Chapter 18 Air PollutionIn this chapter the following topics wi.ppt

* Chapter 18: Air Pollution In this chapter the following topics will be covered: The major categories and sources of air pollution Conventional unconventional pollutants The origins and dangers of some indoor pollutants The effects of stratospheric ozone depletion and radon in indoor air How air pollution damages human health, vegetation and buildings Different approaches to air pollution control The Air Around Us Smoke, haze, dust, odors, corrosive gases, noise, and toxic compounds are present nearly everywhere, even in the most remote, pristine wilderness. Air pollution is generally the most widespread and obvious kind of environmental damage. Over the past twenty years, air quality has improved appreciably in most cities in Western Europe, North America and Japan. Air quality in the developing world has been getting much worse. Natural Sources of Air Pollution There are many natural sources of air quality degradation. - Natural fires release smoke. - Volcanoes spew out ash, acid mists, hydrogen sulfide, and other toxic gases. - Sea spray and decaying vegetation are major sources of reactive sulfur compounds in the air. - Trees and bushes emit millions of tons of volatile organic compounds. - Pollen, spores, viruses, bacteria, and other small bits of organic material are present in the air. - Bacterial metabolism of decaying vegetation in swamps and of cellulose in the guts of termites and ruminant animals is responsible for large methane releases. Human-Caused Air Pollution Primary and Secondary Pollutants Primary pollutants: those released directly from the source into the air in a harmful form. Secondary pollutants: modified to a hazardous form after they enter the air or are formed by chemical reactions as components of the air mix and interact. - Solar radiation often provides the energy for these reactions. Fugiti