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Air PollutionAir Pollution
IntroductionIntroduction
By definition, Air Pollution is defined as the human introduction
of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or
discomfort to humans or other living
organisms, or damages the natural
environment into the atmosphere.
Where Does Pollution Where Does Pollution Come From?Come From?
Unfortunately, there are numerous ways pollution is being distributed into our
atmosphere…
Pesticides and fertilizers, motor vehicles, farming operations,
petroleum production facilities, surface coatings, solvents, power
plants, factories, cars, trucks, stationary engines, dirt roads, farming
operations, industrial crushing and grinding, windblown dust, combustion
of fossil fuels, burning garbage and agricultural products.
Outdoor Air PollutionOutdoor Air Pollution
Well, we have all seen the numerous waste being emitted into the air as we look into our
skies, and therefore most individuals tend to categorize air pollution into only the “outdoor”
category by these familiar names…
SmogSmog Smog is a mixture of
pollutants with ground-level ozone as the main
component.
It is caused by chemical reactions between pollutants
from different sources, primarily automobile exhaust
and industrial emissions.
Smog is also more prominent in the city, where such events of
driving, etc. are centered around.
How Does Smog Relate To Urban How Does Smog Relate To Urban Sprawl?Sprawl?
Urban Sprawl is the spreading of a city and its suburbs over rural land at
the break of an urban area. This relocation
forces consumers to move father away from work, social events, and even day-day commodities,
thus increasing the amount of time their
vehicle engine remains on. This excessive pollution is
known as smog.
Acid RainAcid Rain By definition, acid rain is
rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic. It
especially has harmful effects on plants and
aquatic animals.
This diagram shows the specific process in which
acid rain is formed.
Effects Of Acid RainEffects Of Acid Rain
Temperature InversionTemperature Inversion A temperature inversion
occurs when air close to the earth is cooler than the air above it, and under such conditions the pollution is
not able to rise and be dispersed, causing a musky
build up.
Inversion can happen in any season, but is more
prominent during the summer months where
smog is experienced, and during winter months when
there is particulate and cabon monoxide pollution.
The Greenhouse EffectThe Greenhouse Effect
The Greenhouse Effect is the over-whelming build up of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide is produced when fuels are burned, and our
plants convert this released carbon dioxide into oxygen. However, due to our over-
logging, many of our forests are being destroyed, some also by
acid rain.
The amount of waste humans are putting into the atmosphere
is increasing at a faster pace and becoming more than our
plants can convert.
Ozone DepletionOzone Depletion Ozone depletion occurs when chemicals created by our
actions are released into the stratosphere.
The stratosphere protects the earth from harmful ultraviolet
radiation from the sun, and the Release of CFC's from aerosol
cans, cooling systems, etc. can remove some of this ozone, creating a hole and allowing
the radiation to reach the earth’s surface.
Ultraviolet radiation has also been known to cause skin
cancer and has harmful effects on plants and wildlife.
Indoor Air PollutionIndoor Air Pollution
Though we may not realize it, we spend a significantly large portion indoors,
approximately 80-90% of our lives. We perform most of our daily activities in
enclosed environments where circulation is not always present.
Many experts estimate that indoor air pollutant levels are 25-62% greater than
outside levels, and therefore that the majority of people suffer more from the effects of indoor pollution rather than
outdoor pollution.
Sources Of Indoor Air Sources Of Indoor Air PollutionPollution
Health EffectsHealth Effects Air pollution can affect our health with either long-term or
short-term affects. However, pollution effects each individual in a different way. Young children, the elderly, and people who
suffer from asthma or lung disease are extremely susceptible to the dangers of air pollution.
The extent to which someone is harmed by air pollution usually depends on the total exposure to the damaging chemicals. For example, the duration of exposure and the concentration of the
chemicals.
Short Term: this includes irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, and upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis and
pneumonia.
Long Term: this includes chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or
kidneys.
PreventionPrevention The first step to solving air pollution is assessment, therefore
Scientists have to determine how much exposure we can handle until it proves too harmful.
Building materials should be reviewed for potential harmful
effects, this includes certain hardwoods and paints.
Adequate ventilation is also a key to controlling exposure to indoor air pollution, especially in condensed areas.
More alternatives to gas-run cars and improvements on public transportation when necessary.
There is most likely an entire list of things we can being doing in a more sustainable, efficient way. However, it is just up to us to have
enough initiative to put in the extra effort. The environment in always changing, but sometimes it cannot repair itself from our
careless actions.
BibliographyBibliography
Deargon, Wayne., “Indoor and Outdoor Air Pollution.” Lbl. http://www.lbl.gov/Education/ELSI/pollution-main.html (Dec 18 2008).
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