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Air Pollution “What’s in the Air?”

Air Pollution “What’s in the Air?”. Speaker: Dr. Rachelle Duvall US Environmental Protection Agency October 28, 2008. Is this air clean?. Los Angeles. Is This Air Clean?. Shanghai, China at Sunset. Cairo, Egypt. New York City. What is Air Pollution?.

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Air Pollution “What’s in the Air?”

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  1. Air Pollution“What’s in the Air?” Speaker: Dr. Rachelle Duvall US Environmental Protection Agency October 28, 2008

  2. Is this airclean?

  3. Los Angeles Is This Air Clean? Shanghai, China at Sunset Cairo, Egypt New York City

  4. What is Air Pollution? • Contaminants in the air that can negatively impact health, property, plant or animal life, or prevent us from using or enjoying the outdoors (or indoors)

  5. Why do we care? Short History of Air Pollution • Donora, PA • Smog episode on Oct 26-31, 1948 • Toxic emissions released from local steel plant • 20 people died, 6,000 people suffered illness • (out of population of 14,000) • Photo: City of Donora on October 29 at 12pm • London, England • Smog episode on December 4-9, 1952 • High sulfur dioxide emissions • Approximately 4,000 people died • Photo: Buses escorted by lanterns at 10:30am

  6. Types of Air Pollutants • Ozone (O3) • Particulate Matter (PM) • Carbon monoxide (CO) • Sulfur dioxide (SO2) • Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) • Lead (Pb) • Carbon Dioxide (CO2) • Other Hazardous Air Pollutants like Benzene and Mercury **Air pollutants in blue are regulated!

  7. Natural Volcanoes Lightning Wind/dust storms Sea salt Soil dust Forest Fires Sources of Air PollutionNatural sources

  8. Sources of Air PollutionAnthropogenic (Man-made) • Anthropogenic • Cars, trucks, buses, aircraft, ships • Wood burning • Fossil fuel burning (coal, oil, etc.) • Biomass burning (e.g. leaves, vegetation, animal waste) • Industries, power plants, factories • Meat cooking or barbequing

  9. Where is the Air Dirty and Clean?

  10. Is the Air Clean or Dirty? Air Pollution Monitored Across the Country! Particles of size 2.5 microns Ozone AIRNOW Website www.airnow.gov

  11. Air Monitoring Equipment

  12. Mobile Air Monitoring

  13. Monitoring Around the World Barrow, Alaska Ny-Alesund, Norway Mauna Loa, Hawaii

  14. Smoke from Fires in Alaska Seen by Satellite

  15. What sources are present in the air and how much?

  16. What sources are present in the air and how much? • Air pollution emitted from different sources mixes in the air • Question: How do we determine the types and amounts of air pollution in an area? • Source apportionment modeling!!

  17. What is in an air pollution source? • Air pollution sources have a mixture of air pollutants (e.g. ozone, sulfur dioxide, PM) • Each source has different amounts and types of chemical compounds in it • These differences in chemical composition make a source unique! • We call this a “Source Profile”

  18. What is a Source Profile? • Consider two drinks (orange juice and soda) • What components are in each drink? • Orange juice: oranges, water, sugar • Soda: water, carbon dioxide, sugar • Each drink has different components (and amounts) that make it unique, in other words the drinks have a “profile”

  19. What is Source Apportionment? 1/4 apple juice 1/4 diet Coke 1/4 water 1/4 Orange juice Analyze sample 4 different types of liquids mixed up Computer program Types of liquids and their amounts

  20. How is source apportionment modeling used to find air pollution sources? Ambient particulate matter samples collected and analyzed Sources released and mixed in atmosphere Burning Soil Programs determine type of source present and amount in atmosphere Data used by computer programs (receptor models) Motor Industry Vehicles

  21. Source Apportionment Results • Air samples collected in cities around the U.S. • Samples analyzed to determine what chemical compounds present • Models used to determine which sources where present and their amounts

  22. How does air pollution effect the environment?

  23. Visibility • Pollution absorbs and scatters light resulting in sunsets or brown clouds

  24. Visibility Clear Day Excellent Visibility Hazy Day Poor Visibility Phoenix Visibility Web Camera http://www.phoenixvis.net/

  25. Acid Rain

  26. Acid Rain Impacts (from Sulfur Dioxide) Acid Rain Acid Rain Impacts (from Sulfur Dioxide)

  27. Do you know who this is? • Have you seen him on TV, in newspapers, • on the Internet, or in a Movie? • If so, what was the topic he was • discussing?

  28. Global Warming

  29. Some Environmental Impacts of Global Warming

  30. Hair cross section (70 mm) PM2.5 (2.5µm) PM10 (10µm) Human Hair (70 µm diameter) Health Effects of Air Pollution Size matters!

  31. Health Effects of Air Pollution • Nose • Removes particles greater than 10 microns • Mouth • Removes particles greater than 15 microns • Smallest particles penetrate deepest in lungs!

  32. Health Effects of Air Pollution • Respiratory System (Breathing Problems) • Coughing • Throat irritation • Asthma • Chronic bronchitis • More difficult to breathe deeply and vigorously • Increase susceptibility to respiratory infections • Cardio Vascular System (Heart Problems) • Triggers heart attacks, especially individuals with existing heart disease

  33. How Does Air Pollution Effect us Locally?

  34. How is the Air Quality in North Carolina? AIRNOW Website: www.airnow.gov

  35. Environmental Issues in North Carolina Drought • Impacts: • Decrease in air, water, and soil quality • Forest fires • Damage to wildlife, plants and their habitats NC Drought Management Advisory Council: http://www.ncdrought.org/

  36. Environmental Issues in North Carolina • Duke Energy: construction of 800 mega-watt coal-fired power plant • Plant will release about 5.5 million tons of carbon dioxide each year • Impacts • Global warming • Reduced air quality • Drought • Human health • Acid Rain

  37. How Can YOU Help? • At Home and at School • Recycle/re-use everything you can • Purchase products that contain recycled materials • Use water wisely • Turn the lights and TV off when you leave a room • Replace incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent light bulbs • Plant trees and bushes • Purchase energy star products • Conserve energy

  38. How Can YOU Help? • On the road (encourage parents and relatives to do these!) • Purchase fuel efficient vehicles • Make sure car is well-maintained (oil changes, tune ups, etc) • Combine trips • Do not let car idle • Avoid driving if possible (walk, ride bikes, skateboard, rollerblades, etc.)

  39. What can I major in if I would like to work on air pollution research? • Engineering (Environmental, Chemical, Mechanical) • Environmental Science • Chemistry • Biology • Ecology • Meteorology • Environmental Health • Toxicology

  40. Types of Work Available in the Field of Air Pollution • Researcher • Designer • Operator • Professor • Consulting • Business • Federal, state or local agency official • Lawyer

  41. Degree Options • Bachelors Degree (4-5 years) • (Math, Science, Engineering courses) • Higher Degree Options • Masters Degree (1.5-2 years) • Ph.D. (3-5 years) • J.D. (3 years) • MBA (2-3 years)

  42. How did I become interested in engineering and air pollution research?

  43. Questions??

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