Air Pollution

Structure of the Atmosphere

Structure of the Atmosphere

Ozone Formation and Destruction

Cycle
O3

+ UV O2 + O.

+ O2 O3

CHAPMAN CYCLE
IS THE RATE OF O3 FORMATION = RATE OF O3 DESTRUCTION ?

CFC and Ozone Destruction

Composition of the Atmosphere

78%

Nitrogen
21% Oxygen
0.9% Argon
0.03% Carbon
dioxide
Trace amounts of
other gases

Two Types of Air Pollution

1. Outdoor Air Pollution

2. Indoor Air Pollution

Outdoor Air Pollution

Volcanic eruption
- when massive injections of sulfur dioxide
and suspended particulate are emitted
and wafts away the air.

Outdoor Air Pollution

- Industrial Smog
- burning coal and
heavy oil that contain
sulfur impurities in
power and industrial
plants, consists mostly
of a mixture of sulfur
dioxide and fog.

Outdoor Air Pollution

Acid Rain
- When a pollutant
combines with droplets
of water in the air or in
the water, It can
become acidified

Acid Rain
NOX

+ water
SOX + water
CO2 + Water

Smog
Smoke

+ Fog
Photochemical
Smog: pollutants
react with sunlight
Creates

ground-level
(tropospheric) ozone

unburned gasoline emitted by

automobiles and other
combustion sources.

Particulate Pollution
Solid

materials
suspended in air

Health Hazards
Respiratory
Skin/eye

irritation

Allergies
Skin,

Lung Cancer

WHAT IS INDOOR AIR

POLLUTION?
physical, chemical and biological
characteristics of air in the indoor
environment within a home, building,
or an institution or commercial facility

CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION

1. Those that release gases or particles

into the air
2. Inadequate ventilation
3. Hot temperature and humidity levels

Indoor Air Quality

Indoor Air Pollution

sick building syndrome.
People suffer from the effects of indoor air
pollution than outdoor air pollution,
air circulation may be restricted.
indoor air pollutant levels are 25-62% greater
that outside levels and can pose serious health
problems.

Indoor Air Pollution

Sources:
-

copying machines
electrical and telephone cables
cleaning fluids
cigarette smoke
paint
vinyl molding
linoleum tile
formaldehyde

Indoor Air Pollution

Sources:
-

Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless,

naturally occurring radioactive gas
produce by the radioactive decay of
Uranium.
It is the major indoor-pollutant and It is the
second cause of lung cancer before
smoking.

Sources of Pollutants
Carbon Dioxide
- one major pollutants of the atmosphere.
- comes from burning of fossil fuels and
deforestation.
- With 80% of the worlds people, are
responsible for 35% of CO2 emission but
may contribute 50% by 2020.
- Co2 Emissions are increasing by 4% a
year.

Sources of Pollutants
Nitrogen Dioxide
- Comes from the burning of biomass and
fossil fuels.
- 30-50 million tons per year from human
activities, and natural 10-20 million tons per
year.
- Has a role in reducing stratospheric ozone.

Sources of Pollutants
Nitrous Oxide
- Important in the greenhouse effect and
causes nitrogen loading.
- Human inputs 6 million tons per year
and 19 million tons per year by nature.
- Comes from nitrogen based fertilizers,
deforestation, and biomass burning.

Sources of Pollutants
Sulfur Dioxide
- Produced by combustion of sulfurcontaining fuels, such as coal and fuel
oils.
- Potential effect is to make breathing
more difficult by causing the finer air tubes
of the lung to constrict.

Sources of Pollutants
Chlorofluorocarbons

(CFCs)

- It lowers the average concentration of ozone in

the stratosphere.
- It stays in the atmosphere from 22 to 111
years. It moves up to the stratosphere gradually
over several decades.
Under high energy ultra violet radiation, they
break down and release chlorine atoms, which
speeds up the breakdown of ozone into oxygen
gas.

Indoor Air Pollution: Biological

Pollutants
Fungi
Molds
Yeast

Bacteria
Viruses

Yeast

Bacteria

Virus

Biologicals- this include

pollen from plants, mite,
hair from pets, fungi,
parasites, and some
bacteria

Sources: Wet or moist

walls, ceilings, carpets,
and furniture; and air
conditioners; household
pets.

Indoor Air Pollution: Chemical

Pollutants
Examples
Cigarette

smoke
Chlorine treated water
in hot showers
Asbestos source: fire
proofing and pipes
Lead from paint

Organic Gases- originate

mainly from solvents and
chemicals
Sources: Household products
including: paints, paint strippers,
and other solvents; wood
preservatives; aerosol sprays;
disinfectants; moth repellants
and air fresheners; stored fuels
and automotive products; drycleaned clothing.

Radon (Rn)- it is a gas that is emitted naturally by the soil

Sources: Earth and rock beneath home; well water; building materials.
Health Effects: No immediate symptoms. Estimated to contribute to between
7,000 and 30,000 lung cancer deaths each year. Smokers are at higher risk of
developing radon-induced lung cancer.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)- colorless, odorless gas that is

produced by incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels

Sources: Unvented kerosene and gas space heaters; gas

water heaters, woodstoves and gas stoves. Automobile
exhaust from attached garages. Environmental Tobacco
Smoke.

Pesticides

Sources: Products used to kill household pests (insecticides,

termiticides, and disinfectants). Also, products used on lawns
and gardens that drift or are tracked inside the house.

Environmental Tobacco Smoke

Source: Cigarette, pipe, and cigar

smoking.

Tobacco

smoke is one of the major forms of pollution

in buildings. It is not only the smoker who is infected,
but everyone who inhales the polluted air. There is a
very strong connection between smoking and lung
cancer..

Formaldehyde - is a gas that comes mainly from carpets and particle

boards
- an important chemical used widely by industry to
manufacture building materials and numerous
household products

Sources: Pressed wood products (hardwood plywood wall paneling,

particleboard, fiberboard) and furniture made with these pressed wood
products. Combustion sources and environmental tobacco smoke. Durable
press drapes, other textiles, and glues.

Asbestos

- is a mineral fiber that has been used commonly in a

variety of building construction materials for

insulation

Sources: Deteriorating, damaged, or disturbed insulation, fireproofing,

acoustical materials, and floor tiles.
Health Effects: No immediate symptoms, but long-term risk of chest and
abdominal cancers and lung diseases. Smokers are at higher risk of
developing asbestos-induced lung cancer.

Indoor Air Pollution: Health Hazards

Colds,

Headaches,
Drowsiness
Eye irritation, Asthma,
Allergy
Nerve disorder
Damage to liver, kidneys
Heart disease
Sterility
Cancer

Consequences
Greenhouse Effect
Also known as Global Warming
Carbon Dioxide is responsible for 57% of
the global warming trend.
- Chemicals released by our activities
affect the stratosphere. The release of
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) from aerosol
cans, cooling systems and refrigerator
equipment removes some of the ozone,
causing holes to open up in this layer
and allowing the radiation to reach the
Earth.