Air PollutionAir Pollution

Is Tootin Pollutin?Is Tootin Pollutin?

The Science of FartingThe Science of Farting

The word "FART" can stand for: The word "FART" can stand for: – Frequency Actuated Rectal TremorFrequency Actuated Rectal Tremor

a.k.a. Flatulence or Intestinal Gasa.k.a. Flatulence or Intestinal Gas

The average human releases 0.5 to 1.5 The average human releases 0.5 to 1.5 litres (1 to 3 U.S. pints) of flatus (gas) in 12 litres (1 to 3 U.S. pints) of flatus (gas) in 12 to 25 episodes throughout the day to 25 episodes throughout the day

Constituents of FlatulenceConstituents of Flatulence

The primary constituents of flatulence are The primary constituents of flatulence are – nitrogennitrogen (the primary gas released) (the primary gas released) – carbon dioxidecarbon dioxide – hydrogenhydrogen – as well as lesser amounts of oxygen (ingested) as well as lesser amounts of oxygen (ingested)

and methaneand methane

Can flatulence be harmful to the Can flatulence be harmful to the environment?environment?

An average cow produces (through An average cow produces (through flatulence and/or burping) 280 liters of flatulence and/or burping) 280 liters of methane a day methane a day

What is methane?What is methane?– CH4CH4– Greenhouse gasGreenhouse gas

Flatulence and the Greenhouse Effect Flatulence and the Greenhouse Effect – Is Tootin Pollutin?Is Tootin Pollutin?

Why is Cincinnati hazy?Why is Cincinnati hazy?

Ideal Conditions

Cincinnati – HazecamCincinnati – Hazecam

March 22, 2006

What is Air Pollution?What is Air Pollution?

Definition: Definition: – The presence of substances (chemical,

physical, biological) in the air (due to man) in large enough concentrations to interfere with one’s: Health Comfort Safety Full use and enjoyment of property

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The Clean Air ActThe Clean Air Act

Government legislation passed in 1963 that Government legislation passed in 1963 that focuses on the reduction of focuses on the reduction of smogsmog and and atmosphericatmospheric pollutionpollution by enforcing clean air by enforcing clean air standards. standards. – Amendments made in 1970 and 1990. Amendments made in 1970 and 1990.

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Air Pollution – Fast FactsAir Pollution – Fast Facts

The average adult breathes 3,000 gallons of air every dayThe average adult breathes 3,000 gallons of air every day– Children breathe more / lb. of body weight Children breathe more / lb. of body weight

Respiratory systems developingRespiratory systems developing

More Americans die from automotive air pollution than from More Americans die from automotive air pollution than from highway automobile accidentshighway automobile accidents

1000 lung cancer deaths in Cincinnati: 900 smoking, 90 1000 lung cancer deaths in Cincinnati: 900 smoking, 90 radon, 10 environmental radon, 10 environmental

Short and long term exposure to air pollution has shown Short and long term exposure to air pollution has shown increased numbers of heart attacks and strokes increased numbers of heart attacks and strokes

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Two types of Air Quality StandardsTwo types of Air Quality Standards

Primary StandardsPrimary Standards– Establish limits to protect Establish limits to protect public healthpublic health

(especially sensitive populations: asthmatics, (especially sensitive populations: asthmatics, children, elderly)children, elderly)

Secondary StandardsSecondary Standards– Establish limits to protect Establish limits to protect public welfarepublic welfare

(visibility, animals, crops, vegetation, buildings)(visibility, animals, crops, vegetation, buildings)

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Six Criteria Air PollutantsSix Criteria Air Pollutants

Ox ~ Ozone (OOx ~ Ozone (O33))

SOx ~ Sulfur Oxides (SOSOx ~ Sulfur Oxides (SO22))

NOx ~ Nitrogen Oxides (NONOx ~ Nitrogen Oxides (NO22, NO, NO33))

COx ~ Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide (CO, COCOx ~ Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide (CO, CO22))

POx ~ Lead (Pb)POx ~ Lead (Pb) ROx ~ Particulate Matter (PM)ROx ~ Particulate Matter (PM)

Click on the picture for our current AQI

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Nonattainment Areas - 2002Nonattainment Areas - 2002

Map from http://www.epa.gov/airtrends/non.html

A geographical area that does not meet air quality standards for one of the six criteria pollutants

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EPA tracks two air pollution trendsEPA tracks two air pollution trends Air concentrationsAir concentrations

– Actual measurements of pollutant Actual measurements of pollutant concentrations in ambient (outside) airconcentrations in ambient (outside) air Performed at monitoring sitesPerformed at monitoring sites

EmissionsEmissions– Estimates of total tons of pollutants released Estimates of total tons of pollutants released

into the air each yearinto the air each year

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What does a “TON” look like?What does a “TON” look like?

1 ton = 2,000 lb1 ton = 2,000 lb

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Is Tootin Pollutin?Is Tootin Pollutin?

What do you think? What do you think?

Questions?Questions?