* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download air quality rr
Global warming controversy wikipedia , lookup
Global warming hiatus wikipedia , lookup
General circulation model wikipedia , lookup
Climate change denial wikipedia , lookup
Economics of global warming wikipedia , lookup
Mitigation of global warming in Australia wikipedia , lookup
Climate sensitivity wikipedia , lookup
Climatic Research Unit documents wikipedia , lookup
Fred Singer wikipedia , lookup
Climate change adaptation wikipedia , lookup
Climate engineering wikipedia , lookup
Climate governance wikipedia , lookup
Citizens' Climate Lobby wikipedia , lookup
Climate change in Tuvalu wikipedia , lookup
Instrumental temperature record wikipedia , lookup
Global warming wikipedia , lookup
Physical impacts of climate change wikipedia , lookup
Effects of global warming on human health wikipedia , lookup
Media coverage of global warming wikipedia , lookup
Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment wikipedia , lookup
Attribution of recent climate change wikipedia , lookup
Climate change and agriculture wikipedia , lookup
Clean Air Act (United States) wikipedia , lookup
Politics of global warming wikipedia , lookup
Climate change feedback wikipedia , lookup
Scientific opinion on climate change wikipedia , lookup
Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme wikipedia , lookup
Solar radiation management wikipedia , lookup
Climate change in the United States wikipedia , lookup
Effects of global warming on humans wikipedia , lookup
Surveys of scientists' views on climate change wikipedia , lookup
Climate change and poverty wikipedia , lookup
Public opinion on global warming wikipedia , lookup
Air Pollution (AP) Lecture Outline Definition of AP Classification of Air Pollutants: Sources of AP Major Air Pollutants: Criteria and non-criteria pollutants: Sulfur and Nitrogen Oxides, Particulate matter etc Acid Rain: causes and effects Global Warming : causes and effects Indoor Air Quality: health effects Air Pollution Control Clean Air Act 42 U.S.C. s/s 7401 et seq. (1970) The Clean Air Act is the comprehensive Federal law that regulates air emissions from area, stationary, and mobile sources. This law authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect public health and the environment. The goal of the Act was to set and achieve NAAQS in every state by 1975. The setting of maximum pollutant standards was coupled with directing the states to develop state implementation plans (SIP's) applicable to appropriate industrial sources in the state. The Act was amended in 1977 primarily to set new goals (dates) for achieving attainment of NAAQS since many areas of the country had failed to meet the deadlines. The 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act in large part were intended to meet unaddressed or insufficiently addressed problems such as acid rain, ground-level ozone, stratospheric ozone depletion, and air toxics. Sec. 101. (a) The Congress finds – (1) that the predominant part of the Nation's population is located in its rapidly expanding metropolitan and other urban areas, which generally cross the boundary lines of local jurisdictions and often extend into two or more States; (2) that the growth in the amount and complexity of air pollution brought about by urbanization, industrial development, and the increasing use of motor vehicles, has resulted in mounting dangers to the public health and welfare, including injury to agricultural crops and livestock, damage to and the deterioration of property, and hazards to air and ground transportation; (3) that air pollution prevention (that is, the reduction or elimination, through any measures, of the amount of pollutants produced or created at the source) and air pollution control at its source is the primary responsibility of States and local governments; and (4) that Federal financial assistance and leadership is essential for the development of cooperative Federal, State, regional, and local programs to prevent and control air pollution. (b) The purposes of this title are : (1) to protect and enhance the quality of the Nation's air resources so as to promote the public health and welfare and the productive capacity of its population; (2) to initiate and accelerate a national research and development program to achieve the prevention and control of air pollution; (3) to provide technical and financial assistance to State and local governments in connection with the development and execution of their air pollution prevention and control programs; and (4) to encourage and assist the development and operation of regional air pollution prevention and control programs. (c) Pollution Prevention.- A primary goal of this Act is to encourage or otherwise promote reasonable Federal, State, and local governmental actions, consistent with the provisions of this Act, for pollution prevention. [42 U.S.C. 7401] AP: Definition Air pollution occurs when the air contains gases, dust, fumes or odor in harmful amounts. That is, amounts which could be harmful to the health or comfort of humans and animals or which could cause damage to plants and materials. Classification of Air Pollutants I. II. According to their Origin Primary Pollutants The substances that cause air pollution are called pollutants. Pollutants that are pumped into our atmosphere and directly pollute the air are called primary pollutants. Primary pollutant examples include Carbon Monoxide (CO), from car exhausts and sulfur dioxide(SO2) from the combustion of coal. Secondary Air Pollutants Further pollution can arise if primary pollutants in the atmosphere undergo chemical reactions. The resulting compounds are called secondary pollutants. Photochemical smog is an example of this. Classification(conti.) II. According To their State of matter: • • • • • Particulates, dusts, gases, vapors, mist, fog, smoke and smog. Classification(conti.) III. According To their Physiological Effects: • • • Asphyxiants : Carbon Monoxide (CO) Irritants Ammonia, NH3 , Chlorine gas(Cl2) Systemic Poisons Mercury vapor Sources of AP Transportation: primarily automobiles Electric Power plants which burn coal and oil Industry such as steel mills, metal smelters, petrochemical industry and paper mills. Space heating and solid waste disposal Composition of AIR Nitrogen Oxygen Carbon Dioxide others:argon,helium 78% 21% .01% .09% Major Air Pollutants The most commonly found in the all the states are 6 pollutants which the EPA is required to gather information about their impact on humans and the environment. They can cause adverse health effects and damage to the environment. They are referred to as : Criteria Pollutants. These include: Total Suspended Particulates, Sulfur and Nitrogen Dioxides, Carbon monoxide, Ozone, and Lead I. Total Suspended Particulates Matter (PM) PM < 10 micrometer Form: solid or liquid/ haze and smoke Sources: combustion, industrial processes Effects: acts as respiratory irritant, reduce visibility and corrodes metal. II. Sulfur Oxides Form : gases Sources: 73% from coal and oil burning industry (power plants, smelters, boilers ) Effects: irritants, corrodes metals and stones, damage textiles, toxic to plants and a major source of ACID RAIN III. Nitrogen Oxides Form: gases Sources; motor vehicles and power plants Effects: Cause ACID RAIN, irritant, reduce visibility, toxic to plants IV- Carbon Monoxide Sources: incomplete combustion: motor vehicles Form : gas Effects: fatal at high concentrations, can be converted to carbon dioxide which causes Acid Rain V- Ozone Form: gas Sources: motor vehicles (indirectly) Effects: irritant, toxic to plants , corrodes rubber and paint. VI- Lead Form: metal and aerosol Sources: leaded gasoline , vehicles and industry. Effects: damage to the central nervous system, and can damage kidneys. Acid Rain SO3 + H2O = H2 SO4 NO2 + H2O CO2 = HNO3 + H2O = H2CO3 Acid Rain In forests: interferes with the degradation of organic material such as dead plants by bacteria on the forest floor. In lakes : metals will be released back into the aquatic environment, possibility of entering the food chain. Acidic waters of pH < 4.00 could result in 85% mortality of aquatic organisms(fish, frogs).Fish eggs will not hatch in waters with pH below 6.00 The Politics of Acid Rain Marble and Bronze statues are corroding, forests and lakes are dying, salmon can no longer reproduce. To install scrubbers is expensive (100 million per plant) To switch to low sulfur coal could cost many coal mining jobs(100 Thousands) and as many as 300,000 in other related industries. Hazardous Air Pollutants These are less common than the Criteria Pollutants but some are more toxic. The sources are from industry and manufacturing processes. These Include: Asbestos, Mercury, benzene, Arsenic, vinyl Chloride, Beryllium and Radio-nuclides. Indoor Air Quality Microorganisms : Legionellosis Radon: decays from Uranium Passive cigarette smoking Combustion products: Nitrogen, Sulfur and carbon compounds Volatile Organic Compounds: building and furnishing materials Legionnaires’ Disease causative agent Legionella pneumophilia First identified 1n 1977 by CDC Outbreak of pneumonia, caused 34 deaths 1n 1976, American Legion Convention in Philadelphia Gram-negative rods Legionnaires’ Disease Sources of Infection Heating-ventilating-air-condition system (HVAC) Cooling water, evaporative condensers Domestic hot-water system(<60 C) Humidifiers and decorative fountains Spas and whirlpools Dental water line(37 C) Stagnant water: fire sprinkler system Water for eye wash Safety showers Legionnaires’ Disease mode of transmission I- Aerosol inhalation • Aerosol generating systems II- water micro-aspiration • • • • • Water distribution systems Water cooling towers Whirlpool bath Respiratory therapy equipment Supermarket vegetable sprinkling/irrigation systems Legionella pneumonia Hotel, cruise ships, office , (buildingrelated illness) Indoor Air Quality (Case Study) Chemical Compounds : Example :Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde can cause upper respiratory tract at very low concentrations (0.030 mg/m3 (cubic meter of air). in sensitive individuals – An indoor air quality survey was conducted by Tulane in Southern Louisiana to determine the levels of airborne Formaldehyde. Indoor Air Quality Case Study – About 500 samples were collected from 53 homes and analyzed . Range was 0.0376.60 mg/m3 . – 60% of the houses exceeded the National Standards of 0.123mg/ m3 ( EPA and ASHRAE: American Society of Heating and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers). Air Flow in the Respiratory Tract Human at rest : About 8 breaths (tidal Volume) per minute About 500 ml per breath 4 liters per minute OR 240 liters per hour OR 1920 liters , about 2000 liters/ 8 hours Asbestos It is naturally occurring hydrated mineral silicate. It has a crystalline structure and it is incombustible in air and can be separated into fibers. It includes : amosite, chrysotile and actinolite. It has two forms: Friable and non-friable Asbestos Containing Products: Friable: Insulating products used around pipes , water heaters and boilers. Non-friable: floor and roof tiles, rigid plastics, break shoes, roofing asphalt, gaskets, PVC products, Portland cement Health Effects of Asbestos and Methods of Disposal Asbestosis Lung cancer Mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the pleura) Disposal: removal, bagging and transportation to a landfill must be done by a licensed contractor. Is Climate Change Happening ?? Despite a scientific consensus on the subject, some people don't think global warming is happening at all. There are several reasons for this: They don't think the data show a measurable upward trend in global temperatures, either because we don't have enough long-term historical climate data or because the data we do have isn't clear enough. . Climate Change A few scientists think that data is being interpreted incorrectly by people who are already worried about climate change. That is, these people are looking for evidence of global warming in the statistics, instead of looking at the evidence objectively and trying to figure out what it means Climate Change . Some argue any increase/decrease in global temperatures we are seeing could be a natural climate shift, or it could be due to other factors than greenhouse gases Climate Change Most scientists recognize that global warming does seem to be happening, but a few don't believe that it is anything to be worried about. These scientists say that the Earth is more resistant to climate changes on this scale than we think. Plants and animals will adapt to subtle shifts in weather patterns, and it is unlikely anything catastrophic will happen as a result of global warming. Climate Change Some policymakers in the United States are reluctant to propose and enact changes because they feel the costs may outweigh any risks climate change poses. Some common concerns, claims and complaints include: A change in the United States' policies in emissions and carbon production could result in a loss of jobs ????? Climate Change •India and China, both of which continue to rely heavily on coal for their main source of energy, will continue to cause environmental problems even if the United States changes its energy policies. Climate Change •Since scientific evidence is about probabilities rather than certainties, we can't be certain that human behavior is contributing to climate change, that our contribution is significant, or that we can do anything to fix it. Climate Change •Technology will find a way to get us out of the climate change mess, so any change in our policies will ultimately be unnecessary and cause more harm than good. Climate Change What's the correct answer? It can be hard to figure out. Most scientists will tell you that climate change is real and that it is likely to do some kind of harm, but the extent of the problem and the danger posed by its effects are wide open for debate. In the next section, we'll see if there's anything we can do to help prevent Climate Change Climate Change Temperatures of the oceans are increasing, 1.4-5.8 C in the 21st century Droughts and floods are increasing Less crop yields Desertification is progressing Health issues/diseases will be more common. Heat >more ice melting:>Oceans will rise > more surface area > more evaporation >more rain> more crop yields > world wide food production. Coastal areas might be flooded but this is already happening : Hurricanes People will be temporary displaced . It is true that some areas will receive less rain But others will receive plenty of rain Climate Change It refers to a slight increase in global temperature. It has been documented that temperature has increased about 0.5 C0 during the past century. Changing Climate** Global mean surface temperatures have increased 0.5-1.0°F since the late 19th century. The 20th century's 10 warmest years all occurred in the last 15 years of the century. Of these, 1998 was the warmest year on record. **EPA 2011 Climate Change The snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere and floating ice in the Arctic Ocean have decreased. Globally, sea level has risen 4-8 inches over the past century. Worldwide precipitation over land has increased by about one percent.. Climate Change Increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases are likely to accelerate the rate of climate change. Scientists expect that the average global surface temperature could rise 1-4.5°F (0.6-2.5°C) in the next fifty years, and 2.2-10°F (1.4-5.8°C) in the next century, with significant regional variation. Climate Change Evaporation will increase as the climate warms, which will increase average global precipitation. Soil moisture is likely to decline in many regions, and intense rainstorms are likely to become more frequent. Sea level is likely to rise two feet along most of the U.S. coast. Calculations of climate change for specific areas are much less reliable than global ones, and it is unclear whether regional climate will become more variable. Climate Change A Build up of CO2 around the earth will act as an envelope which retains irradiated heat from the earth after sunset. The earth temperature will rise because there is no dissipation of the irradiated heat into the upper layers of the atmosphere. Global Warming/Green House Gases Green House Effect: Flood OR Freeze Gases: 1- CO2 Contributes 2- CFC’s : Chloro- Fluoro –Carbons Refrigerants 9 Freon 12, 134a 3- CH4 Methane 4- N2O 55% 24% 15% 06% Effects of Climate Change Flood OR Freeze I - Flooding: – An increase in industry will increase CO2 concentrations around the earth, more heat is retained . – An increase in temperature of the ocean waters and Ice Caps will follow. – This will increase rain fall and ice melting which will raise the water level in Oceans several feet and – Flooding will follow. Climate Change B) Decrease in crop due to high temperatures or flooding, will cause famine C) Increase Human Illnesses due to heat and/Tropical Diseases especially those transmitted by mosquitoes: malaria, Dengue, Yellow Fever etc. II- Freezing Freeze to death: More industry More Particulates emitted into the atmosphere More sunlight be reflected back to the sun Earth will FREEZE AP Control Site selection process modification Enclosing operations Good housekeeping Weather Conditions Alert Alternate Production Processes Hydroelectricity Nuclear Solar Wind, Tidal, Biomass, Geothermal Control of Air Pollution Changing from high sulfur to low sulfur Blending higher with lower sulfurs Desulfurization, Hydrogenation Mixing limestone with coal then burn Removal of sulfur from emissions by an alkaline such as lime.