AP Environmental Science Ch. 18, part 2
Download as PPT, PDF1 like887 views
Indoor air pollution is a serious problem globally. In developing nations, indoor burning of biomass for cooking and heating leads to high particulate levels indoors. Indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air even in developed nations due to sources like building materials, cleaning products, and activities like smoking. Long term exposure to indoor pollutants like particulate matter, radon, asbestos, and formaldehyde can cause respiratory illness and cancer. Reducing indoor pollution requires addressing sources like improving cooking technologies, increasing ventilation, reducing tobacco and mold exposure, and using low-emitting building materials and consumer products.
AP Environmental Science Ch. 18, part 2
- 1. Indoor Air Pollution Ch. 18, part 2
- 2. Air Pollution in developing nations Indoor burning of wood, coal, dung, other fuels for heating and cooking Particulate air pollution Few know laws regarding worker safety…many workers are children Boys working to make plastics Girls cooking Indoor air pollution is THE MOST SERIOUS air pollution problem for people in developing nations
- 3. Indoor Air Pollution in Developed Nations Indoor air often dirtier than outdoor air Usually more health problems caused by indoor air pollution
- 4. According to the EPA… 11 of the most common pollutants are higher inside than out Pollution levels inside cars in traffic are high Risk higher because we spend more time indoors and in vehicles
- 5. According to the EPA… Indoor Air Pollution has been at the top of the list for cancer risk since 1990 Greatest risk: Smokers Kids under 5 Elderly Ill Pregnant People with respiratory or heart problems Factory workers
- 6. Sources of Indoor Air Pollution Pesticide and lead residues on shoes --> carpet Paints/sprays that contain VOCs Dust mites/cockroach droppings --> asthma Molds/mildew--> allergies
- 7. Sick Building Syndrome Symptoms: Dizziness Headaches Itchy throat/sneezing Shortness of breath Burning eyes/sore throat Flu-like symptoms 1 in 5 commercial buildings in US a “sick” building https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
- 8. Top Indoor Air Pollutants 1. Tobacco smoke 2. Formaldehyde - in lots of building materials and household products 3. Radioactive radon 222 gas - seeps into houses from underground rocks 4. Very small particulates 1. molds, pesticides, spores, droppings, 5. Asbestos
- 9. Formaldehyde Breathing problems Diziness Headache Sinus/eye irritation Nausea All due to low level exposure With chronic exposure - 34% more likely to get ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease - kills nerve cells that control movement)
- 10. Sources of Formaldehyde Plywood Particleboard Paneling High gloss wood in floors and cabinets Furniture Drapes Upholstery Adhesives in carpeting and wallpaper Urethane-formaldehyde foam insulation Fingernail hardener Wrinkle-free coating on permanent press clothing Chronic exposure causes cancer in 1/5000 people
- 11. Asbestos Source: pipe insulation, vinyl ceiling and floor tiles Threats: lung disease and cancer
- 12. Radon-222 Sources: the natural decay of uranium-238 in rocks and soil that builds up in cracks in walls and home foundations Threats: cancer (mostly in smokers)
- 13. You’re turn Choose 2 indoor air pollutants: What is it’s name? Source? Harms? Solutions?
- 14. Air Pollution – Indoor and Outdoor
- 15. Health Effects of Air Pollution Your respiratory system: your natural defense Nose hair/mucus trap small particles Sneezing/coughing helps expel things Cilia in upper respiratory tract push pollutants into your throat
- 16. Prolonged exposure to pollutants can overwhelm your system Fine/ultrafine particles get deep into lungs In US, 17 million people have asthma ~14 people die from asthma attacks every day
- 17. Clean Air Acts of 1970, 1977, 1990 Established federal air pollution regulations that are enforced by states and large cities Congress directed EPA to establish national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for 6 pollutants CO SPM NOx SO2 O3 Pb
- 19. Clean Air Act Basics Stationary sources (power plants, etc) MUST have pollution prevention technology in place Mobile sources (cars, trucks, ships, etc) Engines meet standards, some types banned, fuels meet standards Don’t meet standards/pollute too much EPA works with person/company to get them to clean it up EPA cleans it up and fines person/company EPA can sue if needed to get compliance
- 20. Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Public info Requires refineries, power plants, mines, chemical companies, factories to report their releases for 667 chemicals Holds companies accountable http://www.epa.gov/cgi-bin/broker? ZIPCODE=95304&VIEW=ZPCH&trilib=TRIQ1&TAB_RPT=1&_LINESPP=&sort=RELLBY&INDUSTRY=ALL&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP&FLD=RE_TOLBY&sort_fmt=2&T opN=&STATE=&COUNTY=&CHEMICAL=ALL+CHEMICALS&YEAR=2009&BGCOLOR= %23D0E0FF&FOREGCOLOR=black&FONT_FACE=arial&FONT_SIZE=10+pt&FONT_WIDTH=normal&FONT_STYLE=roman&FONT_WEIGHT=bold&_SERVICE=oiaa&_P
- 21. US Air Pollution Laws a model for the regulatory approach US air quality has increased greatly 1. US Citizens insisted on laws for cleaner air 2. We had the money and technology to make it happen
- 22. But… We continue to rely primarily on air pollution clean up rather than prevention Prevention WORKS! (banned lead in gas - lead levels drop 97%)
- 23. Fuel efficiency standards for vehicle still embarrassingly low (far behind EU, China, Japan) (less CO2, less smog, less NOx)
- 25. Little to no regulation of ships - burn dirtiest grades of fuels Airports often exempt from air quality rules
- 26. No laws regulating CO2 Ultrafine particles not regulated http://www.worldwatch.org/node/4499
- 29. Emission trading or cap- and-trade program Companies buy pollution credits - if it emits less than its credits, it can save them or sell them Mixed reactions to program Let’s companies buy their way out of improving air quality control Cheaters? Based on self-reporting SO2 emissions down significantly But older power plants not regulated the same way (job-killer) NO2 will be tried in the future
- 30. “The atmosphere is the key symbol of global interdependence. If we can’t solve some of our problems in the face of threats to this global commons, then I can’t be very optimistic about the future of the world.” -Margaret Mead