D.

ASSIGNMENT TASK

ASSIGNMENT TASK 1

1. Air pollutants all over the world.

1.1 The sources of air pollutants and the human health effects.
1.2 The related pollutant.

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1 Introduction to Air Pollutant
More specifically, atmospheric pollution may be defined as ‘the presence of substances in
the atmosphere, resulting from man-made activities or from natural processes that
causing adverse effects to man and the environment’. The substances that cause air
pollution are called pollutants. Air pollutants occur both outdoor and indoor and it can
be natural or man-made. Sometimes it also called as ambient air pollution, occur in both
urban and rural areas.
Pollutants that are pumped into our atmosphere and directly pollute the air are
called primary pollutants. Further pollution can arise if primary pollutants in the
atmosphere undergo chemical reactions and the resulting compounds are called
secondary pollutants. However, this task only focuses on the sources and the effect of a
few types of pollutants to human health, such as shown on Figure a-1 below;

Sulphur Dioxide
Sulphur Dioxide

Nitrogen
NitrogenDioxide
Dioxide Carbon
CarbonMonoxide
Monoxide

Particles
Particles
(API – Air Particles AIR
AIR
(API – Air Particles POLLUTANTS Lead (Pb)
Index) POLLUTANTS Lead (Pb)
Index)

Smoke
Smoke
Chlorofluorocarbon Soot
Soot
Chlorofluorocarbon Dust
Dust

Carbon
Carbondioxide
dioxide

Figure a-1: Type of Air Pollutants

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1.1 SOURCE & THE EFFECT OF AIR POLLUTANT TO HUMAN HEALTH

In the days before the proliferation of large cities and industry, nature's own
systems kept the air fairly clean. Wind mixed and dispersed the gases, rain
washed the dust and other easily dissolved substances to the ground and plants
absorbed carbon dioxide and replaced it with oxygen. With increasing
urbanization and industrialization, humans started to release more wastes into the
atmosphere. Since then, more pollution has been added to the air by industrial,
commercial and domestic sources. As these sources are usually found in major
cities, the gases that are produced are usually concentrated in the air around them.
A source of air pollution is any activity that causes pollutants to be emitted
into the air. There have always been natural sources of air pollution, also known
as biogenic sources and human-generated pollutants or anthropogenic sources.
For example, volcanoes have spewed particulate matter and gases into our
atmosphere for millions of years. Lightning strikes have caused forest fires, with
their resulting contribution of gases and particles, for as long as storms and forests
have existed. Organic matter in swamps decay and wind storms whip up dust.
Trees and other vegetation contribute large amounts of pollen and spores to our
atmosphere. These natural pollutants can be problematic at times, but generally
are not as much of a problem as are human-generated pollutants.
Human-generated sources of air pollution or anthropogenic sources are
categorized in two ways: mobile and stationary sources. Mobile sources of air
pollution include most forms of transportation such as automobiles, trucks, and
airplanes. Stationary sources of air pollution consist of non-moving sources such
as power plants and industrial facilities. Stationary sources are classified as point
source or area source. A point source refers to a source at a fixed point, such as a
smokestack or storage tank, that emits air pollutants. An area source refers to a
series of small sources that together can affect air quality in a region. For
example, a community of homes using woodstoves for heating would be
considered as an area source, even though each individual home is contributing
small amounts of various pollutants. Figure a-2 shows the source and the effect of
air pollutants to environment and Figure a-3 shows the effect of air pollutants to
human health.

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4 HBSC3403 Teaching Science For Lower Secondary II
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1.2 Related Pollutants

Below are shown a few types of pollutants that usually found in our air
environment.

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Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide
Nitrogen
NitrogenDioxide
Dioxide
Sulphur Dioxide
Sulphur Dioxide

AIR
AIR
Carbon
Carbondioxide
dioxide POLLUTANTS Lead
Lead(Pb)
(Pb)
POLLUTANTS

Particles Smoke
Smoke
Particles Soot
(API – Air
(API Particles
– Air Particles Soot
Chlorofluorocarbon
Chlorofluorocarbon Index) Dust
Index) Dust
(Smog)
(Smog)

1.2.1 Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide is one the main pollutants that causes air pollution. This is
because, although living beings do exhale carbon dioxide, this gas is
harmful when emitted from other sources, which are caused due to human
activity. An additional release of carbon dioxide happens due to various
such activities. There are various human activities that add to the increased
proportions of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The combustion of fossil
fuels and the harmful effects of deforestation have all contributed towards
the same. Show that amongst the various gasses emitted during a volcanic
eruption, carbon dioxide remains to be at least 40% of the emission.
Scientists have now therefore identified carbon dioxide as one of those
elements that have contributed to global warming.
1.2.2 Carbon Monoxide

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 Carbon monoxide is another such gas which, although was present in the
atmosphere earlier, is now considered to be a major pollutant. An excess
of the same has a harmful effect on our system. There are many reasons
why carbon monoxide can be released into the atmosphere as a result of
human activities. This is also produced due to any fuel burning appliance
and appliances such as gas water heaters, fireplaces, woodstoves, gas
stoves, gas dryers, yard equipments as well as automobiles, which add to
the increased proportion of this gas into the atmosphere.

1.2.3 Sulfur Dioxide

Sulfur dioxide is yet another harmful pollutant that causes air pollution.
Sulfur dioxide is emitted largely to the excessive burning of fossil fuels,
petroleum refineries, chemical and coal burning power plants etc.
Nitrogen dioxide when combined with sulfur dioxide can even cause a
harmful reaction in the atmosphere that can cause acid rain.

1.2.4 Nitrogen Dioxide

Nitrogen dioxide is one more gas that is emitted into the atmosphere as a
result of various human activities. An excess of nitrogen dioxide mainly
happens due to most power plants seen in major cities, the burning of fuels
due to various motor vehicles and other such sources, whether industrial or
commercial that cause the increase in the levels of nitrogen dioxide.

1.2.5 Lead (Pb)

In the past, motor vehicles were the biggest source of lead. But since
leaded gasoline has been phased out, lead emissions have decreased by
about 98 percent. Today, metal processing is the biggest source of
atmospheric lead. The highest air concentrations are found in the vicinity
of ferrous and nonferrous smelters and battery manufacturers.
Lead can harm the kidneys, liver, nervous system and other organs. It may
cause neurological impairments such as seizures, mental retardation ,
behavioral disorders and damaged the nervous systems of fetuses.
1.2.6 Smoke, Soot & Dust (smog)

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 This pollutant is commonly referred to as "smog". Smog, a contraction of
the words smoke and fog, has been caused throughout recorded history by
water condensing on smoke particles, usually from burning coal. With the
introduction of petroleum to replace coal economies in countries,
photochemical smog has become predominant in many cities, which are
located in sunny, warm, and dry climates with many motor vehicles. The
worst episodes of smog tend to occur in summer.

1.2.7 Particles - (API – Air Particles Index)

"Particulate matter," also known as particle pollution, is a complex
mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets. Particle pollution
is made up of a number of components, including acids (such as nitrates
and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles. The
size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health
problems. Usually the particles are 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller
because those are the particles that generally pass through the throat and
nose and enter the lungs. Once inhaled, these particles can affect the heart
and lungs and cause serious health effects. Particle pollution are grouped
to two categories:
i) "Inhalable coarse particles that larger than 2.5 micrometers and
smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter.
ii) "Fine particles," are 2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller.
These particles can be directly emitted from sources such as forest
fires, or they can form when gases emitted from power plants.

1.2.8 Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

CFCs are lowering the average concentration of ozone in the stratosphere.

Chlorofluorocarbons move up to the stratosphere gradually over several
decades. Under high energy ultra violet (UV) radiation, they break down
and release chlorine atoms, which speed up the breakdown of ozone (O3)
into oxygen gas (O2). Chlorofluorocarbons, also known as Freon’s, are
green house gases that contribute to global warming.

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 ASSIGNMENT TASK 2

2) Endangered animals in Malaysia, steps taken to maintain the animals in wildife parks,
reserves or sanctuaries.
2.1 FIVE wildlife park / reserve or sanctuary places in Malaysia and the
endangered animals being protected in the mentioned place and the pictures of
the wildlife park/reserve or sanctuary mentioned.
2.2 Three activities that can be carry out with students during the two day trip to
one of the wildlife park/reserve or sanctuary

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2. Introduction to Endangered Animals In Malaysia
Endangered animals are those species that are in danger of going extinct. Their
reproductive rates are lower than their mortality rates over long periods of time, so
their numbers are diminishing. The reasons for this are varied, but lately, very often
involve a loss of habitat as people encroach on their living areas.
When a species is listed as endangered or threatened, it is not a death sentence.
Many animals, like the bald eagle and the American alligator, were on the brink of
extinction and are now recovering. Many species, however, will not recover, and
could be lost forever. Throughout time, animal species have been going extinct (long
before people evolved); paleontologists estimate that well over 90 percent of all plant
and animal species that ever existed have gone extinct. The Black Shrew (Suncus
ater), The Horseshoe Bat Species (Rhinolophus convexus) and The Javan Rhinoceros
(Rhinoceros sondaicus) are examples of endangered animals in Malaysia.
Government through The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP)
is responsible for the management of national parks and wildlife reserves. The
management of these areas is focused on the planning and implementation of various
activities which contribute to the long-term conservation of protected areas while
mitigating/reducing conflicts between human and the environment. The development
of protected areas was done sustainably to ensure optimum benefit to human and
prosperity to the environment for the present and future generation.

2.1 Wildlife Park / Reserve or Sanctuary Places in Malaysia

A few wildlife or animal sanctuary easily found thoroughly our nationwide.
Some from them are listed below:
2.1.1 Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre
Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre in the Malaysian Sabah District of North
Borneo was founded in 1964, to rehabilitate orphan orang utans.

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 Consequently, 43 sq km of protected land at the edge of Kabili
Sepilok Forest Reserve was turned into a rehabilitation site for orang
utans, and a centre built to care for the apes.

Today around 25 young orphan orang utans are housed in the

nurseries, in addition to those free in the reserve and totally around
60 to 80 orang utans are living free in this reserve.

2.1.2 Rantau Abang Turtle Sanctuary

Rantau Abang, located 56 kilometers north of Kuala Terengganu, is a

sanctuary for the giant leatherback turtle and a popular tourist
destination. This is also one of only six beaches in the world where the
giant leatherback turtles come in yearly between May and September
to lay their eggs on the beach.

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 This is one of the most famous overnight-stop spot to watch the
female turtles lay their eggs at night. The beach has a steep and deep
slope that allows the turtles to land straight up the beach and lays their
eggs. Leatherback turtles come to the same spot every year to lay their
eggs.

2.1.3 Matang Wildlife Center

Matang Wildlife Center is located in Kubah National Park, Sarawak’s
main center for wildlife rehabilitation. This center is responsible for
rescuing and helping a wide variety of animals back into the wild.
Ranging from orang utan and sun bears to hornbills and sea eagles all
of which can be view in natural enclosures in a rainforest setting.

The rescued animals being rehabilitated here include orang utan, sun
bears, bear cats, civet cats, sambar deer, barking deer, porcupines and
crocodiles, all of which can be viewed in spacious natural enclosures.
A large aviary houses a variety of hornbills, as well as brahminy kites
and sea eagles.

2.2 Activities that can be carry out with students during the two day trip to
one of the wildlife park/reserve or sanctuary

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 Those activities mentioned below are based on the Rantau Abang Turtle
Sanctuary.
2.2.1 Watching turtles lay their eggs naturally.
The pupils are exposed in how the turtle comes and land to lay their
eggs in natural condition.
2.2.2 Join the Conservation Activities
Pupils are exposed in how the sanctuary does the conserved and do the
protection activities. Pupils also gave the chance to joins all the
conservation and protection activities. This can enlighten pupils on the
various ways in which these leatherback turtles are conserved and
protected.

2.2.3 Save Turtle’s Poster Competition

The pupils join the competition that can be organized cooperatively
between teacher and the sanctuary organization.

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E. REFERENCES
Stewart, T. Charles. (1979). Air Pollution, Human Health and Public Policy. New
York: Lexington Books,

Miller, G. Tyler. (1990). Living in the Environment: an introduction to environmental

science. Belmont: Wadsworth.

Breuer, Georg. (1980). Air in Danger: Ecological Perspectives of the Atmosphere.

New York: Cambridge University Press.

SHAM SANI.(1982).Perbandaran, Iklim Bandar danPencemaran Udara.. Dewan

Bahasa dan Pustaka, Kuala Lumpur.

Tyler Tucker (2005). [online]

http://www.belleville.k12.wi.us/bhs/health/environment/
leadpollution.htm.(13.11.2010)

Berkeley National Laboratory's (2009). [online] http://www.lbl.gov/Education/ELSI/

pollution-main.html (13.11.2010)

Enchanted Learning (2000). [online]

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/coloring/ endangered.shtml
(13.11.2010)

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