18-4 Indoor Air Pollution Is a 18-4 Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious ProblemSerious Problem
Developing countries Indoor burning Poor suffer the greatest risk Few, if any, regulations Is the most serious air pollution problem
Developed countries Indoor air pollution poses a greater threat
than outdoor air pollution.
Indoor Air Pollution Is a Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious ProblemSerious Problem
Why? 11 of the common air pollutants
are at higher levels inside than outside
Greater inside vehicles than outside
Health risks magnified: people spend 70–98% of their time is indoors or inside cars
Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious
ProblemProblem
Who is at greatest risk from indoor air pollution? Children under 5 and the elderly Sick Pregnant women People with respiratory disorders or heart
problems Smokers Factory workers
Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious ProblemProblem
Four most dangerous indoor air pollutants Tobacco smoke Formaldehyde(CH2O) – found in plywood,
particle board, paneling, drapes, furniture, carpet and wallpaper adhesives)
Radioactive radon-222 gas- underground rock deposits
Very small particles
Sources of these pollutants-brought in on shoes, pesticides, paints, sprays, living organisms (bugs), mold
Human health risks-sore throat, headache, chronic breathing problems, rash (flu-like systems)
Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious ProblemProblem
Other possible indoor air pollutants Pesticide residue Pb particles Living organisms and their excrements
E.g., Dust mites and cockroach droppings Airborne spores of molds and mildews
Sick-building syndrome
Radioactive Radon Gas Colorless, odorless, radioactive gas
Sources: natural radioactive decay of Uranium-238 (rocks and soil)
Human health risks-damage to lung tissue-cancer
Testing for radon - detectors
Correcting a radon problem: Sealing cracks in walls and foundation, increase ventilation
Sources and Paths of Entry for Indoor Radon-222 Gas
It’s a fantastic house with the exception of
the radon gas.
Your Body’s Natural Defenses against Air Your Body’s Natural Defenses against Air Pollution Can Be OverwhelmedPollution Can Be Overwhelmed
Respiratory system protection from air pollutants Role of cilia, mucus, sneezing, and coughing
Effect of smoking and prolonged air pollution exposure Chronic bronchitis Emphysema 6% of people in US suffer from asthma
Major Components of the Major Components of the Human Respiratory SystemHuman Respiratory System
Lung Attack
Air Pollution Is a Big Killer 3 Million deaths per year world-wide
Mostly in Asia Main causes-indoor air pollution In US more than 150,000 die each day from air pollution
EPA: proposed stricter emission standards for diesel-powered vehicles Reduce emission by 90% Car makers hope they can delay
Link between international trade and air pollution Cargo ships and pollution
Laws and Regulations Can Reduce Outdoor Air Pollution
United States Clean Air Acts: 1970, 1977, and 1990
EPA National ambient air quality standards
(NAAQs) for 6 outdoor criteria pollutants Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, lead, and suspended particulate matter
Primary Standard-Human health Secondary Standard-environmental and property damage
National emission standards for 188 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs)Mainly toxic metals, VOCs, and chlorinated hydrocarbons
Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)-for power plants, refineries
Good news in U.S. Decrease in emissions 49% from 1980-
2006 Use of low-sulfur diesel fuel
Cuts pollution
Developing countries More air pollution
Laws and Regulations Can Reduce Outdoor Air Pollution
We Can Use the Marketplace to Reduce Outdoor Air Pollution
Emission trading or cap-and-trade program
“Pollution Credits” Mixed reactions to program SO2 emissions down significantly NO2 will be tried in the future Mercury from coal plants-does not break
down-must set limits
There Are Many Ways to There Are Many Ways to Reduce Reduce
Outdoor Air PollutionOutdoor Air Pollution 1980 –2006
SO2 emissions from U.S. electric power plants decreased by 66%
NOx emissions by 41% Particulate emissions by 28%
Older plants not governed by the same regulations
New cars have better emissions
Reducing Indoor Air Pollution Should Be a
Priority Greater threat to human health than outdoor pollution
What can be done? Prevention Cleanup
We Need to Put More Emphasis on Pollution Prevention
Output approaches
New shift to preventing outdoor and indoor pollution Pressure from citizens
http://esa21.kennesaw.edu/http://esa21.kennesaw.edu/activities/smog-city/epa-smog-activities/smog-city/epa-smog-hurts.pdfhurts.pdf
Air Pollution…Air Pollution…
Global climate change, ozone Global climate change, ozone depletion, acid rain, photochemical depletion, acid rain, photochemical smog, and indoor air pollution are smog, and indoor air pollution are some of the most significant some of the most significant environmental problems faced by environmental problems faced by humanity. All of these humanity. All of these problems/issues emphasize how problems/issues emphasize how important a healthy atmosphere is.important a healthy atmosphere is.
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