Thermal Inversion and Noise Pollution

Question 1

What are normal conditions outside of thermal inversions?

Answer 1

1. Cooler
2. Cool
3. Warm

Question 2

What are the conditions during a thermal inversion? What are the effects on the atmopshere of thermal inversion?

Answer 2

1. Cooler
2. Warm
3. Cool
   - Warmer layer traps the cooler and denser air underneath, thus trapping pollutants underneath like:
   - Photochemical smog
   - Particulate matter

Question 3

Inversion layer

Answer 3

The layer of warm air that traps emissions in a thermal inversion

Question 4

Where are thermal inversion pollution events common/more intense and why?

Answer 4

• particularly common in some cities, where high concentrations of vehicles exhaust & industrial emissions are easily trapped by the inversion layer
• Los Angeles, California - sea breeze & mountains
• Mexico City, Mexico - surrounded by mountains

Question 5

What geography encourages thermal inversions?

Answer 5

• Valleys
• Nearby Mountain ranges
• coastal or prevailing winds

Question 6

noise pollution

Answer 6

sound at levels high enough to cause physiological stress & hearing loss

Question 7

Effects of Noise Pollution on Animals

Answer 7

• During migration, animals avoid areas that previously provided critical food, nesting or resting
• Difficult for prey to find prey and vice versa
• reduced reproduction, decline in overall health
  disrupted communication
• Marine animals using echolocation are disturbed by noise from vessels and machinery

Question 8

US Noise Control Act of 1972

Answer 8

enables EPA to regulate noise, EPA then set emission standards for sources of noise from transportation, machinery & construction

Question 9

The Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA)

Answer 9

sets limits on noise exposure in the workplace

Question 10

The Quiet Communities Act

Answer 10

provides funding to help communities reduce noise associated with airports

Question 11

Health Consequences for Exposure to Noise Pollution

Answer 11

• Stress
• Depression
• Anxiety
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Hearing Loss

Question 12

What are potential sources of noise pollution?

Answer 12

Transportation
- Loud noise levels are associated with railroads, mass transit, airports, sirens, heavy traffic & even motorcycles
Machinery associated with the industry
Construction activities
- Trucks, jackhammers, nail guns & other activities

Question 13

How is noise measured? At what level can human hearing be damaged?

Answer 13

• Noise is measured in decibels on a logarithmic scale

- Human hearing can be damaged with sudden or prolonged exposure to noises above 85 dBAs