Unit 10: Human Health and Air Pollution

Baghouse Filter

A baghouse filter is an air pollution control device that removes particulates out of air or gas released from commercial processes or combustion for electricity generation. 1. it controls the air pollutant in the atmosphere 2. it removes the matters that are produced from generating electricity 3. matters released by combustion

Cyclone Collector (Separator)

A device used to remove particulates from an air, gas or liquid stream, without the use of filters, through vortex separation. When removing particulate matter from liquids, a hydrocyclone is used; while from gas, a gas cyclone is used. 1. it removes particulate matter in the atmosphere 2. it uses filters and separation method 3. hydrocyclones and gas cyclones are used

Endocrine Disruptor

Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that can interfere with endocrine (or hormone) systems. These disruptions can cause cancerous tumors, birth defects, and other developmental disorders. Any system in the body controlled by hormones can be affected by hormone disruptors. 1. blocks hormones 2. mimics hormones 3. it inhibits hormones to function

Dose-Response Curve

It is a curve plotting the relationship between the dose of a drug administered and its pharmacological effect. 1. dose vs. drug 2. effect on human health from the drug 3. response human has from the drug

Electrostatic Precipitator

It is a device that removes suspended dust particles from a gas or exhaust by applying a high-voltage electrostatic charge and collecting the particles on charged plates. 1. it gets rid of particles in the atmosphere that might be inhaled 2. electrostatic charge usage 3. it collects particles on the charged plate

Dose

It is a quantity of a medicine or drug taken or recommended to be taken at a particular time. 1. drugs 2. overdose can seriously harm your body 3. overdose may lead to death

Asthma

It is a respiratory condition marked by spasms in the bronchi of the lungs. It causes difficulty in breathing. It usually results from an allergic reaction or other forms of hypersensitivity. 1. respiratory condition 2. breathing problems 3. it can be triggered from all the air pollutants people breathe in

Buffer

It is a solution that resists changes in pH when acid or base is added to it. Buffers typically involve a weak acid or weak base together with one of its salts. 1. bicarbonate 2. limestone 3. it neutralizes acidic environment

Carcinogen

It is a substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue. 1. cancer 2. malignant, benign 3. smoking causes cancer

Temperature Inversion

It is a thin layer of the atmosphere where the normal decrease in temperature with height switches to the temperature increasing with height. An inversion acts like a lid, keeping normal convective overturning of the atmosphere from penetrating through the inversion. 1. occurs in hot and dry climate areas 2. Los Angeles is one of the cities that are affected 3. air pollutants are trapped under the inversion layer

Teratogen

It is an agent or factor that causes malformation of an embryo. 1. affects embryos 2. affects babies 3. toxins travel through the umbilical cord

Mutagen

It is an agent, such as radiation or a chemical substance, that causes genetic mutation. 1. DNA mutations 2. changes DNA 3. many toxins are mutagenic

Primary Pollutant

It is an air pollutant emitted directly from a source. 1. pollutants from a point source of pollution 2. it is produced to produce secondary pollutants 3. SOx, NOx are the most common

Catalytic Converter

It is an emissions control device that converts toxic gases and pollutants in exhaust gas to less toxic pollutants by catalyzing a redox reaction. They are also used on some wood stoves to control emissions. 1. it controls pollutant emission 2. it controls toxic gases 3. wood stoves to control air quality

Aldehydes

It is an organic compound (CHO). Exposures to formaldehyde and aldehydes occur at work, in homes, and outdoors. Inhalation of high doses of formaldehyde has produced nasal tumors in laboratory rats, and lower concentrations have irritated eyes and air passages in humans. 1. organic compound 2. contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen 3. formaldehyde is a serious indoor air pollutant

World Health Organization (WHO)

It is is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health. It was established on April 7, 1948, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. 1. works to keep this world health 2. comes up with statistics of diseases 3. prevention and treatments for diseases

Secondary Pollutant

It is not directly emitted from a source, but forms when other pollutants (primary pollutants) react in the atmosphere. 1. pollutants resulting from primary pollutants 2. SOx reacting with water vapor in the atmosphere may create sulfuric acid and create acid deposition 3. tropospheric ozone is an example of secondary pollutant

Acid Rain

It is rainfall made sufficiently acidic by atmospheric pollution that causes environmental harm, typically to forests and lakes. The main cause is the industrial burning of coal and other fossil fuels, the waste gases from which contain sulfur and nitrogen oxides, which combine with atmospheric water to form acids. 1. it leaches nutrients from soil 2. plants cannot grow in acidic environment 3. it will affect the marine life as well because many fish cannot live in pH under 5.

ED-50

It is the "median effective dose", which is the dose that produces a quantal effect (all or nothing) in 50% of the population that takes it (median referring to the 50% population base). It is also sometimes abbreviated as the ED50, meaning "effective dose, for 50% of people receiving the drug". 1. guarantees effect in half the population 2. the other half may not be affected 3. amount of drug needed to have an effect in half of the test sample

Epidemiology

It is the branch of medicine that deals with the incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases and other factors relating to health. 1. study of diseases and prevention4 2. deals with health issues 3. studies the prevention and treatment of certain diseases

Toxicology

It is the branch of science concerned with the nature, effects, and detection of poisons. It involves observing and reporting symptoms, mechanisms, detection and treatments of toxic substances, in particular relation to the poisoning of humans. 1. toxins, pollutants 2. neurotoxins 3. studies different toxins

Noise Pollution

It is the harmful or annoying levels of noise, as from airplanes, industry, etc. 1. wind turbines may lead to noise pollution 2. noise pollution may affect marine life as dolphins use echolocation to communicate 3. may bother people living nearby any turbines

Toxicity

It is the quality of being toxic or poisonous. 1. LD-50 2. LC-50 3. toxins

Ionizing Radiation

It is the radiation consisting of particles, X-rays, or gamma rays with sufficient energy to cause ionization in the medium through which it passes. 1. radioactive element 2. gamma rays: most deadly 3. alpha particles can be blocked by just a piece of paper

Body Burden

It is the total amount of a particular chemical present in a human's or animal's body, typically a radioactive element or other toxic substance. 1. chemicals in human body 2. radioactive elements may be present 3. heavy metals may be present

LD-50

Lethal dose (LD50) is the amount of an ingested substance that kills 50 percent of a test sample. It is expressed in mg/kg, or milligrams of substance per kilogram of body weight. 1. amount you need to kill half the population 2. lower the number, the harmful the drug is 3. little amount over time can hurt you

Malaria

Malaria is a disease of the blood that is caused by the Plasmodium parasite, which is transmitted from person to person by a particular type of mosquito, which is a vector. 1. vector is mosquitoes 2. plamodium parasite 3. mosquito netting helps to prevent malaria

Particulate Matter (PM-2.5)

PM-2.5 is an air pollutant that is a concern for people's health when levels in air are high. PM-2.5 are tiny particles in the air that reduce visibility and cause the air to appear hazy when levels are elevated. 1. ultrafine particles 2. can't help but breathe because it is so small 3. can stick into your lung lining and irritate the respiratory system

Particulate Matter (PM-10)

Particulate matters are microscopic solid or liquid matter suspended in the Earth's atmosphere. PM-10 is particulate matter 10 micrometers or less in diameter. 1. irritates your respiratory system 2. 10 micrometers or less 3. very small and can go in through your nose and mouth

Peroxyacyl Nitrates (PANs)

Peroxyacyl nitrates are powerful respiratory and eye irritants present in photochemical smog. Peroxyacyl nitrates are a component of photochemical smog, produced in the atmosphere when oxidized volatile organic compounds combine with nitrogen oxide. Sources of the pollutants required to create PANs include motor vehicles, tobacco smoke, and the burning of fossil fuels. 1. it irritates your respiratory system 2. it is in photochemical smog 3. primary pollutant

Photochemical Smog

Photochemical smog refers to smog produced when sunlight interacts with molecules of harmful chemicals and pollutants in the Earth's atmosphere. Photochemical smog classifies as air pollution. It exists in areas around the world, and concentrates primarily in the thick airs above cities and major metropolitan regions. Photochemical smog develops from excessive amounts of ozone, which is a type of synthetic oxygen. 1. mostly in Beijing, China 2. sunlight reacts with harmful chemicals 3. produces immense amount of tropospheric ozone

PCBs

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of manufactured organic chemicals. Concentrated PCBs can be oily liquids or solids and are colorless to light yellow in color. They are odorless and tasteless. 1. organic chemicals 2. it contains 209 individual chlorinated chemicals. 3. you can't smell them

Sulfur Oxides (SOx)

Sulfur oxides (SOx) are compounds of sulfur and oxygen molecules. Sulfur dioxide is the predominant form found in the lower atmosphere. Sulfur dioxide is hygroscopic, when it is in the atmosphere. It reacts with humidity and forms sulfuric and sulfurous aerosol acid that is later part of the so-called acid rain. 1. primary pollutant 2. creates sulfuric acid when reacts with water vapor 3. leads to acid deposition

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a federal agency that conducts and supports health promotion, prevention and preparedness activities in the United States with the goal of improving overall public health. 1. helps to control diseases 2. it promotes health 3. it prepares citizens to lead a healthy lifestyle

Clean Air Act

The Clean Air Act is a United States federal law designed to control air pollution on a national level. It is one of the most comprehensive air quality laws in the world. 1. weakness: focuses on the clean up not prevention 2. it has been improvised three times 3. it regulates the air quality of the country

Endocrine System

The endocrine system is the collection of glands that produce hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, and mood, among other things. 1. hormones 2. may affect reproductive system 3. it also controls the circadian rhythm

Immune System

The immune system is a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against attacks by "foreign" invaders. These are primarily microbes, which are tiny organisms such as bacteria, parasites, and fungi that can cause infections. 1. pathogens, antigens, antibodies 2. it helps to fight pathogens 3. hazardous chemicals may affect the immune system

Acid Deposition

Acid deposition is a general name for a number of phenomena, namely acid rain, acid fog and acid mist. This means it can imply both wet and gaseous precipitation. 1. produces acid rain 2. it is the result of secondary pollutant, sulfuric acid 3. it can rain down and leach nutrients from the soil, and inhibit growth of vegetation

Indoor Air Pollution

Around 3 billion people cook and heat their homes using solid fuels (wood, charcoal, coal, dung, crop wastes) on open fires. Such inefficient cooking and heating practices produce high levels of indoor air pollution which includes a range of health damaging pollutants such as fine particles and carbon monoxide. 1. it is the most serious in the developing countries 2. open fire at homes in developing countries create serious problems 3. radon, formaldehyde, PM-10/2.5, tobacco smoke are the four main indoor pollutants.

Hazardous Chemical

Hazardous chemicals are substances that are dangerous to people, wildlife and the environment at any stage of their life cycle, from production to use to disposal. They can stay in the environment for long periods of time, and don't biodegrade or break down easily. They can also build up in the bodies of organisms over time, and they can be spread via the food chain. 1. neurotoxic 2. PCBs are hazardous chemicals 3. they are persistent

Pathogen

It can be a bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease. 1. bacteria 2. virus 3. enters your body through the openings, nose, mouth, skin, etc. They make you sick.

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

Nitrogen oxides are a group of gases that are composed of nitrogen and oxygen. Two of the most common nitrogen oxides are nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide. Nitrous oxide, is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. 1. primary pollutant 2. creates nitric acid when reacting with water vapor 3. leads to leaching of nutrients from the soil

Radon

Radon is a chemical element with symbol Rn and atomic number 86. It is a radioactive, colorless, odorless, tasteless noble gas. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Surgeon General's Office have estimated that as many as 20,000 lung cancer deaths are caused each year by radon. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. 1. radioactive element 2. it is one of the most serious indoor air pollutant 3. it can enter your home from the foundation of your house

Threshold Concentration

The threshold limit value (TLV) of a chemical substance is a level to which it is believed a worker can be exposed day after day for a working lifetime without adverse effects. 1. level where the drug will work 2. how much a person can be exposed 3. the amount a person can be exposed to live without harmful effects

Heavy Metal

They are generally defined as metals with relatively high densities, atomic weights, or atomic numbers. 1. cadmium 2. uranium 3. mercury; they are all neurotoxins

Cilia

They are microscopic, hair-like structures that extend from the surface of nearly all mammalian cells. They line the surfaces of certain cells and beat in rhythmic waves, providing locomotion to ciliate protozoans and moving liquids along internal epithelial tissue in animals. 1. present in many cells 2. it helps with the movement 3. they line the lungs

Scrubber

They are one of the primary devices that control gaseous emissions, especially acid gases. There are several methods to remove toxic or corrosive compounds from exhaust gas and neutralize it. 1. it controls gaseous emission 2. acidic gases controller 3. it neutralizes the gaseous emission

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

They are organic compounds that easily become vapors or gases. Along with carbon, they contain elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, sulfur or nitrogen. 1. natural chemical 2. produced by plants 3. hydrogen, oxygen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, sulfur, and nitrogen are contained

Societal Risk

This word is used to encompass both public and worker risk. Criteria may be defined to limit the risk of major accidents and help target risk reduction measures such as restrictions on concurrent activities, enhanced engineered safeguards, and improved building siting or protection. 1. risks people take in life 2. controllable and not controllable risks. 3. they can be preventable.

Tropospheric Ozone

Tropospheric ozone is a greenhouse gas and initiates the chemical removal of methane and other hydrocarbons from the atmosphere. Therefore, its concentration affects how long these compounds remain in the air. 1. tropospheric ozone is BAD 2. stratospheric ozone is GOOD 3. it is a secondary pollutant