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Concepts of Air Pollution Components in air pollutants Global Warming Indoor Air Pollutants How to solve the problem? C

AIR POLLUTION I. Characterization of Air Pollutants and Basic Concept of Air Pollution. Concepts of Air Pollution Components in air pollutants Global Warming Indoor Air Pollutants How to solve the problem? Conclusions. 1. Basic Concept of Air Pollution.

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Concepts of Air Pollution Components in air pollutants Global Warming Indoor Air Pollutants How to solve the problem? C

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  1. AIR POLLUTION I Characterization of Air Pollutants and Basic Concept of Air Pollution Concepts of Air Pollution Components in air pollutants Global Warming Indoor Air Pollutants How to solve the problem? Conclusions

  2. 1. Basic Concept of Air Pollution Dilution is the only way to deal with air pollution. Some even develop into secondary pollutants by sun-light (ultraviolet). Methods must be employed to reduce the production of pollution rather than controlling the emissions. • Air Emissions enter the sky and later become part of the precipitations (e.g. rain, snow, etc). For instance, acid rain was devastating in the 70’s world-wide, and now in mainland China and Eastern Europe. • Air pollutants eventually precipitate (snow or rain) to contaminate ground water, leaching into the waters (rivers, ponds, and coastal area). Ocean and rivers become the final sink. The pollutants are absorbed and accumulated via food chains to fish and birds.

  3. 1. Basic Concept of Air Pollution • Air pollution includes air and particulate pollutants. • Contaminated soil would affect the health of a forest, some trees might have become easier to be attacked by bacterial infections. • Carbon dioxide and other green house airs from emissions from burning of fossil fuels cause global warming. • CFCs are known to damage the earth’s ozone layer. • Outdoor and indoor air pollution are both important.

  4. 1. Basic Concept of Air Pollution Outdoor pollutions are affected by climatic factors: • Seasons (e.g. precipitations), • wind speed (dilution), • sun-light (UV produces smog), • Pressure (low pressure avoid pollutants to escape), • Temperature (temperature inversions), etc.

  5. Affected by landscape, city design (zoning), and town planning. 街道狹窄 Tunnel Effects 屏風效應 Wall Effects

  6. Diseases related to air pollution • Asthma (SO2 , particulates or any chemicals can induce complications of asthma patients) • Bronchitis (all chemicals, RSP and NOx lower lung’s immune response to microorganisms) • Cardiovascular (CO, NOx affect pulmonary and circulatory systems) • Discomfort (headache, stomach upset) • Eye irritation (ozone or acidic response) • Lung cancer (inhalation of diesel suspended particulates)

  7. 2. Components of air pollutants • 50% carbon monoxide • 16% sulfur oxides • 15% volatile organic compounds • 14% nitrogen oxides • 5% suspended particulate matter • (US data on a per weight basis, sources from USEPA cited in Miller, 1998)

  8. 2. Components of air pollutants Where do they come from? • Sources of Air Pollution:Natural (volcanoes), Mobile (vehicles), andStationary (factory and power plants) Mainly from burning of fossil fuels: 49% from transportation, 28% from combustion in stationary sources, 13% from industrial processes, 3% from solid waste disposal (incineration), 7% miscellaneous.

  9. PRIMARY POLLUTANTS: Emitted directly from sources such as burning of fossil fuels and factory emissions. CO, CO2 SO2, NO HCs (hydrocarbons) or VOCs, such as volatile organic compounds, methane CH4, benzene C6H6, formaldehyde CH2O, CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) SPM (suspended particulate matters or RSP) Radioactive substances, radon-222, plutonium-239 Heat Heavy metal ions: lead, cadmium, chromium, etc 2. Components of air pollutants

  10. 2. Components of air pollutants Secondary Pollutants • NO2 • SO3 • HNO2 • H2SO4 • H2O2 • O3 • PAHs (polyaromatic hydrocarbons) Acid Rain Photochemical Smog Cancer causing culprits

  11. 2. Components of air pollutants 摘自劉水源(一九九二)

  12. 摘自劉水源(一九九二) 2. Components of air pollutants

  13. 2. Components of air pollutants Suspended Particulate Matters TSP: total suspended particulates • Fine Particulates: 0.001 to 1 micrometer • Medium Particles: 1 to 10 micrometer • Large particles: 10 to 100 micrometer RSP • Large particles (cannot get into respiratory tract): • pollen, from flowering plants cause allergic responses. • cement, from construction dust • Coal dust, from burning of coal • fly ash, from incinerators

  14. 2. Components of air pollutants RSP, respirable suspended particulates Medium Particles: 1 to 10 micrometer • Particulate matters: PM 10, PM2.5, PM1 • Fly ash from incinerators • Insecticide dusts • Paint pigment • Cement dust • Coal dust from burning of coal • Diesel engine exhausts

  15. 2. Components of air pollutants Fine particles RSP, respirable suspended particulates also include: • 0.001 to 1 micrometer • Carbon black • Combustion nuclei • Oil smoke • Photochemical smog • Tobacco smoke

  16. 3. Global Warming

  17. Arctic perennial sea ice has been decreasing at a rate of 9% per decade. Also the ice of frozen freshwater on Greenland melts to dilute and lower the salinity of the arctic ocean. This would have significant effects (slower or stop) on the ocean conveyor. http://www.whoi.edu/institutes/occi/hottopics_climatechange.htm Arctic 1979 Gulf Stream (Warm) Arctic 2003 http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/mpg/97515main_SeaIceYrly.mpg

  18. Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Effect

  19. Global Carbon Dioxide Surge leading to global warming. 二氧化碳急增促成全球升温。 Exceeding world records

  20. Out of Control? Kyoto Protocol

  21. 4. Indoor Air Pollution • We spend more time indoor than in outdoor. For instance, 5 days week of work from 9 to 5 added up to be 40 hours. Over ten years’ work, ……we could be chronically affected by chemicals. • Second hand smoke causes lung cancer. • Kitchen and restaurant workers might have high risk. • Occupational exposure should not be over-looked.

  22. Indoor pollutants could cause acute diseases • Legionnaire’s disease caused by bacterial infections from air-conditioners. It was first found in a conference for veterans. • Other microorganisms including flu, molds and other infectious viruses could be dangerous. • Sick building syndromes. You feel sick with headache and allergic symptoms like running nose and irritating eyes, but feel well after you’ve left the building.

  23. TEN Major Indoor Air Pollutants • Asbestos from tiles and pipe insulation. • Benzene from solvent. • Carbon monoxide from furnace. • Formaldehyde (HCHO) from furniture, carpet and combustion appliances. • Ozone (O3) from electrostatic devices, photocopiers, printers.

  24. major indoor air pollutants (continued) 6. Radon-222 from granite. 7. Styrene from plastic or synthetic fiber. 8. Tetrachloroethylene from dry cleaning fluid. 9. Trichloroethane from aerosal sprays. 10. Tobacco smoke from cigarettes.

  25. Radon is a known human lung carcinogen • 13% of lung cancer deaths in Hong Kong might be related to radon. In US, about 15,000 lung cancer deaths each year might be related to radon. • Smokers are at high risk (3 times over control) of having Radon induced lung cancer.

  26. Solutions to “Radon” problem • In Hong Kong, a survey done by EPD (1993) found that 5% of residential (829 premises), 10% of non-residential buildings had levels above the WHO guideline level of 200 Bq/m3. • Ventilation may help to remove radon gas. • Keep residence level a distance away from sources, e.g. granite. AT least two stories above ground for residence or offices.

  27. What did they do in other countries? Monitoring Set Objectives Legal actions: Legislation/Ordinance/Law control: Ban sources of exhaust producing chemical pollutants in air, e.g. reduce allowable sulfur content, lead content, ozone content, carbon monoxide content, etc. 5. How do we solve the problem??

  28. (Adapted from EPD, 2001.)

  29. Lowered the limit of benzene content in petrol from 5% to 1% in April, 2000. • ULSD (ultra low sulphur diesel introduced in July, 2000. • LPG taxis to replace diesel taxis. • Particulate trap retrofitting program to reduce emissions. • Include emission test as part of the roadworthiness test for petrol vehicles. (Adapted from EPD, 2001.)

  30. CONCLUSIONS • Chemical pollutions from air are harmful to our health. • We must cut down the production of these chemicals in the air (indoor and outdoor). • Urgent cases like CFCs, the chemical must be suspended, but substitute is needed. • Other chemicals are targeted with clear objectives (guidelines). • Monitoring, new targets, and legislative control must be taken. • Many danger chemicals (e.g. dioxins) have been identified and we deal with them one by one. • Cleaner fuel is needed, zero waste concept (renewable energy) is needed as well. • Economic considerations, such as fuel taxes are useful.

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