CHAPTER 21

Clean Air: Is It Safe To Breathe?

Air pollution caused by coal burning was a

problem during the advent of Industrial
revolution.
The air of many cities was blackened with
smoke from the industrial and household
furnaces and railroad locomotives.
More than 4000 deaths from both
respiratory and heart disease were attributed to
the foul air.

CRITERIA AIR POLLUTANTS

Clean air act was passed on soon
afterward.
Its
amendments
require
monitoring and regulation of six common
air pollutants, called criteria air pollutants.

1. PARTICULATE MATTER
Most visible form of air pollution
Particulates in the air have harmful health effects
smallest particles can evade the body's natural defenses,
penetrate deeply into the lungs
populated city were most likely to suffer from respiratory
symptoms

2. SULFUR DIOXIDE
Produced by combustion of sulfur-containing fuel,
especially coal
Most significant impact is as precursor to acid rain
It also tends to stick to fine particulates

3. CARBON MONOXIDE
Highly toxic gas
Most of which is produced in motor vehicle
exhaust
It interferes with the oxygen-carrying capacity of
the blood
Also causes headaches and impairing mental
processes

4. NITROGEN OXIDES
Chemicals responsible for the yellowish-brown
appearance of smog
Main sources are motor vehicle exhaust, offroad equipment and power plant emissions
It contribute also to acid rain

5. OZONE

Highly reactive variant of oxygen

produced by photochemical reactions
Chronic exposure permanently damages the lungs
Ozone is an important protective component of the upper
atmosphere
But in low altitudes its effects are harmful

6. LEAD
Highly toxic chemical that can damage the
nervous system, blood, kidneys
Main source of lead as an air pollutant is the
use of leaded gasoline

TOXIC & CARCINOGENIC

Toxic chemicals and carcinogenic chemicals are
released into the air by local factories, waste disposal
sites, and other sources.
Emmision standards for such hazards on asbestos,
mercury, beryllium, benzene, vinyl chloride, arsenic,
radionuclides, coke-oven emissions.

When an area does not

meet the air quality standard
for one of the criteria pollutants
are
designated
as
a
nonattainment area and are
forced to attain the standard.

STRATEGIES FOR MEETING

STANDARDS
Newest cars have reduced emissions of carbon
monoxide and ozone-producing chemicals.
Ban on leaded gasoline has almost eliminated lead
as an air pollutant.
Requirement of less polluting alternative fuels such
as ethanol

STRATEGIES FOR MEETING

STANDARDS
Automakers should develop and market zero-mandated
vehicles-electric cars.
Clean Air Act Amendments, New Source Review,
Clear Skies Initiative, EPCRA.
Technological improvements in motor vehicles and
factories.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Most public concern and political action have focused on
outdoor air pollution.
Lack of ventilation may lead to sick building syndrome.
Tobacco smoke-indoor air pollutant
biological pollutants-bacteria, mold, dust mites, animal dander
Secondhand smoke-smoking ban in public places

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces emit particulate matter and

gases.
Pesticides, dry-cleaning solvents, paints and thinners, air
fresheners.
airborne microbes can pose health hazards
Legionnaire's disease due to aircon
Hantavirus from rodent urine or feces

GLOBAL EFFECTS OF AIR

POLLUTION

Acid rain-It damages forests, corrosion

Aidic rivers and lakes
Depletion of the ozone layer-CFCs
Greenhouse effect
Global warming

CONCLUSION
Air pollution is a threat to health
Leads to deaths from respiratory disease
and heart disease
Global
scaleimplementations
on
interventions to be effective
There are 6 criteria air pollutants
Strategies for meeting standards include
technological improvements

CONCLUSION
Common indoor pollutants such as
smoking and also biological air pollutants.
Air pollution create acid rain, depletion of
ozone layer, greenhouse effect that lead to
global warming.

Read an Article about:

a.Global warming
b.Greenhouse effect
Write your opinion about the article.
Deadline 12noon today.