primary and secondary pollutants?
primary: emanding directly from transportation, power+industrial plants, & refineries
secondary:air pollutant formed when primary air pollutants react w/ sunlight & atmospheric components to form new substances
What is the difference between photochemical smog and industrial smog?
photochemical smog = haze/fog formed when air pollutants react w/ sunlight aka brown smog
industrial smog (haze/fog formed primarily by sulfur dioxide & suspended particles from burning of coal, aka gray smog)
What is the most dangerous air pollutants?
ozone
Where is ozone found?
in stratosphere but also found at ground level
What is ozone
inorganic molecule considered a pollutant in atmosphere bc it harms human tissue, but considered beneficial in stratosphere bc it screens out uv rays
How does ozone impact human health?
chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, congestion, bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, reduced lung function, & permanent scar tissue
What is thermal inversion?
caused ground level ozone;
a condition that occurs when warm air traps cool air at surface of the earth
What is the clean air act?
the fed. law that provides the gov. w/ authority to address interstate air pollution
what are examples of amendments made during the clean air act?
emission standards for automobiles, emission standards for new industries, & ambient air quality standards for urban areas
What is the environmental protection agency?
the fed. agency primarily responsible for setting maintaining, & enforcing environmental standards/authorizing & overseeing state agencies that enforce established standards- gives state power to punish violators & implement programs
What are criteria pollutants?
most pervasive air pollutants & those of greatest concern in u.s
What are designated pollutants?
sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, ground lvl ozone, respirable particulate matter, & lead
What is the air quality index?
an index that indicates the lvl of pollution in the air & associated health risk ; calculated by epa and metioned on weather channels
What are greenhouse gases?
atmospheric gases, principally carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, ozone, methane, water vapor, & nitrous oxide, that are transparent nto visible light but absorb infrared radiation
What do greenhouses gases do that contribute to global warming?
reduces heat retention; trap excessive amounts of heat
What are the major sources of air pollution?
building+insulation materials, biogenic pollutants, combustion by-products, home furnishing+cleaning agents, radon gas, & tobacco smoke
What are asbetos?
a naturally occurring mineral fiber identified as a class a carcinogen by epa
Where do you find asbetos today?
used in older buildings to insulate pipes, walls+ceilings, component of floor+ceiling tiles, sprayed in structures for fireproofing; major release after 9/11
What are biogenic pollutants?
airborne biological organisms/their particles/gases/other toxic materials that can produce illness
How do you reduce biogenic pollutants?
remove standing water & wet/water-damaged materials
What are combustion by-product?
gases & particulates generated by burning
What do combustion by-product include?
carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide
What are major sources of combustion by-product?
fireplaces, wood stoves, kerosene heaters, candle, incense, secondhand tobacco smoke, & improperly maintained gas stoves & furnaces
What are volatile organic compounds?
compound that exists as vapor over the normal range of air pressures & temperatures
Where are volatile organic compounds found?
onstruction materials (paint+insulation), structural components (vinyl tile+sheet rock), furnishings (drapes+upholstery fabric), cleansers & solvents (liquid detergent+furniture polish), personal care products (deodorant+eyeliner pencil), insecticides/pesticides, electrical equipment (computers), & combustion of wood+kerosine
What is formaldehyde?
water-soluble gas used in aqueous solutions in hundreds of consumer products
Where can you find formaldehyde?
grocery bags, wallpaper, carpet, insulation, wall paneling, wallboard, wood products (plywood+particle board); also a carcinogen
What is radon and where do you find it?
radioactive gas; seeps into a home from surrounding soils, rocks and water
How does radon affect somebody’s health?
1 cause for cancer for nonsmokers
Where do you find mold?
fungi that thrive in warm, damp and humid conditions. damp surfaces
How can you prevent mold from getting in your home?
emoving damp/wet furnishing/building materials, preventing condensation, maintaining indoor humidity between 30%-60%, venting damp air out of home, using air conditioners, dehumidifiers, & bathroom exhaust fans to control moisture
What is environmental tobacco smoke/ second hand smoke?
bacco smoke in the environment that is a mixture of mainstream & sidestream smoke that can be inhaled by nearby/transient nonsmokers
What is mainstream smoke?
tobacco smoke inhaled & exhaled by the smoker
What is sidestream smoking?
tobacco smoke that comes off the end of burning tobacco product
What is passive smoking?
inhalation of ets by nonsmokers
What is sickbuilding syndrome?
= a situation in which the air quality in a building produces generalized signs & symptoms of ill health in building’s occupants; proper indoor air control limits are not implemented
What are sources of water?
surface/ groundwater
What is surface water?
precipitation that does not infiltrate the ground/return to atmosphere by evaporation; the water in streams, rivers, & lakes
What is ground water?
water located under the surface of the ground
What is point source water pollution?
pollution that can be traced to a single identifiable source