AIR POLLUTION

By:MHanifAR

3.1 Understand the scope and perspectives of air pollution. 3.1.1 State the composition of air in the atmosphere 3.1.2 Define air pollution 3.1.3 Explain the perspectives of air pollution 3.2 Know the origin of indoor and outdoor air pollution 3.2.1 Explain the pollutants that contribute to indoor and outdoor pollution 3.2.2 Generalize the sources of indoor and outdoor air pollution 3.2.3 Identify the indoor and outdoor pollution standards and guidelines

3.3 Understand the effects of air pollution 3.3.1 Distinguish the effects of air pollution to a. Human health b. Vegetation c. Environment and materials 3.4 Learn the long term effect of air pollution 3.4.1 Investigate the effects of air pollution to a. Phenomena of acid rain b. Phenomena of global warming and greenhouse effect c. Phenomena of ozone depletion

WHAT IS AIR POLLUTION?

Air

pollution is contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere. Household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities and forest fires are common sources of air pollution. Pollutants of major public health concern include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Outdoor and indoor air pollution cause respiratory and other diseases, which can be fatal.

WHAT IS AIR POLLUTANT?

An air pollutant is any substance found in the air that is not part of its natural composition, such as lead, or whose concentration is higher than the concentration found in the air's natural composition. An air pollutant can be in the form of either a gas, such as sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide, or particulate matter, such as dust and smoke. Pollutants can be categorised into two groups: Primary pollutants which come from human processes Secondary pollutants which are from the interaction of primary pollutants with the atmosphere Primary pollutants are air pollutants found in the atmosphere in the same chemical form as when it was emitted from its source. Secondary pollutants are air pollutants created through the chemical reactions of primary pollutants with other pollutants or components in the air. For instance, ozone is a secondary pollutant because it is formed by a series of chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight and heat.

INDOOR AIR POLLUTION

Indoor

air quality is the quality of the air inside confined spaces such as buildings and houses. Urbanisation has increased the importance of indoor air quality. Many people spend over 70% of their time indoors. We work, study, eat, drink and sleep in enclosed environments where air circulation may be restricted. Hence, some experts feel that more people suffer from the effects of indoor air pollution than outdoor pollution. There are many sources of indoor air pollution. Tobacco smoke, cooking and heating appliances, and vapors from building materials, paints and furniture for instance, can cause pollution inside buildings.

SOURCES INDOOR AIR POLLUTION

New carpet. Carpet materials can emit a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Broken compact fluorescent lights. If they break, CFLs can emit mercury, a neurotoxin, in small amounts into the air. Carpets cannot be fully cleaned of mercury and vacuums should not be used to pick it up. New electronics and other plastic products. Products made with polyvinyl chloride can emit phthalates, which have been linked to hormonal abnormalities and reproductive problems. Plastics can also release flame-retardant chemicals, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers, which have been linked to neurobehavioral changes in animal studies.

SOURCES INDOOR AIR POLLUTION

Glues

and adhesives. They can emit VOCs, such as acetone or methyl ethyl ketone, that can irritate the eyes and affect the nervous system. Rubber cement can contain n-hexane, a neurotoxin. Adhesives can emit toxic formaldehyde Heating equipment (stoves, heaters, fireplaces, chimneys). Heating equipment, especially gas stoves, can produce carbon monoxide, which can cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and even death if not ventilated properly. It can also emit nitrogen dioxide and particulates, which can cause respiratory problems and eye, nose, and throat inflammation.

SOURCES INDOOR AIR POLLUTION

Paints and strippers. Latex paints are a big improvement over oil-based paints because they emit fewer chemical fumes. But as they dry, all paints can emit VOCs, which can cause headaches, nausea, or dizziness. Paint strippers, adhesive removers, and aerosol spray paints can also contain methylene chloride, which is known to cause cancer in animals. Upholstered furniture and pressed-wood products (hardwood plywood, wall paneling, particleboard, fiberboard). When new, many furniture and wood products can emit formaldehyde, a probable carcinogen that can also cause eye, nose, and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; skin rash; and severe allergic reactions.

SOURCES OUTDOOR AIR POLLUTION

Sources of air pollution Human activities are the main sources of air pollution. Using energy in our homes, industrial activities, transport and farming are the main actions that have been directly linked to emissions. Traffic pollutants: Gases and particles released from cars and other vehicles include a complex mixture of many pollutants. The erosion of material on the roads and the wear of tyres and brakes can also produce pollutants. Stationary combustion sources: The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil at both power plants and in the home, is also a major source of air pollution.

OUTDOOR AIR POLLUTION

Other

sources: Forest fires and the burning of living, or recently living organisms (biomass), represent a further major source of emissions.

INDOOR AND OUTDOOR AIR POLLUTION STANDARD AND GUIDELINES

GROUP

ACTIVITIES 1 List the INDOOR and OUTDOOR AIR POLLUTION STANDARD AND GUIDELINES. SUBMISSION DATE : 3 SEPT 2013

EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION

EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON VEGETATION

GROUP

ACTIVITIES 2 Discuss the effects of air pollution on vegetation.

NO NEED FOR SUBMISSION

EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND MATERIALS

GROUP

ACTIVITIES 3 Discuss the effects of air pollution on environment and materials. NO NEED FOR SUBMISSION

ACID RAIN
According

to the definition, an acid is a compound which produces a higher concentration of hydrogen ions (charged electrons) when mixed with water. The acidity is determined by what is known as the pH value, which generally ranges from zero to fourteen. However, when certain super acids are concerned, the range spans from minus five to fourteen. Water, being neutral, has a pH value of 7. Acids have pH values of less than 7; the lower the value, the higher the acidity.

 The

acids that are commonly found in acid rains are carbonic, sulfuric and nitric acids. These acids are produced up in the atmosphere by oxides of carbon, sulfur and nitrogen respectively. Caused by various natural and human-related factors, these are emitted to the atmosphere, and when these oxides of carbon, sulfur and nitrogen come into contact with water, chemical reactions take place and acids are created. Acid rain, primarily caused by the emission of nitrogen and sulfur from motor vehicles, industries and power plants, harms vegetation and impairs water quality.

TREES AND PLANTS Acid rain can have terrible effects on a forest. The acid takes away important minerals from the leaves and the soil. Minerals are like vitamins for trees and plants. Without them, trees and plants cannot grow properly. They lose their leaves and become very weak. They are no longer strong enough to fight against illnesses and frost. They become very ill and can even die. Some soils are alkaline, when acid rain falls on them the acid becomes neutral. Plants and trees living on these soils are not in any big danger.

A forest devastated by acid rain

LAKES AND WATER LIFE Acid rain has a terrible effect on water life. Even if the acid rain does not fall straight into the lake, for example, it may enter from rivers and streams. Some of the life in the lake such as fish and plants may end up dying, because they cannot survive in acidic lakes. Thousands of lakes in Scandinavia have no more life in them. They have received so much acid rain for so many years, because of the winds pushing the acid gases, that nothing can survive. You can recognise a lake dead from acid rain by its clean and crystal clear water. But they look clean because there is very little living in them anymore. Tiny plants and animals are mostly unable to survive.

BUILDINGS Acid rain can also ruin buildings because the acid eats into metal and stone. It also damages stained glass and plastics. Some types of building materials are softer than others, and it is the softer ones which are most affected by acid rain. Sandstone and limestone are examples of stone which are fairly soft and are damaged easily. Granite is an example of a harder stone that can resist the effects of acid rain. In many places in the world, ancient and famous buildings and monuments are affected by acid rain. For example, the Statue of Liberty in New York, USA, has had to be restored because of acid rain damage. Buildings are naturally eroded by rain, wind frost and the sun, but when acidic gases are present, it speeds up the erosion.

A monument devastated by acid rain

OUR HEALTH Particulates very small particles of debris found in some of the air pollution - are one of the main causes of health problems. In towns and cities, these are released mainly by diesel engines from cars and trucks. When we breathe in air pollution, these very fine particulates can easily enter our body, where they can cause breathing problems, and over time even cause cancer. Water we drink from taps can be contaminated by acid rain, which can damage the brain.

GLOBAL WARMING
Global

warming is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans in recent decades and its projected continuation. Increasing global temperatures will cause sea level to rise, and is expected to increase the intensity of extreme weather events and to change the amount and pattern of precipitation. Other effects of global warming include changes in agricultural yields, trade routes, glacier retreat, species extinctions and increases in the ranges of disease vectors.

GREENHOUSE EFFECT
The

Earth has a natural temperature control system. Certain atmospheric gases, known as greenhouse gases, are critical to this system. On average, about one third of the solar radiation that hits the earth is reflected back to space. Of the remainder, some is absorbed by the atmosphere but most is absorbed by the land and oceans. The earth's surface becomes warm and, as a result, emits infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases trap the infrared radiation, thus warming the atmosphere.

 Naturally

occurring greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone, methane, and nitrous oxide, and together create a natural greenhouse effect. However, human activities are causing greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere to increase.

 The

Thinning Ozone Layer: Ozone is a gas in the atmosphere, which plays a critical role in blocking harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from reaching the Earth. The amount of ozone in the stratosphere is currently decreasing, which has raised concern about increased ultraviolet radiation. A decrease in ozone also affects the temperature structure of the atmosphere and has implications for climate. Also, climate change may enhance ozone depletion by cooling the stratosphere and by changing circulation patterns in a way that brings low-ozone air into the Arctic.

OZONE DEPLETION
The

major emissions responsible for depletion of the ozone layer are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), but there are several other man-made compounds that contribute. The production and use of such substances is controlled by an international agreement; the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. It is expected that the maximum ozone depletion will occur within the current or next two decades. The estimates of the ozone recovery are, however, uncertain. (WMO 1998).