Air Pollution Introduction
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What constitutes an air pollutant?

  • Any matter in the atmosphere other than oxygen, nitrogen, and inert gases (correct)
  • Only naturally occurring materials in their normal concentrations
  • Only solid particles from industrial sources
  • Only gases like carbon dioxide and nitrogen

    • What is ambient air quality primarily concerned with?

  • The levels of pollutants found only near pollutant sources
  • The immediate emissions from industrial sources
  • The purity of air in confined spaces
  • The average purity of air in a broad area (correct)

    • Which of the following is NOT classified as a primary pollutant?

  • Ozone (correct)
  • Sulfur dioxide
  • Carbon monoxide
  • Lead

    • What are fugitive emissions?

    <p>Emissions that escape during industrial processes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which pollutant is NOT among the six conventional or criteria pollutants?

    <p>Volatile organic compounds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major natural source of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere?

    <p>Evaporation of sea spray</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of emissions from oil refineries and chemical plants comes from fugitive industrial emissions?

    <p>90%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary concern of criteria pollutants?

    <p>They pose serious threats to human health and welfare.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary cause of carbon monoxide (CO) production?

    <p>Incomplete combustion of fuel</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere is converted to carbon dioxide (CO2)?

    <p>90%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does carbon monoxide affect hemoglobin in the blood?

    <p>It irreversibly binds to hemoglobin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which compounds are primarily involved in producing ground-level ozone (O3)?

    <p>Nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary definition of air pollution?

    <p>Discharges of substances that can harm public health or the environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the largest source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?

    <p>Plants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT considered a common pollutant of the air?

    <p>Pesticides</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major consequence of air pollution mentioned in the discussion?

    <p>Over 3 million deaths annually</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which gas is not a primary contributor to photochemical reactions producing ozone?

    <p>Carbon monoxide</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) during the reaction to form ozone?

    <p>It is converted to nitrous oxide (NO) and Oxygen (O)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best reflects the challenges involved in addressing air pollution?

    <p>Widespread deaths from pollution often complicate policy initiatives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which gas is produced by natural wetlands and is a significant contributor to greenhouse gases?

    <p>Methane (CH4)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following pollutants can contribute to the phenomenon referred to as 'haze'?

    <p>Smoke and dust</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'air resources' refer to in the context of air pollution?

    <p>The overall quality and purity of the atmosphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which approach is NOT effective in controlling air pollution?

    <p>Limiting public transportation options.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the phrase 'Tapat ko linis ko' in the context of air pollution?

    <p>It highlights the futility in addressing air pollution challenges.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following sources contributes the most to airborne mercury emissions?

    <p>Coal-burning power plants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary form of mercury that accumulates in living animal tissues?

    <p>Methyl mercury</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of human exposure to mercury is attributed to dietary fish consumption?

    <p>75%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which metal is mentioned as being toxic in minute doses, specifically affecting young children and developing fetuses?

    <p>Lead</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant event in the 1950s highlighted the dangers of mercury poisoning?

    <p>Minamata disease</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which seafood is NOT mentioned as a significant source of mercury in our diet?

    <p>Salmon</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was established as the primary cause of growing mercury emissions in the Pacific?

    <p>Coal burning in China</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How long after the connection was established did waste dumping in Minamata Bay continue?

    <p>10 years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate annual emission of CO2 from respiration?

    <p>370 billion tons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How much is the atmospheric level of CO2 increasing each year?

    <p>0.5 percent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are halogens commonly used in various applications?

    <p>They are lightweight and highly reactive.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which greenhouse gas is noted for having a global warming potential thousands of times greater than CO2?

    <p>CFCs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of increasing atmospheric CO2 levels?

    <p>Global climate change</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the six greenhouse gases that the EPA regulates?

    <p>Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How long do perfluorocarbons persist in the atmosphere?

    <p>Thousands of years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about CO2 at normal concentrations is true?

    <p>It is non-toxic and innocuous.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) primarily responsible for in the atmosphere?

    <p>Destroying ozone molecules</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic best defines hazardous air pollutants (HAPs)?

    <p>They are monitored due to their dangerous nature.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are some hazardous air pollutants particularly dangerous?

    <p>They bioaccumulate in animal and human tissues.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common source of aesthetic degradation in urban areas?

    <p>Light pollution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What has the EPA found regarding indoor air quality compared to outdoor air quality?

    <p>Indoor air often has higher concentrations of pollutants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What purpose do factories spray 'odor maskants' or perfumes in smokestacks serve?

    <p>To conceal objectionable odors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of pollutants does the category of hazardous air pollutants primarily include?

    <p>Metal compounds, chlorinated hydrocarbons, or volatile organic compounds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary concern associated with aesthetic degradation?

    <p>It influences quality of life and may increase stress.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Air Pollution Introduction

    • Air pollution is the alteration of atmospheric properties, chemically, physically, or biologically.
    • It involves discharge of substances into the air, harming public health, safety, or welfare.
    • Air pollution includes smoke, haze, dust, odors, corrosive gases, noise, and toxic compounds.

    Learning Outcomes

    • Identify the various effects of air pollution.
    • Describe the role of engineers in the handling of resources/materials.
    • Identify the sources of air pollution.
    • Discuss how to control air pollution.

    Air Pollutants

    • Any material in the atmosphere other than oxygen, nitrogen, water vapor, carbon dioxide, and inert gases is an air pollutant.
    • Pollutants can be detrimental to health or the environment, including smoke, dust, soot, cinders, fly ash, solid particles, gases, fumes, chemical mists, steam, and radioactive substances.

    Ambient Air Quality

    • The general amount of pollution present in a broad surrounding area, and refers to the average purity of the atmosphere.

    Primary Pollutants

    • These are hazardous pollutants released directly into the atmosphere from sources.

    Secondary Pollutants

    • Hazardous pollutants formed from chemical reactions occurring in the air after they enter the atmosphere.

    Fugitive Emissions

    • Emissions not passing through a smoke stack, but are from several sources.
    • These come from sources such as soil erosion, strip mining, rock crushing, building construction, or leaks and evaporation from oil processing facilities.

    Six Conventional/Criteria Pollutants

    • Sulfur dioxide
    • Nitrogen oxides
    • Carbon monoxide
    • Ozone
    • Lead
    • Particulate matter

    Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

    • Natural sources include sea spray, erosion of soil, and volcanoes.
    • Yearly emissions are around 114 million tons, with anthropogenic sources making up 2/3 of global emissions.
    • The major source is the combustion of fossil fuels containing sulfur.
    • SO2 is a colorless corrosive gas, causing damage to plants and animals.
    • SO3 and H2SO4 form causing acid rain.

    Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

    • NOx are toxic gases produced when fuel or air is heated above 650 degrees Celsius in the presence of oxygen.
    • Bacteria oxidize nitrogen-containing compounds in soil and water to form NO.
    • NO oxidizes further in the atmosphere to form NO2 which contributes to smog.
    • Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an intermediate form.
    • NOx are important components of acid rain, contributing to global emissions close to 230 million metric tons each year.

    Carbon Monoxide (CO)

    • Colorless, odorless toxic gas resulting from incomplete combustion.
    • Formed from fuel (coal, oil, charcoal, gas) and decomposition of organic materials.
    • CO binds irreversibly with hemoglobin.
    • Human activities account for about half of the CO released each year (1 billion metric tons).

    Ozone (O3) and Photochemical Oxidants

    • Formed from reactions between other pollutants, primarily nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight.
    • VOCs are organic chemicals found in plants (trees) that evaporate or turn into gases easily or naturally.
    • Sources of ozone include plants (ex. isoprene, terpenes).
    • Global emissions are estimated at 400 million tons for methane.

    Lead

    • Most commonly produced metal air pollutant.
    • Lead is released from smelting of metals, mining activities, fuel combustion, or industrial processes.
    • Significantly toxic to humans and animals.

    Particulate Matter

    • Solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in a gas.
    • Includes dust, ash, soot, smoke, and pollen.
    • Fine particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) are harmful to lungs.
    • Concerns over the effects of these include their effect on allergies.

    Other Pollutants

    • Mercury* - Toxic metal produced by burning coal, oil, mining, and manufacturing.
    • Carbon Dioxide (CO2)* - Major greenhouse gas, released through human activities.
    • Halogens* - Reactive elements contributing to greenhouse effect.
    • Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs)* - Dangerous toxins often monitored by the EPA.

    Stratospheric Ozone

    • Ozone levels are dropping over the south pole in September/October which has been occurring since about 1960s.
    • This depletion is most greatly affected by chlorine-based aerosols. This is especially true of CFCs and other halon gases.

    Acid Precipitation

    • The deposition of acidic solutions (rain, snow, or dry acidic particles) from the air.
    • Created from transportation-related pollutants (automobile exhaust) and industrial emissions.

    Air Pollution Control Facilities (APCF)

    • General term for structure or installation controlling emissions from air pollution.
    • Examples include filters, scrubbers, and dust collectors.
    • Processes like particulate removal, sulfur removal, and nitrogen oxide removal, and hydrocarbon removal.

    Temperature Inversions

    • Atmospheric layer of warmer air located above a layer of cooler air.
    • These prevent the dispersal of pollutants.

    Indoor Air Pollution

    • Indoor air pollutant concentrations can be much higher than outdoor concentrations.
    • People spend more time indoors than outdoors.

    Air Pollution- The Silent Killer

    • Air pollution is a substantial environmental risk to human health.
    • Millions die due to exposure every year.
    • Air quality reduction can be a major contributing factor to heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer, along with many other respiratory problems.

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    MT2 Air Pollution PDF

    Description

    This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of air pollution, including its effects, sources, and control measures. Participants will learn about the roles of engineers in addressing air quality and the various pollutants that harm public health and the environment. Test your knowledge on this critical topic affecting our planet.

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