Air Pollution and Solutions

1. Air Pollution and Solutions

2. Air • Air is a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapor and other gasses

3. Air • All living things depend on the air to survive

4. Air Pollution • Emissions: Pollutants that are released into the air

5. Air Pollution • Until mid-1900’s most emissions came from factories and power plants

7. Air Pollution • Today emissions also come from cars and trucks

8. Air Pollution • There are natural causes of air pollution • Erupting volcanoes • Forest fires

9. Smog • Photochemical Smog: A thick, brownish haze formed when certain gases in the air react with sunlight

10. Smog • When smog levels are high a haze settles over the city

12. Smog • Smog can cause eye & throat irritation & breathing problems

13. Sources of Smog • The major sources of smog are the gases emitted by cars and trucks

15. Smog • Burning gas releases gases into the air. • These gases include hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides

16. Smog • Hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides react with sunlight and produce a form of oxygen called ozone

17. Bad Ozone • Ozone: form of oxygen formed from hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.

18. Bad Ozone • Ozone is toxic & the major chemical found in smog

19. Bad Ozone • Ozone can cause lung infections and weaken the immune system.

20. Temperature Inversion • Air close to the ground is heated by Earth’s surface

21. Temperature Inversion • As air warms it rises into the cool air above

22. Temperature Inversion • Any pollutants in the air are carried higher into the atmosphere where they are blown away

23. Temperature Inversion • Temperature inversion: When a layer of warm air prevents the rising air from escaping

24. Temperature Inversion • The layer of warmer traps the polluted air close to Earth’s surface.

27. Temperature Inversion • The smog becomes concentrated and dangerous

28. Acid Rain • Acid rain: Precipitation that is more acidic than normal because of air pollution

29. Acid Rain • Acid rain can be in the form of rain, sleet, snow and fog

30. Acid Rain • Acid rain is caused by the emissions from power plants and factories that burn coal and oil

31. Acid Rain • Burning coal and oil produce nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides

32. Acid Rain • When these gases react with water vapor in the air it forms nitric acid and sulfuric acid

33. Acid Rain • These acids return to Earth in the precipitation.

34. Acid Rain • When acid rain falls into water, fish and eggs cannot survive

35. Acid Rain • Can reverse the affects of acid rain in water by adding substances to neutralize the acid

36. Acid Rain • When acid rain falls on plants it damages leaves and stems • It also affects the nutrient levels

38. Acid Rain • Acid rain reacts with stone and metal causing damage to statues and buildings

39. Acid Rain • Automobiles rust more quickly in areas with high acid rain levels

40. Acid Rain • Damage to statues, buildings and cars are not reversible

42. Indoor Air Pollution • Substances that cause indoor air pollution include dust, pet hair and toxic chemicals

43. Indoor Air Pollution • Glues & cleaning supplies give off toxic fumes • Cigarette smoke can damage heart & lungs

45. Carbon Monoxide • Carbon monoxide: a colorless, odorless gas formed from burnt wood, coal, oil or gas.

46. Carbon Monoxide • When carbon monoxide builds up it can be deadly. • In Illinois, it is a law to have a detector

47. Radon • Radon: a colorless, odorless gas that is radioactive. • Formed naturally by certain rocks

48. Radon • Radon enters homes through cracks in basement floors and walls

49. Radon • Can cause lung cancer over time • Can install ventilation systems to prevent build up

50. Reducing Pollution • The key to reducing air pollution is to control emissions