urban air pollution

Question 1

London’s ‘pea souper’

Answer 1

1952, 12,000 deaths in 4 days, lead to the 1956 clean air act legislation

Question 2

impacts of poor urban air quality

Answer 2

carbon monoxide causes heart problems
twice as much CO2 enhances the greenhouse effect
ten times more nitrous oxides causes haze, respiratory problems and acid rain (weathers buildings)
two hundred times more sulphur dioxides than in rural areas causes haze, respiratory problems and acid rain

Question 3

smog

Answer 3

smoke and fog, occurs when smoke particles and sulphur dioxide from burning coal mix with fog, anticyclones trap pollutants in a pollution dome, cold air lies below warmer air

Question 4

what does pollution reduction involve?

Answer 4

legislation, vehicle restriction and technical innovations

Question 5

pollution reduction legislations

Answer 5

smoke free zones

clean air acts throughout HIC’s

Question 6

vehicle restrictions

Answer 6

pedestrianisation of city centres
park and ride schemes
selective vehicle bans (number plate based) e.g mexico city
banning all but emergency, utility and electric vehicles throughout certain resorts e.g switzerland
congestion charges e.g london

Question 7

technical innovations

Answer 7

industrial pollution has forced factories to reduce gas and particulate emissions, using filters
lead free petrol and catalytic converters on vehicle exhausts
hybrid electric cars (battery toxin concerns?)