Air PollutionAir Pollution

IntroductionIntroduction

By definition, Air Pollution is defined as the human introduction

of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or

discomfort to humans or other living

organisms, or damages the natural

environment into the atmosphere.

Where Does Pollution Where Does Pollution Come From?Come From?

Unfortunately, there are numerous ways pollution is being distributed into our

atmosphere…

Pesticides and fertilizers, motor vehicles, farming operations,

petroleum production facilities, surface coatings, solvents, power

plants, factories, cars, trucks, stationary engines, dirt roads, farming

operations, industrial crushing and grinding, windblown dust, combustion

of fossil fuels, burning garbage and agricultural products.

Outdoor Air PollutionOutdoor Air Pollution

Well, we have all seen the numerous waste being emitted into the air as we look into our

skies, and therefore most individuals tend to categorize air pollution into only the “outdoor”

category by these familiar names…

SmogSmog Smog is a mixture of

pollutants with ground-level ozone as the main

component.

It is caused by chemical reactions between pollutants

from different sources, primarily automobile exhaust

and industrial emissions.

Smog is also more prominent in the city, where such events of

driving, etc. are centered around.

How Does Smog Relate To Urban How Does Smog Relate To Urban Sprawl?Sprawl?

Urban Sprawl is the spreading of a city and its suburbs over rural land at

the break of an urban area. This relocation

forces consumers to move father away from work, social events, and even day-day commodities,

thus increasing the amount of time their

vehicle engine remains on. This excessive pollution is

known as smog.

Acid RainAcid Rain By definition, acid rain is

rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic. It

especially has harmful effects on plants and

aquatic animals.

This diagram shows the specific process in which

acid rain is formed.

Effects Of Acid RainEffects Of Acid Rain

Temperature InversionTemperature Inversion A temperature inversion

occurs when air close to the earth is cooler than the air above it, and under such conditions the pollution is

not able to rise and be dispersed, causing a musky

build up.

Inversion can happen in any season, but is more

prominent during the summer months where

smog is experienced, and during winter months when

there is particulate and cabon monoxide pollution.

The Greenhouse EffectThe Greenhouse Effect

The Greenhouse Effect is the over-whelming build up of

carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Carbon dioxide is produced when fuels are burned, and our

plants convert this released carbon dioxide into oxygen. However, due to our over-

logging, many of our forests are being destroyed, some also by

acid rain.

The amount of waste humans are putting into the atmosphere

is increasing at a faster pace and becoming more than our

plants can convert.

Ozone DepletionOzone Depletion Ozone depletion occurs when chemicals created by our

actions are released into the stratosphere.

The stratosphere protects the earth from harmful ultraviolet

radiation from the sun, and the Release of CFC's from aerosol

cans, cooling systems, etc. can remove some of this ozone, creating a hole and allowing

the radiation to reach the earth’s surface.

Ultraviolet radiation has also been known to cause skin

cancer and has harmful effects on plants and wildlife.

Indoor Air PollutionIndoor Air Pollution

Though we may not realize it, we spend a significantly large portion indoors,

approximately 80-90% of our lives. We perform most of our daily activities in

enclosed environments where circulation is not always present.

Many experts estimate that indoor air pollutant levels are 25-62% greater than

outside levels, and therefore that the majority of people suffer more from the effects of indoor pollution rather than

outdoor pollution.

Sources Of Indoor Air Sources Of Indoor Air PollutionPollution

Health EffectsHealth Effects Air pollution can affect our health with either long-term or

short-term affects. However, pollution effects each individual in a different way. Young children, the elderly, and people who

suffer from asthma or lung disease are extremely susceptible to the dangers of air pollution.

The extent to which someone is harmed by air pollution usually depends on the total exposure to the damaging chemicals. For example, the duration of exposure and the concentration of the

chemicals.

Short Term: this includes irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, and upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis and

pneumonia.

Long Term: this includes chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or

kidneys.

PreventionPrevention The first step to solving air pollution is assessment, therefore

Scientists have to determine how much exposure we can handle until it proves too harmful.

Building materials should be reviewed for potential harmful

effects, this includes certain hardwoods and paints.

Adequate ventilation is also a key to controlling exposure to indoor air pollution, especially in condensed areas.

More alternatives to gas-run cars and improvements on public transportation when necessary.

There is most likely an entire list of things we can being doing in a more sustainable, efficient way. However, it is just up to us to have

enough initiative to put in the extra effort. The environment in always changing, but sometimes it cannot repair itself from our

careless actions.

BibliographyBibliography

Deargon, Wayne., “Indoor and Outdoor Air Pollution.” Lbl. http://www.lbl.gov/Education/ELSI/pollution-main.html (Dec 18 2008).