POLLUTION AEROSOLS AND CLIMATE CHANGE Laura Marschke Southwest

POLLUTION, AEROSOLS AND CLIMATE CHANGE Laura Marschke Southwest Early College

Pollution What are we learning about today? What is pollution? Air pollutants Where does air pollution come from? Why do we care about pollution? Health effects � Pollution and climate change � Steps to reduce air pollution Colorado’s plans for reducing pollution Do measures to reduce air pollution actually work? � Pittsburgh, Beijing, and London case studies

Cleveland, 1973 NYC, 1970 s What is pollution? Pittsburgh, 1940 s China, 2012

What is pollution? The introduction of a contaminant into the environment Air pollution � Emissions � Smoke � Acid rain � Fumes Land pollution � Littering � Sewage � Nuclear waste and chemical Water pollution � Pesticides, � Oil fertilizers spills � Sewage � Soaps, antifreeze, oil � Household chemicals

Quick facts – air pollution The average adult consumes 3000 gallons of polluted air every day Vehicle exhaust contributes to 60% of carbon monoxide emissions in the US (up to 95% in large cities) London's "Great Smog“ of 1952 was one of the worst air pollution incidents in history � Deaths of more than 4, 000 died in just six days Harvard School of Public Health has recently (2010) come up with the data that approximately 4% of all deaths in the US can be attributed to air pollution

Air pollutants Particulate matter Ground-level ozone Carbon monoxide Nitrogen oxides Sulfur oxides Volatiles organic compounds (VOCs) Particulate matter

Where does air pollution come from? Wood burning � � � Fireplaces Wood stoves Land-clearing fires Fossil fuel burning � � Burning toxic substances � � Garbage Plastics Household products � � Air conditioners, refrigerators, fire extinguishers � Cars, trucks, etc Boats Trains Gas-powered tools Paints Printer ink Hairspray, air fresheners Stirring up dust � Building, driving, any way we change the landscape

Why do we care about pollution? Health effects Climate effects

Health effects of small particulates Contain cancer-causing materials Penetrate lungs and collect in air sacs Coughing/wheezing Asthma (onset or increases frequency and/or duration of events) Heart disease Chronic bronchitis Emphysema Pneumonia Premature births/low birth weight More emergency room visits More hospitalizations More time off of work and school

Example - pneumoconiosis Develops after small particulates, stay and accumulate inside lungs A deadly occupational disease which develops over a long period of time � Said to be incurable even with contemporary medicine

Health effects of ground-level ozone Irritate eyes, nose, and throat Inflammation of lungs and airways Coughing Asthma Bronchitis Chest pain Difficulty breathing Susceptibility to lung disease Damage to lung tissue Premature aging of lungs Contribute to chronic lung disease

Health effects of carbon monoxide This is a poison!!! Small amounts of CO will cause tiredness and chest pains Larger amounts impair vision and coordination, triggers headaches, dizziness, confusion, and nausea High concentrations – FATAL!

Health effects of other air pollutants Cancer Low immunity Disorders of the nervous system Interference with child development And more!

Pollution and climate change Fine particulates Decrease precipitation downwind � Reduce photosynthetic activity and growth of plants � Can change reflectivity of clouds � Pollution can limit plant productivity and survival Sulfates and nitrates cause cooling Regional ozone concentrations will increase Higher concentrations of ozone increase transpiration and exacerbates tree drought stress � Increases vulnerability to attacks and wildfire

Steps to reduce air pollution Walk or bike more Carpool or use public transportation Maintain your vehicle Combine errands to reduce driving Drive smart slowly � Drive slower � Avoid letting your car idle � Accelerate Don’t smoke Avoid using products in aerosol spray cans Use a push or electric lawn mower instead of gas-powered Avoid chemicals or cleaners that emit fumes Maintain gas appliances and heaters

What is Colorado doing? Must follow Clean Air Act (federal law) 19 regulations (this is a sample) � � � Particles, smokes, carbon monoxide and sulfur oxides Odor control Air pollution emission Wood burning controls VOC controls Hazardous air pollutants controls Transportation conformity Motor/diesel vehicle inspection programs CFC regulations Street sanding and sweeping Acid rain controls Lead based paint controls http: //www. cdphe. state. co. us/ap/

Does it work? Pittsburgh, 1940 s The end result, which is "A county-wide immediately visible even at such ordinance was Here we can seepassed a half-washed A "before and after" shot of a distance. The in air is much inshort Allegheny County building. St. Louis from the cleaner, something that most of 1949, after the deadly newspaper of the time. us take for granted today. Donora Fog blanketed a But we Probably inspired many to shouldn't how many people five-stateforget area for five do the same thing in had toinfight to get days 1948. " to that point, Pittsburgh. and how we now have to fight for other things.

Does it work? Beijing, 2008 Before/after in Beijing � The Chinese government imposed new restrictions for air quality before the 2008 Olympic Games Measures taken � � � Polluting factories closed or improved Wastewater treated Increased forested areas within city New public transportation using updated emission guidelines Old taxis, etc have been replaced Staggered work days to reduce traffic volumes

Does it work? Beijing, 2008 The study (about Beijing air quality) was just recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and describes how air pollution can “affect cardiovascular disease mechanisms in healthy, young people. ” What a difference. . . these photos were taken just 24 hours apart, on Sunday and yesterday / Pics: Michael Dodge Source: The Daily Telegraph (August 5, 2008) Beijing air quality throughout the

Does it work? Beijing, 2008 S E Y New research shows that levels of carbon monoxide dropped sharply in the Beijing area between 2007 and 2008, due to traffic restrictions imposed because of the 2008 Summer Olympics. Knowing the levels of carbon monoxide allowed the

Does it work? London, 2012 ring b t e” igh p m o r s pic ty in Eu m y l O ali 2 u 1 q 0 r “ 2 st ai r o w the It is feared that the city’s nitrogen oxide and ozone concentrations will negatively affect the 2012 Olympic athletes and the vast number of spectators and tourists in attendance In addition, legal action (to the British government) for failing to comply with the EU’s January 1, 2010 deadline for fulfilling established air quality plans http: //www. londonair. org. uk Current maps of London air quality

Aerosols What are we learning about today? What are aerosols? Where do aerosols come from? Why do we care about aerosols? � Health effects of aerosols � Climate effects of aerosols Steps to reduce aerosol emissions Summary � Compare aerosols and contrast pollution and

What are aerosols? Minute particles suspended in the atmosphere They scatter and absorb sunlight Can be emitted directly (primary) or created through chemistry (secondary) Act as a site for a chemical reaction to take place � Important: destruction of stratospheric ozone

What are aerosols? Types � Dust � Sea salt � Sulfates � Black carbon � Organic matter � Nitrates Volcanic sea salt dust volcanic ash Pollen Sea salt Soot

Dust Mainly from deserts Solid particles Mostly natural � Humans contribute from land conversion Albedo is approximately 0. 5 � Does dust cause cooling or warming? Both

Cooling or warming? Over forest or water? � Cooling Sand is lighter (higher albedo) than forests or water Over ice or snow? � Warming Sand is darker (lower albedo) than snow or ice

Sea Salt Mainly from the oceans Solid particles unless hydrated with water Mostly natural Causes cooling

Sulfates (nitrates are similar) Secondary emission � Produced from SO 2 or DMS Mostly from humans � Fossil fuel combustion Albedo of 0. 99 � Does this cause warming or

Black carbon Mostly from biomass burning and fossil fuel combustion Appears black to the naked eye � What would it’s albedo be? Close to 0 � Does this cause warming or cooling? Warming over snow/ice

Organic Matter Variety of compounds Natural or from humans � Terpenes from trees, vegetation � Fossil fuel and biomass burning Can be primary or secondary

Where do aerosols come from? Dust Deserts � Agriculture � Sea salt � Oceans Sulfates � Chemical reaction of sulfur dioxide Volcanoes Fossil fuel burning Marine plankton Saharan dust storm off West African coas

Where do aerosols come from? Black carbon � � Organic matter � � Transportation Fossil fuel burning Cook stoves Biomass burning Fossil fuel burning Nitrates � Chemical reaction of ammonia and sulfates Agricultural emissions Biomass burning Fossil fuel burning

Where do aerosols come from? Pale yellow � Clear sky � Maximum visibility Dark red-brown � Very January 2005 hazy conditions Video of aerosol optical depth over time (1/05 - 6/12)

Where do aerosols come from? High concentrations due to land clearing and agricultural fires (dry seasons) � South July – Sept March – May � Central Africa America and south June – Sept � Southeast Asia January – April High concentrations due to dust storms � Arabian America � Central Peninsula May – August High concentrations due to humanproduced air pollution � Northern India and Himalayas region Many months � Eastern China Most of the year

Why do we care about aerosols? Health effects Climate effects

Health effects of aerosols Enhanced mortality, cardiovascular, respiratory and allergic diseases Asthma, bronchitis, cancer, etc Increased lung toxicity Super-fine particles can travel to respiratory tracts, enter the blood stream and enter the brain Suppression of defense mechanisms Video: African Dust, Coral Reefs and Human Health

Aerosols and climate change Changes in formation of clouds and precipitation � Quantity of droplets � Size of droplets � Changes in reflectivity Can inhibit or enhance cloud formation

Aerosols and climate change Cause warming or cooling � Black carbon Warm � Sulfates Cool

Steps to reduce aerosol emissions Clean Air Act and other legislation Conversion to newer technology � Cook Scrubbers and filters Advanced combustion techniques Sustainable agriculture stoves, etc Alternative energy sources Limiting fossil fuel consumption

Summary: compare and contrast Pollution Contaminant to environment � � � Aerosols Particulate matter Ground-level ozone Carbon monoxide Nitrogen oxides Sulfur oxides VOCs Emitted directly into the atmosphere Moderate to severe health effects Generally cause cooling Suspended particulate matter � � � Dust Sea salt Sulfates Black carbon Organic matter Nitrates Emitted directly or secondary after chemical reaction Moderate to severe health effects Cause warming or cooling

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