“Water and air, the two essential f luids on which all life depends, have become global garbage cans.”

― Jacques-Yves Cousteau

YouTube link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtdKRvWC1yQ

We could live about a month without food. We could even live for several days without water. But without air, we cannot live more than a few minutes.

The World Health Organization estimates that a billion people live in places where the air is substandard and that air pollution kills 8,000 people a day worldwide. About 90% of the deaths occur in developing countries.

The contamination of the air by noxious gases and/or minute particles (particulates) of solid and liquid matter in concentrations that endanger health.

Causes of Air Pollution

Air pollution is caused by human activities such as mining, construction, transportation, industrial work, agriculture, smelting, etc.

However, natural processes such as volcanic eruptions and wildfires may also pollute the air.

What is Particulate Matter (PM)? Particulate matter is the sum of all solid and liquid

particles suspended in air, many of which are hazardous. This complex mixture contains for instance dust, pollen, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets. 1. Particles are either directly emitted into the air by

sources such as combustion processes and windblown dust, or formed in the atmosphere by transformation of emitted gases such as SO2.

2. Sulphate and organic matter are the main components of particulate air pollution in terms of the mass of the particles. Mineral dust, nitrate, and soot can also be major components under certain conditions.

Particulate matter is based on size and is divided into three main groups:

Coarse: contains the larger particles with a size ranging from 2.5 to 10 µm (PM10 - PM2.5).

Fine: contains the smaller particles with a size up to 2.5 µm (PM2.5).

Ultrafine: contains particles that are smaller than 0.1 µm

Some particulates occur naturally, originating from volcanoes, dust storms, forest and grassland fires, living vegetation, and sea spray.

Human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels in vehicles,[10] power plants and various industrial processes, also generate significant amounts of particulates. Coal combustion in developing countries is the primary method for heating homes and supplying energy.

i. Dust from natural sources, usually large areas of land with little or no vegetation.

ii. Methane, emitted by the digestion of food by animals, for example cattle.

iii. Smoke and carbon monoxide from wildfires.

iv. Volcanic activity, which produce sulphur, chlorine, and ash particulates.

Smoke produced by combustion of coal petroleum (i.e. power generation), wood (i.e. forest fires, wood burning stoves, garden mulch burning ), etc.,

Fly ash (unburnt carbon and oxides of many metals) from coal burning power plants.

Dust from mechanical break-up of solid matter (i.emining and processing of ores)

Asbestos and metallic particles (e.g., Hg, As, Pb, compounds of Pb) from industrial plants

Open pit mining and extraction

Wood burning stove and ensuing PM emission

The size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems. Small particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter pose the

greatest problems, because they can get deep into your lungs, and some may even get into your bloodstream.

Exposure to such particles can affect both your lungs and your heart.

Numerous scientific studies have linked particle pollution exposure to a variety of problems, including: premature death in people with heart or lung disease nonfatal heart attacks irregular heartbeat aggravated asthma decreased lung function increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways,

coughing or difficulty breathing.

People with heart or lung diseases, children, and older adults are the most likely to be affected by particle pollution exposure.

Visibility Impairment Fine particles (PM2.5) are the main cause of reduced visibility (haze) in parts of

the United States and Canada, including many of our treasured national parks and wilderness areas.

Environmental Damage Particles can be carried over long distances by wind and then settle on ground

or water. Depending on their chemical composition, the effects of this settling may include:

making lakes and streams acidic changing the nutrient balance in coastal waters and large river basins depleting the nutrients in soil damaging sensitive forests and farm crops affecting the diversity of ecosystems contributing to acid rain effects.

Materials Damage PM can stain and damage stone and other materials, including culturally

important objects such as statues and monuments. Note: Some of these effects are related to acid rain effects on materials.

Reduce the amount of particulate matter produced through smoke: Stop smoking; if you do smoke, do not smoke indoors. Mulch garden refuse instead of burning it. Limit the use of fireplaces and wood stoves; when using these appliances, make

sure that wood is being burned properly. Wood that is well seasoned instead of wet or green should be used. Stoves should also meet CSA (Canadian Standards Association) or EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) emission standards.

Switch to cleaner burning appliances. For example, pellet stoves produce less particulate matter than traditional wood stoves.

Take action to reduce wildfires. Practice safe backyard burning and careful use of campfires.

Reduce vehicle emissions and increase fuel efficiency: Diesel vehicles, including trucks, are a key source of fine particles. Reduce diesel

emissions by replacing older engines with newer and cleaner engines. Walk, cycle, take public transit and carpool whenever possible. Pay attention to recommended maintenance schedules for your vehicle.

Aim: To investigate air quality in and around the immediate vicinity of the

school grounds. To consider the possible causes of air pollution and its effects on the local environment and student’s health.

In groups of 2-3 people.

What you will need:

1. 4-6 white paper tiles or postcards

2. petroleum jelly

3. sticky tape

4. glue

5. magnifying glass

What to do: Predict where they think the air quality is the worst around the vicinity of the

school. (NOT THE THEATRE)

Decide within your group where exactly you will place the tiles/postcards (4-6 locations).

Write down on the data sheet the locations your group decided on.

Have students write there names one side of the tile/postcard, along with a piece of paint-friendly green tape.

Smear the entire opposite side of the tiles/postcards with Vaseline.

Place the tiles/postcards at four to six locations around the school.

The site locations should be well hidden and safe from tampering, not too near the ground and away from direct contact with rain.

Leave the tiles/postcards for approximately two days to get the best results.

Collect the samples after the prescribed time and analyse the results using a magnifying glass.

Record the results for the different site locations on a chart. Also, graph your results.