Air Pollution and Global Change

Module 13Pay close attention to each slide.Click on the speaker on each slide for additional information.

What is Air Pollution

Air is a mixture of many gases including: Nitrogen, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, Water Vapor and trace other gases.

Any change in the atmosphere that has harmful effects is called air pollution

Any substance that causes pollution is called a pollutant

Composition of the Air

From the pie chart you can see Nitrogen actually makes up the greatest percentage of gas in the air…most would think it would be oxygen because that is what we breathe.

Image: http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkas:Air_composition_pie_chart.JPG

How does pollution make it into the Air?

Solid particles and gases that are released into the air are called emissions

Main cause of emissions is by motor vehicles releasing carbon monoxide into the air

Image: Epa.gov

Smoke + Fog = Smog

When certain gases in the air react with sunlight it can create a think brownish haze called photochemical smog

When the smog level is high it can settle over a city creating a dirty haze

Potential threats to humans are breathing trouble, throat irritation and burning eyes

Major sources of smog are the gases emitted by vehicles

Smog continued…

Images of Beijing, China on a clear sunny day and then covered in Smog (August 2005

Smog over Los Angeles

Images: http://www.earthlyissues.com

Acid Rain

Acid rain is another type of air pollution

It is caused by power plants and factories that burn coal and oil and release chemicals into the air

These gases react with water vapor in the atmosphere forming acids which return to Earth’s surface in the form of precipitation

Acid rain affects many things in the environment including: fish, plants, buildings, statues, etc…

Acid rain Continued…

Here you can see the effects of acid rain trees and limestone

Images: USGS.gov

Not all pollution is outside

The air inside buildings can be polluted too= indoor air pollution

Dust, pet hair, air fresheners, smoke and toxic fumes from cleaning supplies can all contribute to air pollution

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an indoor air pollutant that is a colorless and odorless gas that forms when wood, coal, oil or gas is not completely burned

Radon is another colorless and odorless gas formed naturally by certain rocks underground that is radioactive.

Common Types of Indoor Air Pollution

Image: http://www.epa.gov/eogapti1/course422/ap4.html

Human Impact on Environment

Humans are the leading factor in creating air pollution and other hazardous wastes on earth

Humans contribute to deforestation (cutting down trees which produce oxygen)

Humans also effect the natural process on earth called The Greenhouse effect

Hazardous waste is any material that can be harmful to human health or the environment if not properly disposed of

Greenhouse Effect

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the air which aids in keep the earth a suitable temperature for us to survive

Humans add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere through everyday activities including driving and burning fossil fuels

The more greenhouse gases that are trapped in the atmosphere the more likely it is for our overall temperature of earth to increase (global warming)

The Greenhouse Effect

Image: http://www.nps.gov/goga/naturescience/climate-change-causes.htm

5 Categories of Hazardous Waste

1. Toxic waste= or poisonous wastes are wastes that can damage health of humans or other organisms

2. Explosive wastes= wastes that react very quickly when exposed to the air or water or that explode when they are dropped

3. Flammable wastes= catch fire easily and can begin burning at fairly low temperatures

4. Corrosive wastes= wastes that dissolve or eat through many materials

5. Radioactive wastes= contain unstable atoms that give off radiation that can cause cancer and other diseases

Health Effects of Hazardous Wastes

Short term exposure to hazardous wastes may cause irritation to certain body parts or more severe health problems

Long term exposure may cause diseases such as cancer and may damage body organs including: the brain, liver, kidneys and lungs

Getting Rid of Hazardous Wastes

Methods of hazardous waste disposal include burial in landfills, incineration and breakdown by living organisms

Liquid wastes can be stored in deep rock layers

Most often Hazardous wastes are disposed in carefully designed landfills

These landfills are lined with clay and plastic to keep chemicals from seeping into the soil and groundwater (which could cause serious contamination and health problems)

The best way to manage hazardous waste is to produce less of them and educate consumers on finding substitutes for common household chemicals

Disposing of Hazardous Materials Properly

Image: Epa.gov