Unit 7 - AP Environmental Science

How much louder is a jet airplane taking off than a jack hammer?

100 times.

Human hearing can be damaged with sudden or prolonged exposure to noises above _________.

85dBAs.

What is an Asphyxiant?

A gas that reduces or displaces the normal oxygen concentration in breathing air. Can suffocate you.

Thermal Inversion

A strange situation in which, in the atmosphere, warm air traps the cooler denser air which causes pollutants to be closer to the Earth's surface.

Smog

Air pollution by a mixture of smoke and fog.

Some Low-Level Lead Exposure Health Impacts for Children are...

Anemia, behavioral disorders, lowered IQ, reading and learning disabilities, and nerve damage.

Noise Pollution is...

Any noise that causes stress or has the potential to damage human health.

Air Pollution

Any substance in the atmosphere that has harmful effects on people, ecosystems, or infrastructure and the economy (sources can be anthropogenic or natural).

Carbon Monoxide is classifies as an __________________.

Asphyxiant.

PM10

Between 2.5 and 10 microns in diameter (Between 0.0025 mm and 0.01 mm) and can cause upper respiratory issues.

Combustion of coal creates which air pollutants?

Carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, heavy metals, and particulates.

CHNOPS stands for....

Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur.

Dust can...

Contain particulates of different sizes.

What is noise measured by?

Decibels on a logarithmic scale.

The U.S. Noise Control Act of 1972.

Enabled the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate noise.

NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards) 1970

Established for criteria pollutants learned most harmful to human health. These include sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, lead, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone.

Some Low-Level Lead Exposure Health Impacts for Adults are...

Hypertension and Cardiovascular disease.

Mold can...

Infect respiratory passageways.

Factors that make a location more prone to suffering health effects from a thermal inversion.

Large cities, High industrialization, and lots of vehicles.

The decibel scale is _______________, so a small change in value results in a large impact.

Logarithmic.

Radon-222

Naturally occurring gas that results from decaying uranium found in some rocks.

Combustion can release what air pollutants?

Nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, particulates, tobacco smoke, and carbon monoxide.

Migrating animals may change their routes because of __________ ______________ which results in reducing options for food and rest.

Noise Pollution.

How is Particulate Matter categorized?

Particle size in microns (Anything under 10 microns is inhalable).

Asbestos, dust, and smoke are considered...

Particulates.

Human activities have what type of consequences for the atmosphere?

Physical, chemical, and biological.

By masking sounds, what can noise pollution make it difficult for?

Predators to find prey and for prey to elude predators.

___________ is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America.

Radon

Acid Rain

Rain containing acids that form in the atmosphere when industrial gas emissions (especially sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) combine with water.

Particulate Matter

Solid and liquid particles in the air that are small enough to be inhaled

What is Asbestos?

Something that was used for insulation and can cause lung cancer because the fiber cells can affect blood flow within the alveoli (air sacs) if inhaled.

What are some health consequences from exposure to Noise Pollution?

Stress, depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The US federal agency with a mission to protect human health and the environment.

Clean Air Act (CAA)

The federal law that sets air quality standards to protect human and environmental health (made in 1970).

Combustion

The process of burning.

Acid rain is caused by...

The release of sulfur by burning of fossil fuels.

How does the Quiet Communities Act help regulate noise?

They provide funding to help communities reduce noise associated with airports.

How did the EPA regulate noise?

They set emission standards for sources of noise from transportation, machinery, and construction.

How does the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) help regulate noise?

They set limits on noise exposure in the workplace.

As of 2019, UNEP reports only __________ countries are still using leaded gasoline.

Three.

What are some sources of Noise Pollution?

Transportation, machinery associated with industry, and construction activities.

PM2.5

Under 2.5 microns in diameter (Under 0.0025 mm) and can cause lower respiratory issues.

Who is most likely to be impacted by noise from transportation, construction, and industrial machines?

Urban residents.

Factors the influence a thermal inversion.

Valleys, nearby mountain ranges, and coastal or prevailing winds.

What creates the perfect conditions for mold to grow undetected?

Water leaks and too much humidity.

Typical atmospheric conditions are...

Where temperature decreases as altitude increases.

Which of the following locations would you expect to have the highest levels of tropospheric ozone? a.) Dallas, Texas b.) Chicago, Illinois c.) Seattle, Washington d.) Boston, Massachusetts

a.) Dallas, Texas

Which of the following is a secondary pollutant from fossil fuel combustion? a.) PM2.5 b.) NOx c.) CO2 d.) O3

d.) O3