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Unit 4 Atmosphere as a Resource

Air pollution Atmospheric Composition

Nitrogen 78.08%
Oxygen 20.95%
Argon 0.93%
Carbon dioxide 0.04%

ES 541 Ecosystem services

Blocks UV radiation
Contemporary Moderates the climate

Environmental Redistributes water in the hydrologic

cycle
Issues

Life-Air Air is Expensive than Blood

Air? Not Ordinary Air!
It is Life-Air from the Skies! Air is what we Breathe every Second, even during Sleep!

Without Food (but Water) human can live for 3 Air is sucked into lungs every few seconds and the alveolar
Days. system of the lungs helps the oxygenation of blood in every
Without Water (and no Food) human can live drop.
for 1 Day. Heart pumps Blood and Blood carries O2 (by Hemoglobin) to
Without Air (even with Food and Water) Air is so every part/cell of the body to sustain Life inside.
human can live for 1 Minute. important. More O2 into the body is called More Life.
Pollution is Similarly Better O2 into the body is called Better Life.
Ques: Guess, what is Death? a serious But then Polluted O2 into the body is called Polluted Life.
Ans: No Air for 1 Minute is called as Death. issue.

Factors that affect air pollution

What is air pollution
Emissions (traffic, industrial, domestic)
Geography (terrain)
TH E RE SULT OF E MISSION IN TO TH E Weather conditions (rain, winds, humidity)
A IR OF H A Z A RDOUS SUB STA N CE S A T Season
A RA TE TH A T E X CE E DS TH E
Time of day
CA PA CITY OF N A TURA L PROCE SSE S
IN TH E A TMOSPH E RE TO CON V E RT, Population density
DE POSIT, OR DILUTE TH E M Indoor vs outdoor

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Types of air pollution Types and Sources of Air Pollution

Aerosols Gases Two categories

Particulates solid phase COx
Primary Air Pollutant
Dust SOx
Ash Harmful substance that is emitted directly
NOx
Fumes
PAH
into the atmosphere
Solid and liquid Secondary Air Pollutant
Smoke (from combustion)
Coastal aerosols Harmful substance formed in the atmosphere
Liquid when a primary air pollutant reacts with
Aggregate gases (sulfate, nitrate) substances normally found in the atmosphere
or with other air pollutants

Six primary or criteria air pollutants

Carbon monoxide (CO)

Ozone (O3)
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
Sulfur oxides (SOx)
PM2.5 and PM10
Lead (Pb)

Major Air Pollutants Types of air pollution

Individual pollutants
Reducing pollution (SO2)
Acid rain (fog)
Corrosive, eroding

Photochemical pollution
Aldehydes, electrophilic HCs
Oxidative, carcinogenic?

Mixtures and complex patterns

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Combustion pollutants Sources of combustion

Tobacco
VOCs
Power plants
NOx
Incinerators
N-organics
Automobiles
Halo-organics
Industry
Metals
CO

Diesel pollutants
Outdoor air pollution

Particulate matter
C + PAHs + N-aromatics

Gases
Beijing
NOx, CO, SOx

VOCs
Delhi
formaldehyde, acrolein, aldehydes

Respiratory inflammation
Cytotoxicity to airway cells

Outdoor air pollution Air Pollution - Side Effects

Side Effects of Air Pollution are many!

A few are mentioned below:
Santiago Acid Rain - and therefore Water Pollution.
Global Warming 1 - due to Air Pollution.
Ozone Layer Depletion - due to Air Pollution.
Global Warming 2 - due to Ozone Layer Depletion.
Mexico City
Increase of Smog, Haze, Particulate, Dust, Toxic Brue.
Global Dimming - due to Air Pollution.
Ecological Issues - too much Rain or no Rain - destruction
of Farmers plans - Farmer suicides in some Countries -
Ethiopian famine, etc.
Environmental Disorder - disturbs natural Human Life.

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Air Pollution - 2 Sides of the Coin Present Need of the Hour

1. Pollution / 2. Deforestation

Pollution: Pollution is the main cause for Global Warming. 1. Arise 2. Awake
Deforestation: Forests/Vegetation on the side have the capacity
to take the carbon oxides and purify the air around by releasing
oxygen, thus nullifying pollution to some extent.

But in the present day scenario, pollution is increasing every 3. Attend 4. Act
second, and same time on the other side deforestation is
happening at rapid speed and is supporting the acceleration of
Air Pollution as a catalyst.

Other Pollutions/Corruptions Indoor pollutants

Water Pollution.ppt Strikes/Riots Pollution.ppt Non-specific symptoms

Food Pollution.ppt
Sound Pollution.ppt
Society Pollution.ppt
Politics Pollution.ppt
Reservations Pollution.ppt
Government Pollution.ppt
Law & Order Pollution.ppt
Relationships Pollution.ppt
Cultures Pollution.ppt
Religions Pollution.ppt
Mind Pollution.ppt
Quality of Thought Pollution.ppt
Security Pollution.ppt
Health Pollution.ppt
Household vs work space
Sick building syndrome (20% exposed)
Cigarette smoke, combustion products
Organic offgasing (glue, fabrics, furnishings)
Biological agents (infections, allergens)
Additional factors (stress, fatigue, diet, alcohol)

Indoor air quality Indoor air pollution: Poor countries

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a term

referring to the air quality within and
around buildings and structures.
IAQ can be affected by microbial
contaminants (mold, bacteria), gases
(including carbon monoxide, radon,
volatile organic compounds), and
particulates.

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Control of Indoor Air Pollution What is sick building syndrome ?

Basic approaches to control indoor air pollution include

source control, source isolation, increased ventilation,
dehumidification, and the use of filters. Possible
sources of contamination are eliminated in a source-
control strategy. Examples include banning smoking in
public buildings.
Source-isolation strategy is used in situations where a
source cannot be completely eliminated. For instance,
copy machine areas, food service stations, and
bathrooms are often separately vented outside buildings
to avoid the recirculation of return air.
The feeling of illness among majority of
occupants of a conditioned space is called
Sick Building Syndrome.
A variety of illness symptoms reported by
occupants in sick buildings are Headache,
fatigue, irritation in eyes, nose and throat,
shortness of breathe etc.
Causes :Inadequate ventilation, insufficient supply
of outside air; poor mixing; fluctuations in
temperature & humidity;

Main indoor air

Mainpollutant and their
indoor pollutants sources,continue
and their sources Main indoor air pollutant and their sources
NO2 Kerosene heaters, un-vented gas stoves and heaters.
Pollutant Sources Environmental tobacco smoke

Environmental Cigarette and water pipe smoking
tobacco smoke
Carbon monoxide Unburned kerosene, gas water
heaters, gas stoves, automobile
exhaust, tobacco smoke
Lead Lead based paints, contaminated
soil, dust and drinking water
Asbestos Deteriorating, damaged, or
Formaldehyde Furniture made with pressed wood products, urea-
formaldehyde foam insulation, environmental
tobacco smoke, glues
Volatile organic compounds Paint, paint stripper, solvent aerosol sprays
Respirable particles Kerosene heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces,
environmental tobacco smoke
Biological pollutants Dust mite, Pet dander, droppings and body parts of
cockroaches rodents and other pests

disturbed insulation, fireproofing,

acoustical materials, and floor tiles Radon Building materials and well water

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2200

Particulate matter pollution

Properties - varied
Mixture of solid phase and absorbed materials (organic,
inorganic and biological)
Carbonaceous core 40-60%, C 7%

Sources
Combustion - oil and coal
Industry
Automobiles
Tobacco smoke
Biomass burning NAAQS:
Metal smelters
PM10: 150ug/m3, 24h
50ug/m3, annual
PM2.5 15ug/m3, annual
65ug/m3, 24h

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Particulates - features Urban Particulates

Physical size
Large

Small ~10um
In the <2.5um range
Fine ~2.5um
Large water content, trace metals,
Aerodynamic diameter (size equivalent of density=1)
acid gases, organic chemicals,
Large - local irritation (>100um)
Inhalable (<100um) biological
Thoracic fraction (<20um)
Coarse PM10 (<10um)
respirable Rather uniform distribution
Fine PM2.5 (<2.5um) Include diesel
Ultrafine (<0.1um)
Chemical reactivity
Shape (fibers) and Water content

Health effects of particulate pollutants Gaseous pollutant features

Chemical reactivity (ozone)

Eye irritation - starting at 10ug/m3 Solubility in water
Respiratory tract infection Soluble
Exacerbation of asthma Ambient (NOx, SOx)
Occupational (Hydrochloric acid, Ammonia)
Bronchial irritation
Less soluble
Heart disease
H2S, ozone
Possibly cancer (controversial) (diesel, TiO2, talc,
carbon black, toner black)

Elevated hospital admissions, mortality

Causation(s) not fully understood

Gas pollutants - SO2 SO2 continued

Properties Absorption at upper respiratory tract

Reacts with H2O and forms sulfurous acid (H2SO3), which (sulfite, bisulfite)
oxidizes to sulfuric acid (H2SO4) Health effects (starting at <1ppm)
Chemical transformation of other pollutants Respiratory tract irritation, bronchoconstriction
Responsible for acid rain effect Pulmonary function impairment
Sources Increased air flow resistance
Biomass and fossil fuel combustion Bronchitis
Industrial emissions, smelters Exacerbation of heart diseases

Controls Short acute: 2min 0.4-1ppm in asthmatics

Low-S fossil fuels (clean coal) Long term, low levels
Emission control devices Impairs immune pulmonary defenses
London fog episode (acute) Susceptibility to infections
NAAQS: 0.03ppm, annual
0.14ppm, 24h

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Gas pollutants - H2SO4 Gas pollutants -NO2

Properties
NAAQS: 0.05ppm, annual
Product of SO2 Oxidant, less potent than O3

With metals and water --> sulf. Fly ash and acid rain Sources
NO oxidation
Protonates biomolecules - membrane damage
High To combustion (automobiles, power plants)
Bronchoconstriction Indoor - kerosene, gas stoves, ETS

Increased air flow resistance Silos in farming (75-100ppm)

Health effects - starting at 1.5-2ppm
Mucus secretion protects (buffer) - nose inhalation
Deep lung irritant - terminal bronchioles
Asthmatics are more sensitive Alveolar cells, ciliated epithelia, Clara cells

Acidity interferes with mucociliary clearance
Chronic exposure to 100g/m3 : lower respiratory damage,
macrophage mediated
Similar to ozone but less inflammatory (if < 2-5ppm)
Enhanced infection, suppression of macrophage action
Peaks more

Gas pollutants - CO Gas pollutants - O3

Good O3 - stratosphere NAAQS: 0.12ppm, 1h
NAAQS: 9ppm, 8h Bad O3 - troposphere 0.08ppm, 8h
Properties 35ppm, 1h
Odorless, heavier than air, stronger binder to Hb than O 2
Sources
Incomplete combustion
Properties
Traffic (inside the car, parking garages, tunnels is highest) Short lived, highly reactive, water soluble
Inside cars = 3x urban streets, and = 5x residential streets
Scrubbed in nasopharynx
Health effects
Asphyxiant Reaches terminal bronchioles and alveoli
Fatigue, confusion, headaches, dizziness, cardiac function (arrhythmias,
angina) Sources
Start at 2.5% COHb (0.5% baseline) (air level 50ppm for 90min)
Photochemical reactions
2ppm COHb, no effect
>5ppm COHb, cardiovascular effects Health effects
40ppm COHb, is fatal
Degenerative lung disease
Loss of lung function

Photochemical pollution Hydrocarbons shift photochemical reaction

HC- + O
. Oxidized free radicals
uv
NO2 NO + O NO

O2 + O O3
NO2
O3 + NO O2 + NO2 + Aldehydes
Twist:
In absence of HC- the reaction reaches equilibrium

. Balance of photochemical reaction shifts toward O3 build-up!!

Car emitted HC- (PAH) react with O .

O3

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Photochemical pollution Whats in smog

uv
O3
NO2
O2
Hydrocarbons particulates
The O3 molecule is highly reactive (especially lead)
O2
. nitrous oxides
O3 potassium
O
. .
2 (HO ) Carbon monoxide
Other toxic chemicals
H2O
Ultimate toxicant:
No enzyme can detoxify it
Only protection: prevention
of its formation

Acid rain

contains high levels of sulfuric or nitric acids

contaminate drinking water and vegetation
damage aquatic life
erode buildings
Alters the chemical equilibrium of some soils

Other air pollutants - HAPs Volatile Organic Pollutants (VOCs)

Hazardous air pollutants Sources: Petroleum emissions, fuel combustion,

incineration, biomass burning
Not included in the 6 criteria air pollutants
Account for ~14% of all air pollution
Include Important factor of indoor air pollution
Organic chemicals (acrolein, benzene) Types
Minerals (asbestos) Aliphatic
Alcohols (ethylene glycol, MTBE)
PAH (benzo[a]pyrene)
Aldehydes (formaldehyde)
Metals (Hg, Be) Aromatic (benzene, toluene, xylene)
Pesticides (carbaryl, parathion) Halogenated (TCE, PERC, Methylene Chloride)
Polycyclic (PAHs)
Some are carcinogenic Other (Carbon disulfide)

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VOCs Health Effects VOCs Health Effects

Alkanes (solvents, varnishes, lacquers) Alkenes (gasoline and aviation fuel) more reactive
than alkanes - chains, oxides, halogenated HC
Irritants, lung and skin
CNS depressants, neuron degeneration, paralysis CNS effects - cramps, tremor
Pulmonary edema GI tract - nausea, vomiting
React with OH radical in photochemical pollution

NAAQS - CAA 1990 NAAQ Standards for

six criteria pollutants
Pollutant Primary Stds. A veraging Times Secondary Stds.
9 ppm
8-hour(1) None
(10 m g/m 3)
Ca rbo n Monox ide
35 ppm
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (40 m g/m 3)
1-hour(1) None

ug/m3 or ppm Lead 1.5 g/m3 Qua rterly Average Sam e as Prim ary

0.053 ppm
Nitrogen Dioxide Annual (Arithm etic Me an) Sam e as Prim ary
(100 g/m 3)
National Air Quality and Emissions Trends Report Re voked(2) Annual(2) (Arith. Mean)
Particulate Matter
(PM10) 150 g/m 3 24-ho ur(3)
15.0 g/m 3 Annual(4) (Arith. Mean)
Particula te Matter
Sam e as Prim ary
(PM2.5) 35 g/m 3 24-ho ur(5)
O zone 0.08 ppm 8-hour(6) Sam e as Prim ary

0.12 ppm * 1-hour(7) Sam e as Prim ary

0.03 ppm Annua l (Arith. Mean) -------

0.14 ppm 24-ho ur(1) -------
Sulfur O xide s
------- 3-hour(1) 0.5 ppm
(1300 g/m 3)
*Applies only in limited areas http://www.epa.gov/air/criteria.html

US Regulation history Clean Air Mercury and Interstate rules

On March 15, 2005, EPA issued the Clean Air Mercury Rule to permanently cap
1947 CA - Air pollution control Act
and reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants for the first time
1955 - Trumans Air pollution control Act
ever. This rule makes the United States the first country in the world to regulate
1963 Federal - Clean Air Act (1967 am) mercury emissions from utilities.
1965 Federal - Motor vehicle Air pollution control Act
1970 The Clean Air Act: national level (EPA)
On March 10, 2005, in a separate but related action, EPA issued the Clean Air
O3, SO2, NO2, CO, PM, Pb, total hydrocarbons (dropped)
Interstate Rule (CAIR), a rule that will dramatically reduce air pollution that
1970 Lead is banned as fuel additive
moves across state boundaries.
1990 CCA amendment: 118 chemicals, some carcinogenic
Maximum achievable control technology
Additional risk assessment if health effects beyond the MACT level
Together the Clean Air Mercury Rule and the Clean Air Interstate Rule create a
Emission standards for motor vehicles (CO solution - MTBE new
multi-pollutant strategy to reduce emissions throughout the United States.
problem)
1997 New standard for PM2.5

http://www.epa.gov/air/mercuryrule/

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Controlling Air Pollution Controlling Air Pollution

Smokestacks with electrostatic Smokestacks with scrubbers

precipitator (right) (right)
Particulate material can also
be controlled by proper
excavating techniques
Without
Electrostatic
precipitator
With
Electrostatic
precipitator

Catalytic Converters and

Controlling Air Pollution Particle Traps

Phase I Vapor Recovery System for gasoline Catalytic converters can be fitted to cars to reduce NOx
emissions.
CO + HC + NOx H2O + N2 + CO2
Platinum Honeycomb

Particle traps can be used to reduce PM10 and NOx, but the
effectiveness is severely reduced if the fuel the vehicle burns
has a high sulphur content.

The major target in the battle for cleaner cities is diesel.

Multi-pollutant/multi-effect analysis
for identifying cost-effective policy scenarios The Clean Air Act
Authorizes EPA to set
limits on amount of
RAINS specific air pollutants
computer model
permitted
Focuses on 6 pollutants:
lead, particulate matter, sulfur
PM SO2 NH3 NOx VOC dioxide, carbon monoxide,
nitrogen oxides, and ozone
Act has led to decreases!

Health Eutrophication Acidification Ozone

CAFE policy targets

for 2020

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Other Ways to Improve Air Quality

Reduce sulfur content in gasoline from its current

average of 330 ppm to 30 ppm
Sulfur clogs catalytic converters
Require federal emission standards for all passenger
vehicles
Including SUVs, trucks and minivans
Require emission testing for all vehicles
Including diesel

Ozone Depletion in Stratosphere Ozone Depletion in Stratosphere

Ozone Protects earth from UV radiation

Ozone thinning/hole
Part of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths just
First identified in 1985 over
shorter than visible light
Antarctica
Caused by
human-produced bromine and
chlorine containing chemicals
Ex: CFCs

Ozone Depletion in Stratosphere Effects of Ozone Depletion

Hole over Antarctica requires two conditions: Higher levels of UV-

Sunlight just returning to polar region radiation hitting the
Circumpolar vortex- a mass of cold air that circulates around earth
the southern polar region
Eye cataracts
Isolates it from the warmer air in the rest of the planet
Skin cancer (right)
Polar stratospheric clouds form Weakened immunity
Enables Cl and Br to destroy ozone
May disrupt ecosystems
May damage crops and
forests

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Recovery of Ozone Layer Acid Deposition

Montreal Protocol (1987)
Reduction of CFCs
Started using HCFCs (greenhouse gas)
Phase out of all ozone destroying chemicals is
underway globally
Satellite pictures in 2000 indicated that ozone layer
was recovering
Full recovery will not occur until 2050
Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions react
with water vapor in the atmosphere and form acids
that return to the surface as either dry or wet
deposition
pH scale

How Acid Deposition Develops Effects of Acid Deposition

Declining Aquatic Animal

Populations
Thin-shelled eggs prevent
bird reproduction
Because calcium is unavailable
in acidic soil
Forest decline
Ex: Black forest in Germany
(50% is destroyed)

Acid Deposition and Forest Decline Air Pollution Around the World

Air quality is deteriorating rapidly

in developing countries
Shenyang, China
Residents only see sunlight a few
weeks each year
Developing countries have older
cars
Still use leaded gasoline
5 worst cities in world
Beijing, China; Mexico City, Mexico;
Shanghai, China; Tehran, Iran; and
Calcutta, India

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Long Distance Transport of Air Pollutants

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