CHAPTER 19 - Air and Air Pollution

Atmosphere

the gaseous envelope surrounding Earth

Sick building syndrome

Eye irritation , nausea, headaches, respiratory infections, depression, and fatigue caused by indoor pollution

Primary air pollutants

Harmful chemicals that enter directly into the atmosphere due to either human activity or natural process

Secondary air pollutants

Harmful chemicals that form in the atmosphere when primary air pollutants react chemically with one another or with natural components of the atmosphere.

What basic forces determine the circulation of the atmosphere? Describe the general directions of atmospheric circulation.

Heating from the Sun, the locations and sizes of the continents, gravity, and the Coriolis effect of the Earth.

Ecosystem Services

Important environmental benefits such as clean air, clean water, and fertile soil, that the natural environment provides.

What is the U.S. Clean Air Act? Which pollution does it target and how has it affected outdoor air pollution emissions in the US?

It was passed to control and limit the amount of specific air pollutants permitted in the U.S. They focus on 6 major air pollutants: lead, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and ozone

Urban heat island

Local heat buildup in an area of high population

Prevailing winds

Major surface winds that blow more or less continuosly - come from the North/South Pole or Northern/Southern Hemisphere

Coriolis Effect

The tendency of moving air or water to be deflected from its path and swerve to the right in Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere

What factors cause wind? How does the Coriolis Effect affect air circulation patterns?

Wind is caused by differences in the atmospheric pressure. The Coriolis effect makes storms swirl clockwise in the Southern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.

Air pollution

chemicals (gases, liquids or solids) present in the atmosphere in high enough levels to harm humans and organisms

Where is air pollution worse: in highly developed nations or in developing countries? Why?

- it is worse in DEVELOPING countries because 1) environmental quality is low priority 2) outdated technology are adopted because they are cheaper 3)air pollutants laws are not enforced

What are the seven main classes of air pollutants, and what are some of their sources and effects?

1) Nitrogen oxide - comes from reaction of Nitrogen and Oxygen; causes smog 2) Sulfur oxide - comes from interaction between sulfur and oxygen; causes metal corrosion 3) Carbon Oxide - poisonous and reduce blood oxygenation 4) Hydrocarbons - comes from reaction of hydrogen and carbon; causes respiratory problems 5) Ozone - oxygen reacts with UV radiation; causes global warming 6) Hazardous Air Pollutants - chlorine, lead, fluorides causes health risks for people who work with these products in factories 7) Particulate Matter - dusts and mist in the air; toxic to human body

Which two layers of the atmosphere are closest to Earth's surface? How do they differ from one another?

1) Troposphere- first layer above the surface and contains half of the Earth's atmosphere, where weather occurs 2) Stratosphere - second layer above earth, layer of ozone that absorbs sun's damaging UV rays

What are some of the health effects of exposure to air pollution? Be specific

1) respiratory problems: emphysema, bronchitis 2) irritation of eyes 3) suppress immune system 4) chronic coughing 5) reduce blood's ability to transport oxygen

Photochemical Smog

A brownish-orange haze formed by chemical reactions involving sunlight, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons

Dust Dome

A dome of heated air that surrounds an urban area and contains a lot of air pollution

Temperature inversion

A layer of cold air temporarily trapped near the ground by a warmer upper layer

Why is indoor air pollution such a serious health hazard in developing countries?

Because people in developing countries still use wood burning to cook - the smoke from it causes many respiratory problems, pneumonia, lung cancer

What gases make up the atmosphere? Which two are the most abundant?

Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, Carbon Dioxide Nitrogen is the most abundant (78%)

What is the difference between primary and secondary air pollutants?

Primary pollutant is an air pollutant emitted directly from a source into the atmosphere A secondary pollutant forms from chemical reactions from primary pollutants

What are some common indoor air contaminants?

Radon Cigarette smoke Carbon Monoxide Nitrogen Dioxide Asbestos Burning wood indoor Cleaning solvents

What is radon gas? How does it enter buildings and what health effects does it have?

Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that forms from the breaking down of uranium. Radon gas enters buildings through the ground or through water

Distinguish between mobile and stationary sources of air pollution.

Stationary: pollution emitted by factories, refineries, boilers, and power plants Mobile: pollution emitted by cars, airplanes, locomotives, and other engines

The atmosphere of Earth has been compared to the peel covering an apple. Explain the comparison.

The atmosphere is a thin gaseous envelope that surrounds the Earth. Just like the apple peel the atmosphere is very thin compared to the larger body, the Earth. The atmosphere also protects the Earth like the peel protects the apple.

During a formal debate on the hazards of air pollution, one team argues that ozone is helpful to the atmosphere, and the other team argues that it is destructive. Under which conditions is each team's arguments correct?

ozone is HELPFUL in the stratosphere because oxygen reacts with solar UV radiation to form ozone that protects Earth's surface from receiving harmful levels of solar UV radiation. But ozone is DESTRUCTIVE in the troposphere because Ozone in the troposphere is a human-made air pollutant. (secondary air pollutant) and is the most harmful component of photochemical smog