Week 8: Particulate Matter

Question 1

Air pollution

Answer 1

Presence in the air of one or more contaminants in such quantities and durations that may be injurious to human, animal, or plant life or property, or which unreasonably interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property
Solid, liquid, or gas
Natural or anthropogenic sources

Question 2

Mobile sources of air pollution

Answer 2

Vehicles

Question 3

Stationary sources of air pollution

Answer 3

Power plants, factories

Question 4

Area sources of air pollution

Answer 4

Drycleaners, gas stations

Question 5

Natural sources of air pollution

Answer 5

Forest fires, volcanoes

Question 6

Determinants of air pollution concentration

Answer 6

Weather patterns
Wind
Stability (vertical movement of air)
Turbulence
Precipitation
Topography
Smokestack height and temperature of gases

Question 7

Inversion

Answer 7

Extremely stable layer of the atmosphere that forms over areas
Temperature inversions trap pollutants close to the ground
Hot air sitting above cooler air, and particles are unable to rise into atmosphere where winds will disperse them

Question 8

Particulate matter

Answer 8

Wide variety of airborne material
materials that are directly emitted into air or result from transformation of gaseous pollutants
Natural and human sources
Important to behaviour in atmosphere and body

Question 9

Aerodynamic diamter

Answer 9

Standard measure

4 main size categories: ultrafine, fine, course, supercourse

Question 10

What adverse health effects are linked to PM?

Answer 10

Premature death
Lung cancer
Exacerbation of COPD
Development of chronic lung disease
Heart attacks
Hospital admissions and ER visits for heart and lung disease
Respiratory symptoms and medication use in people with chronic lung disease/asthma
Decreased lung function
Pre-term birth

Question 11

6 theories on how PM cause health effects

Answer 11

1) Irritation which increase permeability of tissue
2) Susceptibility to viral and bacterial pathogens
3) Aggravates severity of chronic lung diseases
4) Inflammation which causes release in chemicals
5) Changes in blood chemistry which can cause blood clots

Question 12

Canadian Environmental Protection Act

Answer 12

Major statutory instrument
Co-responsibility of Ministers of Health and Environment
Provides for the assessment of environmental health risks
Development of regulations and environmental targets