Air Pollution and Its Effects on Health

Risks from Air Pollution

• Air pollutants negatively impact human health, driving efforts to understand and control their sources.
• Research over the past two decades has emphasized the impact of acidic deposition on water ecosystems, greenhouse gas emissions on climate, and the effects on soil-based ecosystems.
• Interaction of air pollutants with air, water, and soil media at different geographic scales is vital to understand the pollutants' impact on ecosystems.

Carbon Cycle

• Photosynthesis, plant respiration, and human emissions are key elements.
• Plant biomass (550), soil carbon (2,300), and fossil carbon (10,000) significantly influence the cycle.
• Microbial respiration and decomposition are also important processes.
• Atmosphere (800), surface ocean(1,000), and deep ocean (37,000) are key areas in the cycle.
• Reactive sediments (6,000) are influential in the carbon cycle.

Monthly Average Mauna Loa CO2

• October 2024 CO2 level is 422.38 ppm.
• October 2023 CO2 level is 418.82 ppm.
• CO2 levels have risen steadily since 1960, evidenced by a graph extending to 2020.

Antarctic Ice Core Data

• CO2 levels have fluctuated between 190-280 ppm over the last 420,000 years.
• The fluctuations correlate with temperature changes, suggesting a possible CO2 influence on climate.

Atmospheric CO2 Increase Over Past 1000 Years

• Mauna Loa, Law Dome, Adelie Land, Siple, and South Pole CO2 levels show significant increases in the past 1,000 years.

The Nitrogen Cycle

• Nitrogen exists in the atmosphere, soil, and various forms.
• Processes like nitrogen fixation, volatilization, and decomposition are part of the cycle.
• Fertilizers and fossil fuel emissions contribute to the cycle.
• Processes like nitrification and denitrification are crucial for nitrogen transformations.

The Sulphur Cycle

• Sulphur oxides are released into the atmosphere via various sources, including fossil fuel combustion and metal ores.
• Sulphur dioxide and sulphate are deposited and can be removed by plants.
• Volcanic emissions contribute to sulphur dioxide and sulphate.
• The sulphur cycle involves processes such as deposition, reduction, uptake, and decomposition.

Human Health Effects of Air Pollutants

• Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10): Lower respiratory system damage; can lead to asthma, bronchitis, reduced lung function, cancer, and heavy metal poisoning.
• Lead (Pb): Organ and soft tissue damage; accumulates in bones and tissues negatively impacting blood, nervous, and renal systems. This can cause various associated health issues.
• Carbon Monoxide (CO): Circulatory system effects; interferes with oxygen delivery, leading to CO poisoning, angina pectoris, and neurological issues.
• Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2): Respiratory system toxicity impacting asthma development and lowered resistance to infection.
• Sulfur Dioxide (SO2): Respiratory system issues like asthma, bronchial constriction, and heart attack.
• Ozone (O3): Respiratory system irritation leading to lung inflammation, reduced lung elasticity, and various other issues.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

• Carbon monoxide is a highly toxic combustion byproduct.
• It combines with hemoglobin to limit oxygen transport.
• COHb hinders oxygen delivery, causing hypoxia.
• Mild poisoning symptoms include headaches and dizziness.
• Moderate poisoning can cause motor paralysis and loss of consciousness.
• High concentrations result in respiratory arrest and death in approximately 2-3 breaths.

Lead Exposure

• Lead exposure is dangerous impacting various organs particularly affecting the central nervous system.
• Exposure in adults can lead to memory loss, concentration problems, headaches, and depression.
• Children exposed show significant behavior problems with learning difficulties, decreased IQ, and hearing losses.
• Other effects include impaired kidneys, reproductive system, and mental health issues.

Leaded Petrol Phase-Out Globally (2021)

• Leaded petrol contributed significantly to global lead exposure.
• Phase-out resulted in estimated prevention of over 1.2 million premature deaths per year, including over 125,000 children.
• Global benefit of leaded-petrol elimination exceeds $2.45 trillion per year.

Mn emissions due to MMT

• Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) is a gasoline additive.
• Suspected neurotoxin (memory impairment, tremors, and similar to Parkinson's Disease).
• Recent studies suggest low environmental risk from MMT.

PFAS - Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

• PFAS are a family of chemicals used in various products from the 1940s (e.g., stain-resistant materials).
• Resistant to environmental breakdown, persisting for long durations in soil, water, air, and food.
• Exposure occurs through consuming PFAS-contaminated food or water.
• Accumulation in the body can relate to negative health outcomes.

How Mercury Enters the Environment

• Mercury emissions from various sources—including volcanoes, coal plants, and mines—transform to methylmercury in the environment.
• Methylmercury bioaccumulates and is harmful to humans and wildlife, impacting the developing fetus.

Health Effects of Metals (Hg, Pb, Cd, As)

• High exposure to heavy metals like mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic can lead to numerous health issues.
• Inhalation of metals via industries or motor vehicles can cause respiratory problems.
• Neurological, cardiovascular, developmental, and reproductive impairments can result from heavy metal toxicity.

Physiological Interactions Between Toxic and Essential Metals in the Human Body

• Toxic metals can disrupt the function of essential metals, resulting in adverse health effects.
• Interactions between cadmium and zinc, lead and iron, mercury and selenium can lead to biological disruption.
• Deficiencies in some essential metals can increase the susceptibility to toxic metal effects.

How To Remove Heavy Metals From Your Body

• Drinking plenty of water: Aids in the elimination of metals.
• Consuming fermented foods & milk thistle: May assist in the body's natural detoxification mechanisms.
• Consuming foods rich in sulfur & polyphenols: Compounds that aid in heavy metal detoxification.

Human Respiratory System

• The respiratory system's primary functions are oxygen delivery to the bloodstream and carbon dioxide removal.
• Parts like nasal cavities, trachea, bronchi, alveoli, and lungs are critical.

Gas Exchange Process

• The respiratory system automatically performs gas exchange.
• Oxygen enters the body through the lungs and moves into the bloodstream.
• Red blood cells collect carbon dioxide and transport it to the lungs for exhalation.
• The exchange happens in the alveoli.

Partical and Gas Behaviour in Lungs

• Particle behavior in the lungs depends on their size, shape, and density.
• The solubility of gases in lung linings is important.

Effects on Vegetation and Animals

• Injury to plants due to air pollution is any observable alteration.
• Damage signifies economical/aesthetic losses.
• Pollution often leads to visible symptoms in plants and animals: including reduced crop yield, altered photosynthesis, and transpiration suppression.
• Physiological responses and biochemical alterations affect the nutritional values of vegetation

Trees and Air Pollution

• Deciduous trees absorb significantly more air pollution (e.g., tens of millions of metric tons) than previously believed.

Air Pollution and Plants

• Air pollutants like NOx, O3, SO2, and VOCs cause changes in plant metabolites.
• The concentration of amino acids, proteins, and sugars in leaves often increases due to pollutants leading to increased nutritional value for some insects.
• Pollutant impacts can affect plants in various ways, causing visible symptoms and disrupting physiological processes.

Effects on Materials and Structures

• Metals: Corrosion from air pollutants like moisture and high sulfur dioxide pollution causes losses in structural integrity and electrical properties.
• Stone: Pollutant deposition and chemical reactions (like acid rain) lead to soiling and deterioration (limestone, marble).
• Fabrics & Dyes: Soiling and loss of tensile strength are primary effects. Sulfur oxides are the most damaging pollutants to textiles.
• Leather, Paper, Paint & Glass: Damage through corrosion, deterioration due to pollution-related chemical reactions, and soiling.

Long-Term Effects on the Planet

• Global climate change: Changes in long-term weather patterns in various regions.
• Ozone holes: Stratospheric ozone depletion.

Global Climate Change

• Increased average global temperatures.
• Increased evaporation worldwide due to higher greenhouse gas concentrations and temperatures.

Global Temperature Rise

• Graph showing changes in global average temperature since 1880.

Atmospheric Greenhouse Gas Levels

• Shows the rising levels of greenhouse gases like CO2, CH4, & N2O between 1990 and 2022.

Extrapolar Global Ocean Temperatures

• Graph depicting fluctuations in daily sea surface temperatures for several years.

El Niño

• Warmer-than-usual ocean surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, affecting global weather patterns
• Reduced trade winds, increased rainfall in some regions and droughts in others.
• Known to be a factor in causing hot summers.

Global Impacts of Climate Change

• Main Fisheries Affected: Changes in food supplies and international trade.
• Water Conflicts: Changes in precipitation patterns, leading to water scarcity, and heightened resource competition.
• Greater Disease Risk: Expansion of tropical diseases into more regions.
• Increased Severity and Frequency of Tropical Storms: More intense storms and weather events.
• Sea-Level Rise: Coastal flooding and population displacements.
• Deforestation: Increased risk of forest fires and impacting biodiversity.
• Decreasing Crop Yields: Changes in agriculture and food supply disruptions.

Timeline of UN Climate Negotiations

• Key events and agreements in the fight for global action on climate change, including notable events such as the UNFCC, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreements.

The Paris Climate Agreement

• Agreement for global climate action to limit global warming.
• Key points about the agreement, including aspects like temperature targets, funding, burden sharing, emissions goals, and review mechanisms.

Status of Paris Agreement

• Map showing participation and status of countries in the Paris Agreement.

All the World's Carbon Emissions in 2021

• Chart illustrating the percent contribution of different regions to global carbon emissions.

Projected Emissions 1990-2030

• Graph displaying carbon emissions for developed countries (e.g., Canada, USA, EU).

Emissions Gaps

• Chart showing emissions gaps for 1.5°C and 2°C targets and comparing historical emissions to current policy predictions.
• Significant disparities exist in reaching the targets to limit warming.

Timeline of Developments Related to UN Actions

• Key timelines of UN developments to address climate change.

GHG Emissions Trajectory of Turkey

• Graph showing projected GHG emissions following business-as-usual and INDC approaches in Turkey.
• Projections and comparison to projected emissions without additional reduction efforts and reduction targets.

Ozone Holes

• Regions of thinned ozone in the stratosphere above Antarctica.
• Ozone depletion, predominantly caused by ozone-depleting substances (ODSs), like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)..

Chapman Mechanism

• A theory describing the formation and breakdown of ozone in the stratosphere through chemical reactions.

Antarctic Ozone Minimum

• Graph showing minimum ozone levels (Dobson Units, DU) measured each year in the Antarctic ozone hole.

Ozone Levels Stabilization

• Graph showing the recovery and stabilization of ozone levels since the 1990s, following the Montreal Protocol.

CFCs and Ozone Depletion

• Specific chemical families (CFCs, HCFCs, halons) cause ozone depletion in the stratosphere.
• Chemically stable and commonly used in refrigerants, aerosols, and other products..

Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs)

• Liquid or solid particles in the Polar stratosphere.
• Crucial role in facilitating heterogeneous chemical reactions to convert inactive halogen reservoir species into potential ozone-destroying radicals.

PSC Formation Temperature

• Graph illustrating the relationship between PSC formation and low temperatures.

Thomas Midgley Jr

• Played key role in the development of leaded gasoline and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which later caused environmental problems.

Source Gas Contributions to Stratospheric Chlorine

• Chart showing the contributions of various gases to stratospheric chlorine.

Decrease of Cl-Containing Gases after Montreal Protocol

• Chart illustrating the decrease in chlorine-containing gases after the Montreal Protocol.

Scientific Milestones in Ozone Depletion

• Important milestones and key scientific understandings and agreements surrounding ozone depletion.

This quiz tests your knowledge about the impact of air pollution on fabrics and human health. You will explore various pollutants and their effects, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Additionally, you'll learn about the significant environmental changes and health outcomes associated with these pollutants.