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Understanding Air Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Solutions

Dive into the world of air pollution, from visible particles like smog to invisible gases such as carbon monoxide. Learn how pollutants are measured, their health impacts, and how to take action to combat this global issue.

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Understanding Air Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Solutions

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  1. Air Pollution

  2. What is it?

  3. Any visible or invisible particle or gas found in the air that is not part of the original, normal composition.

  4. Natural:forest fires, pollen, dust storm Unnatural: man-made; coal, wood and other fuels used in cars, homes, and factories for energy

  5. How is it measured?

  6. AQI: Air Quality Index • Indicates whether pollutant levels in air may cause health concerns. • Ranges from 0 (least concern) to 500 (greatest concern)

  7. The measured pollutants.....

  8. 5 Major Pollutants: 1..) Carbon Monoxide 2.) Sulfur Dioxide 3.) Nitrogen Dioxide 4.) Particulate Matter 5.) Ground Level Ozone

  9. Carbon Monoxide • colorless, odorless • produced when carbon does not burn in fossil fuels • present in car exhaust • deprives body of O2 causing headaches, fatigue, and impaired vision

  10. Sulfur Dioxide • produced when coal and fuel oil are burned • present in power plant exhaust • narrows the airway, causing wheezing and shortness of breath, especially in those with asthma

  11. Nitrogen Dioxide • produced when nitric oxide combines with oxygen in the atmosphere reddish, brown gas • present in car exhaust and power plants • affects lungs and causes wheezing; increases chance of respiratory infection

  12. Particulate Matter • particles of different sizes and structures that are released into the atmosphere • present in many sources including fossil fuels, dust, smoke, fog, etc. • can build up in respiratory system • aggravates heart and lung disease; increases risk of respiratory infection

  13. Ground Level Ozone • at upper level, ozone shields Earth from sun’s harmful UV rays • at ground level, ozone is harmful pollutants • formed from car, power and chemical plant exhaust • irritate respiratory system and asthma; reduces lung function by inflaming and damaging lining of lungs

  14. These 5 together form.....

  15. SMOG

  16. Combination of gases with water vapor and dust • Combination of words smoke and fog • Forms when heat and sunlight react gases (photochemical smog) • Occurs often with heavy traffic, high temperatures, and calm winds

  17. Its effects.....

  18. 1st smog related deaths were in London in 1873; death toll 500 people; can you imagine how much worse the atmosphere is now?! • Limits visibility • Decreases UV radiation • Yellow/black color over cities • Causes respiratory problems and bronchial related deaths

  19. The other problems.....

  20. The Greenhouse Effect

  21. Global Warming

  22. Thinning of Upper OZone Layer

  23. Acid Rain • Can be in the form of RAIN, SLEET OR SNOW • Will kill or damage plants, poison soil and water

  24. Indoor Air Pollution • Chemicals, household cleaners • Vapors from manmade products • Gases such as Carbon monoxide

  25. So, What can YOU do?

  26. Ride your bike • Tell your friends and family about pollution • Make sure your parents get pollution checks on their cars • Ride the school bus

  27. Learn more; stay up to date • Join a group to stop pollution • Encourage your parents to carpool to work • Switch off lights, fan, heat, etc. when you leave the room

  28. We only have one world..... Do you want it like this?

  29. Credits • Insel, Paul M. and Roth, Walton T. Core Concepts in Health: 9th edition. McGraw Hill: Boston, 2002. • http://edugreen.teri.in/explore/air.htm • http://www.oneworld.net/penguin/pollution/pollution_home.html • http://www.rcc.org/oem/aqindex.html • http://www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/air/monops/lessoms/mathlesson.html

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