Air Pollution and Ozone Depletion

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Questions and Answers

What percentage of the global population lived in areas exceeding WHO's guideline for PM 2.5 in 2016?

86%

78%

82%

92% (correct)

Which of the following health issues is NOT commonly associated with indoor air pollution from solid fuels?

Stroke

Diabetes (correct)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Lung cancer

Where is household air pollution a greater problem related to high poverty rates?

Developing countries (correct)

Island nations

Urban areas globally

Developed countries

What is the main air pollutant concern from wildfire smoke?

PM 2.5 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of greenhouse gases in the greenhouse effect?

Absorbing and re-emitting heat Signup and view all the answers

What is the WHO guideline limit for an annual mean of PM2.5 exposure?

10 μg/m3 Signup and view all the answers

Which areas have the greatest number of deaths related to indoor air pollution?

Africa and Asia Signup and view all the answers

What type of radiation primarily passes through the Earth's atmosphere during the greenhouse effect?

Ultraviolet and visible light Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the health effects associated with PM 2.5 exposure?

Decreased lung function and heart disease Signup and view all the answers

Which actions have been taken to mitigate lead exposure in the environment?

Phasing out lead from gasoline and pipes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of the thinning of the stratospheric ozone layer?

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in various products Signup and view all the answers

What health consequences may arise from a thinning ozone layer?

Increased risk of skin cancer and cataracts Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the Montreal Protocol?

An agreement to phase out CFCs in several stages Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of the use of HFCs as replacements for CFCs?

HFCs are a super greenhouse gas more potent than CO2 Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of free radical chlorine in ozone depletion?

It reacts with ozone, converting it into oxygen molecules. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these factors is not a health implication of PM 2.5 exposure?

Enhanced neurological function Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method by which solar disinfection purifies drinking water?

Utilizing UV-A rays from sunlight through transparent bottles Signup and view all the answers

Which mosquito species is responsible for the transmission of Zika virus?

Aedes aegypti Signup and view all the answers

What challenges does the US National Flood Insurance Program currently face?

Underinsurance due to cost of larger disasters Signup and view all the answers

Which natural disaster had the highest mortality rate per 100,000 affected people between 1964 and 2013?

Tsunamis Signup and view all the answers

What common issue does the NFIP face regarding properties with repeated flood losses?

Significant expenditures from numerous repetitive losses Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of proteins in the body?

Building blocks of muscles and cells Signup and view all the answers

Which macronutrient has the highest caloric value per gram?

Fats Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a good dietary source of carbohydrates?

Fruits Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes macronutrients from micronutrients?

Macronutrients provide calories while micronutrients do not. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of dietary fats in the human body?

Absorption of fat-soluble nutrients Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fats are generally considered to be healthier?

Unsaturated fats Signup and view all the answers

How many calories per gram do proteins provide?

4 Kcal/g Signup and view all the answers

What role does dietary fiber play in health?

Supports intestinal health Signup and view all the answers

What trend has been observed in occupational energy expenditure in the US over time?

Rise in light intensity or sedentary jobs Signup and view all the answers

How does regular physical activity affect chronic disease risk?

It decreases the risk of chronic disease and mortality Signup and view all the answers

What impact does higher socioeconomic status (SES) have on greenhouse gas emissions?

Higher emissions due to larger properties and consumption Signup and view all the answers

Which LEED certification level is considered the highest honor?

Platinum Signup and view all the answers

What has contributed to increased obesity prevalence in adults over time?

Rise in sedentary and light intensity jobs Signup and view all the answers

What is a prerequisite for achieving any LEED certification level?

Meeting mandated prerequisites Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a benefit of achieving cardiovascular fitness through physical activity?

Decreased risk of cardiovascular disease mortality Signup and view all the answers

How do wealthier individuals impact greenhouse gas emissions according to their property characteristics?

They consume more goods leading to higher production emissions Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Air Pollution

4.2 million deaths occur annually due to outdoor air pollution.
3.8 million deaths occur annually due to indoor air pollution.
92% of the global population lived in areas exceeding WHO guidelines for PM2.5 in 2016.
The WHO guideline for PM2.5 is 10 μg/m3 annual mean.
Indoor air pollution is a major issue in developing countries with high poverty rates due to the use of solid fuels for cooking and heating.
The burning of solid fuels leads to poor indoor air quality, increasing the risk of pneumonia, stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer.
Most deaths from indoor air pollution occur in Africa and Asia due to limited access to clean fuel technologies.
PM2.5 is the major air pollutant of concern in wildfire smoke.

Ozone Depletion

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were the primary cause of ozone layer thinning.
CFCs were used in foam manufacturing, aerosol sprays, air conditioners, and refrigerators due to their stability.
In the stratosphere, CFCs are broken down by solar energy, releasing chlorine free radicals.
Chlorine free radicals react with ozone (O3), depleting it and producing oxygen molecules (O2 and O).
The Montreal Protocol aimed to phase out CFCs, with a transition to HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons).
HFCs are potent greenhouse gases, presenting a new environmental concern.
The ozone layer protects us from harmful UV radiation, particularly UVB and UVC, which can cause skin cancer and cataracts.

Climate Change

The greenhouse effect occurs when sunlight (UV, visible light, and infrared) warms the Earth's surface.
Some of this heat is radiated back into space, but greenhouse gases absorb outgoing infrared radiation, re-emitting it in all directions.
This process warms the Earth's surface and lower atmosphere, maintaining a habitable temperature.

Human Health Impacts

PM2.5 can cause heart attacks, heart disease, aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis, decreased lung function, increased respiratory symptoms, and premature death.
Lead (Pb) is a neurotoxin, especially harmful to children. It can also cause nerve damage and kidney damage.
Lead was emitted from gasoline, pipes, and paint, but its use has been banned in many applications, leading to a decline in blood lead levels.

Food & Nutrition

Macronutrients provide calories and are essential for energy.
There are four main macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and alcohol.
Carbohydrates provide energy and are found in fruits, vegetables, cereals, grains, and sweeteners.
Proteins are the building blocks of muscles, cells, skin, and collagen. They are also involved in enzyme production and cell signaling.
Fats are the most concentrated source of energy and are essential for absorbing fat-soluble nutrients, protecting organs, and maintaining cell membranes.

Infrastructure and Health

There has been a shift towards sedentary jobs in the US, potentially contributing to increased obesity prevalence.
Regular physical activity improves cardiovascular fitness, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Physical activity also reduces the risk of hypertension, diabetes, colon cancer, and obesity.
Higher socioeconomic status (SES) is generally associated with a higher GHG emissions footprint due to larger homes, energy-intensive appliances and more consumer goods.
However, higher SES individuals may also be more likely to invest in low-carbon emitting technologies.
The LEED certification program recognizes and encourages sustainable building practices, with four levels (Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Certified), reflecting varying levels of sustainability performance.
Solar disinfection (SODIS) provides a simple and effective way to purify water using sunlight.

Public Health and Disaster Management

The US National Flood Insurance Program faces significant challenges, including a large debt to the US Treasury and insufficient premiums to cover rising disaster costs.
The program frequently covers properties with repetitive flood losses, increasing expenditures.
The mosquito species responsible for various diseases include:
- Anopheles spp.: Malaria
- Aedes aegypti: Yellow Fever, Zika, Dengue
- Culex spp.: West Nile virus
Tsunamis have the highest mortality rate among natural disasters, killing 13,563 people per 100,000 affected between 1964-2013.

One Health Framework

By monitoring climate change and the health of animals and plants, we can predict unhealthy environments and prevent human disease.
The One Health framework emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, promoting a collaborative approach to address health challenges.

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Description

This quiz covers essential topics on air pollution and ozone depletion. It highlights the health impacts of both outdoor and indoor air pollution, as well as the role of CFCs in ozone layer thinning. Test your knowledge on these critical environmental issues and their consequences.