Chapter 20: air pollution

Pollution unit
20.1 Layers of the
Atmosphere
 Atmospheric pressure (millibars)
0 200 400 600 800 1,000
120 75 Highlights:
Temperature
110 Pressure decreases with
Pressure
65
100 Thermosphere altitude until it reaches zero

90 Troposphere is the layer we

55
live in; mostly N and O;
80 Heating via ozone weather; colder as you go up
Altitude (kilometers)

Altitude (miles)
Mesosphere 45
70 Stratosphere: has the ozone
layer; warmer as you go up
60
35
Environmental science
50
Stratosphere
focuses mostly on those two
40 25 layers
30

20 Ozone layer 15
Heating from the earth
10 Troposphere
5
Pressure = 1,000
0
(Sea 80 40 0 40 80 120 millibars at
Level) Temperature (C) ground level
 What SPF is that ozone?
Stratospheric ozone absorbs 95% of UV
radiation
3O2 + UV 2 O3
Tropospheric ozone is harmful to plants,
animals, and humans.
Tropospheric ozone is made when air
pollutants undergo chemical reactions
because of UV exposure.
 Which ozone is which?
The oxygen atom generated from the
initial reaction reacts with atmospheric,
diatomic oxygen, to form ozone.
This polluting ozone of the lithosphere,
traps heat and contributes to thermal
inversion.

O O2 O3
20.2 Outdoor Air Pollution

.
Primary & Secondary
Pollutants
Play intro video
 Primary Pollutants

CO CO2
Secondary Pollutants
SO2 NO NO2
SO3
Most hydrocarbons
HNO3 H2SO4
Most suspended
particles H2O2 O3 PANs
Most NO3 and SO42 salts

Sources Natural
Stationary

Mobile

Primary vs. Secondary

Tip Cant remember what
organic compounds are???
View my PS (Chapter 9) PPT
online for a quick refresher.
Major classes of air pollutants
Class
Carbon oxides
Sulfur oxides
Nitrogen oxides
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Suspended particulate matter (SPM)
Photochemical oxidants
Radioactive substances
Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), which
defects, and nervous system problems
cause health effects such as cancer, birth Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), methyl chloride (CH3Cl),
Examples
Carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2)
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and sulfur trioxide (SO3)
Nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrous oxide
(N2O) (NO and NO2 often are lumped together and
labeled NOx)
Methane (CH4), propane (C3H8), chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs)
Solid particles (dust, soot, asbestos, lead, nitrate, and
sulfate salts), liquid droplets (sulfuric acid, PCBs,
dioxins, and pesticides)
Ozone (O3), peroxyacyl nitrates (PANs), hydrogen
peroxide
(H2O2), aldehydes
Radon-222, iodine-131, strontium-90, plutonium-239
(Table 3-1, p. 49)
Table
chloroform (CHCl3), benzene (C6H6), ethylene dibromide
(C H Br ), formaldehyde (CH O )
Table 20-2 Major Outdoor Air Pollutants

CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)

Description: Colorless, odorless gas that is poisonous to air-breathing

animals; forms during the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels
(2 C + O2 2 CO).

Major human sources: Cigarette smoking (p. 409), incomplete

burning of fossil fuels. About 77% (95% in cities)comes from motor vehicle
exhaust.

Health effects: Reacts with hemoglobin in red blood cells and reduces the
ability of blood to bring oxygen to body cells and tissues. This impairs
perception and thinking; slows reflexes; causes headaches, drowsiness,
dizziness, and nausea; can trigger heart attacks and angina; damages the
development of fetuses and young children; and aggravates chronic
bronchitis, emphysema, and anemia. At high levels it causes collapse, coma,
irreversible brain cell damage, and death.

Carbon Monoxide
Table 20-2 Major Outdoor Air Pollutants

NITROGEN DIOXIDE (NO2)

Table 20-2
Page
Description: Reddish-brown irritating 438
gas that gives photochemical smog its
brownish color; in the atmosphere can be converted to nitric acid (HNO3), a major
component of acid deposition.

Major human sources: Fossil fuel burning in motor vehicles (49%) and power and
industrial plants (49%).

Health effects: Lung irritation and damage; aggravates asthma and chronic
bronchitis; increases susceptibility to respiratory infections such as the
flu and common colds (especially in young children and older adults).

Environmental effects: Reduces visibility; acid deposition of HNO3 can damage

trees, soils, and aquatic life in lakes.

Property damage: HNO3 can corrode metals and eat away stone on buildings,
statues, and monuments; NO2 can damage fabrics.

Nitrogen Dioxide
Table 20-2 Major Outdoor Air Pollutants

SULFUR DIOXIDE (SO2)

Table 20-2
Description: Colorless, irritating;Page
forms mostly 438
from the combustion of sulfur containing
fossil fuels such as coal and oil (S + O 2 SO ); in the atmosphere
2
can be converted to sulfuric acid (H2SO4), a major component of acid deposition.

Major human sources: Coal burning in power plants (88%) and industrial processes
(10%).
Health effects: Breathing problems for healthy people; restriction of airways in people
with asthma; chronic exposure can cause a permanent condition similar to bronchitis.
According to the WHO, at least 625 million people are exposed to unsafe levels of sulfur
dioxide from fossil fuel burning.
Environmental effects: Reduces visibility; acid deposition of H2SO4 can damage trees,
soils, and aquatic life in lakes.
Property damage: SO2 and H2SO4 can corrode metals and eat away stone on buildings,
statues, and monuments; SO2 can damage paint, paper, and leather.

Sulfur Dioxide
Table 20-2 Major Outdoor Air Pollutants
Table 20-2
SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTER (SPM)

Description: Variety of particles Page 438

and droplets (aerosols) small and light enough to
remain suspended in atmosphere for short periods (large particles) to long periods
(small particles; Figure 20-6, p. 441); cause smoke, dust, and haze.
Major human sources: Burning coal in power and industrial plants (40%), burning
diesel and other fuels in vehicles (17%), agriculture (plowing, burning off fields), unpaved
roads, construction.
Health effects: Nose and throat irritation, lung damage, and bronchitis; aggravates
bronchitis and asthma; shortens life; toxic particulates (such as lead, cadmium, PCBs,
and dioxins) can cause mutations, reproductive problems, cancer.
Environmental effects: Reduces visibility; acid deposition of H2SO4 droplets can
damage trees, soils, and aquatic life in lakes.
Property damage: Corrodes metal; soils and discolors buildings, clothes, fabrics, and
paints.

Suspended Particulate Matter

Table 20-2 Major Outdoor Air Pollutants

LEAD
Table 20-2
Page
Description: Solid toxic metal and 438
its compounds, emitted into the atmosphere as
particulate matter.

Major human sources: Paint (old houses), smelters (metal refineries), lead
manufacture, storage batteries, leaded gasoline (being phased out in developed
countries).

Health effects: Accumulates in the body; brain and other nervous system damage and
mental retardation (especially in children); digestive and other health problems; some
lead-containing chemicals cause cancer in test animals.

Environmental effects: Can harm wildlife.

Lead
Table 20-2 Major Outdoor Air Pollutants

OZONE (O3)
Table 20-2
Page
Description: Highly reactive, irritating gas with 438
an unpleasant odor that forms in the
troposphere as a major component of photochemical smog (Figures 20-3 and 20-5).

Major human sources: Chemical reaction with volatile organic compounds (VOCs,
emitted mostly by cars and industries) and nitrogen oxides to form photochemical smog
(Figure 20-5).

Health effects: Breathing problems; coughing; eye, nose, and throat irritation;
aggravates chronic diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and heart
disease; reduces resistance to colds and pneumonia; may speed up lung tissue aging.

Environmental effects: Ozone can damage plants and trees; smog can reduce
visibility.

Property damage: Damages rubber, fabrics, and paints.

Ozone
20.3 Photochemical and
Industrial Smog
 Smog

Photochemical: brown air smog Caused

by UV reacting with chemicals (NOx, VOCs
in the atmosphere) Found in modern cities,
especially in warm, sunny areas.
Industrial smog: gray air smog Caused
by burning of fossil fuels, adds sulfur to air.
Rare in developed countries now as soot is
removed by filters..
 Photochemical Smog
Nitrogen oxide is an essential ingredient of
photochemical smog that is produced during
the high temperatures associated with
combustion of vehicles engines.

N 2 O2 Energy 2 NO
Be sure to look at sheet Chemistry is indeed
relevant to APES.
Initial reaction of nitrogen
dioxide with sunlight

NO2
NO O
sunlight
 Factors in smog formation
Decrease smog Increase smog

Precipitation Urban buildings

Salty sea spray Hills and mountains
Wind High temperatures
Reduce factory/car Grasshopper Effect
emissions
 Grasshopper Effect
This is one reason
why the dangerous
chemicals Canada
banned more than 20
years ago continue to
turn up in the Great
Lakes.
 View Chemistry is indeed relevant to
APES.
See equation reactants and products of photochemical
smog on sheet.

Hydrocarbons (including VOCs), carbon monoxide, and

nitrogen oxides from vehicle exhausts are irradiated by
sunlight in the presence of oxygen gas.
The resulting reactions produce a potentially dangerous
mixture that include other NOx, ozone, and irritating
organic compounds (VOCs), as well as CO2 and H2O
vapor
Thats just smoke out your.
 20.4 Regional Outdoor Air
Pollution from Acid Deposition
 Acid Rain

Play intro video

 Chemistry and Acid Rain
The pH of rainwater is normally slightly acidic,
at about 5.6, due mainly to reaction of carbon
dioxide with water to form carbonic acid.

CO2 H 2O H 2CO3
Refer to Chemistry is indeed relevant to APES.

 Gases from natural events

Volcanic eruptions, forest fires, and lightning produce sulfur dioxide,
sulfur trioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.
These gases can react with atmospheric water in much the same way that
carbon dioxide does to produce sulfurous acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid and
nitrous acid.

SO2 H 2O H 2 SO3

SO3 H 2O H 2 SO4
2 NO H O HNO3 HNO2
2 is indeed2relevant to APES.
Refer to Chemistry
 Wind

Transformation to
sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
and nitric acid (HNO3) Windborne ammonia gas
and particles of cultivated soil
partially neutralize acids and Wet acid deposition
form dry sulfate and nitrate salts (droplets of H2SO4 and
HNO3 dissolved in rain
Nitric oxide (NO) Dry acid
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and snow)
deposition
and NO (sulfur dioxide
gas and particles
Acid fog of sulfate and
nitrate salts)

Farm
Ocean Lakes in shallow
Lakes in soil low in
deep soil limestone
high in limestone become
are buffered acidic

Acid Rain formation

 Wind

Z
Y
Farm
Ocean

Which location does sulfuric &

nitric acids transform?
 Wind
Transformation to
sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
and nitric acid (HNO3)

Z
Y
Farm
Ocean

Identify the type of acid

deposition at point Y
 Wind

Z
Dry acid
deposition

Farm
Ocean

Identify the type of acid

deposition at point Z
 Wind

Wet acid deposition

Y
Farm
Ocean

Great Job!!
 Primary Pollutants

CO CO2
Secondary Pollutants
SO2 NO NO2
SO3
Most hydrocarbons
HNO3 H2SO4
Most suspended
particles H2O2 O3 PANs
Most NO3 and SO42 salts

Sources Natural
Stationary

Mobile

Which chemicals lower the pH

of rain?
 Primary Pollutants

CO CO2
Secondary Pollutants
SO2 NO NO2
SO3
Most hydrocarbons
HNO3 H2SO4
Most suspended
particles H2O2 O3 PANs
Most NO3 and SO42 salts

Sources Natural
Stationary

Mobile

Secondary Pollutants in RED

pH levels of US soil
 Effects of Acid Rain
Decrease soil pH (more acidic)
Decrease pH of rivers, lakes, ponds, etc
Fish kills
Lung/respiratory problems
Degrade metal pipes, leading to water
pollution
Plants become susceptible to disease,
parasites, etc
 Solutions
Acid Deposition

Prevention Cleanup

Reduce air pollution by Add lime to neutralize

improving energy efficiency acidified lakes

Reduce coal use Add phosphate

fertilizer to neutralize
acidified lakes
Increase natural gas use

Increase use of
renewable resources

Burn low-sulfur coal

Acid Rain
Remove SO2 particulates,
and Nox from smokestack gases
Prevention
Remove Nox from motor and
vehicular exhaust

Tax emissions of SO2

Solution
20.5 Indoor Air Pollution
 Go outside and play
Indoor air is typically a greater threat
People are inside up to 98% of their time
Less air flow to remove pollutants
Top pollutants: cigarette smoke,
formaldehyde, radon, particulate matter.
Sick building Typically newer buildings
because of less air leaks. Symptoms:
headache, coughing, sneezing, tiredness.
 Formaldehyde
Found in: plywood, furniture, upholstery, floor
adhesives, dry cleaning chemicals.
Causes: breathing problems, headache, sore throat,
dizziness, eye irritation in those sensitive to low
levels.
Chronic exposure to higher levels can lead to
cancer.
Radon
Naturally occurring from radioactive decay of U-238.
Occurs in soils, bedrock and can get into homes
through cracks.
Cant get out and builds up
Can lead to lung cancer
 Para-dichlorobenzene:
air fresheners, moth balls;
Chloroform: chlorine- cancers
treated hot water; cancers
Tetrachloroethylene: dry
cleaning residue; nerve, liver,
kidney problems

1, 1, 1- Formaldehyde:
from processed
Trichloroethane:
wood; eye, nose,
aerosals; dizziness,
throat, lung irritant
irregular breathing

Benzo--pyrene:
Nitrogen Oxides: from smoke; lung
Gas ovens, kerosene cancer
heaters, un-vented gas
burning; lung irritation, Styrene: from
headaches carpet/plastic.
Kidney/liver
problems
Tobacco Smoke
Asbestos: old floor tile,
Pipe insulation;
lung problems, cancer Radon-
Carbon Monoxide Methylene Chloride: 222: from
paint stripper, thinner;
soils, lung
nerve, diabetes
disease
 Solutions
Indoor Air Pollution

Prevention Cleanup

Cover ceiling tiles and lining of Use adjustable fresh air vents
AC ducts to prevent release of for work spaces
mineral fibers

Ban smoking or limit it to well- Increase intake of outside air

ventilated areas
Change air more frequently
Set stricter formaldehyde
emissions standards for
carpet, furniture, and Circulate buildings air through
building materials
rooftop greenhouses
Prevent radon infiltration
Use exhaust hoods for stoves
Use office machines in well- and appliances burning natural
ventilated areas gas

Use less polluting Install efficient chimneys

substitutes for harmful
cleaning agents, paints, and for wood-burning stoves
other products
Particulates - Aka: particulate matter (PM)
What are they? aerosols or fine particles,
are tiny particles of solid (a smoke) or
liquid (an aerosol) suspended in a gas.
Size: < 10 nm - > 100 m in diameter.
Who do they effect? Sensitive populations
such as children, the elderly, and
individuals suffering from respiratory
disease.
 Particulate Matter (PM)
Larger particles are generally filtered in
the nose and throat and do not cause
problems.

PM smaller than about 10 m, referred to

as PM10, can settle in the bronchi and
lungs and cause health problems.
 Particulate Matter (PM)
Includes a wide range of pollutants
road dust
diesel soot
fly ash
wood smoke
sulfate aerosols (suspended as particles in the
air)
These particles are a mixture of visible and
microscopic solid particles and minute liquid
droplets known as aerosols.
 Take a deep breath
Asthma: on the rise! WHY??
Varying opinions:
Overly sterile environment as children; dont build up natural
immunity
Exposure to allergens
Genetic make up
Exposure to pollution
Lung cancer
Chronic bronchitis
Emphysema
 National Ambient Air Quality
Standards (NAAQS)
Standards established by the EPA that apply
for outdoor air throughout the country.
Primary standards are designed to protect
human health.
Secondary standards are designed to
protect public welfare (e.g. building
facades, visibility, crops, and domestic
animals).
 EPAs watchful eye
NAAQS requires the EPA to set standards on six
criteria pollutants:

1. Ozone (O3)
2. Particulate Matter
3. Carbon monoxide (CO)
4. Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
5. Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
6. Lead (Pb)
Temperature Inversions (pg. 442)
and
Heat Islands (online activity)
 Temperature Inversion
Warmer air

Inversion layer
Increasing altitude

Cool layer

Mountain Mountain

Valley

Decreasing temperature

Traps pollutants near surface. Mountains prevent wind in

area and shadow sun to keep lower air cool.
 Temperature Inversion
Descending warm air mass

Inversion layer
Increasing altitude

Sea breeze

Mountain
range

Decreasing temperature

Traps pollutants near surface. Mountains prevent pollutants

leaving. Sea breeze blows in, not out This is what is
happening in LA. Video clip
20.7 Preventing and Reducing
Air Pollution
 Solutions

Stationery Source Air Pollution

Prevention Dispersion or Cleanup

Burn low-sulfur Disperse

coal emissions above
thermal inversion
Remove sulfur layer with tall
from coal smokestacks

Convert coal
to a liquid or Remove
gaseous fuel pollutants after
combustion
Shift to less
Tax each unit
polluting fuels
of pollution
produced
Out-put or Control Methods

See text pg. 457

Fig 20-18
 Cleaned gas
Electrodes

Dust discharge
Dirty gas

Electrostatic Precipitator static plates collect particles

 Bags

Cleaned gas

Dirty gas

Dust discharge
Baghouse Filter only one to remove hazardous fine particles
 Cleaned gas Dirty gas

Clean
water

Wet
gas

Dirty water Remove 98% of SO2 and

Wet Scrubber Expensive PM from emissions
 Cleaned gas

Dirty gas

Does NOT produce

hazardous
materials like other

Dust discharge
Cyclone Separator - Cheap
 Solutions

Motor Vehicle Pollutions

Prevention Cleanup
Mass transit Emission control
devices
Bicycles and walking

Less polluting engines

Less polluting fuels

Solutions for
Improve fuel efficiency Car exhaust mobile
Inspections
Get older, polluting
cars off the road
twice a year emissions
Give buyers tax write-
offs for buying low-
polluting, energy-
efficient vehicles

Restrict driving in Stricter emission

polluted areas standards
 Solutions
Air Pollution
Prevention Cleanup

Improve energy efficiency Reduce poverty

to reduce fossil fuel use

Rely more on lower- Distribute cheap and efficient

polluting natural gas cookstoves to poor families in
developing countries

Rely more on renewable

energy (especially solar
cells, wind, and solar- Reduce or ban indoor smoking
produced hydrogen)

Transfer technologies for Develop simple and cheap

latest energy efficiency, test for indoor pollutants
renewable energy, and such as particulates, radon,
pollution prevention to
developing countries. and formaldehyde
 Clean Air Acts
US Congress in 1970, 1977, 1990
EPA regulation of emissions that
contribute to global warming, ozone
depletion and air pollution. View clip
You should read ALL case studies in the
chapter!
Ea: The Bad Old Days, A Burning
Controversy and section 20-7 specifically.
 VI. Pollution (25-30%)
Air pollution
1. Sources-primary and secondary (20.2 & air pollution lab)
2. major air pollutants (20.2 & pollutant chart)
3. measurement units (air pollution lab & emissions trading game)
4. smog (20.3 & Demo: Smog in a jar)
5. acid deposition-causes and effects (20.4, pH/acid rain lab, video)
6. heat islands (online activity) and temperature inversions (20.3)
7. indoor air pollution (20.5 & air particulate lab)
8. remediation and reduction strategies (air pollution allowance
trading article, emissions trading game) and Fig. 20-18)
9. Clean Air Act and other relevant laws (Law sheet, NAAQS)