Air Quality Pollution Pollutants are harmful substances in
Air Quality
Pollution § Pollutants are harmful substances in the air, water, and soil. Air pollution affects the health of all living things. Some pollution occurs naturally and some is a result of human activity. § Sources of Air Pollution 1. Natural Sources: events like forest fires, soil erosion, dust storms, and volcanoes release smoke, dust, ash, and dangerous gases into the air.
Natural Air Pollution: Iceland Volcano § Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted in 2010. § The “E” volcano shot smoke and ash (CO 2, SO 2 and Si. O 2) 7 miles up into the atmosphere, and prevailing winds carried this ash across Europe. § 100, 000+ flights were cancelled over 8 days, resulting in a $1. 2 billion loss to the airline industry. § Main impact of this event was economic. § https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=O 16 rx. SMW T 2 E
2. Human-Caused Air Pollution § Most human-caused air pollution is created when people burn fossil fuels (coal, oil, gasoline) to produce electricity and fuel transportation. § Burning these fuels releases the following pollutants into the air: § Photochemical smog -- Pollutants/smoke mix with H 2 O vapor and react with sunlight to form “bad” ozone § CO 2 -- greenhouse gas linked to global warming § Carbon monoxide (CO) – can creat “bad” ozone § SO 2 -- makes it difficult for blood to transport oxygen to the cells, forms acid rain § Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2) -- can cause lung damage, forms acid rain
Human Air Pollution: London’s Killer Fog § From December 5 -9, 1952, a “Killer Fog” took the lives of over 4, 000 people in London, and made over 100, 000 people sick with respiratory infections. § SO 2 and soot from burning coal combined with water vapor to form a 30 -mile wide air mass of poisonous smog over London. § The “Killer Fog” was caused by human and natural factors: Natural Factors Human Factors 1. Unusually cold winter in London 1. Lots of coal burned to heat homes 2. High-pressure air front = little air 2. City buses and cars burning diesel fuel movement over London added to pollution § In response, England passed the Clean Air Act of 1956
Improving Air Quality § Over the past 50 years, many laws have been passed to reduce air pollution in the U. S. and globally. § The environmental protection agency (EPA) monitors and regulates air pollution in the U. S. § Globally, air quality has generally improved because of: 1. Improved technology in cars and power plants 2. Stricter laws on air pollution § However, there are more cars on the road and more power plants than in the past, so air quality is still an issue. § Regulations must constantly be made to control air pollution.
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